The Acupuncture Manipulation Of Neijing And Its Theoretical Origin

Objective:Acupuncture has become very popular and wide spread outside China;however,there is very little research on ancient acupuncture needling techniques,especially as described in Yellow Emperor's Internal Classics.Hence,had organized,analyzed,and explored the relevant content concerning needling techniques in the Yellow Emperor's Internal Classics.In addition,I had also summarized professor Zhang Jianbin's in depth experience and understanding of the needling techniques of the classics,in order to better promote acupuncture needling techniques in Europe.Methods:The initial research primarily focused on uses of literature research methods to comprehensively organize,compare and analyze the relevant content of the needling techniques outlined in the Yellow Emperor's Internal Classics and explored various needling theories underlining the described techniques.Next,electronic research was incorporated into manual search to create a comprehensive database containing various aspects of needling techniques discussed in the Yellow Emperor's Internal Classics,including the origins of techniques and their wide clinical applications.Thirdly,further electronic search was performed to gather extensive clinical research data in the past 20 years for a more complete research.Finally,after reviewing all the research data,and incorporating insights and instructions from Prof Zhang Jianbin,a comprehensive understanding of needling techniques concerning de-qi,reinforcing and reducing methods were proposed for clinical applications.Results:The meridian theory is the theoretical basis of acupuncture treatments.Before needling,the meridians must be diagnosed to determine the disease location and its associative disease.Different needling and manipulation methods should be selected according to different conditions.The primary goal is to adjust and balance Qi and control and treat Shen.Such were theories and guidelines put forth in literature.In practice,one should always:1.Needling according to the disease manifested in the meridian:"The principle of acupuncture treatment begins with the meridians".There are many recordings of meridian selection recorded in Yellow Emperor's Internal Classics.The methods can be summarized into the following:In order to identify the use of reinforcing or reducing technique,it should be based on the outward manifestation of the deficiency or excess of the meridian.And so as to distinguish deficiency or excess condition,it is determined through the degree of warmth or coldness.The location which reflect the meridian condition,excess or deficiency is at the cun kou and ren yin.It is through an in-depth examination of these two points that one may establish the nature of the disease in the meridian and apply the appropriate treatment in order to obtain excellent result.One of the example is to bloodletting on the collaterals.This method is very effective in treating excess pathogens.2.Needling according to the method of reinforcing and reducing techniques.There are three main practices to apply these techniques:through breathing,insertion speed and closure of needling sites.Breathing reinforcing and reducing technique:The practitioner inserts the needle when the patient exhales and withdraws the needle when the patient inhales,such is reinforcing technique.Reducing technique is the opposite:the practitioner inserts the needle when the patient inhales and withdraw the needle on exhale.Insertion speed technique:In order to achieve reinforcing effect,the needle is inserted slowly to the desired depth and after de-qi,or obtaining the arrival of the qi,the needle is drawn out rapidly.As for reducing technique,the needle is quickly thrust into the point and slowly pulled out at the end of treatment.Closure of needling site technique:This technique focuses on the needling site after the needle has been removed.For reinforcing technique,the area is covered immediately after withdrawing the needle.However,for reducing technique,not only is the needling area not covered,during the removal,the needle is swayed back and forth to increase the area of penetration.These three methods for reinforcing and reducing are used in combination and not independently when applied clinically.Breathing and site closure methods cannot be used effectively without the mastery of insertion technique.They complement each other to achieve the desired therapeutic result of balancing the entire body.Notice that "Ying Sui" method described in the Yellow Emperor's Internal Classics in truth is not a single technique.It is a general designation of the reinforcing and reducing technique,that"Ying" is reducing while "Sui" is reinforcing.The techniques must follow "Ying" "Sui"manipulation.3.Needling according to healing the mind and regulating qi.Yellow Emperor's Internal Classics points out that healing the mind is through distinguishing qi,"de-qi" or obtaining qi,reinforcing or reducing needling.One should first obtain correct diagnosis before needling.After needling,one should ensure the arrival of the qi and then distinguish it,applying the appropriate needling techniques to reinforce or reduce.These steps require constant attention to the mind and qi in order to accomplish optimal therapeutic result.Yellow Emperor's Internal Classics emphasizes healing the mind prior to regulating qi.It is an essential part of the acupuncture treatment.Conclusion:The needling techniques described in Yellow Emperor's Internal Classics build on meridian theory as the foundation,point out that the practitioner must treat and heal the mind first and throughout the needling treatment session,one should focus on the qi beneath the needle prior to employ particular reinforcing and reducing technique.Regulating qi through needling means to smooth out the qi pathways in order to balance internal organs and meridians and achieve homeostasis.One should also pay attention to the needling time and depth in order to increase therapeutic efficacy in clinical practice.Professor Zhang Jianbin believes that accurate and appropriate selection of acupuncture points is the foundation for needling efficacy.In addition to syndrome and meridian differentiation,observing the excess or deficiency in the qi of the meridians,mastery of various types of needles and associated needling techniques are extremely important in clinical practice.With the continuous improvement and invention of new needling equipment and techniques,acupuncture is constantly evolving.Against such backdrop of rapid development in the discipline,it is essential to focus on the fundamentals while adapting to wider clinical application.