Exploring the Mechanics of Acupuncture: Bioelectromagnetism of the Human Body
Daniel J. Windridge & Harriet Lansdown EJOM Vol. 5 No. 5
This article gives an outline of a BSc (Hons) dissertation submitted as part of the BSc (Hons) Traditional Chinese Medicine (Acupuncture) degree programme at the University of Salford in April 2003. The purpose of this quantitative study (Part One) was to measure the skin resistance and thus conductivity of a given set of the Influential points. The aim was to determine any differences in the conductive properties according to the gender of participants involved. Vacancies were a set sample of 30, which involved stratified criterion non-random sampling. Quantitative comparative descriptive was the method design used. The results of readings were compared and were shown to support the yin and yang theory used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The outcome of Part One established that yang acupoints had the highest conductance compared to yin acupoints. Also it was found that the conductivity of all the yang acupoints measured from the male participants were significantly greater when compared with results obtained from the females.
Filiform Needling Techniques on the Ten Most Difficult Points in the Head and Neck
Wen Jiang and Changjing Gong EJOM Vol. 5 No. 4
Performing appropriate needling techniques on acupuncture points is a critical determinant in acupuncture practice. This is especially true when the needling techniques are operated on dangerous or risky acupuncture points. This paper attempts to explore these technical issues with head and neck acupuncture points. Jing ming Bl 1, cheng qi St 1, feng fu Du 16, feng chi GB 20, ya men Du 15, lian quan Ren 23, ren ying St 9, tian tu Ren 22, jian jing GB 21 and que pen St 12 are the main acupuncture points which are located in somewhat dangerous areas of the head and neck. If acupuncture manipulations are incorrect, they may induce unexpected accidents, hence some acupuncturists abandon these points in order to avoid danger. However, all of these points can be of exceptional therapeutic effect in the clinic if the acupuncture manipulations are correct. In order to get better effects and avoid accidents, practitioners should pay attention to both the conventional needling techniques and the special techniques discussed in this article. Some case histories are presented at the end of the paper.
This article explains the nature of the point yin tang explaining its critical location in relation to certain energy meridians of the body and how these meridians or channels connect to the heart yang. All these channels carry some aspect of the Fire element that is by nature yang, heated and red, and thus the area – situated on the most visible part of the face becomes a sensitive reflector of the most visible kind of body qi. The possible colour and textural changes at yin tang are discussed along with possible diagnoses and treatment strategies.
Most clinicians working in the field of pain concentrate their attention on bones, joints, discs, nerves and bursae, and are unaware of the great significance of pain arising in the largest single organ in the body, accounting for nearly 50% of body weight: skeletal muscle. Muscles in general and, more specifically, myofascial trigger points (TrPs) in skeletal muscles are major sources of pain and dysfunction. Chronic low back pain, shoulder pain and headache are major causes of disability, absence from work and claims for compensation. Much chronic pain is due to unrecognised myofascial pain syndromes that could have been avoided by early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Instead, the analgesics that are often prescribed, at a high cost, are frequently ineffective, may cause serious adverse drug reactions and do not address the underlying cause of the pain. In this article Dr Richardson discusses trigger point disturbances, examination of problems and the dry-needling techniques needed to deactivate these points. The article is well illustrated and documented.
According to the author, 'the meridian system is an invitation to meditate on the nature of our lives in human form.' The article examines the topography of the Jing Mai, their direction of flow, as well as the Chinese names of the points, in relation to the elements they relate to and the deeper meaning of many Chinese medicine concepts.The ideas are presented as mere possibilities of what the Han dynasty authors may truly have meant.To quote the author again: 'My own understanding of these ideas is influenced by who I am as a 20th century human with a Jewish and Buddhist background, and teachers who are a Taoist priest, a Japanese practitioner, and a French sinologist.'
The Clinical Application of Point Penetration Acupuncture
Pang Jun, Han Zhi-Yong and Faye Richardson EJOM Vol. 3 No. 1
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) physicians through the ages have utilised point penetration acupuncture therapy. It is characterised by the use of fewer selected points with stronger stimulation resulting in better effects. Through clinical practice, the author has identified four types of penetration that produce different effects. Each method is described with common effective prescriptions for specific diseases. Case reports describe in detail manipulation methods and precautionary procedures utilised in applying these methods for maximum effectiveness. Therefore, point penetration acupuncture is an acceptable, viable therapy for many conditions previously treated with medicine or surgery.
The Qi Jing Ba Mai (8 Extraordinary Vessels) as Representatives of the 7/8 year Life Cycles
Avi Magidoff EJOM Vol. 3 No. 1
Although the use of the qi jing ba mai is very widespread, not many people pay deep attention to the philosophical statements that they might represent. This article is an attempt to look at the qi jing ba mai as the basic scheme of human life. The ideas presented here are based on the work of Daoist priest Jeffrey Yuen and the author's own understanding and experience.
Continuing on from his previous two articles, Phillip Beach analyses the Heart, Small Intestine, Bladder, Kidney, Pericardium, Sanjiao, Gall Bladder and Liver channels. He looks at how needling patterns affect the shape of disease, and at how acupuncture works on internal organs.
From 1985-1988, the author worked at the Rocky Mountain Regional Pain Management Centre in Colorado. This article is about the role of acupuncture within the holistic framework of a pain management centre. The treatment of pain by acupuncture is seen as symptomatic by many and therefore less subtle than other 'holistic' approaches. Western acupuncture prescriptions are symptomatic, simplistic and undifferentiated. They treat the biao only which may work well for some acute problems, but the ben must be tackled in chronic disorders. Additionally untreated pain can lead to further problems; spiritual, emotional and physical. As western medicine comes to realise that the piecemeal treatment of pain is rarely effective, the comprehensive approach of traditional Chinese medicine becomes increasingly relevant.
Formula and Experience - Acupuncture and Chronic Pain: A Critical Reflection
Adrian Lyster EJOM Vol. 2 No. 4
Pain relief is the most widely practised application of acupuncture. Research evidence suggests that acupuncture is credible but conceals a number of unanswered questions that are of relevance to practitioners of TCM. What is the nature of the relief provided, is it palliative or therapeutic and is acupuncture a clinical match to different pain conditions? What method of acupuncture is used in research trials and does it correspond with clinical practice? What are the different descriptive and explanatory models for chronic pain? This article critically reviews the current models and examines some of the implications for both our understanding of pain and our application of acupuncture.
This is the second paper on the issues of 'what is the meridian system encoding?' and 'how does needling a distal point affect the visceral and neural life of an organism?' It also discusses the significance of the 12 'regular' and 8 'extraordinary' channels, internally and externally related channels, the six channel axes and so on. The author's first paper on this subject was published in EJOM Vol. 2 No. 3.
A ‘critter’ is used as a simple biological form to model the movements induced by needling. Lines can be seen that link the sensory organs to the caudal pole of the critter; points along those lines induce similar movements. If the critter is restrained in its movement response is felt internally. A new description of muscle function is presented that is based on the primary vertebrate axes. ‘Muscle chains’ are delineated and envisioned as contractile rivers that have long evolutionary and developmental co-histories with the primary facial sense organs. Embryologically, the Wolffian ectodermal ridge integrates the sensory platform, hands, feet and genitals visa line that is intermediately placed between the dorsal (somatic) and ventral (visceral) aspects of the embryo. The limb buds are located on this ridge so therefore act on and are acted upon by both the dorsal and ventral aspects of our being. This ridge also overlies the kidney precursors, an organ that develops from the same embryological layer as the muscles and bones. It is hypothesised that distal points act on the visceral function of the organism by affecting the shape of the body wall via a long lever effect. With dis-ease the organism gets ‘out of shape’; needling in patterns moves the organism back towards better shape and hence function.
A chapter from the author's book The Practice of Chinese Medicine deals with early onset asthma especially in children and young adults. The connections and differences between Xiao-Chuan (wheezing-breathlessness) and allergic asthma follow pathology and aetiology of allergic asthma in western medicine. The chapter concludes with a new theory of allergic asthma in Chinese medicine.
Hugh MacPherson and Richard Blackwell EJOM Vol. 1 No. 3
This review article has three sections. The introduction looks at the western medical understanding of RA and identifies a role for Chinese medicine. There follows a critique of a number of controlled trials and studies. The final section considers Chinese medicine in clinical practice, its approach to treatment and patient management.
