Sixth, countless stimulation points distributed in triple energizer space outside meridians
Triple energizer-meridian system features rapid autogenous-transmission functions and loops through the brain conveying information, which achieve the local and global efficacy of acupuncture anesthesia.
1. TCM scholars have discovered some nerve stimulation points which are located on the peripheral distribution area of nerve system[14]. The very short stimulation applied to the points will evoke neural discharge-like feeling, thus producing a therapeutic effect. They believe that effects are the outcome of direct needle stimulation on nerves, and has nothing to do with meridians. These stimulation points could not be regarded as existing acupoints.
After having solved the perplexity of the triple energizer-meridian system, and recognized its nature of anatomy, we make it clear that these puncture points are just on the nerve sheaths, which are the distribution area of connective tissues of the triple energizer-meridian system. The nerve sheaths and the nerves, like shadow following the body, join the dominative function of the nerves. Hence only 3 seconds stimulus each time will generate effects. Apart from this, effects from the stimulus points are of systemic role, rather than the nerve-dominative area as defined by modern neurology. The cross-nerve distribution effects produced from local stimulus points spread through the systemic connective tissue network of the triple energizers-meridians system.
2. Application of acupuncture anesthesia has obtained medical approval. It is clear that stimulating acupoints taken along meridians in the state of Deqi can reach analgesia in the far meridians dominating region. There is still one major puzzle. That is why stimulating non-meridians area, such as wrist-ankle acupuncture, float needle, and only a slight stimulation of superficial connective tissue without Deqi can produce analgesic effects.
Xiao, through stimulating the right side of Zusanli(ST36) and its next 2 cm of non-acupoint area, found more activation to varying degrees in the same brain regions, which suggests that all stimulating points are in the triple energizer connective tissue network beyond the dominating regions of the meridians system[15].
To stimulate triple energizer-meridian system can generate electrical activity in the cerebral cortex, and also directly through the rapid delivery of analgesic effect of connective tissue. It is believed that the Deqi sensation under the needle of the operator is achieved by inserting and twisting the needle to make the needle body and the connective tissue tightly bound and initiate the coupling effect[16].
To clarify the relation between triple energizer and meridians may terminate these doubts. Meridians are the key links of the triple energizer network, and acupoints are the key role points of meridians. Acupoints along meridians are considered more therapeutically valuable than others for analgesia, but those numerous extra acupoints on triple energizer producing similar or slight effect.
Chinese ancestors created the meridians civilization in ancient time. Although they were unable to explicitly locate them, they made it clear that its functions maintained the fundamental human survival. We have been inheriting and carrying forward the Chinese culture and have truly recognized the anatomical essence of meridians, which are parts of the triple energizer network. Indeed, meridians have the name, functions, tangibility, and anatomy distribution, which are made up with the staggered systemic connective tissue. We have not only seen meridians, but also touched them, and furthermore anatomized them.