The Dai Mai is translated as the ‘girdling’ meridian or the ‘belt’ meridian as in its trajectory it circles the waist region of the body. Dai Mai essentially has the function of bundling the meridians on the horizontal plane & keeping them functioning in good order.
If we observe the Chinese characters used to depict Dai Mai we find that ‘Dai’ is drawn as a belt that has valuable items hanging from it. Thus, it keeps these valuable trinkets in a certain ‘order’ and in there appropriate ‘place’ just as the Dai Mai keeps the other meridians running vertically ‘up & down’ in their place and appropriate order. In doing so the Dai Mai keeps the energetic flow of the individual on course and flowing in a harmonious manner conducive to the elements and natural cyclical changes.
The Chinese character that the classical acupuncturists of times past used to depict ‘Mai’ shows ‘flesh’ and the lakes, rivers & tributaries (veins, arteries, lymph, meridians…) that in their ebb and flow integrate the body into a state of oneness.
The trajectory of the Dai Mai meridian seems to intersect with the acupuncture points Shenshu BL 23, Zhangmen LIV 13, Daimai GB 26, Wushu GB 27 & Weidao 28. Below we will now discuss a couple of these vital acupuncture points:
Shen Shu BL 23 (kidney shu) is the back ‘shu’ acupuncture point for the Kidneys & as such it is where the strength, vitality & reserves of the Kidneys can manifest and also be engaged from in times of need. The Chinese character for ‘Shen’ depicts the concept of ‘flesh’ and a minister who is under a master or individual socially superior to them. It is said that in the times of the Han dynasty ‘slaves’ were men/women of great skill and knowledge who were at the peak of their trade or skill set. As such, they guided their master or emperor with their inherent abilities and acquired skills and thus played their pivotal part for the ‘whole’ (empire). If we relate this to the body, ‘Shen’ can relate to something of great importance that we can draw on in times of need, it is our inherent essence, vitality and drive that powers us through experience and knowledge. Shen is our deep reserves, in essence our ‘kidneys’.
The Chinese character used to depict the concept of ‘Shu’ relates to a small barge that is old and basic in its design and construction. This barge is travelling upstream to be united & as such the ‘shu’ acupuncture points are an exchange or point of transfer where the deep organs can manifest and be directly engaged from the external manifestation of the ‘shu’ acupuncture point.
Wu Shu GB 27 (five pivots) is very interesting to me as the character ‘Wu’ depicts the four seasons manifesting from the centre, and as such it represents the five phases or movements. The Chinese character holds the addition of a horizontal line added above and below which represents the ‘heavens’ & ‘earth’ thus the depiction of yin/yang, that which the five movements manifest from is present too. ‘Shu’ in this case represents a pivot of sorts or an axis. For me this depiction of ‘Wushu’ is fascinating as the location of Wushu GB 27 is in the region just below the ASIS close to where the inguinal ligament attaches. It is interesting to note that the classical acupuncturists chose this acupuncture point at this particular region to represent the ‘vital five points of movement’ as in my acupuncture clinical practice I utilise this region (Wushu GB 27) to diagnose and treat hip issues, lower back pain, fertility & basically any condition where the possible malposition of the pelvic girdle may be an issue. Furthermore, the general way I am able to correct the position of the pelvic girdle (vital region from which we pivot) and the region of Wushu GB 27 is through utilising acupuncture points on the Kidney meridian that relate to the individuals constitution. Thus this for me ties in the name & essence of the acupuncture point Wushu/five pivots with its clinical relationship to the ‘vital pivoting action of the hip and pelvic region. Furthermore, it is very interesting that in my acupuncture clinical experience it is generally a distal acupuncture point on the kidney meridian that will release this region and re-align the pelvic girdle (Dai Mai originating at Shenshu BL 23/distal Kidney acupuncture point affecting acupuncture point ‘wushu’ on Dai Mai).
As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.
Warm Regards,
Giancarlo Nerini - Acupuncturist (Melbourne & Safety Beach)
If we observe the Chinese characters used to depict Dai Mai we find that ‘Dai’ is drawn as a belt that has valuable items hanging from it. Thus, it keeps these valuable trinkets in a certain ‘order’ and in there appropriate ‘place’ just as the Dai Mai keeps the other meridians running vertically ‘up & down’ in their place and appropriate order. In doing so the Dai Mai keeps the energetic flow of the individual on course and flowing in a harmonious manner conducive to the elements and natural cyclical changes.
The Chinese character that the classical acupuncturists of times past used to depict ‘Mai’ shows ‘flesh’ and the lakes, rivers & tributaries (veins, arteries, lymph, meridians…) that in their ebb and flow integrate the body into a state of oneness.
The trajectory of the Dai Mai meridian seems to intersect with the acupuncture points Shenshu BL 23, Zhangmen LIV 13, Daimai GB 26, Wushu GB 27 & Weidao 28. Below we will now discuss a couple of these vital acupuncture points:
Shen Shu BL 23 (kidney shu) is the back ‘shu’ acupuncture point for the Kidneys & as such it is where the strength, vitality & reserves of the Kidneys can manifest and also be engaged from in times of need. The Chinese character for ‘Shen’ depicts the concept of ‘flesh’ and a minister who is under a master or individual socially superior to them. It is said that in the times of the Han dynasty ‘slaves’ were men/women of great skill and knowledge who were at the peak of their trade or skill set. As such, they guided their master or emperor with their inherent abilities and acquired skills and thus played their pivotal part for the ‘whole’ (empire). If we relate this to the body, ‘Shen’ can relate to something of great importance that we can draw on in times of need, it is our inherent essence, vitality and drive that powers us through experience and knowledge. Shen is our deep reserves, in essence our ‘kidneys’.
The Chinese character used to depict the concept of ‘Shu’ relates to a small barge that is old and basic in its design and construction. This barge is travelling upstream to be united & as such the ‘shu’ acupuncture points are an exchange or point of transfer where the deep organs can manifest and be directly engaged from the external manifestation of the ‘shu’ acupuncture point.
Wu Shu GB 27 (five pivots) is very interesting to me as the character ‘Wu’ depicts the four seasons manifesting from the centre, and as such it represents the five phases or movements. The Chinese character holds the addition of a horizontal line added above and below which represents the ‘heavens’ & ‘earth’ thus the depiction of yin/yang, that which the five movements manifest from is present too. ‘Shu’ in this case represents a pivot of sorts or an axis. For me this depiction of ‘Wushu’ is fascinating as the location of Wushu GB 27 is in the region just below the ASIS close to where the inguinal ligament attaches. It is interesting to note that the classical acupuncturists chose this acupuncture point at this particular region to represent the ‘vital five points of movement’ as in my acupuncture clinical practice I utilise this region (Wushu GB 27) to diagnose and treat hip issues, lower back pain, fertility & basically any condition where the possible malposition of the pelvic girdle may be an issue. Furthermore, the general way I am able to correct the position of the pelvic girdle (vital region from which we pivot) and the region of Wushu GB 27 is through utilising acupuncture points on the Kidney meridian that relate to the individuals constitution. Thus this for me ties in the name & essence of the acupuncture point Wushu/five pivots with its clinical relationship to the ‘vital pivoting action of the hip and pelvic region. Furthermore, it is very interesting that in my acupuncture clinical experience it is generally a distal acupuncture point on the kidney meridian that will release this region and re-align the pelvic girdle (Dai Mai originating at Shenshu BL 23/distal Kidney acupuncture point affecting acupuncture point ‘wushu’ on Dai Mai).
As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.
Warm Regards,
Giancarlo Nerini - Acupuncturist (Melbourne & Safety Beach)
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