To understand how this method works, it is important to note that human beings are approximately 80% fluid. Blood content is only a small part of this liquid. Fluids travel in locations either through actual channels/tubes or through and around surrounding structures such as between two muscles or between muscles and bones. (1) Fluids exist and travel through, but are not limited to, the structures noted in Table 1.
 

The largest percentage of fluids travels throughout the body as the ‘ground substance’. This fluid makes up the liquid component of the extra cellular matrix (ECM). Western science recently began to investigate ECM only about 12-15 years ago. TCM has recognized the importance of Fluid Physiology and Fluid Pathology for thousands of years. The ECM has multiple primary functions that include a ‘defense-immune’ system, a repair system, a communication system and a lubrication-moisturizing system. Western medicine appears to consistently ignore this domain while health maintenance organizations (HMO's) and other health care insurance/reimbursement companies deny its existence and importance in health and therefore do not reimburse practitioners of Eastern Medicine.