中脘（府会） 章门（脏会） 阳陵泉（筋会） 阳辅（髓会） 膈会（血会） 大杼（骨
会） 太渊（脉会） 膻中（气会）
手之六阳从手至头，长五尺，五六合三丈。
手之六阴从胸中至手，长三尺五寸，三六合一丈八尺，五六合三尺，共二丈一尺。
足之六阳从头至足，长八尺，六八合四丈八尺。
足之六阴从足至胸中，长六尺五寸，六六合三丈六尺，五六合三尺，共三丈九尺。
跷脉从足至目，长七尺五寸，二脉共一丈五尺。
任督二脉各长四尺五寸，二脉共九尺。
通共十六丈二尺，此气之大经隧也。
《素间·异法方宜论篇》帝曰∶医之治病也，一病而治各不同，皆愈，何也？！
岐伯对曰∶地势使然也。故东方之域，天地之所始生也。鱼盐之地，海滨傍水，其民食
鱼而嗜咸，皆安其处，美其食。鱼者使人热中，盐者胜血，故其民皆黑色疏理，其病皆
为痈疡，其治宜砭石。故砭石者，亦从东方来。西方者，金玉之域，沙石之处，天地之
所收引也。其民陵居而多风，水土刚强，其民不衣而褐荐，其民华食而脂肥，故邪不能
伤其形体，其病生于内，其治宜毒药。故毒药者，亦从西方来。北方者，天地所闭藏
之域也，其地高陵居，风寒冷冽，其民乐野处而乳食，藏寒生满病，其治宜灸 。故
灸者，亦从北方来。南方者，天地所长养，阳之所盛处也。其地下，水土弱，雾露之
所聚也。其民嗜酸而食 ，故其民皆致理而赤色，其病挛痹，其治宜微针。故
九针者，亦从南方来。中央者，其地平以湿，天地所以生万物也众。其民食杂而不
劳，故其病多痿厥寒热，其治宜导引接跷。故导引按跷者，亦从中央出也。故圣人杂合
以治，各得其所宜，故治所以异，而病皆愈者，得病之情，知治之大理也。
Zhongwan (CV12, Meeting of the Fu Organs) [Zhangmen (LR13, Meeting of the Zang Organs)] [Yanglingquan (GB34, Meeting of the Sinews)] [Yangfu (GB38, Meeting of the Marrow)] [Geshu (BL17, Meeting of the Blood)] [Dazhu (BL11, Meeting of the Bones)] [Taiyuan (LU9, Meeting of the Vessels)] [Shanzhong (CV17, Meeting of the Qi)]
The six Yang meridians of the hand run from the hands to the head, each measuring five chi; together they total three zhang.
The six Yin meridians of the hand run from the chest to the hands, each measuring three chi and five cun; together they total one zhang and eight chi, plus an additional three chi (as per the text's calculation logic), totaling two zhang and one chi.
The six Yang meridians of the foot run from the head to the feet, each measuring eight chi; together they total four zhang and eight chi.
The six Yin meridians of the foot run from the feet to the chest, each measuring six chi and five cun; together they total three zhang and six chi, plus an additional three chi (as per the text's calculation logic), totaling three zhang and nine chi.
The Qiao meridians run from the feet to the eyes, each measuring seven chi and five cun; the two meridians together total one zhang and five chi.
The Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) and Du Mai (Governing Vessel) each measure four chi and five cun; together they total nine chi.
In total, this amounts to sixteen zhang and two chi, which constitutes the major pathways for the circulation of Qi and Blood in the body.
In the "Yi Fa Fang Yi Lun" chapter of *Suwen* (Basic Questions), the Yellow Emperor asked: When physicians treat diseases, why is it that the same disease is treated with different methods, yet all are cured?
Qibo replied: This is caused by geographical conditions. Therefore, the Eastern region is where the generation of Heaven and Earth begins. It is a land of fish and salt, located near the sea and waters. The people there eat fish and favor salty flavors, content with their location and pleased with their food. Fish causes heat to accumulate internally, while excessive salt damages the blood. Consequently, the people there have dark skin and loose tissue texture, and their diseases are mostly sores and ulcers; thus, treatment is suitable with Bian stones (lithotherapy). Hence, Bian stone therapy originated from the East.
The Western region is a land of metals and jade, sandy and stony, where the energy of Heaven and Earth converges and stores. The people live on hills and are exposed to much wind; the water and soil are hard and strong. They do not wear silk but coarse cloth and straw mats; their diet is rich and they are fat. Thus, external pathogens cannot easily damage their physical form, and their diseases arise from within; therefore, treatment is suitable with medicinal drugs (poisons/toxic substances used therapeutically). Hence, drug therapy originated from the West.
The Northern region is where the storing energy of Heaven and Earth resides. The terrain is high, people live on hills, and the wind is cold and biting. The people enjoy living in the open and consume dairy products. Coldness in the internal organs leads to fullness and distension diseases; thus, treatment is suitable with moxibustion. Hence, moxibustion originated from the North.
The Southern region is where the nourishing energy of Heaven and Earth grows, and where Yang energy is abundant. The terrain is low, the water and soil are weak, and it is an area where fog and dew gather. The people favor sour flavors and fermented foods; consequently, their skin texture is dense and their complexion is red. Their diseases are mainly spasms and bi-syndromes (painful obstruction); thus, treatment is suitable with fine needles. Hence, the Nine Needles originated from the South.
The Central region has flat and damp terrain, and Heaven and Earth generate abundant things. The people have a mixed diet and do not engage in heavy labor; thus, their diseases are often flaccidity syndromes, reversal cold/heat syndromes, and alternating chills and fever. Treatment is suitable with Daoyin (qigong/exercise therapy) and Anqiao (massage/tuina). Hence, Daoyin and Anqiao originated from the Central region.
Therefore, the sages combined these various methods for treatment, applying the most appropriate one for each case. Although the treatments differ, the diseases are all cured because the true nature of the disease was understood, and the fundamental principles of treatment were known.