Twelve channel sinews

Sinews (muscles, tendons) following the path of the channels, together filling the entire surface of the body. They are named after the channels (e.g., hand yáng brightness (yáng míng) channel sinews). They have no acupoints associated with them. They do not connect to the bowels and viscera. They all begin at the extremities of one of the four limbs.

The channel sinews generally follow the path of the channel with which they are associated. As they proceed up the four limbs, they bind to the joints, then disperse (spread out) over the chest or back and terminate at the head or on the trunk. Some of them enter the chest or abdomen, where they disperse at specific locations.

Functions

The functions of the channel sinews are similar to those ascribed in Western medicine to the musculature. The channel sinews bind the bones and ensure movement of the joints. For this reason, the set of symptoms associated with them include muscle sprains and strains, cramp, spasm and atrophy.

Unlike the regular channels, the channel sinews are not responsible for the transportation of qì and blood. They are channel-like sinews, not sinew-like channels.

Binding Points

The channels sinews are grouped by yīn and yáng and hand and foot to form four sets. The channel sinews of each set unite at four binding points. These are as follows:

• The three foot yáng channel sinews bind in the region of the cheek.
• The three foot yīn channel sinews bind in the genital region.
• The three hand yang channel sinews bind at the corners of the forehead.
• The three hand yīn channel sinews bind in the abdominothoracic region (near the stomach duct).

The pathways and disorders associated with each channel sinew are mostly local pain, distension, or swelling.