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What are referred to as the Eight Extraordinary Vessels? It is said that there are the Yang Linking Vessel (Yangwei Mai), Yin Linking Vessel (Yinwei Mai), Yang Heel Vessel (Yangqiao Mai), Yin Heel Vessel (Yinqiao Mai), Chong Vessel (Chong Mai), Du Vessel (Du Mai), Ren Vessel (Ren Mai), and Dai Vessel (Dai Mai). These eight vessels exist independently, do not directly connect with the Twelve Regular Meridians, and do not follow a fixed sequence of flow like other meridians.

The Du Vessel (Governor Vessel) originates anterior to the perineum, runs parallel within the spinal column, ascends to the Fengfu point (GV16), enters, and connects to the brain. The term "Du" implies "gathering" or "capital," signifying that this vessel is the Sea of all Yang Vessels.

The Ren Vessel (Conception Vessel) originates below the Zhongji point (CV3), ascends past the pubic hairline, follows the interior of the abdomen, passes through the Guanyuan point (CV4), and reaches the throat. The term "Ren" implies "pregnancy" or "nurturing," indicating that this vessel is the root of human reproduction and nourishment.

The Chong Vessel (Penetrating Vessel) originates at the Qichong point (ST30), runs alongside the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian, ascends on both sides of the umbilicus, and disperses in the chest. The term "Chong" implies "passage" or "thoroughfare," signifying that this vessel is the Sea of all Yin Vessels.

The Dai Vessel (Girdle Vessel) originates at the hypochondriac region (Ji Xie), encircles the body once. The term "Dai" implies "binding" or "girdling," meaning it binds all longitudinal meridians, keeping them flexible and coordinated. The hypochondriac region is located below the ribs.

The Yang Heel Vessel (Yangqiao Mai) originates in the middle of the heel, ascends along the lateral malleolus, and enters the Fengchi point (GB20). The term "Qiao" implies "agility" or "swiftness," indicating that this vessel is the key mechanism for human walking and movement.

The Yin Heel Vessel (Yinqiao Mai) also originates in the middle of the heel, ascends along the medial malleolus to the throat, and intersects with the Chong Vessel. Its meaning is similar to that of the Yang Heel Vessel. The above describes six of the extraordinary vessels.

The Yang Linking Vessel (Yangwei Mai) and Yin Linking Vessel (Yinwei Mai) distribute throughout the body's meridians. When Qi and Blood overflow and accumulate, unable to circulate and irrigate the Twelve Regular Meridians, these two vessels regulate them. Thus, the Yang Linking Vessel originates from the convergence points of all Yang meridians, and the Yin Linking Vessel originates from the convergence points of all Yin meridians.

When pathogenic factors invade and Qi and Blood accumulate, swelling and heat occur; treatment involves using Bian stones (stone lancets) to pierce and release blood. Within the Great Nine Provinces, there are twelve rivers to circulate Earth Qi; humans have Twelve Regular Meridians to correspond to Heaven and Earth Qi.

How do diseases of the Extraordinary Vessels manifest? It is said: The Yang Linking Vessel links all Yang, and the Yin Linking Vessel links all Yin. If Yin and Yang cannot link each other, one experiences mental confusion, loss of will, and physical weakness, unable to maintain oneself.

When the Yang Heel Vessel is diseased, the medial muscles are relaxed while the lateral muscles are tense. Since the Yang Heel Vessel runs at the lateral malleolus, upon disease, its pulse should be tense above the lateral malleolus and relaxed above the medial malleolus.

When the Yin Heel Vessel is diseased, the lateral muscles are relaxed while the medial muscles are tense. Since the Yin Heel Vessel runs at the medial malleolus, upon disease, its pulse should be tense above the medial malleolus and relaxed above the lateral malleolus.

When the Chong Vessel is diseased, there is rebellious Qi and abdominal tension/pain. The Chong Vessel ascends from the Guanyuan point to the throat; thus, when diseased, it causes rebellious Qi and abdominal tension.

When the Du Vessel is diseased, there is stiffness of the spine and cold extremities (Jue). The Du Vessel is located in the spine; when diseased, the vessel becomes tense, causing spinal stiffness.

When the Ren Vessel is diseased, there is internal difficulty with knotting/stagnation. In men, it manifests as Seven Types of Hernia (Qi Shen); in women, as Masses/Aggregates (Jia Ju). The Ren Vessel originates at the Bao Men Zi Hu (uterine opening); thus, its disease presents as hernias and masses formed by stagnation.

When the Dai Vessel is diseased, there is abdominal fullness and a sensation of the waist being flaccid, as if sitting in water. The Dai Vessel girdles the body; when diseased, the vessel becomes lax, causing flaccidity of the waist.

When the Yang Linking Vessel is diseased, there is aversion to cold and fever. When the Yin Linking Vessel is diseased, there is heart pain. Yang governs Wei Qi (Defensive Qi), which is associated with Qi and primarily relates to the Lung; thus, cold and fever occur. Yin manages Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi), which is Blood... [Text ends here].

It is also said: The Chong Vessel originates at the Guanyuan point, runs straight up along the interior of the abdomen to the throat. The Ren Vessel originates at the Bao Men Zi Hu, ascends on both sides of the umbilicus to the Stomach.

If the Cun Kou pulse comes large and gradually becomes small, it indicates a disease of the Yin Linking Vessel. There is suffering from wind-bi and carbuncles, which appear spontaneously.

If the Cun Kou pulse comes small and gradually becomes large, it indicates a disease of the Yang Linking Vessel. There is suffering from skin itching and pain, sweating, and aversion to cold.

If the Cun Kou pulse comes tight, fine, and long, reaching the Guan position, it indicates a disease of the Ren Vessel. There is cutting pain around the umbilicus and at the Henggu area.

If the Ren Vessel is diagnosed as slow (Chi) at the Cun Kou, there is suffering from Qi in the chest rushing upward to the heart, inability to bend or extend, and stiffness.

If the Yang Linking Vessel is diagnosed as floating, dizziness occurs upon rising temporarily. Yang Qi is excessive and solid, causing shoulder breathing (dyspnea) and a shivering sensation as if cold.

If the Yin Linking Vessel is diagnosed as deep, large, and solid, there is suffering from chest pain, distension under the costal margin, and heart pain.

If the Yin Linking Vessel is diagnosed as smooth and round like beads strung together, men suffer from fullness in both hypochondria and lower back pain; women suffer from pain in the genitalia, indicating the presence of Heat.

If the Dai Vessel is diagnosed with pulses circling the umbilicus on both sides, accompanied by lower back and spine pain radiating to the inner thighs.

If the pulses in both hands are floating, and both Yin and Yang are excessive and solid, this indicates a disease of the Chong and Du Vessels. The Chong and Du Vessels are the pathways of the Twelve Regular Meridians; when they dominate... [Text ends here].

If the pulses in both hands are fine, thin, and continuous, and the Yin pulses are also fine, thin, and continuous, this indicates a disease of the Yin and Yang Heel Vessels.

If the Chi pulses are both floating and straight downward, this indicates a disease of the Du Vessel. Symptoms include stiffness and pain in the lower back and back, inability to bend or extend. In adults, it manifests as Leprosy/Skin diseases; in children, as Wind Epilepsy.

Diagnosis shows that when the Yang Heel Vessel is diseased, the pulse is tense; when the Yin Heel Vessel is diseased, the pulse is relaxed.

If the Cun and Chi positions are firm, straight, and unyielding from top to bottom, it is a disease of the Chong Vessel, manifesting as Cold Hernia in the chest.