The Caduceus Project
Tools index Site Map

ACUPUNTURE

Text from: www.rosedaleclinic.co.uk/

Traditional Chinese Medicine (T.C.M.) has been in existence for many thousands of years. Acupuncture was gradually developed during the last four to six thousand years, predominantly in China, Tibet and Northern India.

No one knows the exact origin of acupuncture but it appears likely that originators wished to find a way of combining a physical and an energy approach to the correction human disease. The Chinese based their working philosophy of Taoism on the concept of YIN-YANG: the opposites within the perfect whole. The symbol below shows how within the circle they eternally flow into one another.

The principle of acupuncture is that by inserting a terminal, e.g. a needle, an adjustment can made to the energy potential of the acupuncture point. These points are known to act in several spheres at once:

  1. Acu-points work on the bio electrical field energy, the life force the Chinese call CHI. Recent investigation shows that when examined by dark-field microscopy, acu-points emit protons -particles of light. The physical energy of life force so deeply appreciated by the ancients, can be seen as real in the western scientific sense, the acupuncture meridian system is really a stream of light particles flowing in the electro-magnetic field of the body.
  2. They work on the nervous system.
  3. They affect the circulation of blood and fluids.

The adjustment of a point then has a domino effect on the system, causing a catalytic action to take place. Thus we stimulate the point Colon 4 and this will increase the amount of activity in the colon, and also stimulate the resistance of the body to disease.

Acupuncture is capable of regulating dysfunction and correcting the onset of disease providing gross pathology has not become established. However even in the case, for example of gross arthritic change, it is possible to provide assistance and easing of the condition, whilst not necessarily be able to reverse it.

The best way to regard acupuncture is to see it as a balance, stimulation and a tuning mechanism. In a way a comparison would be to that of a poorly tuned car engine always giving trouble. After tuning the performance is greatly increased. Thus with acupuncture a way of balance to restore the harmony of good health. To the musician, a drawing together of notes to make a chord of energy.

The acute condition and pre-clinical state can usually be resolved with acupuncture. The Chinese use it to treat successfully many conditions, from acute bronchitis, pneumonia, back strain, through to the more common degenerative disorders like arthritis. The treatment can be summarised as the use of stimulation to acu-points, to set in motion the bodys ability to heal it.

The diagnosis of T.C.M. is based on the concept of the eight principles, both in Herbalism and Acupuncture. The eight principles were mentioned in the ancient classics of Chinese medicine as a complete diagnostic and treatment system. The whole body of Chinese medicine is a complete system, not just a bolt-on technique to augment other medical practice.

The Five Elements

When China was closed to the West, until the 1970s, our knowledge of the real traditional Chinese medicine was limited to one of their diagnostic techniques, the concept of the five elements. The five elements, as the diagram shows, is designed as a concept of matching natural elements to organs, seasons and function. The Chinese use it as part of their diagnostic techniques.

In Europe when acupuncture came to be used 20-40 years ago much propagated by the French Doctor Jules Lavier, the five elements and the use of points related to elements assessed by the Chinese pulses, was all we had. This system was very good at balancing the body-mind, but often very time consuming or ineffective at correcting physical problems.

This diagram shows the flow of energy from one element to another, the nurturing or shen cycle, with its controlling counterpart, the ko cycle e.g. metal controls wood by cutting it; fire controls metal by melting it. The five elements concept is a pictorial way of describing an endless flow of nurturing and controlling energies.

The Chinese being very pragmatic, use only what works, they say, deal with the acute problem, e.g. frozen shoulder, or spinal pain, then balance the system. It is completely erroneous to imagine that continually balancing the system alone will eventually correct all problems, both areas need to be dealt with.

The organs listed on the left and right sides correlate to 3 positions held over the radial artery at the wrist. The rate, flow, strength and character of the pulse in each of the three sectors, at two depths of pressure, give 12 separate items of information, which correspond to the 12 primary organs and channels or Meridians of acupuncture. The pulse helps us to determine the state of an organ as regards its function.

The basic eight principles approach, coupled to the five elements, with a thorough understanding of the concept of Yin-Yang, is essential to the acupuncturist. He analyses the history of the patient, specific problem areas, the pulses, the condition of the tongue, the modalities (what makes worse, what better etc.), facial diagnosis, typology, blood tests, x-rays etc. The information obtained is then fed into the analysis according to the principles of T.C.M.

Reference
Tools index     Site Map

"The Caduceus Project"
Contact your inner wisdom, choose proper food and drink,
and receive all the informations necessary for a better health.