Course name: Acupressure and Meridian Therapy for Massage Therapists

MERIDIAN MASSAGE
Massage can be applied along TCM meridians to relieve overall muscle tension and pain. Massage along the
most distal pathway of the meridian yields the greatest effect. Below are the meridians we focussed on during
the course and the location and direction of flow for each. The location is described only for the external
pathway found between the elbow and fingers for the upper body, and between the knees and toes for the lower
body.

MERIDIAN USEFUL FOR LOCATION DIRECTION OF

(distal extremity) MASSAGE
Liver Stress, generalized pain, The liver meridian Upwards toward the knee
tight tendons, PMS originates on the lateral
symptoms side of the big toe. It
ascends along the dorsum
of the foot, then flows
further upward to the
anterior aspect of the
medial malleolus. From
here it runs upward to the
medial side of the knee.
Gallbladder Headaches, migraines, The distal portion of the Downwards toward the
sciatica, ligament strain, Gallbladder meridian flows toes
whole body tension from the lateral side of the
knee and descends along
the anterior aspect of the
fibula. It reaches the lower
end of the fibula and the
anterior aspect of the
lateral malleolus. It then
follows the dorsum of the
foot and terminates at the
lateral side of the tip of the
fourth toe.
Bladder Scoliosis, back pain along The distal portion of the Downwards toward the
length of spine Bladder meridian flows toes
from the popliteal fossa
down the posterior aspect
of the gastrocnemius
muscle. It then descends
further to the posterior
inferior aspect of the
lateral malleolus and
continues onward to
terminate at the lateral
posterior side of the tip of
the small toe.

1
Kidney Chronic low back ache, The Kidney meridian starts Upwards toward the knee
fatigue, generalized on the sole of the foot then
weakness travels to the interior
aspect of the small toe. It
then runs through a
depression in the lower
aspect of the tuberosity of
the navicular bone. It
travels behind the medial
malleolus and encircles
the malleolus. It then
ascends along the medial
side of the leg, passing
through the medial side of
the popliteal fossa.
Large Intestine Headaches, shoulder The Large Intestine Upwards toward the elbow
pain/tension,TMJ pain, meridian starts at the tip of
jaw clenching, tennis the index finger. It runs
elbow upward along the radial
aspect of the index finger,
passes through the inter-
space of the first and
second metacarpal bones
and ascends along the
lateral aspect of the
forearm to the lateral end
of the transverse cubital
crease.
Governing Vessel Scoliosis, pain along The most distal portion of Light tapping at the vertex
length of spine, the Governing Vessel of the head
depression flows upward from the
nape of the neck along the
midline of the scalp to the
vertex of the head.

Start with light pressure and increase to patient's comfort level. Use long sweeping movements.