What is Sanjiao (San Jiao)? The Sanjiao Channel (San Jiao Meridian) is known to Contain Powerful Sanjiao Channel Acupuncture Points e.g. Sanjiao 3, Sanjiao 5, Sanjiao 6, San Jiao 10 & San Jiao 17. However, What is the Sanjiao Organ? What is Sanjiao Function? How does Sanjiao Relate to Connective Tissue Function, Connective Tissue Disease and Connective Tissue Disorders?

  Many ask What is Sanjiao (San Jiao)? The Sanjiao Channel or San Jiao Meridian is known to Contain Influential Sanjiao Channel Acupuncture Points including Sanjiao 3, Sanjiao 5, Sanjiao 6, San Jiao 10 & San Jiao 17. However, Exactly What is the Sanjiao Organ? What is Sanjiao’s Function and How does Sanjiao Relate to Connective Tissue Function, Connective Tissue Disease and Connective Tissue Disorders?

Below are some citations from the book titled The ‘Mystical’ TCM Triple Energizer. Its Elusive Location and Morphology Defined. I discuss here the incredible electrical properties of collagen. If collagen was ONLY a structural component as is generally believed by biologists and anatomists, why would it possess remarkable electrical properties? Collagen happens to be a semiconductor with piezoelectric and photoconductive properties similar to fiber optic cables. Researchers are only now beginning to comprehend the intricacy, importance and omnipresence of the connective tissue metasystem, and many lead researchers believe the connective tissue metasystem actually constitutes a stand-alone organ that permeates the entire body in a formless shape that exists outside of all other defined organ structures throughout the body.

Ancient Chinese scholars believed that the San Jiao was the largest Fu organ in the body. They believed the Sanjiao was a literal organ that was located inside the body but outside the other Zangfu. Due to this configuration, the Sanjiao has no defined morphology, and was thus known to have “no form” because it took on the form of the surrounding organs. Obviously these two ‘formless’ organ complexes can be seen to occupy the same space within the body. This is only the very beginning of the similarities between the ancient TCM Sanjiao organ and the modern understudied and under-appreciated organ-complex called the Connective-Tissue Metasystem. 

This easy-reading informative book is essential for anyone wanting to know all about the function and location of the Sanjiao (aka San Jiao, Triple Warmer, Triple Heater), and the nature and properties of the connective tissue metasystem, which I believe are one-and-the-same. This enlightening book can be securely purchased by clicking the ‘BUY NOW’ button at the bottom of this page.

Introduction to the Incredible Physical Properties of Connective-Tissue Membranes (Fascia) in the Body

The Fascia Research Congress from the 100 Year Perspective of Andrew Taylor Still (48) presented in 2012 confirmed that: Fascia is also capable of transmitting electrical signals throughout the body. One of the main components of fascia is collagen. Collagen has been shown to have semiconductive, piezoelectric and photoconductive properties in vitro. Electronic currents can flow over much greater distances than ionically derived potentials. These electronic currents within connective tissue can be altered by external influences, and cause a physiologic response in neighboring structures.

37.2 Major Reasons the Triple-Energizer Metasystem Is Equivalent to the Connective-Tissue Metasystem

Note here that Myers calls the fascial system an organ system of ‘stability and mechano-regulation’. Myers considers that the omnipresent fascial metasystem is a dedicated organ. The omnipresent Triple-Energizer Metasystem is a dedicated organ system too. Myers says that ‘fascia forms the biological container and connector for every organ’ and that fascia is ‘much more than plastic wrap around the muscles’ and other organs. Ting Chin (1), stated (page 315), ‘The Triple Burner is a large bag supporting the organism from outside and holding it inside.’

Remarkably, Myers further states, ‘Fascia is literally a greasy mess.’ In Unschuld’s (1) translation of the Nan-ching, on page 355 in the commentaries, Huang Wei-san said, ‘The Triple Burner . . . is a fatty membrane covering the entire physical body from the inside.’

Regarding the Connective-Tissue Metasystem, Myers reports that fascia is ‘so variable among individuals that its actual architecture is hard to delineate’. Myers is stating that because of the extreme variability of the connective-tissue fascial system within individuals, it essentially has no form. So the Connective-Tissue Metasystem definitely exists, and ‘it has a name but no form’. Regarding the same issue, in the commentaries on the 25^th Difficult Issue on page 312 of Unschuld’s (1) translation of the Nan Ching, Hsü Ta-ch’un says, ‘The text states that the Triple Burner has no form. That cannot be. It states further that the hand-heart-master has no form, but such a doctrine definitely does not exist. The heart-master is the network enclosing the heart, it consists of a fatty membrane protecting the heart. How could it have no form?’ There is no doubt in my mind that the Sanjiao (Triple-Energizer Metasystem) is essentially one and the same as the Connective-Tissue Metasystem. I will clarify the actual composition of the Triple-Energizer Metasystem later in the book.

37.3 The Integrating Mechano-Biological Nature of the Ubiquitous Fascial Web Is Being Unraveled

In an article in the IDEA Fitness Journal published in 2011, Thomas Myers (28) advises that recent research confirms that the integrating mechano-biological nature of the ubiquitous fascial web is being unravelled. You can get in your vehicle and drive from any house in your country to any other house in your country, using the established road system, because every laneway, roadway, and highway is interconnected. Likewise, your fascia really is one all-embracing net with no separation from the top of your head to the tip of your little toe, from your skin to your deepest inner core, or from birth to death. Every single cell in your body is connected to and reacts to the elasticized tensional milieu of the all-encompassing fascia. If you do something to modify your mechanics, the function of cells will change.

37.6 Allopathic Medical Science Has Not Recognized that the Fascial Connective-Tissue System Is an Organ of Extreme Complexity, Integrity, and Value

In an article in the IDEA Fitness Journal published in 2011, Thomas Myers (28) suggests that similar to the lymphatic system, nervous system, and the circulatory system that were created with complex communication, regulatory, and homeostatic mechanisms, it is truly amazing that modern medical science has not recognized that the fascial connective-tissue system is actually an organ of equal complexity, integrity, and value. It remains an unrecognized organ rather like an inconvenient plastic wrap that can be dissected out and discarded in the bin as a worthless waste. During a delicate surgical procedure, would a conscientious surgeon willingly exsanguinate 2 l of blood or discard a piece of healthy vital thyroid, kidney, or heart tissue in the bin?

37.15 The Abundance and Structural Properties of Collagen

Collagen endows connective tissue with its structural integrity, pliability, and incredible strength, which can be up to 2,000 psi in some locations. Another remarkable property of collagen fibers involves their highly diversified morphology. Depending on the intrinsic properties required for the specific anatomical location, collagen fibers may be organized into rows, sheets, or blocks. They may be produced into a loose or dense formation and may be synthesized randomly or in well-ordered constructions.

37.16 When Piezoelectric Connective Tissue Is Obstructed Disharmony and Illness Occur

Concerning the fact that connective tissue and especially collagen is piezoelectric, the article titled ‘More about Connective Tissue and Myofascial Release’, Glenda Poletti (135) notes that the energy or life force that flows through our bodies involves piezoelectricity, and she believes that the connective-tissue infrastructure is the substrate of acupuncture meridians. She explains that wherever connective tissue is injured or traumatized, it becomes more dense, thicker, or drier, and the piezoelectric flow is hampered and blocked. She suggests that the strong damaged fascia compresses nerves, blood vessels, organs, and muscles so that healthy cellular activity is interrupted, resulting in dysfunction, which leads to loss of function and pain.

37.19 The Fascial System Is the ‘Great Superhighway of the Body’

In the article titled ‘What Is Fascia?’, the author, John Traino (136), states that fascia acts as a soft skeleton and thus provides support throughout the entire body. Fascia thus determines our bodily shape and the freedom of movement that we are able to express. Traino likens our omnipresent fascial system to a ‘Great Superhighway of the Body’ because it makes up the omnipresent infrastructure that supports veins, arteries, nerves, and lymph vessels, which all function to supply nutrients to muscles and organs, to flush out metabolic wastes, and to provide communication instantaneously between the brain and every part of the body.

37.20 What Causes Fascia throughout the Body to Become Unhealthy?

In the article titled ‘What Is Fascia?’, the author, John Traino (136), points out that to understand the pathology of the fascial system, we must realize that fascia is hydrophilic and that it associates with and reacts intimately with water. Traino notes that this invokes another major property of fascia. Fascia is thixotropic. When fascia throughout the body is healthy, it exists in a fluid state known as a sol, which is short for the solvent state. Traino continues, ‘However, fascia can harden and stiffen, developing an unhealthy condition, known as a “gel” state. This property of fascia, its ability to go from a fluid to firm state and back again, is the key component of any thixotropic substance.’ Traino likens the fascial system of the body to the Great Superhighway of the Body and notes that when pathology occurs within the fascial system such that a gel state occurs, the nervous system and the circulatory system are affected negatively and the body region affected stiffens and the range of motion is reduced. This causes pain to develop, and further injury becomes more likely to result. Traino advises that stress, trauma, lack of exercise, overexercise, and simple dehydration can cause the fascial system to go from a healthy sol state to an unhealthy gel state. He then assures readers that ‘because of fascial thixotropic quality, a healthy fascial system can be restored and maintained’. 

Summary of Chapter 37

Since the early 1960s, scientists have confirmed that numerous biological materials possess piezoelectric properties. Piezoelectric biological materials include keratin, elastin of the skin, ligaments, collagen in the tendon, actine and myosin in the skeletal muscles, hyaluronic acid, and even DNA molecules. Even some individual amino acids also exhibit piezoelectric properties. Scientists concluded that piezoelectricity is an innate property of most, if not all, tissues in the plant and animal kingdoms and that this piezoelectric property of fascia changes mechanical forces applied to the fascia into electric energy. The major component of fascia is collagen. Collagen possesses semiconductive, piezoelectric, and photoconductive properties.  Research confirms that there are 10 times more sensory receptors in your fascial tissues than there are in your muscles. It is truly amazing that modern medical science has not recognized that the fascial connective-tissue system is actually an organ of equal complexity, integrity, and value as the lymphatic system, nervous system, and the circulatory system. The fascial system is uninterrupted from the top of the head to the little toe. It appears that the acupuncture meridian system originates from within the PVS fascial system. In spite of these known facts, surgeons still continue to regard fascia as inert wrapping material fit for the bin.

Fascia is ubiquitous and omnipresent throughout the body. Likening the fascial system to the established road system, Myers says every cell in the body is connected to every other cell in the body via the Connective-Tissue Metasystem. Like our original quota of Yuan Qi, our fascial web will still be the same single net we started with from birth. Communication is a primary function of the Connective-Tissue Metasystem. Integrins are receptors responsible for communication via the connective tissues. These integrin receptors inform a cell of the various molecules present in its environment, and subsequently, the cell responds accordingly. The integrins have dual communication functionality. While they communicate vital information about what is happening outside the cell to inside the cell, they also communicate information in the other direction by conversing cellular information to the extracellular matrix (ECM).

Regarding the Connective-Tissue Metasystem, Myers (28) reports that fascia is ‘so variable among individuals that its actual architecture is hard to delineate’. Myers is stating that because of the extreme variability of the connective-tissue fascial system within individuals, it essentially has no form. So the Connective-Tissue Metasystem definitely exists, and ‘it has a name but no form’. Regarding the same issue, in the commentaries on the 25^th Difficult Issue on page 312 of Unschuld’s (1) translation of the Nan Ching, Hsü Ta-ch’un says ‘The text states that the Triple Burner has no form.’

REFERENCES:

(1) Unschuld, P. U., Nan Ching: The Classic of Difficult Issues (e-book edn, Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1986), 771. With commentaries by Chinese and Japanese authors from the third through the twentieth century.

(28) Myers, T., ‘Fascial Fitness: Training in the Neuromyofascial Web’, IDEA Fitness Journal, 8/4 (2011).

(48) Findley, T. W. and M. Shalwala, ‘The Fascia Research Congress from the 100 Year Perspective of Andrew Taylor Still’ (2012). Available from <https://fasciaresearchsociety.org/sites/default/files/frc/still-100yrs-findley.pdf>.

(135) Poletti, G., ‘More about Connective Tissue and Myofascial Release’. Available from <https://sites.google.com/a/seattlemfr.com/www/moreaboutconnectivetissueandmyofascialre>.

(136) Traino, J., ‘What Is Fascia?’ (2012). Available from <http://www.dynamicmassageandbodywork.com/What-Is-Fascia.html>.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

I wish to sincerely thank Dr Paul U. Unschuld for the selfless and tireless work he has committed to make many ancient Chinese medical classics available in English for study and research. My book is based predominantly around his scholarly work ‘Nan-Ching: The Classic of Difficult Issues’. I also wish to sincerely thank Professor Unschuld for permission to use citations of his translation in my book. His translation of ‘Nan-Ching: The Classic of Difficult Issues’ can be purchased from the following link: https://www.amazon.com/Nan-ching_The-Classic-Difficult-Comparative-Studies/dp/0520053729

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