Five phase theory and its use in medicine

TONIFICATION-SEDATION TECHNIQUE: ANOTHER USE OF PHASE POINTS

The classical balancing method of using the Five Phase Points has been described above. Another method (which disagree with some of the principles in the first method) has been described in some textbooks, including a recent from text from Beijing (Anon 1993. It is used especially where one Phase or one COS is in an Excess or Deficient (hyper- or hypo-) state, without the opposite state existing in another COS.

Tonification and Sedation Points for each COS are given in the following table:

The type of needle manipulation differs between diseases of Deficiency (Xu) and Excess (Shi). The Tonification (Bu) technique is used in Deficiency (Xu) diseases, when a COS is weak. The Sedation (Xie) technique is used in Excess (Shi) diseases, when a COS is in Excess. The needling techniques are described in another paper (Techniques of stimulation of the AP Points) (q.v.). For further discussion of Xu and Shi diseases, see the paper on Holistic concepts of health and disease.

Using the points and Bu or Xie needling techniques respectively, as above), the Tonification-Sedation Law states: if a COS is Deficient, supply Qi to it by draining from its Mother COS, using the Mother Point of the affected COS; if a COS is in Excess, drain the Excess Qi into its Son COS, using the Son Point of the affected COS. For example, if a clinical syndrome was associated with Deficiency of LI (with no other COS showing abnormality), the classical balancing system can not be used, but the Tonification-Sedation technique can be used. The solution to LI Deficiency by this method is to tonify (Bu needle) LI (Metal) at its Mother (Earth) Point (LI11). The solution to LI Excess by this method is to sedate (Xie needle) LI (Metal) at its Son (Water) Point (LI02).

These Tonification-Sedation techniques use the Sheng Cycle only. The Ko Cycle and the Luo Points are not involved. The Tonification-Sedation Law is summarised as follows: to Tonify a COS use its Mother Point. To Sedate a COS, use its Son Point.

Other examples:

a. Deficient SP. SP is Earth. Fire is the Mother of Earth. Tonify SP by Bu needling SP at its Mother (Fire) Point (SP02). This supplies Qi (via Sheng Cycle) from HT (the Mother of SP).  b. Excess BL. BL is Water. Wood is the Son of Water. Sedate BL, by Xie needling BL at its Son (Wood) Point (BL65). This drains Excess Qi from BL into GB (the Son of BL). 

Other examples are:

PC (Fire ) Deficient: use Wood Point of PC (Wood is Mother of Fire). PC (Fire ) Excess : use Earth Point of PC (Earth is Son of Fire). ST (Earth) Deficient: use Fire Point of ST (Fire is Mother of Earth). ST (Earth) in Excess: use Metal Point of ST (Metal is Son of Earth)