Hi Dave
As i understand it, meridians arent linked to any physical structure; like theres a meridian from your shoulder to your elbow but it doesnt have to follow the line of the blood vessel or nerve, although sometimes it does cos your arm isnt that wide to have separate spaces.
Like Firekeeper said, injury to areas can alter the flow of chi and cause pain and stagnation, but an acupunturist can detect this from the symptoms you describe to them, from taking pulses at different points and from general sensitivity. The idea is to get the chi flowing smoothly, it doesnt matter so much which particular route it takes around a joint.
You could think of getting some treatment too - its good for stopping smoking and helps reiki flow (i found anyway)
Sal
xxx
