Acupuncture.
Acupuncture is practiced in various forms the world over, both the Ancient
Egyptians, Mayas, Incas and Traditional Peoples of Northern Africa practiced
similar techniques, and indeed Avicenna practiced a form of Acupuncture. But
it was in China where acupuncture reached its highest development and the
greatest level of technical perfection.
Click on this button to see
a chart of the 364 Classical points of Acupuncture. 
The
principles and practice of Acupuncture were originally first formally set out
in the "Huang Di Nei Jing" which was compiled around the 4th. century BC. The
first part of this book, which is called the "Ling Shu" deals mainly with the
prevention of disease. It states that: "To treat an illness is like digging a
well when you are thirsty, or like commencing to forge weapons once the war
has started". The Ling Shu composes about 85% of the whole work. The second
book is the "Su Wen", it deals with treatment methods involving Acupuncture,
Herbal Medicine and Moxibustion.
The Huang Di Nei Jing is written in the form of a dialogue between Huang Di (the Yellow Emperor) and his minister Ch'i Po, and commences by stating that people in ancient times had a much greater vitality and longevity than was the case at the time, because they lived more in harmony with nature. It then introduces the life force or Qi (Ki in Japanese) and describes its daily flow through twelve bilateral channels called meridians, to all functional areas of the body. It gives the many causes and effects from an excess or deficiency of Qi and goes on to explain how imbalances of Qi may be corrected and diseases may be prevented or cured by puncturing specific points along these meridians.
Acupuncture, the insertion of fine needles at varying angles and depths at anatomically located points, is still applied in much the same way as was done by the ancient Chinese physicians. When acupuncture is used for the treatment of health conditions however, it is generally used in combination with herbal medicine or other traditional Chinese Medicine approaches.
The effect of Acupuncture.
Acupuncture has 5 main effects:
- Analgesia.
- Sedation.
- Re-establishing of the Homeostasis.
- Immune support and anti-inflammatory effects.
- Motor recovery (used for muscle weakness or paralysis).
The Laws of Acupuncture treatment.
- The Great Law of Bu-Xie. This is the law of tonification (Bu) and of
sedation (Xie). In the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine the
correct method of treatment is described as follows: "Supply energy where
there is deficiency and sedate energy when there is an excess." Thus when
there is an excess underlying a condition, it must be calmed or sedated;
where a deficiency is the underlying factor, stimulation should be employed
in any treatment given. The Traditional Chinese Law of treatment by
opposites is called the Great Law of Bu-Xie; it is fundamental to all
Traditional Chinese Medicine applications; the correct application of this
law is essential in order to achieve efficacy of treatment.
- Tonification (Bu). Bu is any action which augments or has a stimulating effect. Bu is used to supply Qi when the meridians have been adversely affected by a lack of Qi. In this technique the needles are usually left in place and not disturbed until it is time for their removal. Bu is used for the treatment of all conditions, excepting those listed below under the treatment by Xie.
- Sedation (Xie). Xie represents any therapeutic action which has a dispersing, calming or sedating effect; these actions are used to balance the Qi when an excess has been caused by internal or external perverse energies. In Xie type of treatment needles are usually gently manipulated in order to elicit a sensation called Te-Qi, a sensation of soreness, heaviness or a tingling which radiates from the point being needled, and often follows the path of the meridian which the point is on. Sometimes a small electrical current is passed through the needles to enhance the sedating effects. Xie is used for: Acute disorders, severe pain, anaesthesia in surgery, to control pain in or facilitate childbirth, and for resuscitation in fainting, etc.
- The Mother/Son Law. Draw the deficient energy from the Mother to the Son, which means drawing energy from the previous element.
- The Midday/Midnight Law. A troublesome organ or its Meridian is best treated when it is at its maximum phase during its diurnal cycle. Sometimes if an Meridian peaks at a time that makes it difficult to see the patient, the Meridian on the opposite side of the diurnal cycle may be treated in the opposite manner (e.g. by using Bu instead of Xie or vice versa).
