Objective To investigate how to show the collateral-channels and energy with thermal infrared imager. Methods Channel-collateral system is the gallery of vital energy and message. The visible channel is unnecessary in spreading the energetic message, which can be displayed by the detecting instrument. The thermal imager can detect heat transfer and the temperature rise. Results By using the thermal imager, the paper shows the stomach channel when the Zusanli acupoint is acupunctured, the large intestine channel when the Hegu acupoint is acupunctured and the small intestine channel when the Houxi acupoint is acupunctured. The output of the probe is totally corresponding to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Conclusions The channels are visible to the audience with the thermal imager, which proves that the collateral channel is the resonance gallery of vital energy and information. The result keeps in line with the TCM and proves the scientificalness of the science of channels and collaterals.