Chinese medicine believes there is a distribution network for the
fundamental substances of Qi (pronounced chee), Blood and Body fluid
throughout the body. These fundamental substances are different from the common western understandings of these terms, and their concepts are important for maintaining health using Chinese medicine. This distribution network called the Meridian System which looks like a giant web, linking different areas of our body together. Its pathways make up a comprehensive yet complex body map that supplies vital energy to every part of the body.

Philosophically, the Meridian System explains how we live, and why we
become sick. Although meridians work as a channel system which carries and distributes qi and blood, they are not blood vessels and have no anatomical channel structure. Many meridian research projects have been carried out over the years testing different hypotheses of how this system works. Physiological hypotheses such as nervous reflex models have been put forward, but researchers have not yet come up with a definitive model that can give a complete anatomical description of the Meridian System.

Although meridians work as a channel system which carries and distributes qi and blood, they are not blood vessels and have no anatomical channel structure. Many meridian research projects have been carried out over the years testing different hypotheses of how this system works. Physiological hypotheses such as nervous reflex models have been put forward, but researchers have not yet come up with a definitive model that can give a complete anatomical description of the Meridian System.