A Look at 内关穴, the Inner Pass Meridian
Firstly, What Are Meridians?
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), meridians are considered pathways or channels through which vital energy, called Qi, flows in the body. These meridians are believed to be interconnected networks that link various organs, tissues, and physiological functions. The concept of meridians is fundamental to understanding and practising acupuncture, acupressure, and other traditional Chinese healing methods.
There are 12 main meridians in traditional Chinese medicine, categorised into six pairs of yin and yang meridians, and each meridian is named after the organ it is associated with. These meridians are:
- Lung Meridian
- Large Intestine Meridian
- Stomach Meridian
- Spleen Meridian
- Heart Meridian
- Small Intestine Meridian
- Bladder Meridian
- Kidney Meridian
- Pericardium Meridian
- Triple Burner Meridian (triple energizer)
- Gallbladder Meridian
- Liver Meridian
The Pericardium Meridian
The pericardium covers the heart and is considered in Chinese medicine to be an organ function of its own. The Pericardium meridian begins in the chest and connects to the pericardium. From here it moves down the chest, connecting the three sections of the San Jiao meridian. Another branch moves horizontally across the chest, coming to the surface of the ribs, moves up and around the armpit and down the front of the bicep and forearm to the palm, and ends at the tip of the middle finger. A small branch leads from the palm to the tip of the ring finger where it connects to the San Jiao meridian.
The Inner Pass Acupoint, 内关穴
The Inner Pass acupoint belongs to the Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian and is located on the palm side of the forearm. To locate the Inner Pass acupoint, join the three fingers of the right hand and place the ring finger on the wrist crease of the left hand. The midpoint where the index finger of the right hand intersects with the wrist is the Inner Pass acupoint.
“Inner” refers to the internal aspect, and “Pass” signifies a gateway. The name Inner Pass implies that the superficial meridian water of the Pericardium Meridian enters the body through this point. The qi of the internal meridian, after being transformed by the water of the superficial meridian, cannot exit the acupoint to the body surface, as if blocked by a checkpoint, hence earning the name Inner Pass.
The Inner Pass acupoint is associated with the treatment of a list of conditions, including headaches, chest pain, palpitations, insomnia, chest pains, epilepsy, arm pain, irregular heartbeat, and more.
Sources:
“Link”
Yinyoga “https://yinyoga.com/yinsights/the-upper-body-meridians/”