The chong mai

The subject of this article is the CHONG MAI, an Extraordinary Channel called « the Sea of the 5 organs (Zang) and 6 viscera (Fu) » in the Ling Shu.

The Chong Mai distributes the energies (one, nutritive, the other, defensive) produced by the 3 burners to the 11 organs/viscera and the 12 channels, which will utilize them (see chapter IX: the Extraordinary Channels).

The Chong Mai points

 (called function Mu points by Jacques Pialoux)

ST 30 is the entry and starter point. It is utilized when the energies remain blocked in the burners. The points from KD 11 to KD 21 control the distribution of energies to the organs and viscera.

Distribution order is the following:

  • ST 30 -> (PC)
  • KD 11 -> HT
  • KD 12 -> SI
  • KD 13 -> UB
  • KD 14 -> LU
  • KD 15 -> LI
  • KD 16 -> KD
  • KD 17 -> ST
  • KD 18 -> SP
  • KD 19 -> TW
  • KD 20 -> GB
  • KD 21 -> LV

Overall control

The tests on the different tissue areas in resonance to the Chong Mai give the same information. In case of Chong Mai disturbance, the therapist cannot « cross » the tissue when he (she) interrogates it transversally to the longitudinal axis of the body, he has the sensation of a « wall », an obstacle (see chapter 1: the energetic palpation). These areas are :

Picture 1
  • the first metacarpal’s head, at the osseous level (see picture1)
Picture 2
  • the dermis of the inguinal fold (picture 2)
Picture 3
  • the epidermis (surface) of the anterior upper thigh (palpation with the palm of hand) (picture 3)
  • the epidermis (surface) of the anterior upper thigh (palpation with fingers). It is the »centre » area for Chong Mai, utilized for correction. This centre is the same one for the Ren Mai (see chapter VI: introduction to the centres).

Determining the disturbed energetic function

The interrogation of the Minister Fire-Earth-Metal positions from top to bottom

It is done through a crosswise interrogation of the radial groove, at the osseous level, above the radial pulses, with the traditional distribution of the different positions (see chapter VI).

Picture 4 shows the interrogation of the Minister Fire-Earth-Metal positions from top to bottom. The palpation of the related points allows to differentiate the organ from the viscera.

This test is the same one for the Jing Bie Mu points (classic front-Mu points).

Correction

The therapist puts one hand on the centre, the other one on the Chong Mai point related to the disturbed organ or viscera. Picture 5 shows the correction of KD 16 point.

Note: an organ or viscera is correctly nourished in depth by the 3 burners if its function Front-Mu point (Chong Mai point), its function Back-Shu point (see chapter VII) and its Jing Bie Front-Mu point (the classic Front-Mu point is related to the “burner” function – see also chapter VII) are open.

The correction of KD 16 point