Understanding Chinese Medicine Terminology
In Chinese Medicine, terms like “heart,” “spleen,” or “gallbladder” are used differently than in Western medicine. Rather than referring strictly to physical organs, these names describe energetic systems within the body.
Energy flows through pathways called channels (or meridians), many of which are named after organ systems, such as the lung, liver, kidney, and stomach. Other channels you may hear referenced include the pericardium, san jiao (triple heater), and the Ren (CV) and Du (GV) vessels.
When an acupuncturist refers to something like the “heart channel,” they are speaking about the flow and function of energy within that system—not just the physical organ itself.
Sea Wellness Acupuncture - Brooke Bochinski 