John Amaro, LAc, DC, Dipl. Ac.(NCCAOM), Dipl.Med.Ac.(IAMA)
Yes, I was really serious about clipping Part I of this column and saving it for future reference. To make my point perfectly clear, we are repeating the graphics of the first four meridians, namely LU, LI, ST, and SP.
For those of you in North America, you have seen these graphics in the September 12, 1990 issue of Dynamic Chiropractic. For those in the rest of the world, this is your first opportunity. Please heed my advice -- clip and save this column. Don't miss an issue of Dynamic Chiropractic. The information presented in this column alone will undoubtedly, positively alter the course of thousands of your patients' lives.
What we are presenting here and throughout this series is the classic "meridian" pathway as described by the ancients, 5,000 or more years ago. The graphics presented here are unique in that they also show the "internal" meridian pathway illustrated by a broken line as well as the classic pathway shown by a solid line.
Perhaps one of the most significant rules of acupuncture is: A Meridian Affects What It Is Named After Or Where It Courses To (or through). It is imperative you take a few minutes, analyze that last statement, and become more than familiar with each of the pathways discussed.
To affect a meridian, one may simply stimulate (non-invasive is fine), the source point on the meridian which you will find shown in the descriptions. For example, it is possible to affect an eye condition by stimulating the source point of the stomach (ST42) as the meridian flows just under the eye. An inner knee problem could be possibly treated by SP3, as well as surround the dragon (points on and around the knee).
Sounds too easy? Sorry! Obviously there are more rules to learn, however, these will get you started with a significant number of successes.
Do these "meridians" physically exist? I seriously doubt it. Researchers have been unsuccessful to physically display the "meridians," however, they likewise have been unsuccessful in physically producing beta, gamma, radio, as well as other "waves" known to exist. I personally feel the mechanism of acupuncture/meridian therapy affects the electromagnetic flow of the body through the "meridian waves" of the body. I do not stand alone regarding that thought even though I just now coined the word "meridian wave." I kind of like it!
The chiropractic profession is under a sophisticated and relentless assault from corporate medicine, so strategically executed that most don’t even recognize it happening. The campaign is powerful, calculated, and well-funded, demonstrated by its covert tactics and the millions being invested to carry it out. Corporate medicine's endgame wants only two things from chiropractic: all our patients and all our money – and it is getting it.
Over the past two decades, more than 18 million spinal surgeries have been performed in the United States, and cervical disc replacements represent a fair share of those. Device recalls due to design flaws can place patients in difficult clinical situations, especially those who are symptomatic and reluctant to undergo revision surgery. This case highlights the role of chiropractors in managing complex postsurgical patients, particularly those with recalled spinal implants.
UnitedHealth Group, parent company of UnitedHealthcare, has announced sweeping changes to its prior-authorization (PA) requirements that will eliminate the requirement for chiropractic care and numerous other healthcare services by the end of 2026. Doctors of chiropractic, other providers and patients have long lamented prior authorization requirements because they can delay needed treatment, limit access and even cause some patients not to pursue care.
