Epidemiology

Author: Wu Yiling / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-10-01
Features: [Excerpt:]
The Academic Status of Meridian Disease Theory
To study the academic status of meridian disease theory, one must first evaluate it from the historical perspective of the development of TCM meridian disease theory. Meridian disease theory emerged alongside meridian theory and was highly valued and revered by generations of physicians. As the Lingshu·Jingmai chapter states: "Meridians are the means to determine life and death, address a hundred diseases, regulate deficiency and excess, and must not be obstructed." The history of meridian disease theory has three milestones:
1. The theory was established in the foundational work of TCM, the Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon), during the pre-Qin era.
2. Zhang Zhongjing's Shanghan Zabing Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases) in the Eastern Han Dynasty laid the foundation for clinical diagnosis and treatment of meridian diseases. He emphasized external pathogens with the "Six Channels Differentiation" system, becoming the guiding principle for treating external diseases in TCM. For internal injuries and miscellaneous diseases, he focused on meridian diseases, creating famous formulas like Xuanfu Hua Tang (Dandelion Seed Decoction) and Da Huang Mo Chong Wan (Rhubarb and Earthworm Pill), which were highly regarded by later generations. Thus, the "treatment of meridian diseases" for internal injuries holds equal academic value to the "Six Channels Differentiation" for external pathogens.
3. Ye Tianshi of the Qing Dynasty fully affirmed Zhang Zhongjing's treatment of meridian diseases and proposed the timeless sayings "long-standing diseases affect the meridians" and "long-standing pain invades the meridians," marking the establishment of meridian disease theory as a key pathomechanism theory in TCM. As a clinical expert, Ye Tianshi emphasized the importance of meridian disease differentiation and criticized the lack of understanding of meridian treatment, stating, "the more one studies, the more perplexed one becomes."
Clearly, meridian disease theory occupies a crucial academic position in the history of TCM development. Developing meridian disease theory, establishing a clinical discipline of meridian diseases, and creating a comprehensive "treatment of meridian diseases" system are not only major issues in the self-development of TCM but also an inevitable historical trend.
Secondly, meridian disease theory serves as an applied theory guiding the clinical treatment of internal injury and difficult miscellaneous diseases. Mastering the characteristics of meridian disease onset, pathological changes, clinical manifestations, and treatment formulas will lead to breakthroughs in the clinical treatment of many chronic, refractory diseases with long courses and recurrent episodes. In recent years, with the general improvement of living standards, the spectrum of modern diseases has changed significantly. Acute infectious diseases have been largely controlled, while chronic diseases like cardiovascular diseases and diabetes have become major threats to human health. Recent breakthroughs in applying meridian disease theory to explore the pathogenesis and treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, along with the successful development and widespread clinical use of the representative formula Tongxinluo (Heart-Mind Unblocking Capsule), have demonstrated its significant clinical value.
As meridian disease theory research deepens and is widely applied in clinical disciplines, it will greatly promote the treatment of various refractory diseases.
Thirdly, meridian disease occurs (: means "based on" or "supported by" in this context) meridians, making it easier to find common ground with Western medicine in the study of refractory diseases. By integrating meridian disease theory with Western medicine, in-depth clinical research on the pathomechanism evolution and treatment of refractory diseases exhibiting meridian characteristics will potentially lead to new pathomechanism theories and effective treatment approaches. It is essential to focus on the materialization of meridian disease theory research, i.e., developing effective new preparations under the guidance of meridian disease theory and further elucidating the intrinsic relationship between meridian disease and modern refractory diseases through the study of their mechanisms. For example, Tongxinluo capsule, primarily composed of meridian-invading herbs, has achieved remarkable efficacy in treating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. In-depth research confirms its unique advantages over other drugs in increasing nitric oxide, reducing endothelin, and regulating vascular endothelial function. The strong correlation between vascular lesions and endothelial dysfunction has attracted significant attention from both Chinese and Western medical experts, opening up a new academic research field for treating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases from the perspective of meridian disease.
In summary, meridian disease theory is a unique component of the TCM academic system, and meridian disease research is a major issue in the self-development of TCM theory, becoming a focal point and hotspot of academic research in recent years. Throughout the history of TCM development, major theoretical innovations have driven the progress of clinical disciplines. Without the foundational work of the Huangdi Neijing, the establishment of the TCM academic system would not have been possible. Without the creation of Zang-Fu differentiation and Six Channels Differentiation in the Shanghan Zabing Lun, the foundation for TCM clinical diagnosis and treatment would not have been laid. Similarly, the development of the Spleen-Stomach theory and Kidney-Life theory led to the formation of the Yi-Shui school, characterized by warm-reinforcing therapy, which became a glorious page in the history of TCM development.
Meridian disease theory emerged alongside meridian theory and was grounded in the Huangdi Neijing. The Shanghan Zabing Lun established the foundation for meridian disease diagnosis and treatment. Ye Tianshi's famous saying, "long-standing diseases affect the meridians" and "long-standing pain invades the meridians," elevated meridian disease theory to a key pathomechanism theory in TCM, forming three milestones in its development. Due to historical biases favoring meridians over collaterals, meridian disease theory did not develop into a complete academic system as comprehensively as Zang-Fu theory or Spleen-Kidney theory, nor was it widely mastered and applied by clinicians. However, recent successes in treating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases with meridian disease theory have once again drawn widespread attention from the medical community.
Research on meridian disease theory, such as the correlation between meridian qi and neuroendocrine immune function, the relationship between collateral vessels and small blood vessels/microcirculation, the correlation between meridian disease and endothelial dysfunction, and the significant efficacy of the representative formula Tongxinluo in treating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases along with its unique advantages in regulating endothelial function, fully demonstrate that meridian disease theory is an academic system with rich scientific connotations and unique clinical value.
In-depth organization, excavation, research, and development of meridian disease theory, the establishment of a clinical discipline of meridian diseases, systematic study of meridian disease etiology, pathomechanism, diagnosis, and treatment, and the creation of a "treatment of meridian diseases" system will not only have significant theoretical meaning and clinical value in promoting interdisciplinary integration but also lay a profound historical foundation for the self-development of TCM theory. (Wu Yiling)