Integrative Approach and Classical Chinese Medicine: Divergent Meridian Theory

The Divergent Meridian system is a system within Chinese medicine that may be correlated with the immune system and the lymphatic system in Western medicine. It is a physiological system that protects the body from pathogenic influences. The Divergent Meridian system is so called because when external influences attack the body, such as viruses, bacteria, insect bites, or other external pathogens, its natural progression is to invade the body inwards through the circulatory system and lymphatic system. As it invades, if the immune function of the body is inadequate to contend with this invader, the body will fail in eradicating it allowing it to progress towards the organs. In an effort to prevent this invasion, the body, through its Divergent system will attempt to divert the pathogen away from the organs and deposit it in the only holding place available to it, the joints or major areas of boney cavities such as the skull, which includes the brain and sinus cavities, thoracic cavity, and pelvic cavity. All three of these areas, especially the latter are involved with the clinical depiction of IC.

If the pathogenic factor is maintained in a Latent state in these areas and is not expelled, it will cause some kind of chronic condition, that may involve the joints, but may involve these other boney cavities, exhibiting such symptoms including chronic sinusitis, abnormal conditions within the pelvic cavity such as those we see in those having IC, chronic gastrointestinal disorders, chronic conditions of the skin, allergies, chronic neck pain, and many others. Other common Chronic Divergent pathologies may also include conditions such as high cholesterol, and acid reflux, which are also very common among those having IC. These may be construed as warning signs that the body has stored too much Latent pathology and may soon be unable to contain it further. It is important to recognize this state of health in the treatment of illness as an indication of the way in which these accumulations must be released. Such conditions may be looked upon as a lesser disease preventing a more serious one. The basic clinical picture of Divergent pathology is autoimmune disorders (Yuen, Divergent Meridians).

Another common and interesting indication of Divergent pathology is that the person may no longer perspire normally. This is because both immune function and body fluid have become compromised in the process of the body providing Latency to the unresolved pathogen. Wei Qi immune function, body fluids and body tissues become depleted and dry in these cases exhibiting dehydration. Furthermore, because Wei Qi, immune function, is dependent upon Kidney Yang, it draws from Kidney Yang in an attempt to assist itself in functioning. Over time, Kidney Yang may become depleted from Wei Qi over taxing Kidney Yang. Thus, in treating immune hypo-function, it often becomes imperative to support Kidney Yang, (Yuen, Divergent Meridians). Tissues that may most especially be affected by this kind of dehydration are gastrointestinal or urogenital tissue. These kinds of patients with IC typically indicate an absence of normal perspiration for years prior to the onset of symptoms. This divergent condition is highly correlated amongst those with IC providing great insight into the progression of disease leading to the manifestation of IC. Understanding these kinds of signs better enables the practitioner to effectively eradicate the condition. Employing methods to restore body fluid and immune function to the patient while clearing the body of Latent pathologies may be one critical aspect of treatment in certain types of IC.

The Divergent Meridian system is a meridian system that diverges off what is referred to as the Primary Meridians. Some practitioners believe that they are a separate system of their own while others see them as one in the same as the Primary meridians. Regardless of this disagreement within Chinese medicine, in Western terms, it could easily be translated as the lymphatic system. It is a conduit of Wei Qi and Yuan Qi (Yuen, Divergent Meridians). Along with the Primary Meridians, it is the only channel, (Mai), that connects directly to the Zang Fu (the organs of the body), with exceptions being the Pericardium and the Heart Luo meridians (Yuen, Divergent Meridians).

As the Primary meridians are concerned with the Zang-Fu (the internal organs of the body), the Divergent Meridians are concerned with the Curious organs. The Curious organs include the Brain, Uterus, Gallbladder (also a Zang-Fu organ), Blood Vessels, Bones and Marrow (the skeletal aspect that relates to Yuan Qi). If we correlate Western diagnosis with the Curious organs, examples would be as follows: Brain: Alzheimer’s, stroke, poor memory, and spinal problems such as herniated disc issues). Uterus: menopause or andropause. Gallbladder: high cholesterol. Blood Vessels: high cholesterol and bone and marrow problems. Cancer may be understood under the paradigm of Divergent Meridian theory as we see cancer frequently in geriatric medicine when there is a decline of Jing. The Divergent meridians often are involved our body’s natural attempts to hold a pathogen away from organ structures.

The Divergent Meridians’ basic function is to protect the body and especially the organs essential for survival from disease by diverting it away from the organs. As it does so, we will see such phenomena as chronic skin conditions, recurrent muscular conditions, chronic conditions of the orifices such as sinusitis, teeth problems, conjunctivitis, chronic skeletal conditions, and chronic diseases that in Western terms we refer to as autoimmune pathologies, including scleroderma, Schilder’s Disease, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, chronic gastritis, chronic gas, alterations in peristalsis, esophageal reflux (Yuen, 2002). Many of these chronic conditions are seen in the clinical pictures of IC because IC is a condition that encompasses the accumulation of much Latent pathology and the body’s inability to contain it further.

With IC, patients often present with muscular and nerve pathologies in various patterns of leg pain. Some resemble sciatica, usually occurring along the path of the Urinary Bladder meridian. Some of these neuropathies occur along the Kidney channel. In many cases, this could be construed as the Divergent Meridians attempting to divert the excess pathology from the Urinary Bladder to an area distal from the organ, along the path of the corresponding meridian or its organ pair, the Kidney. “In these cases, it is more critical to treat the organ pathology than the pain associated with it. This meridian pain will come and go during treatment for the organ pathology (Yuen, 2003). This is a common pattern with IC.

The divergent meridian of the Urinary Bladder communicates with the anus as well as the Urinary Bladder; thus, one may correlate pathologies involving these organs with Divergent Meridian issues.

A chronic Divergent Meridian condition of the Lungs and the Spleen (digestive system) may present as chronic mucous discharge in the stool and/or flatulence, as with Crohn’s Disease or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). These are often patterns that exist in the chronic clinical picture of IC as well. As we discussed, IC generally has a pattern commencing with a breakdown of the digestive system.

Numerous signs and symptoms of Divergent meridian holding patterns can be correlated with the lymphatic system. It is quite common to see lymphatic swelling in the areas of the axillary, pubic area, sacral area, and rib cage. What are referred to as the confluent points of the Divergent Meridians may be found along these areas of heavily aggregated lymphatic pathways. Although these may be benign, they may later become malignant if not treated appropriately. A good example here is Burkitt’s lymphoma secondary to mononucleosis. From the perspective of CCM (Yuen, 2003), this progression occurs when the viral load that was not adequately cleared from the body with the earlier manifestation of mononucleosis, is held in the lymphatic system (e.g., Divergent Meridians) until the body can no longer maintain Latency, at which point the toxicity is re-activated in the form of a lymphatic carcinoma.

Latency is attempted through the use of extracting Jing associated with the Kidney and Urinary Bladder. If the stores of Jing are inadequate, the body will attempt to maintain Latency by tapping into Blood associated with Gallbladder and Liver Divergent Meridians; and if that fails, the thin fluids associated with the Stomach and Spleen Divergent Meridians; and if that fails, the thick fluids (hormones) associated with the Heart and the Small Intestine Divergent Meridians; and if that fails, the Yuan Qi associated with San Jiao and Pericardium Divergent Meridians; and if that fails, finally the Yang associated with the Large Intestine and the Lung Divergent Meridians.

It is very common to see many of the examples we have depicted within this discussion on the Divergent Meridians theory within the clinical picture of IC. The body is continually attacking a pathogen it sees as foreign which has settled internally and the body is never able to expel it such as the situation that occurs with gastroenterological changes leading to microbial translocation, a chronic disease process is in motion. If this condition is treated with medications that suppress immune reaction the suppression will only further complicate the underlying pathology.

Healing crisis is common when a successful process of the removal of the pathogenic factor is underway. The patient may experience fever, sweat, flushing, and various other symptoms during this process. In the Treatment of IC, this is a common occurrence, often misleading the patient to the conclusion that his or her condition is deteriorating. It is important to follow this process through in order to expel pathogenic factors from the body completely.

Divergent Meridian theory is important because it assists us in understanding Latency and the clinical patterns involved within it. Incorporating this theory within the diagnosis and treatment protocols of IC gives a greater foundation in interpreting the course pathology has taken and treating the disease more effectively.