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What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a healing art that deals with the
prevention and treatment of diseases by needling method.
For thousands of years it has bean accepted by the general population for
its good curative effect, wide range of indication, simple application, low
cost, safety, etc.
How did Chinese philosophy have impact on
acupuncture?
There are two main philosophical ideologies: Taoism and
Confucianism. One of Confucianism tenet is that the whole body is sacred and
should remain complete throughout life and also in death.
It was opposed to the development of anatomy and surgery. Acupuncture
is one solution to this constraint by curing internal disease with external
means. The philosophy of Taoism is to maintain harmony between man and his
world, and between this world and beyond. Yin and Yang are the two sides of
Taoism equation. Unbalance between Yin and
Yang could cause a disease. Maintaining harmony within the
body and between the body and “the world” is a way to keep health and
strong. Acupuncture is a way to achieve the Yin and
Yang balance.
What diseases are widely treated with acupuncture?
| Allergies | Anxiety | Stroke | Asthma |
| PMS | Habitual smoking | Sports injuries | Fatigue |
| Depression | Pain | Insomnia | Chronic GI problems |
| Disk hernia | Impotence | Arthritis | High blood pressure |
| Infertility | High cholesterol | Addictions | Menstrual irregularity |
| Constipation | Sciatica | Body chills | Menopause trouble |
| Menstrual pain | Paralysis | Facial palsy | Stomach spasms |
Is
acupuncture safe?
The skilled acupuncturists know the jingluo system and the human anatomy
well. They apply contemporary technology while following traditional
methods. They are needling in a safe fashion. Acupuncturists use only sterile and disposable stainless steel needles
as thin as a hair. The patients experience minimal pain or sometimes will not
feel any pain. Acupuncture has no side-effects. Bleeding rarely occurs. However,
people at risk of easy bruising or excessive bleeding (for example, patients
with clotting disorders and those taking a blood-thinning medication) would be
advised to avoid acupuncture. Pregnant women are not recommended for acupuncture.
Why do you need a profession in Acupuncture or Chinese
medicine?
The classic formulas of Chinese herbal medicine that have
been practiced and tested for thousands of years are guidelines. The actual
composition of a medicine formula is decided by a doctor. Some ingredients may
be increased while other may be reduced based upon the diagnosis. And as patient
condition changes, the herbal formula is modified accordingly. Therefore, a profession
is must be to take Chinese medicine and to avoid adverse effects, even though
Chinese herbal formulas are even broader, comprehensive, and balanced than
single pharmaceutical drug.
Does acupuncture hurt?
The needles used for acupuncture are much smaller that the standard hypodermic
needle. They do not draw blood. The sensations range from nothing at all, to
mild tingling, to slight numbness/achiness, to electrical pulsations in areas
distant from the site of insertion. Most people who have had acupuncture would
describe it as virtually painless or far less painful than plucking out a
hair.
What is treatment like?
Most patients would say, "relaxing." Usually patients leave in less
discomfort and are more functional than when they walked in. Sometimes the
effects are too subtle to perceive, especially in the beginning of treatment.
Yet after several treatments the improvements become more and more apparent.
What are the acupuncture limits?
In general, acupuncture and Chinese traditional medicine is good for treating
chronic or reluctant ailments, not for acute diseases. It needs to take time to recover the balance of
qi.
What
is the jingluo system?
The jingluo system
is a network over the whole body to provide passage of qi. The jing
passages run lengthwise within the interior of the body while the luo
passages are the branches from jing
and run crosswise either on or just below the body's surface. They form a
network from the upper to the lower and from the exterior to the interior. The jingluo system is the foundation of
acupuncture practice.
What
is the composition of the Jinluo
system?
The Jinluo
system consists of the twelve regular channels, the eight extra channels and
the twelve divergent channels. The twelve regular channels are the three yang
channels of the hand, the three yang channels of the foot, the three
yin
channels of the hand and the three yin channels of the foot. The twelve
regular channels are the major passage of qi in the
jinluo system. They start
and terminate at given parts, run along regular routes and meet in a specified
sequence. They are associated with the organs. The eight extra channels are Du,
Ren, Chong, Dai, Yinqiao, Yangqiao, Yinwei, Yangwei
They interlaced with the twelve regular channels, supporting the functionality
of the twelve regular channels. The eight extra channels are not directly
linked to any of the internal organs. The twelve divergent channels are
extensions of the twelve regular channels. They usually start from the limbs,
run into the body and meet at the back of the neck. These channels are divided
into yin and yang channels, with counterparts in both the left and right sides
of the body. The yang divergent channels start from the six regular yang
channels and the yin divergent channels from the six yin regular channels.
How does acupuncture work?
Besides nervous, circulatory, endocrine and lymphatic
systems, Jingluo or meridian, a network system for passage of qi, exists in human body. Blocking or stagnation of qi may result
in an excess in one place but a deficiency in another place.
Acupuncture points are those critical points in the Jingluo network system, identified by early oriental
practitioners. Practice of acupuncture maintains smooth passage of qi in the Jingluo
network system, balance of ying and
yang in the body and enhances vitality and well-being.
Acupuncture cures diseases by regulating qi or energy flow through stimulating specific acupuncture points using needles. The actual insertion of the hair-thin, disposable needles has been described as feeling like a mosquito bite. The needles may be inserted from a fraction of an inch up to about one inch deep. The whole process usually requires 20 ~ 30 min.
To understand the acupuncture mechanism, it is necessary to know basic theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine as described below.
What is the Channel and Collaterals?
The theory of channels and collaterals deals with the courses and distributions, physiological functions,
pathological changes of the channels and collaterals of the human body, and
their relations to the zang-fu
organs.
The channels and collaterals are comprehensively termed “Jingluo” or meridian in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The channels, meaning paths, are the main trunks which run longitudinally and interiorly-exteriorly within the body; while the collaterals, meaning networks, thinner and smaller than channels, are the branches which run crisscrossly over the body.
The channels collaterals pertain to the zang-fu organs interiorly and extend to the extremities and joints exteriorly, integrating the zang, fu, tissues and organs into an organic whole, by which they transport qi (energy flow) and blood and regulate yin and yang, keeping the functions and activities of all parts of the body in harmony and balance relatively. In the practice of acupuncture, the channel tropism by sings-symptoms differentiation, the corresponding channel point selection, reinforcing and reducing, and others are all based on the theory of channels and collaterals.
What is the Composition of the System of the Channels and
Collaterals?
The channels include the twelve
regular channels, the eight extra channels and those subordinate to the twelve
regular channels, the twelve divergent channels, the twelve muscle regions and
the twelve cutaneous regions; while the collaterals are made up of fifteen
collaterals, the superficial collaterals and the minute collaterals.
The composition of the system of the channels and collaterals, is shown
in the following table.
What is the Twelve Regular Channels?
The twelve regular channels the major trunks of the system of the
channels and collaterals. Their
nomenclature is based on comprehensive factors, namely: yin
or yang, a zang
or fu organ, and the areas they pass through.
As the twelve regular channels pertain to the twelve zang
and fu organs
respectively, each channel is named after the organ to which it pertains, and
meanwhile, in consideration of the factors, such as hand or foot, interior or
exterior, anterior, middle or posterior aspect the channel travels through, and
also in accordance with aspect the channel travels through, and also accordance
with the theory of yin and yang. The
twelve regular channels linking one another by their branches and the
collaterals result in the formation of 6
“pertaining-and linking relation”, that is, the yin
channels pertain to the zang
organs and link up to the fu
organs, and the yang
channels pertain to the fu
organs and link up to the zang
organs. For example, the Lung
Channel of Hand-Tayin pertains to the lung, while links to the large
intestine, and the Large Intestine Channel of Hand-yangming pertains to
the large intestine, while links to the lung.
A cyclical flow of qi
as maintained by the connection of the channels of the hand and foot, yin
and yang, exterior and interior.
Qi and
blood may travel all over the body to the zang-fu
organs interiorly and to the muscles and superlicies exteriorly through the
channels.
What is the Twelve Divergent Channels?
The twelve divergent channels are the branches which derive form, enter,
emerge from and joint the twelve regular channels which, in turn, reach the
deeper parts of the body through these branches.
Most of the twelve divergent channels derive from the regular channels at
the upper and lower regions of the elbows and knees and then enter the thoracic
and abdominal cavities, where they connect their pertaining zang
or fu organs to
which they pertain. Then, they
emerge from the body superfices at the head and the neck.
In the regions, the yang
Divergent Channels joint the regular channels, and the yin Divergent Channels connect the
internally-externally related yang Divergent Channels.
Thus, the twelve divergent channels strengthen the connections between
the zang and fu
organs, bring the twelve regular channels and all parts of the body closer, and
extend the scope of indications of the acupoints.
What is the Twelve Muscle Regions?
The twelve muscle regions are the conduits which distribute the qi of the twelve regular channels to the
muscles, tendons and joints, and which are the external connecting regions of
the twelve regular channels. The
distribution of the Muscle Regions corresponds to the body-superficies course of
the Regular Channels. All the
Muscle Regions function in a course which starts from the terminals of the limbs
and runs on to the head and trunk. Instead
of entering zang
and fu organs,
they travel along the body surface, and connect with the joints and bones. The main functions of the Muscle Regions are to connect with
the bones and control them to ensure easy flexing and extending of the joints
and normal motion of the body.
What is the Twelve Cutaneous Regions?
The twelve cutaneous regions refer
to the body superficies on which the functions of the twelve regular channels
are reflected, and the sites where the qi
of the collaterals spreads. The
cutaneous regions are within the domains of the twelve regular channels.
What is the Eight Extra Channels?
The eight extra channels are the Du,
Ren, Chong, Dai, Yinwei, Yangwei, Yinqiao and Yangqaio
Channels. Unlike the twelve regular
channels, none of them pertain to the zang-fu
organs. And they are not
exteriorly-interiorly related. Their
coursed are unique, and hence the name, the extra channels.
They have two main functions: (1) strengthening the association between
the twelve regular channels, and (2) regulating the qi and blood of the regular channels, such
as in storage, drainage of the qi
and blood.
What is the Fifteen Collaterals?
The fifteen collaterals include the which separate from the twelve
regular channels, the collaterals of the Ren
and Du and the
major collateral of the spleen. They
are named respectively after the names of the points from where they start. Their main fuction is to strengthen the association of the yin-yang
channels and the externally-internally related channels on the body surface.
For example, the collateral of the ren
Channel connects with the qi
of the channel on the abdomen; the collateral of the Du
Channels ensures fluent passage of qi
of the channels n the back, and the major collateral o the spleen links up the
passways of qi the channels on the back, and the major collateral of the spleen
links up the passways of qi
the channel on the sides of the chest.
Superficial Collaterals are those which are distributed on the superficial parts of the body, and the smallest branches of the collaterals are called “Minute Collaterals”. They are innumerable and are distributed all over the body working to transport qi and blood to nourish the body.
The above-mentioned twelve regular channels, eight extra channels, fifteen collaterals, twelve divergent channels, twelve muscle regions and twelve cutaneous regions add up to the integrated system of the channels and collaterals.
What are principles of treatment?
Acupuncture cures diseases by
regulating qi or energy flow
through stimulating specific acupuncture points using needles.
The principles of treatment in TCM consist of the aspects:
a) How to Search
for the Primary Cause of a Disease in Treatment?
Contrasted with “biao”,
“ben” means something fundamental or
essential, just like the root of a tree. Searching
for the primary cause of a disease in treatment is to seek the fundamental cause
of a disease so as to make a proper remedy.
This is one of the basic principles of diagnosis and treatment of TCM on
overall analysis of symptoms and signs, the cause, nature and location of the
illness and the patient’s physical condition according to the theory of
traditional Chinese medicine. In
practice, however, the two aspects must be applied correctly, namely, “the
routine treatment and the treatment contrary to the routine” and “treatment
of biao (expectant
treatment) and ben
(causal treatment)”.
b) How to strengthen
the body immune system and to eliminate pathogenic factors?
This is to strengthen the vital-qi
and the immune system of the human body as well as its self-repairing ability to
remove pathogenic factors and recover the health with proper curative measures,
such as traditional Chinese herbs, acupuncture and moxibustion, and some other
therapies in combination with proper diet, physical exercises ect.
This therapeutic method can be applied to any kind of deficiency syndrome
dominated by the deficiency of the vital-qi
without exuberance of the invading pathogens.
Corresponding measures should be adopted in accordance with the specific
characteristics of the disease. Instances
can be found in invigoration qi
for deficiency of qi,
enriching blood for lake of blood and doing both for insufficiency of the two:
the same is true of deficiency of yin
or yang or both.
All these are the specific approaches of the principle of strengthening
the body resistance.
This is to remove pathogenic factors with traditional Chinese drugs or
some other therapies to restore the vital-qi
and cure a disease. It is
applicable to syndromes dominated by pathogens with undiminished vital-qi.
Corresponding measures should be taken in consideration of the particular
kinds and features of pathogens as well as the sites they invade.
For instance, exterior wind-cold syndrome should be treated by dispelling
cold to relive exterior syndrome; lingering of toxicant substance and phlegm in
the chest and stomach should be treated with emetic therapy; coproma and
pathogenic heat lingering in the intestines should be treated by removing heat
by catharsis; indigestion should be dealt with by promoting digestion;
obstruction of blood stasis should be removed by promoting blood circulation;
and interior excess of toxic heat should be cured by clearing away heat and
toxic materials. All these are the
specific approaches of the principle of eliminating pathogenic factors.
What is the personalized treatment of acupuncture?
Same disease could be different in the cause, the level
and the extension among patients. The acupuncturist must develop a personalized
treatment for each patient based upon the principles of acupuncture: a)
cooling the heat, warming the cold; b) tonifying the deficiency and sedating the
excess; c) relationship of local and whole body; d) formation of point prescriptions and their combination;
e) diagnosis of Jingluo, qi and Zang Fu (organs). The acupuncturist should tailor down the treatment
precisely and accurately to cure a disease.
How does qi seasonally change and the implication in acupuncture?
How does qi
vary among age and gender and the implication in acupuncture?
Yang
is superficial and fragile for young people. It requires needle for short time, shallow,
gently, and only do few points. Women are better tolerant to pain. Because the
cycle has impact on woman’s reaction to acupuncture, it would be good to
keep track of the cycle even if not treating gynecological problems.
What are these most commonly used acupuncture
points?
The number of acupuncture points
was identified as 365 in ancient time, the same number of days in a year.
These points were mapped along 14 major meridian lines, one meridian for each
of the 12 inner organs, one meridian along the spine and the other along the
midline of the abdomen. There are other sets of acupuncture points along the
outer ears, on the nose, in the scalp, on the hands, on the feet and at the
wrists and ankles. However, the points on the 14 main meridians are more often
used than others. Each meridian has favor points used for treating a wide
variety of diseases.
Lieque (LU7)
This point is located above the wrist on the inside of the arm. It is used to
treat several disorders of the upper body, including headache, neck stiffness,
cough, asthma, sore throat, facial paralysis, and wrist problems.
Zusanli (ST36)
This point is located on the front of the leg, just below the knee. It is used
to treat digestive disorders.
Sanyinjiao (SP6)
This point is located on the inner side of the leg just above the ankle. This
point is valuable for treating
hormonal disorders, digestion disorder and immune disorders.
Fengchi (GB20)
This point is located at the base of the skull where it joins the neck in
back. It is used in the treatment of acute disorders, including common cold,
influenza, headache, neck pain, and fever.
Taichong (LV3)
The point is located on the top of the foot, between the first and second
toes. It is used to balance emotional energy, to regulate menstruation, to
reduce tension and pain in the chest, treat eye disorders, alleviate
headaches, and reduce high blood pressure.
Neiguan (PC6)
This point is located on the inner arm, just above the wrist. It is useful for
cardiac disorders, such as heart palpitation and angina pectoris. It is also
useful for nausea, vomiting, spasms, and convulsions.
Shenmen (HT7)
This point is located on the outer side of the wrist. It is used in the
treatment of a variety of mental disorders, such as absent mindedness,
insomnia, disturbing dreams, hysteria, depression, agitation, and mental
illness. It is also used in the treatment of heart disease and fatigue.
Weizhong (BL40)
This point is located at the back of the knee. It is used in the treatment of
back pain, hip impairment, muscular atrophy, leg pain and immobility,
abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea.
Taixi (KI3)
This point is located just behind the inner ankle. It is used for disorders in
several areas of the body, including sore throat and toothache, deafness and
tinnitus, dizziness, asthma, thirst, insomnia, impotence, frequency urination,
pain in the lower back, and menstrual irregularities.
Waiguan (TB5)
This point on the meridian is located on the outer side of the arm, above the
wrist. It is mainly used in treatment of disorders of the fingers, hand, arms,
neck, ears, cheek, and top of the head.
Houxi (SI3)
This point is located on the side of the hand, below the little finger. It is
used for treating mental disorders, stiffness and pain in the neck, chest, and
lumbar region, seizures, night sweats, and fevers.
Baihui (GV20)
This point is located at the top of the head. It is traditionally applied in
the treatment of various mental disorders and other problems occurring in the
head.
Guanyuan (CV4)
This point is located a little below the navel. It is used for all types of
lower abdominal disorders, including urination problems, hernia, menstrual
disorders, gynecological infections, postpartum bleeding, diarrhea, rectal
prolapse etc.
What
are external factors causing
disharmony?
a)
Wind:
it
refers to the ability
of an illness to spread within the body.
Commonly linked with wind
are
included chills, fever, colds, flu, nasal
congestion
and
headaches.
b) Cold: it diminishes the body's immune system, causing colds, upper respiratory allergies, anemia and weak digestion.
c) Heat: it is described as hot and inflammatory, resulting in hypertension, hyperthyroid, ulcers, colitis, inflammed arthritic joints and skin rashes.
d) Dampness: its symptoms are created through the intake of oily and fluidic foods, as well as wet weather, causing swelling, obesity, the formation of cysts, tumors, and lumps, and an increased production of phlegm.
e) Dryness: it can damage vegitation, causing disorders of the lungs, sinuses, large intestine, skin, digestion, and reproductive organs.
What
are internal factors causing dishormony?
a) Sadness:
it decreases the flow of
qi
in the lungs and heart, and is associated with
depression, fatigue, shortness of breath, asthma, allergies, cold
and flu.
b) Grief: it is similar to sadness, and injures the lungs, decreases immunity to colds and flu, as well as chronic upper respiratory diseases.
c) Pensiveness: it refers to over-engaging mind, resulting in edema, digestive disorders, low appetite, and fatigue.
d) Fear: it causes qi to descend, resulting in potential harm to the kidneys, lower back, or joints when this emotion is ever present.
e) Fright: it refers to fear with sudden onset, causing one's qi to diverge. The rapid change in flow first affects the heart in symptoms such as breathlessness and palpitations, then moves to the lower body in a similar fashion to fear, damaging the kidneys, lower back, and joints.
f) Anger: it encompasses all the negative emotions of rage, irritability, frustration, and resentment, and causes the qi to rise inappropriately. Anger is associated with headaches, mental confusion, dizziness, and hypertension.
g) Joy: it refers to excess, or overabundance, and relates to illness relative to overindulgence. Damage to the heart may result, and the conditions of hysteria, muddled thought, and insomnia may arise.
References?