Chiropractic and acupuncture are complementary systems that rid blockages allowing the body to heal itself, and it all begins at the feet

In many aspects, chiropractic and Oriental philosophy are similar. Both deal with the free-flowing of chi (life force or aura). What chiropractors call the innate or the power that makes the body heal itself, is acupuncturists’ term for chi.

Meridians of the Road

Just as chiropractic deals with the subluxation as the major cause of disease, Oriental philosophy deals with blockages of energy flow through channels also known as meridians.¹ The effects of meridian blockages are similar to the effects of vertebral subluxation: a subluxation creates either a hyper- or hypo-condition along the nerve pathway, as does a blockage in chi along the meridian pathway. The same factors that create a subluxation—temperature, diet, stress, physical or emotional traumas—create a blockage in the meridians. With acupuncture, specific points on the skin are treated to remove these blockages, bringing the patient back to health.

Although acupuncture by name implies the use of needles, many other forms are commonly used. Nonpiercing needles called teishin are often used, as well as electro, friction, percussion, finger pressure, ice, moxabustion (a form of heat known as the chinese herb mugwort), tapping, and massage techniques.²

Since meridians pass over the spinal vertebra, a subluxation creates a meridian imbalance, and a meridian imbalance creates a subluxation. This results in the need for extensive chiropractic adjustments due to the vertebra not holding in position.

There are 12 interconnected main meridians: lung, large intestine, stomach, spleen, heart, small intestine, bladder, kidney, circulation sex, triple warmer, gall bladder, and liver.³ The energy flow is continuous throughout all 12 meridians until it returns to the originating meridian.

This same flow is present in every human and animal on earth. In humans, six of these meridians begin or end at the feet—the spleen, liver, kidney (Figures 1, 2, and 3, see page 26), bladder, gall bladder, and stomach. Notice how the meridians pass over crucial areas of the foot where common subluxations can occur. Similarly, the three yang meridians of the bladder, gall bladder, and stomach also originate in the feet. The yin meridians run up the medial and posterior part of the leg, and the yang meridians run down the anterior and lateral side of the leg.

Each of these organ channels affects the specific course of the meridian flow, the organ itself, and, because they are nterconnected, the other meridians. These channels are just subepidermal and control all functions of the body. For example, Western medicine believes that blood flow controls organ function. However, in Oriental philosophy, chi controls blood flow. Therefore, without chi nothing can live.

Whenever there are changes in foot structure, stress is placed on the meridians, which then creates blockages and interferes with the normal flow. Therefore, one major factor in getting sick people well is detecting and correcting any imbalances in the foot structure. When changes in foot structure create a meridian imbalance, it can affect all muscle, tendon, and ligament tissue along the course of the meridian and will eventually affect the organ itself.

Figure 1. Spleen.	Figure 2. Liver	Figure 3. Kidney
Figures 1-3. THe three yin meridians of the foot for the spleen, liver and kidney.

Kidney Punch

As one powerful example, notice how the kidney channel begins at the bottom of the foot and has 27 points that run a course bilaterally to the clavicle (Figure 3). It passes over the ankle, knee, hip, lower back, upper back, lungs, and the kidneys themselves. Any changes in foot structure will affect everything mentioned above. The kidney channel is also responsible for lower back pain, tinnitus, loss of hearing, premature graying and hair loss, enuresis, nocturnal emissions, spermatorrea, impotence, prolapse of uterus, chronic vaginal discharge, cold limbs, vertigo, deafness, night sweats, infertility, and edema of the legs to name a few. The kidney channel affects sexual activity and “essence” (desire).

According to Oriental philosophy, chi is formed at the moment of conception. Similar to good genes, our inherited constitution depends on the strength and quality of our parent’s essence at the time of conception. Hence, if the essences are weak at that time, the child’s kidney channel will also be weak. This may manifest with poor bone development, mental deficiencies, a pigeon chest, a weak back, incontinence, enuresis, loose teeth, and thin hair. Oriental philosophy places a great deal of emphasis on the relation between the parents’ essences and the hereditary constitution of their offspring.

As one ages, the kidney essence (or jing) declines. Most of the symptoms and signs associated with old age are due to a deficiency of kidney jing. For example, sexual function decreases because of declining kidney jing. Since the kidney channel begins at the bottom of the foot, it is crucial to have proper foot alignment in order for the meridians to stay in proper balance and support the spinal structures as well as the surrounding tissue.

Any imbalance or blockage in chi results in dis-ease. Whether the imbalance is at the feet or some other location in the body, that blockage needs to be resolved.

Although local points are effective in acupuncture, most results are obtained distally—usually from the elbows to the fingers or from the knees to the toes. Correcting foot structure is a chief ingredient and vital in sustaining correction and balancing energy flow, whether it is to correct a subluxation or to remove a chi blockage. Since all meridians connect with each other, the correction of a foot imbalance will correct a problem 5 ft to 6 ft away from the foot and plays a major factor in the restoration of total health.

Zev J. Myerowitz, DC, FASA, FASNE, CCAc, Dipl Ac (ASA), Dipl Ac NCCAOM, Lic Ac, is in private practice at Myerowitz Chiropractic in Holden, Me. He has more than 10 years’ experience as a licensed acupuncture teacher from the Acupuncture Society of America. Myerowitz can be reached via email: zev@prexar.com.

References
1. Lu HC. The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine. 1st ed. Vancouver, Canada: The Academy of Oriental Heritage; 1978.
2. Liangyue D. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion. 1st ed. Beijing: Foreign Language Press; 1987.
3. Maciocia G. The Foundations of Chinese Medicine. 1st ed. London: Churchill, Livingstone, Robert Stevenson House; 1989.