TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE  

 Part One ACUPUNCTURE

By Mrs Stella Rodgers CSNU CMIR DCHAc

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There must be some primal force, But it is difficult to describe or locate.
I believe it exists, but I cannot see it. I do see its results, I can even feel it, but it has no form.

From the writings of Zhuang Zi (also spelled Chuang Tzu) 4th century BCE

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According to a survey in the Times newspaper recently:

·         Over ninety percent of British doctors would recommend acupuncture to their patients as a complementary [not alternative] form of treatment.

·          More than a thousand doctors practice a form of acupuncture in the UK.

·          Elsewhere in Europe, doctors who practice acupuncture are in even greater numbers that in the UK, with France numbering more than 5000 and Germany numbering over 4000.

·          Acupuncture is becoming a modern medicine science, with the advances of electro-acupuncture, laser acupuncture and TENS Pain Management. 

Acupuncture is also fast becoming accepted as a mainstream form of treatment.  

The History.

Acupuncture is a non-pharmaceutical treatment with simple application, has a wide range of use, good curative effect, and low cost.

The cultural exchange between China and other countries has promoted a global interest in this subject; one could even say the interest in this oldest holistic medical method has come full circle after so many thousand years, ancient to modern.  

Acupuncture is an important part of Traditional Chinese Medicine and is recorded as at least four thousand years old. Over the past 2500 years medical scholars in each age have contributed to the development and refinement of this wonderful art in China, and it is respected throughout the world as an ancient art that has evolved through time into a unique system.

1000 yrs BC is the oldest record of acupuncture on bone etchings. The period of establishment in ancient China is - 21st-3rd century BC; Xia, Sheng, Zhou dynasties in the autumn & spring periods.  In the ancient literature there are records regarding the use of stone needles (long before iron casting.) The discovery of stone needles and medical tools as funerary objects in Stone Age burial mounds brings right up to date the legends regarding acupuncture from the ‘clan commune period’ of primitive society - the period before the written word - which lasted up until about 4,000 years BC.

The Han prince's tomb, Liu Sheng, (113 BC) contained gold acupuncture needles.  One such legend, that of a doctor 'Bian Que', tells of the physician portrayed mythically as half-man, half-bird, who came upon a supposedly dead prince. Bian Que noted flaring of his ala nasi [a diagnostic indicator] and treated the prince by administering herbs and needling the well established point for ‘wind invasion’ which is Governor Meridian no: 20. Wind Invasion is a term used to describe amongst other diseases, bronchial & respiratory tract infections.

According to the legend the prince made a miraculous recovery. Although I have not seen this particularly mentioned miracle myself ... but I have frequently witnessed the common cold stopped ‘dead’ in its tracks (excuse the pun) using this point of GV 20 with others myself, before it could turn into a more problematic condition, as you can imagine I am very popular at such times in my family! 

The Dutch philosopher Benedict Spinoza (1632-1677) gives a description of pain thus; "A localised form of sorrow." The accidentally pulled ligament or broken bone causes more modern expletives these days, but fortunately can still receive this treatment from a gentler time! 

Modern medicine is beginning to understand what the ancients knew without having the jargon to describe it – that endorphins released by the stimulation of acupuncture needles can reduce pain, and in extremes this knowledge is also used in modern hospitals to anesthetize areas for surgical use. 

Many years ago I had a young friend who told me of her leg being amputated after an accident using this method, together with hypnosis, because of her inability to tolerate the chemicals otherwise needed. I was not incredulous at that time because I had already read at that time an article by a vet from the then Manchester Zoo who went to China in the 1960’s and witnessed operations on animals in this way. 

Acupuncture went into a decline during a political period of Chinese isolation, but the revival of TCM in 1949 brought about by Mao Tse-tung after the War of Liberation, meant that the much valued knowledge, once passed abroad, was returned to its homeland by its faithful adherents.

The University of Beijing, which is now very much in the forefront of international training, proudly exhibits its name on TCM Diplomas. 

Question: Does it work?

Answer: 'Yes it does'.

I speak personally as a patient long before becoming a practitioner, indeed I am such an advocate and love to study the subject and its history because I felt and saw the amazing results for family members and myself.

Here I am writing about some of the basics of this ancient healing method and other related therapies - and it is my fondest hope it will give a new understanding and confidence through knowledge.

The main points of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine - TCM - is based on the theory that all disorders and illnesses arise from an imbalance. We’ve all heard of Yin and Yang, and perhaps seen the symbol in black and white of the two united teardrops?

These are symbolic ways of indicating the basic philosophy of all life being a harmony of positive and negative. A physical imbalance in Chinese medical terms can be caused by problems arising from outside the body or in inside the body, or through a slowing down through stagnation leading to blockage of the energies circulating in the body.

The name used for these energy lines, which we all have, is ‘meridians’, and when these meridians or energy channels slow down and sometimes even become blocked, the resulting imbalance of the body can cause pain in a local area like the muscular bruising through trauma, or an illness in a major organ, perhaps through bad input, i.e. food - chemicals - emotions, or even just the aging process.

A trained TCM doctor will seek to clear the energy block through acupuncture or other methods taught as part of the curriculum, [see part two of this essay] and so restore the body's balance. Some people have treatments like acupuncture as a preventative measure to strengthen their constitution, or because they feel unwell without being "ill" in the Western sense. Convalescence from a serious condition, or just a common cold and being ‘run down’, will be greatly aided by a balancing course of treatments, which might start as six weeks.

We must allow that long-term conditions will not have quick solutions.What is the main difference between Chinese medicine and Western medicine? Traditional Chinese medicine treats the cause of the disorder, and Western medicine concentrates more on the symptom of the disorder. For example, two people may have the same symptoms of eczema, but the cause of the complaint may be completely different: one patient may have an imbalance of the liver, the other an imbalance of the spleen.

Whereas a Western doctor may prescribe the same medicine for the ailment, the TCM doctor will treat the underlying cause of eczema, and in this case one patient will be treated for a liver imbalance and the other for a spleen imbalance.

How a diagnosis made in TCM

By indications discovered through observation and questioning, for example looking at the tongue, and taking of the pulses, to mane but two. Neck pulsation of common carotid artery Foot: pulsation of the anterior tibial artery - Wrist: pulsation of the radial artery used most commonly in modern times.

Incidentally there are many pulses within the usual ones, for example nine places on each wrist are felt. From these pulse rates the doctor will again be able to tell the state of your many internal organs.

The training also includes understanding and taking note of all the ‘windows’ of the Zang and ‘Fu’ organs, for example the eyes, lips, skin, etc. Also sought are differences of hot / cold, internal / external, excess / deficiency, the aspects of Yin and Yang previously mentioned. The exact pattern and degree of disharmony is individual to each patient, and acupuncture aims to treat patients with a very special personalised treatment plan.What exactly is acupuncture?

In the ancient times pins/ needles were used, made of bone, stone, or sharpened metals very crudely made, some of which can be seen on exhibition in the natural science museum today, but we are pleased to say that modern manufacture means they are now of an extremely fine texture, so mush so they are almost invisible! They are inserted into the skin using a thin clear plastic tube to guide the needle.

 
Above you see a 'frozen shoulder treated with the pins/needles in place.

Acupuncture became popular in the West in the early Seventies, and is now one of the most widely recognised therapies; it is now an integral part of the rapid growth of ‘complementary’ [notice we don’t say here ‘alternative’] therapy in the UK and abroad, and it is a holistic approach to full body health based on over 4000 years of developments and refinements in the Far East and Europe. 

The skill of the acupuncturist lies in their manipulation of the energies and ability to make a true diagnosis from what is often a complex pattern of disharmony. 

Does acupuncture conflict with conventional Western medicine?

It is used alongside conventional medicine in the treatment of both acute and chronic disease. As with any treatment, it may be important to mention certain details about your current state of health, as this will assist the practitioner in his full diagnosis of your condition. Most European Doctors recommend acupuncture as a complement to any western medicine. 

Your own doctor will most certainly be pleased you are seeking this extra help, and might even offer the service themselves, as in recent years more and more and more GP’s, physiotherapists, chiropractors, osteopaths, nurses and health care professionals are adding this most valuable treatment to their skills.

How does acupuncture work?

Fine needles are inserted at points around the body to stimulate or suppress the flow of "Qi" - the enigmatic life force - sometimes described as "electro-chemical" or "electro-magnetic" energy. There are about 500 acupoints along the 12 plus energy meridians. A 100 of these acupoints are most commonly used - also the alteration of energy at the beginning or end of flow line will affect the places between.

Acupuncture aims to restore the balance of Qi energy - a state of equilibrium when Yin and Yang are in harmony. Acupuncture may help to relieve pain (from injuries to a muscle, or a migraine, for example) and suppress cravings (food, alcohol, cigarettes etc). It is also widely used for stress relief.  

What about needle sterilisation?

All members of the CMIR (Chinese Medical Institute Register) must observe a code of practice, which lays down stringent standards of hygiene and sterilisation of needles and other equipment, and modern practitioners use disposable needles. These procedures have been approved by the Department of Health, and provide protection against the transmission of infectious diseases.

Is acupuncture painful?

Acupuncture needles bear little resemblance to needles used in blood tests and injections. They are solid rather than hollow and so can be much finer. Most people find acupuncture and electro-acupuncture a pleasant and deeply relaxing experience. There should be no pain during the insertion of needles if the doctor is fully trained and experienced.

When the practitioner carefully inserts the needles, you may feel a slight tingling sensation, heat or coldness. This indicates that the treatment is beginning to have some effect; it is called 'obtaining the Qi'. Some people may feel numbness at the point of entry or an energy transfer along the meridian to another part of the body.  

Needles are inserted either for a second or two, or left in place for up to 20 minutes, depending on the effect required, and adding the electro therapy can take from 20 to 40 mins. After acupuncture, you will feel relaxed or even slightly sleepy, so please take care not to tackle anything strenuous for a few hours following your treatment.

I prefer patients to have a driver with them in the case of a troublesome illness.

How can acupuncture help me?

The benefits of acupuncture frequently include more than just relief from a particular condition, many people find that it can also lead to increased energy levels, improve appetite and sleep and gives an enhanced sense of overall well being. It is strongly advised that you make sure that the TCM doctor who treats you is fully qualified. There should be qualifications, Diplomas insurance Certificate on display at the clinic for study by all patients.

Below are some of the problems and diseases commonly treated by acupuncture, not forgetting convalescence and rehabilitation.

What will happen on my first visit?

Your first consultation may be longer than subsequent sessions. The acupuncturist needs to assess your general state of health in order to identify the underlying pattern of disharmony and give you the most effective treatment. You will be asked about your current symptoms and what treatment you have received so far. You will also be asked about your medical history and that of your close family.

In China ten minutes is all a patient can expect each day; in western countries it is more usual to have thirty minutes to an hour each week.

The practitioner will also ask you about your diet, digestive system, sleeping patterns and your general emotional state. Once enough information has been gathered to determine the likely causes of your problems, the acupuncturist can select the appropriate treatment.

The aim is to discover which energy channels need adjusting for your specific complaint to improve, and which require treatment to boost your overall energy and vitality.

Can I prepare in any way for treatment?

Try not to have a big meal within an hour of your appointment, as the process of digestion will alter the pattern of your pulse. Also avoid alcohol and food and drinks, [which alter the colour of your tongue just before you have your treatment.] Arriving for treatment after work must not mean you have not eaten for a long period.

How long will I need treatment?

Chronic cases can take many years to develop, and it is therefore likely that they will also take quite sometime to respond to treatment and start improving. It is important to allow the treatment time to take effect rather than to expect an instant "miracle cure". The total number of treatments will vary from patient to patient, and your practitioner will discuss your own specific case with you. The longer a problem has had to 'solidify' in a physical system the longer it may take to overcome it.

Should I continue taking medicine prescribed by my GP?

Most certainly the answer to that question is YES. It is a complementary therapy not an alternative one. Your doctor should always be consulted if you are in any way uncertain. Chinese medicine in general does not conflict with Western medicine. However, please inform both your doctors about any current medications you are taking. I understand that there is a strong movement to include acupuncture in the public health system in the near future. 

 To be continued in Part Two - ALTERNATIVES TO ACUPUNCTURE

About Mrs Stella Rodgers 

Stella is a practicing healer of over ten years standing, she holds the City and Guild Teaching Certificate 7300, the Certificate of the Spiritualist National Union, the Diploma of Chinese Healthcare and Acupuncture from the University of Beijing, and is on the Chinese Medical Institute Registrar for acupuncture and related subjects. She is a also a registered Hypnotherapist and a licensed practitioner of NLP. 

Phone 01603 879126 for an appointment or further inquiries.