The concept of meridians ( Chinese: "jing-luo" 经络 ) arises from the techniques and doctrines of traditional Chinese medicine including acupuncture and acupressure. According to these practices, the body's vital energy, "qi ( 气 ) ", circulates through the body along specific interconnected channels called meridians. Disruptions of the body's energy flow ( such as stagnations, blockages and redirection ) are thought to cause emotional and physical illness. To release those disruptions, specific points on the meridians called acupoints, are stimulated via needles, pressure or other means.

The aligned water theory of meridians conjectures that meridians are made up of clusters of "aligned water" in the body that allow ions, light, and sound waves to flow more readily. Aligned water clusters are said to occur where large numbers of water molecules align electrically to form a stable cluster. These have supposedly been photographed outside the body with an electron microscope by Shui-Yin Lo, who calls them IE crystals. These aligned water molecules are said to flow between the cells, forming a chain that completes a circuit around the body. When these water molecules "fall out of alignment" this supposedly has a negative impact on health.

The Chinese meridians have their counterpart in the Mayan acupuncture techniques practiced in the Yucatan. The analogous concept is that of wind channels. Curiously, most of the key points in Mayan acupuncture correspond exactly with key acupuncture points in the Chinese meridian model.