(It is preceded by the 8 Extra balance, which involves the first 3 or 4-point recommendations.)<\/em><\/p>\nBy putting the yin-yang<\/em> partners into balance, internal stress is reduced and zang-fu functionality is enhanced. Clinical application of Divergent channel treatment is rarely discussed in the modern TCM world, but Japanese acupuncturists revived and embellished the treatment during the 1970s and 1980s, to great effect.<\/p>\nHistorical Development<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe organization of divergent channels was first recorded in the Huang Di Nei Jing<\/strong>\u00a0(\u201cYellow Emperor\u2019s Internal Classic\u201d, 2nd<\/sup>c. BCE)<\/em>, in the second part, the Ling Shu<\/strong>\u00a0(\u201cSpiritual Pivot\u201d)<\/em>, Chapter 11,\u00a0Jing Bie<\/strong>\u00a0(\u201cChannel Branches\u201d)<\/em>. It describes in detail the branching and connecting of the paired channels by their anatomical locations. The pairs, in the order specified by in the Nei Jing<\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>are:<\/p>\n\nFoot Taiyang\u00a0<\/em>(BL) with Foot Shaoyin\u00a0<\/em>(KI) – water<\/strong><\/li>\nFoot Shaoyang\u00a0<\/em>(GB) with Foot Jueyin\u00a0<\/em>(LV) – wood<\/strong><\/li>\nFoot Yangming\u00a0<\/em>(ST) with Foot Taiyin\u00a0<\/em>(SP) – earth<\/strong><\/li>\nHand Taiyang\u00a0<\/em>(SI) with Hand Shaoyin\u00a0<\/em>(HT) – fire<\/strong><\/li>\nHand Shaoyang <\/em>(TE) with Hand Jueyin\u00a0<\/em>(PC) \u2013 ministerial fire<\/strong><\/li>\nHand Yangming\u00a0<\/em>(LI) with Hand Taiyin\u00a0<\/em>(LU) – metal<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nNei Jing<\/strong><\/em> (Ling Shu, Chapter 11)<\/em> does not indicate at all what the function of these channels are, only the routing. It establishes the relationship of the yin and yang partner-channels of the six divisions. The term Jing Bie<\/strong><\/em> (\u7ecf\u522b j\u012bng bi\u00e9) has stayed in use as the general term for the Divergent Channels, although \u201cBranched Channels\u201d would be a more accurate translation.<\/p>\nThe take-home from the original Nei Jing<\/strong> <\/em>description is the routing, placement, and sequence. These six pairs later were called Confluences, and the Nei Jing<\/strong><\/em> order became…<\/p>\n\nFirst Confluence (BL-KI<\/strong>)<\/li>\nSecond Confluence (GB-LV<\/strong>)<\/li>\nThird Confluence (ST-SP<\/strong>)<\/li>\nFourth Confluence (SI-HT<\/strong>)<\/li>\nFifth Confluence (TE-PC<\/strong>)<\/li>\nSixth Confluence (LI-LU)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\nLing Shu<\/strong><\/em> Chapter 11 mapped out a general routing of the paired Confluences with places of intersection or crossing. Names of specific acupuncture points were not given, only general anatomical locations, such as \u201cdescends again to reach the Triple Warmer and scatters on the chest\u201d<\/strong>, or, \u201cascends to communicate with the pharynx and links the root of the tongue\u201d.<\/strong> Only later were specific acupoints names given.<\/p>\nMiki Shima sums up the general routing in the following diagram (more specific locations with acupoints can be seen in Hamid Montakab\u2019s diagrams at the end of this article).<\/em><\/p>\nBasically the Divergent channel \u201cdiverges\u201d or branches from the main channel to join with their yin-yang\u00a0<\/em>partner channel and organ.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nfrom The Channel Divergences, Shima and Chace, p. 32 <\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe order of the Nei Jing <\/em><\/strong>Confluences, for me, led to several interesting observations. The first is that the pairs are anatomically in sequence, from lateral to medial. Starting with the foot, the most lateral pair of channels are BL<\/strong> and KI<\/strong>, then GB<\/strong> and LV<\/strong>, and finally, most medially is ST<\/strong> and SP<\/strong>. The same Confluence sequence, also lateral to medial, is found in the hand: the most lateral is SI<\/strong> and HT<\/strong>, then TE<\/strong> and PC<\/strong>, and finally, most medial, is LI<\/strong> and LU<\/strong>.<\/p>\nSecondly, the Confluences combine the yang\u00a0<\/em>and yin\u00a0<\/em>partnered-channels of the six divisions. The order for the yang<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>channels goes from lateral to medial: Taiyang, Shaoyang, Yangming. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nThe order (but not the Confluence order)<\/em> for the yin<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>channels is the opposite, that is, medial to lateral: Taiyin<\/em>, Jueyin\u00a0<\/em>and Shaoyin.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nThis sequence indicates the depth of the channels, with Taiyang\u00a0<\/em>(BL<\/strong> and SI<\/strong>) being the most superficial, and Shaoyin\u00a0<\/em>(HT<\/strong> and KI<\/strong>) being the deepest.<\/p>\nThis sequence precedes, and is different from, the 2nd<\/sup>c. CE herbal classic Shang Han Lun<\/strong>, written by Zhang Zhong-Jing, who went Taiyang, Yangming, Shaoyang; Taiyin, Shaoyin, Jueyin.<\/strong>)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\nThe Divergent channels regulate the distribution of qi<\/em>, blood, yin, yang\u00a0<\/em>and fluids throughout the body. They actually allow interconnection between all the layers of energy and blood flow: the superficial<\/strong> (skin, musculo-tendino and luo-connecting channels)<\/em>, the middle layer<\/strong> (interstitial fascia, the lymphatics, the Primary channels)<\/em>, and the deepest layer<\/strong>: the internal zang-fu\u00a0<\/em>organs and the Eight Extraordinary channels (in the TCM orientation)<\/em>.<\/p>\nThey are involved in pathogenic transmission of disease from the exterior to the organs, and offer a way to make sure pathogens don\u2019t get to the internal zang-fu.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\nConversely, disruptions in the internal zang-fu\u00a0<\/em>can emanate out through the layers to the exterior – think liver toxins affecting the skin. Any disruption in the body \u2013 wei, ying, <\/em>and\u00a0yuan\u00a0<\/em>layers \u2013 can be transferred in the Divergent channels.<\/p>\nThe following observations are from noted scholars in the field of Divergent Channels.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/strong>THE FUNCTION OF THE DIVERGENTS <\/strong><\/h2>\n
From\u00a0Acupuncture Point and Channel Energetics<\/em>, Hamid Montakab, Keiner, 2014<\/strong><\/p>\n\nRegulate distribution of qi<\/em>, blood, yin, yang\u00a0<\/em>and fluids<\/li>\nEnhance the relationship between exterior and interior\n\nProtect against pathogenic influences from diving deeper into body<\/li>\n Last protection against xie qi <\/em>(pathogenic qi<\/em>) penetrating to zang-fu<\/em><\/li>\nDeeper pathogens can get stuck at the divergent channel level, becoming latent or chronic pathogens<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n Allow\u00a0yin\u00a0<\/em>and yang\u00a0<\/em>partner channels to influence each other\n\nFor example, LU 7<\/strong> can influence the face, even though the channel does not surface at the face, by affecting the LI channel<\/li>\nAllows partner channel to take on excess or support deficiency<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n Only channels besides the Primaries to nourish and regulate the internal zang-fu\u00a0<\/em>organs<\/li>\nMaintain connection between head (heaven) and body (earth)\n\nHelps connect head and neck with body and organs<\/li>\n Under stress, energy rises to head. Heaven and earth separate, and the root with the lower dantian\u00a0<\/em>is broken<\/li>\nTreatment brings excess above (neck and face) back down to he-sea\u00a0<\/em>points<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nFUNDAMENTALS OF THE DIVERGENT CHANNELS <\/strong><\/h2>\naccording to David Twicken, The Divergent Channels<\/em>, Singing Dragon, 2014<\/strong><\/p>\nThe Divergent Channels…<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nHave no points of their own. They intersect with primary channels, and are influenced by those points<\/li>\n Strengthen the connections of the yin\u00a0<\/em>and yang <\/em>partner channels. These connections determine the six Confluences. Most texts say that this is their most important function<\/li>\nFlow through the major joints of the body, especially those with large spaces\n\nPathogens are more easily stored in these spaces<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\nHave an ascending or upwards direction, moving from the knees, hip and waist, chest, shoulders, and then the throat and face. This ascending action can move beneficial substances upwards (qi<\/em>, blood, ying<\/em>) but also can move pathogens upwards and outwards<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/li>\n Can interface interior and exterior, to bring vital substances or pathogens inwards, or force them outwards<\/li>\n Distribute qi\u00a0<\/em>to the neck, face, head and the sensory organs<\/li>\nInfluence the three layers of the body: the superficial layer (wei qi)<\/em>; the middle layer (ying qi);\u00a0<\/em>and the deeper level (yuan qi)<\/em><\/li>\nProvide the internal connections of zang-fu\u00a0<\/em>organs to their sensory outlets (liver-eyes, lung-skin, heart-tongue, spleen-lips, kidney-ears)<\/li>\nProvide the internal connections of zang-fu\u00a0<\/em>organs to their emotional and psychological manifestations (liver: anger\/depression; lung: grief; heart: excitement; spleen: pensiveness; kidney: fear; etc.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nCLINICAL APPLICATIONS ACCORDING TO TWICKEN<\/strong><\/h2>\nDavid Twicken, in The Divergent Channels <\/em><\/strong>(2014), carefully looks at the original Nei Jing Ling Shu<\/em><\/strong>, and finds six areas where the Divergent channels can be used clinically.<\/p>\nThe Divergent Channels…<\/strong><\/p>\n\nTreat conditions along their pathways, including areas where the Primary channels are not located<\/li>\n Treat their associated internal organs. The Divergents begin and end on the Primary channels, but they diverge to the associated partner yin\u00a0<\/em>or yang\u00a0<\/em>channel allowing them to treat the partner zang-fu<\/em><\/li>\nTreat conditions of their partner Primary channel, especially pathogenic factors. (Ling Shu<\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>Chapter 10)<\/li>\n
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In this article, I will go into detail regarding the Divergent channels treatment. I am indebted to the attention and detail proposed by Miki Shima and Charles Chace in their book, The Channel Divergences<\/em><\/strong>, which I recommend for those seeking more and deeper information.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.miridiatech.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Channel-DIvergence-Trajectory-Schematic-715x1024.png\")
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Branch out (separate) from the Primary Channels<\/li>\n