Traditional versus modern Acupuncture

a. Qi IN RELATION TO DISEASE

Qi (the vital force and defence energy of the body and mind) comes from different sources: Ancestral Qi (genetic energy), Qi from Heaven (the energy of life) and from earth (vital energy from air, food). Healthy lung and gastrointestinal function are vital to balanced Qi. Deep breathing exercises (imagining the air being drawn down as far as the pelvis) and visualisation of Qi streaming through the Channel system (in the correct direction of Qi flow, and in time with deep, slow breathing) are part of TAI Qi and Qi KUNG exercise systems which are used to counter stress and attain physical/mental wellbeing.

Health and disease are determined by the amount and balance of Qi in the organism. The healthy body/mind has a perfect balance of Qi which can circulate freely in the body through the Channel network, the collateral Channels, the deep Channels and the organs. Adepts can direct Qi (by conscious or subconscious control) to circulate to those parts which may need extra Wei (Defensive) Qi. In the body, upset Qi (Excess of Yin or Yang, Deficiency of Yin or Yang etc) is the cause and result of disease.

If the Wei (Defensive) Qi is weak, disease can invade from outside (see 4b below). Body Qi can also take many forms: Qi of Kidneys, Qi of life (semen) etc. Blockage of Qi flow, whether caused by trauma, scar tissue or other causes) is followed by functional or organic disease of the affected COS.

b. INTERACTION BETWEEN ENVIRONMENT AND THE ORGANISM

"Man (the organism) stands between Heaven and Earth". This ancient teaching infers the external environment (extra-terrestrial and terrestrial energy) can influence us and that we can influence the heavens and earth. Natural environmental forces (Qi) include magnetism, gravity, electromagnetic fields, solar, lunar and planetary influences etc. Others include geophysical/geopathological fields, as known to the practitioners of Feng Shui (Chinese diviners, who would shun the valley where no bird sings). We must cope with seasonal changes, which can predispose to their own Syndromes, or types of disease. To dress and work outdoors in the depths of winter as if it were the middle of summer (or vice-versa) can seriously imbalance Qi and cause disease. The wise one wears thick skins in snow, fine silk in sun.

In Yin-time live a Yin-type life; in Yang-time, Yang.

THE SIX EVILS

TCM recognises six climatic causes of disease: Heat, Summer-Heat; Damp, Dryness, Cold and Wind.

Each one of the Six Evils (type of perverse energy which attacks the body from the Exterior) has a preference for a specific COS in the Five Phase Cycle:

Perverse Energy Heat, Summer-Heat Damp Dryness Cold Wind

Phase attacked Fire Earth Metal Water Wood

Yin SYSTEM attacked HT, PC SP LU KI LV

Yang SYSTEM attacked SI, TH ST LI BL GB

These "devils" gain access to the body via the skin-holes (the AP points). Pathogenic Qi can reach the Interior of the body via the superficial and deep course of the Channels in two ways:

a. if, relative to the force of the attack, the Wei Qi is weak (unable to deflect the acute attack), or

b. if the condition is not treated successfully (by increasing Wei Qi using TCM/TAP at that stage).

Once the inner organs are invaded, the condition is serious and may become chronic, life-threatening and difficult to treat.

Apart from the preferred organ, other organs and functions can be attacked, using routes in the Five Phase Cycle (Sheng and Ko and reverse-Ko routes). For example, Summer-Heat can attack HT-PC (heatstroke, circulatory collapse, heart attack), the mind (febrile hallucination, heatstroke) and also the SI (summer gastroenteritis). Wind can attack LV, the eyes, GB, the muscles and the mind (anger, jealousy) etc and can also counter-attack LU (via a reverse Ko route: Wood (LV) is controlled by Metal (LU)).

Treatment at that stage aims to increase the adaptive reactions of the primary organ attacked and the general resistance of the body in an attempt to expel the invader. (Treatment can include induction of vomition, purgation, diuresis, sweating etc if the invader can be expelled by these routes).

c. THE ROLE OF THE EMOTIONS IN DISEASE

Each of the Five Phases is associated with specific emotions. Balance of the emotions is important, as imbalance in any one of them can imbalance the Qi, to weaken the corresponding COS:

For example, too much excitement/pleasure/joy can weaken the HT COS (angina, heart attack etc) and one of the signs of HT disorder is too much laughter/excitability. Too much anxiety (obsession) can weaken the SP COS and one of the signs of SP disorder is a tendency to obsession and sing (to oneself) a lot. Similarly for the other organs (LU, KI, LV).

Psychosomatic disease: The Chinese were among the first people to note an association between the emotions/psyche and disease. They were aware of the importance of psychosomatic disease before the time of Christ. Similarly, in imbalance of a Channel, the appropriate emotions can be fostered and used in the Ko Cycle to redress the imbalance. For instance, in grief (Deficient Metal), stimulation of laughter/joy, pleasure can reduce grief and strengthen LU via the Ko Cycle (Fire controls Metal). Fear (Deficient KI) can be helped by stimulating meditation, singing, or whistling (Earth controls Water).