The Stepping Vessels: Yin Qiao & Yang Qiao
The Stepping/Heel Vessels of TCM: Yin Qiao and Yang Qiao
The Qiao meridians encircle the heel and traverse the inner and outer sides of the leg
The Qiaos have to do with posture: this can be seen either with structural imbalances or at an emotional level - how do we stand up for ourselves and in our world
“All Luos end at the Qiao” - Both Yin Qiao and Yang Qiao interact with the Luo vessels of the Primary Yin and Yang meridians, respectively
Luo vessels are known as holding vessels - they store excesses, are tied to emotional compartmentalization, and store away latent pathogens in our system
Yin Qiao Mai - Yin Stepping Meridian
The Yin Qiao vessel travels up the medial leg, chest, throat, and ends at the eye
When in excess, inner leg muscles can be tight while the outer are looser
All Luo vessels of the Yin primary channels end at Yin Qiao
Pathological symptoms of Yin Qiao imbalance
eye diseases, night-time epilepsy, chills and fever, internal urgency, abdominal pain, uterine bleeding, excess vaginal discharge, hypersomnia, tight inner leg muscles and flaccid outer leg muscles, skin painful obstruction
Emotional implications of Yin Qiao
Yin Qiao is seen as a vessel of self reflection - how am I standing up for myself?
Yang Qiao Mai - Yang Stepping Meridian
Yang Qiao travels up the lateral leg, chest, throat, crosses the eye and ends at the back of the head
Due to its trajectory, it is helpful when used for sciatic pain and cluster headaches
All Luo vessels of the Yang primary channels end at Yang Qiao
When Yang Qiao is in excess, we can experience insomnia, nervous tension, and feeling “pent up”
Pathological symptoms of Yang Qiao imbalance
Eye diseases, day time epilepsy, dizziness, aversion to wind, one sided paralysis, one sided pain, one sided headaches, lumbar pain, tight tendons, tight outer leg muscles and flaccid inner leg muscles
Emotional implications of Yang Qiao
Yang Qiao is seen as a vessel of projection - how am I showing up in my world?
