When you are caring about only visible things,
You may not be able to see what is important.
Symptoms appeared in the body are,
Messages from the inside of the body that cannot be seen.
When you see only the symptoms appeared on the surface,
It ends up with the treatment like a whack-a-mole.
Without working on the deep inside of such symptoms,
Chasing with appeared symptoms never ends.
This is not limited to the body matters.
It can be applied to all symptoms surrounding us.
Worry, fear, anger, each event inducing such emotions
Is symbolizing what lies in the depth.
However, you shouldn't forget that all visible phenomena,
Including symptoms appeared on the body, are merely symbols.
That is not the core where to work on.
No matter how much the values of the test result are tampered,
It does not mean the cure of the disease, surely.
Nobody makes efforts for such a silly thing.
The appeared result is merely symbols.
The essence is the vital energy coming from the root.
When the root changes,
Its results also change naturally.
What a waste of energy,
To put your energy on attempting to change the symbols.
*This is translated from N sensei's blog.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
About Kakisemi kun and the Summer Seminar
Hello! Thank you for reading Shakuju Association blog. Usually, I'm updating articles translated from Kobayashi sensei's writings in Japanese or other senseis' articles in Japanese Shakuju Association blog. But, today, I'd like to write about the other thing, the mystery of the funny creature of Shakuju Association.
Some of you might have noticed that there is a non-acupunctural video on the video bar section on the right. Haven't you noticed yet? Hmm.
Do you still wonder what the video was?? Actually, for students who have attended the summer seminar three times (three-years education curriculum is common in Japanese acupuncture schools, except some universities), O sensei made the special Kakisemi-kun cell phone accessories (Kobayashi sensei also has it on his cell phone!). And this video is about how to make it.
Hope someday, Kakisemi-kun becomes the well-known Japanese character like "Dragonball"!! Oops, but I don't know what Kakisemi-kun can do... I don't think he can shoot "Kamehameha"...
Some of you might have noticed that there is a non-acupunctural video on the video bar section on the right. Haven't you noticed yet? Hmm.
This one...
Soo, do you want to know what this strange creature is?
 |
| strange creature?? |
This is called Kakisemi kun. There is annual summer seminar for students of acupuncture students, and this is the special character for the summer seminar.
The summer seminar in Japanese is Kaki (summer) Seminar, in abbreviation Kaki-Semi. The sound "Kaki" also means "persimmon" and "Semi" means "cicada" (in different Chinse characters though), so Kaki-Semi means summer seminar and persimmon cicada. Got it??
That's why this is designed for the mixture of a persimmon and a cicada especially for the summer seminar by O Sensei who is working at Taishido Acupuncture Clinic on Fridays. ＼(＾▽＾)／
That's why this is designed for the mixture of a persimmon and a cicada especially for the summer seminar by O Sensei who is working at Taishido Acupuncture Clinic on Fridays. ＼(＾▽＾)／
Yup, we had the summer seminar in the weekend of 18th and 19th August. Many acupuncture students came to study Shakuju therapy. It started from the introduction of theory, abdominal contact needling, pulse adjustment, abdominal diagnosis and back-shu point treatment, then students went through the whole treatment procedures, so they treated each other in the last session of the seminar.
 |
| Kaki-semi (summer seminar) |
Do you still wonder what the video was?? Actually, for students who have attended the summer seminar three times (three-years education curriculum is common in Japanese acupuncture schools, except some universities), O sensei made the special Kakisemi-kun cell phone accessories (Kobayashi sensei also has it on his cell phone!). And this video is about how to make it.
Hope someday, Kakisemi-kun becomes the well-known Japanese character like "Dragonball"!! Oops, but I don't know what Kakisemi-kun can do... I don't think he can shoot "Kamehameha"...
Monday, August 27, 2012
Abdominal contact needling (2)
<Practice>
(1) The purpose of abdominal contact needling
To give an order to the shallow qi of the whole body by moving the shallow qi on the abdomen.
As a result, it makes easier to evaluate the pulse and abdominal diagnosis.
Shallow qi on the abdomen is especially called as "Ju".
(2) Abdominal area
The abdomen here is the area between lower parts of rib cages and the pubis and both sides of the inguinal region (upper and lower boundaries), and betwen inner sides of the gallbaladder lines (left and right boundaries). However, in the real practice, one is not necessary to perform contact needling close to each boundary.
(3) Observation of the abdomen
The practitioner always has to be careful to notice changes of the skin on the abdomen. This is because when any changes occur, these changes are understood in terms of the movement of qi.
Firstly, be aware with objective characteristics of the surface of the skin, such as dryness and moisture, cold and heat, hard and soft, tension, texture and luster of the skin.
On the other hand, the subjective condition of the abdomen are, spontaneous pain, feeling of fullness, pressure and itciness, and abnormal sensation (hyperesthesia and hypoesthesia). In addition, borborygmus and succussion splash are the abdominal conditions felt both subjectively and objectively.
To palpate, wipe the sweat of the abdomen off with a towel, place both hands on both sides of the abdomen to compare the temperature of left and right, and check the condition of the skin of the whole abdomen with one's Oshide (pressing hand).
(4) Needles to be used
Basically, a 40 mm, number 3 silver filiform needle is used. However, when patients are very sensitive naturally or in the sensitive condition, and in the case of infants, a Teishin needle is used instead of a filiform needle.
(5) How to do the abdominal contact needling
[Contacting a needle to the abdomen]
As well as the insertion of a filiform needle, the hand posture of abdominal contact needling is based on what the Oshide, Sashide and a needle formed altogether, and the practitioner has his/her needle on the needle handle, and pushes the needle with the Sashide towards the direction of the needle body and presses the surface of the skin with the needle.
Here, it is important the needle tip is contacting the surface of the skin, but it is different from the filiform needle that if the needle does not insert, the practitioner moves to the next point quickly and repeat the same thing.
The point here is not to twist the needle so much to insert the needle. About pushing the needle, the pressure of it is depending on the flexibility of the needle body, so it is unappropriate if the pressure is too strong or too weak. It is better not to bend the needle if possible.
The duration of contacting a needle in each point is usually up to two seconds, but if the practitioner get used to the maneuver, the movement gets continuously and speeds up. One does not need to mind the depth of insertion. If the needle is easily inserted by such a pressure, it means that the body needs such quantity of stimulation, so it has no problem to insert.
Some people might think that it is enough only to contact a needle to the skin because it is "contact needling", but this idea causes some problems, not only the treatment effect is not enough, but also it rather may cause the stagnation of qi.
[Withdrawal of a needle]
Next, one has to add an action to return the needle applied to the skin, and at the same time close the point with the index finger of the Oshide. This is the technique of tonification.
If one gives an uncomfortable pain to a patient during the needle manipulation, the problem lies on the top-bottom and right-left pressure of the Oshide, as well as a filiform needle, unless the needle tip has some problems.
The practitioner performs actions mentioned above to the whole of the abdomen.
[Abdomen as a plane]
In the abdomen, yin meridians and yang meridians are running through, and there are various acupuncture points, but one does not need to take these into account when performing contact needling. It is important to consider the whole abdomen as a "plane" and do contact needling.
Therefore, the rhythm of needling should not be the same all the time, and one may speed up or slow down up to the necessity.
The whole time taking for the abdominal contact needling is around one minute, and one repeats routines of needling the whole abdomen around three times.
Sometimes, a patient may start sweating. Do not leave this alone, this would let the body gets cold, and wipe the sweat off carefully.
(6) The observation of the abdomen after the abdominal contact needling.
One has to check the abdomen again after the abdominal contact needling. As well as other steps of therapy, it is important to check the effect of treatment after needling.
The most remarkable points here are spontaneous pain and pressure pain. Before contact needling, check the part of pain, and observe how it changes after contact needling. In theory, the changes of pain are getting stronger, getting less, and no change.
However, in the clinical practice, it rarely occurs that the pain gets stronger after the abdominal contact needling. If this may occur, it means the way of abdominal contact needling is not appropriate. The needle does not touch the skin, and it cannot give the stimulation that the body requires or the way of contact needling is so harsh that bringing the new disorder of qi, so one has to perform contact needling again with attentions.
One observes other conditions as well, but the point here is also the same with pain.
(7) The meaning of contact needling
It is notable that after contact needling, in some cases, the conditions such as pain disappear, but in other cases, they do not. This means that the abdominal contact needling plays some roles, and there are conditions applied to such cases, and those not.
In other words, the abdominal contact needling is a light stimulation, so there are conditions that easily change with the subtle stimulation and those not. Light means the condition of capability to insert a needle to the skin by just pushing a needle, and qi influenced by such needling is expressed as "shallow qi".
Here, the changes of the body by stimulation of needling and etc, is called "qi moves". The substance of changes is qi, but the condition to change is understood as a phenomenon that uneven qi is returning to the even state.
That is, when thinking how shallow qi of the abdomen, it is divided into those being even, and those not. The same thing can be applied to the whole body.
What to note is one should not understand like the effect of the abdominal contact needling would be something % stochastically. The individual difference is important, and do not judge the effect of the abdominal contact needling, applying the concepts of elements easy to change with a light manipulation and those not, but these changes are just means to know the movement of qi.
Whether the movement of qi is big or not should not be judged by how the main complaint, such as the pain, is in advance, but even strong pain disappears easily in the clinical experience. Do not judge the state of qi conceptually.
What to note in this step is that some conditions of the body change by the light manipulation of the needle.
**This article is translated from the book of "Toyo igaku koza dai 10 kan, Keiraku-Shakuju chiryo hen (Oriental Medicine Lectures, Vol.10, Meridian Shakuju Treatment)".
Friday, August 24, 2012
Consciousness (3) ―Supplemental treatments
The fifth lecture of advanced course is about reference points which had not been covered by the last lecture. Yes, it was meant to continue the rest of reference points, but the lectures went beyond, and Kobayashi sensei talked about even supplemental treatments, it didn't happen before (-_-;).
Rather, it was easier to talk about it with the explanation of supplemental treatments. The most of supplemental treatments used at the present are what are used additionally as the words suggest, when the deficiency of Jin-qi has not been tonified enough by the back-shu points treatment as the basic treatment.
Especially, such supplemental treatments are used mostly in the case of trauma. Trauma means that the affected part was directly damaged, so the cause itself exists there, therefore, one has to deal with the problem lies there. There would be two different approaches; one is to access there directly (the bloodletting at the neck in the cases such as a whiplash) and the other is to approach at the point slightly apart from the affected area itself (Jin-well point for the sprained ankle). In addition, sometimes points at CV line are used considering the meaning of CV line related to why using the back shu points. In such cases, it is possible to approach with a filiform needle and moxibustion, but depending on points, bloodletting and Chinetsu-kyu may become essential, and you might think "again!" but, it is neccesary to use consciousness (with a Teishin needle).
Rather, it was easier to talk about it with the explanation of supplemental treatments. The most of supplemental treatments used at the present are what are used additionally as the words suggest, when the deficiency of Jin-qi has not been tonified enough by the back-shu points treatment as the basic treatment.
Especially, such supplemental treatments are used mostly in the case of trauma. Trauma means that the affected part was directly damaged, so the cause itself exists there, therefore, one has to deal with the problem lies there. There would be two different approaches; one is to access there directly (the bloodletting at the neck in the cases such as a whiplash) and the other is to approach at the point slightly apart from the affected area itself (Jin-well point for the sprained ankle). In addition, sometimes points at CV line are used considering the meaning of CV line related to why using the back shu points. In such cases, it is possible to approach with a filiform needle and moxibustion, but depending on points, bloodletting and Chinetsu-kyu may become essential, and you might think "again!" but, it is neccesary to use consciousness (with a Teishin needle).
Consciousness (2) ― Reference Points
The theme of the fourth lecture of advanced course is about "reference points". Among many characteristics of Shakuju therapy, this idea of reference points is simply special, I think, compared to other therapies. Even for other therapeutic methodologies that do not contain the concept of deficiency of Jin-qi, this idea would be beneficial. But, writing about reference points generally would be boring, so I would like to describe it in relation to consciousness that I mentioned in the last article.
Touching reference points are actually the most essential thing to use consciousness. Most of us do this unconsciously. In other words, those who do not touch reference points firmly never be able to use consciousness. Some people might think about something like non-inquiry-examination, the condition that a practitioner comprehend the state of the patient's body without touching. Here, it is no problem when acquiring the patient's information (four examinations), however, it has only demerits when the practitioner wants to change the patient's body (treatment).
When one can get used to consciousness, he/she is able to send something like so-called qi. However, it is very difficult for those who have not been used to touching patients and checking reference points carefully. That is, using consciousness, in terms of checking reference points, is (1) able to let the consciousness of the patient be aware with the exact points = touching leads to treatment and (2) able to let the practitioner to project his/her consciousness.
Once one is able to check reference points firmly, it also let the consciousness of the patient be at the exact reference point, and the practitioner feels easier to project his/her consciousness, so the treatment effect increases massively. (2) The projection of consciousness here means grasping the patient's reference points carefully in terms of anatomical comprehension, and also touching the same reference points many times with reproducibility. Then, when the practitioner who acquire such a skill is able to send qi (?) there, the treatment effect can be doubled more!
I'm emphasizing this so many times, but you have to acquire the visible skills to be able to acquire invisible skills. In the process of learning Shakuju therapy, the numbers of reference points is increased more and more. You have to be able to choose, touch and get information from such reference points, depending on each state of the patient, to use the consciousness freely.
Kobayashi sensei sometimes introduces new reference points that he discovers in certain occasions, such as two days seminar. When the new point that I haven't touched yet is added, I also am a beginner for checking the new reference point, so I try to make an effort to touch it. I touch the point of every patient surely, even if it is unnecessary for some patients. Then, I can get used to the reference point, so I can use it without problems when the actual patient who needs to be checked it comes. The issue is not whether you know or not, but whether you are able to do or not. Namely, it is whether you have been practicing or not. Checking reference points during a treatment, this is the essential thing in Shakuju therapy, but it is the shortcut to use consciousness.
* (1) and (2) in the articles are what Kobayashi sensei wrote in the lecture.
Touching reference points are actually the most essential thing to use consciousness. Most of us do this unconsciously. In other words, those who do not touch reference points firmly never be able to use consciousness. Some people might think about something like non-inquiry-examination, the condition that a practitioner comprehend the state of the patient's body without touching. Here, it is no problem when acquiring the patient's information (four examinations), however, it has only demerits when the practitioner wants to change the patient's body (treatment).
When one can get used to consciousness, he/she is able to send something like so-called qi. However, it is very difficult for those who have not been used to touching patients and checking reference points carefully. That is, using consciousness, in terms of checking reference points, is (1) able to let the consciousness of the patient be aware with the exact points = touching leads to treatment and (2) able to let the practitioner to project his/her consciousness.
Once one is able to check reference points firmly, it also let the consciousness of the patient be at the exact reference point, and the practitioner feels easier to project his/her consciousness, so the treatment effect increases massively. (2) The projection of consciousness here means grasping the patient's reference points carefully in terms of anatomical comprehension, and also touching the same reference points many times with reproducibility. Then, when the practitioner who acquire such a skill is able to send qi (?) there, the treatment effect can be doubled more!
I'm emphasizing this so many times, but you have to acquire the visible skills to be able to acquire invisible skills. In the process of learning Shakuju therapy, the numbers of reference points is increased more and more. You have to be able to choose, touch and get information from such reference points, depending on each state of the patient, to use the consciousness freely.
Kobayashi sensei sometimes introduces new reference points that he discovers in certain occasions, such as two days seminar. When the new point that I haven't touched yet is added, I also am a beginner for checking the new reference point, so I try to make an effort to touch it. I touch the point of every patient surely, even if it is unnecessary for some patients. Then, I can get used to the reference point, so I can use it without problems when the actual patient who needs to be checked it comes. The issue is not whether you know or not, but whether you are able to do or not. Namely, it is whether you have been practicing or not. Checking reference points during a treatment, this is the essential thing in Shakuju therapy, but it is the shortcut to use consciousness.
* (1) and (2) in the articles are what Kobayashi sensei wrote in the lecture.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Consciousness (1)
The third lecture of advanced course was about "consciousness" that everybody wants to know. One reason why everybody is interested in consciousness would be because its existence is vague and invisible. And some of you might think if you can acquire the invisible power, you are able to cure patients and symptoms that you had been struggling with.
What can you do when you are able to use consciousness then? This is beyond the lecture, but I would like to mention my opinions below.
From my experience, there are mainly three things to point out; (1) The time of each session of treatment can be shorten because the speed of tonifying Jin-qi risens. (2) The body gets warm more, so the treatment effects lasts longer. (3) You are able to use a Teishin needle effectively.
Let us look at each point in detail here. (1) If one can treat a patient in a short period, you are able to treat many patients, and as a result, many people can get benefit from it, and also the practitioner can earn more. However, once you are able to use consciousness, does the number of patients increase? Even though you can tonify the deficiency of Jin-qi in a short period and reference points change quickly, if you haven't acquire palpation ability to comprehend those changes, you are not able to use consciousness freely. Rather, in such a palpation skill, you cannot acquire consciousness.
(2) This is as it is. As an actual feeling of a patient, the body gets very warm. In addition, they feel as if the whole body is wrapped up with something thin layer of air or strange feeling like subtle numbness. Even if the practitioner feels that he or she are able to use consciousness, it is doubtful whether he or she actually are able to use consciousness without such patients' feelings (of course, these feelings are depending on individuals though).
And let us talk about (3) a Teishin needle. Treatment with a Teishin needle is the most subtle in terms of quality of stimulation. The most common stimulation with a filiform needle, it accompanies with certain quality and quantity of stimulation, so if the stimulation exceeds the patient's limit, symptoms may get worse or reference points may not change though there is nothing wrong with the quality of stimulation. However, it can be said that the quality of the most subtle stimulation of a Teishin needle is acceptable for any states of any patients. But, the issue here is the quantity of stimulation. The most subtle quality means the most subtle quantity, in other words, it is difficult to bring out changes of reference points. Once you acquire the skill to use consciousness, you are able to give such the most subtle stimulation in the most quick speed and the most effectively. That is, when approaching the cause of deficiency of Jin-qi, older and older it is, the strong quality of stimulation is unacceptable. In such a case, there is no other way except giving the stimulation little by little in each treatment session to arise changes. It means that it takes certain time to treat such a condition, but once you can acquire the skill of consciousness, you are able to make changes in the most rapid speed like a miracle. To describe this simply, you are able to change reference points that you have not been able to treat or change.
Don't you want to treat what you haven't been able to treat? Every practitioner must long for it. However, do you think you can acquire such a skill simply by learning it?? Of course not.
The demerits of consciousness. It would be that many people misunderstand it, many think that they are able to use it quickly. The consciousness is not a special ability. Everybody can get the skill as far as he or she makes an effort. However, the effort is necessary, it takes time. You can never acquire it quickly. I often compare it to "Kamehameha" of Goku of "Dragonball". He can even fly. However, Goku is not strong because he is able to shoot Kamehameha or to fly. Rather, he is strong, or he becomes strong, so he gets ability to shoot Kamehameha and to fly.
Then, how do you think you should do to be able to use the consciousness? The answer is to deepen your skill of acupuncture, to become able to perceive reference points. More and more the skill of needling is risen, it accompanies the progress of the ability to comprehend reference points. Then, what is the skill of acupuncture concretely? At first, to be able to insert the needle at BL 40 easily. In addition, to be able to use a three-edged needle. To acquire the skill to comprehend reference points that are accompanied with it. Then, the time of treatment session can be shortened dramatically. Less than 30 minutes. You have to come to this level first. Without the ability of inserting a needle of BL 40 or the skill of using a three-edged needle, you never use the consciousness in such a level. To learn a three edged needle at advanced course is the fourth year of learning Shakuju therapy, this is the shortest. But, you can't do what you just learned. So, after learning four years intensively, then the shortest would be the fifth year to be able to enter the world of consciousness. If it is compared with "Hunter Hunter", once you are able to use consciousness, you just pass the "hunter exam".
* This article is written by D sensei who loves manga, such as "Dragonball" and "Hunter Hunter" :)
What can you do when you are able to use consciousness then? This is beyond the lecture, but I would like to mention my opinions below.
From my experience, there are mainly three things to point out; (1) The time of each session of treatment can be shorten because the speed of tonifying Jin-qi risens. (2) The body gets warm more, so the treatment effects lasts longer. (3) You are able to use a Teishin needle effectively.
Let us look at each point in detail here. (1) If one can treat a patient in a short period, you are able to treat many patients, and as a result, many people can get benefit from it, and also the practitioner can earn more. However, once you are able to use consciousness, does the number of patients increase? Even though you can tonify the deficiency of Jin-qi in a short period and reference points change quickly, if you haven't acquire palpation ability to comprehend those changes, you are not able to use consciousness freely. Rather, in such a palpation skill, you cannot acquire consciousness.
(2) This is as it is. As an actual feeling of a patient, the body gets very warm. In addition, they feel as if the whole body is wrapped up with something thin layer of air or strange feeling like subtle numbness. Even if the practitioner feels that he or she are able to use consciousness, it is doubtful whether he or she actually are able to use consciousness without such patients' feelings (of course, these feelings are depending on individuals though).
And let us talk about (3) a Teishin needle. Treatment with a Teishin needle is the most subtle in terms of quality of stimulation. The most common stimulation with a filiform needle, it accompanies with certain quality and quantity of stimulation, so if the stimulation exceeds the patient's limit, symptoms may get worse or reference points may not change though there is nothing wrong with the quality of stimulation. However, it can be said that the quality of the most subtle stimulation of a Teishin needle is acceptable for any states of any patients. But, the issue here is the quantity of stimulation. The most subtle quality means the most subtle quantity, in other words, it is difficult to bring out changes of reference points. Once you acquire the skill to use consciousness, you are able to give such the most subtle stimulation in the most quick speed and the most effectively. That is, when approaching the cause of deficiency of Jin-qi, older and older it is, the strong quality of stimulation is unacceptable. In such a case, there is no other way except giving the stimulation little by little in each treatment session to arise changes. It means that it takes certain time to treat such a condition, but once you can acquire the skill of consciousness, you are able to make changes in the most rapid speed like a miracle. To describe this simply, you are able to change reference points that you have not been able to treat or change.
Don't you want to treat what you haven't been able to treat? Every practitioner must long for it. However, do you think you can acquire such a skill simply by learning it?? Of course not.
The demerits of consciousness. It would be that many people misunderstand it, many think that they are able to use it quickly. The consciousness is not a special ability. Everybody can get the skill as far as he or she makes an effort. However, the effort is necessary, it takes time. You can never acquire it quickly. I often compare it to "Kamehameha" of Goku of "Dragonball". He can even fly. However, Goku is not strong because he is able to shoot Kamehameha or to fly. Rather, he is strong, or he becomes strong, so he gets ability to shoot Kamehameha and to fly.
Then, how do you think you should do to be able to use the consciousness? The answer is to deepen your skill of acupuncture, to become able to perceive reference points. More and more the skill of needling is risen, it accompanies the progress of the ability to comprehend reference points. Then, what is the skill of acupuncture concretely? At first, to be able to insert the needle at BL 40 easily. In addition, to be able to use a three-edged needle. To acquire the skill to comprehend reference points that are accompanied with it. Then, the time of treatment session can be shortened dramatically. Less than 30 minutes. You have to come to this level first. Without the ability of inserting a needle of BL 40 or the skill of using a three-edged needle, you never use the consciousness in such a level. To learn a three edged needle at advanced course is the fourth year of learning Shakuju therapy, this is the shortest. But, you can't do what you just learned. So, after learning four years intensively, then the shortest would be the fifth year to be able to enter the world of consciousness. If it is compared with "Hunter Hunter", once you are able to use consciousness, you just pass the "hunter exam".
* This article is written by D sensei who loves manga, such as "Dragonball" and "Hunter Hunter" :)
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Abdominal contact needling (1)
The first thing that a practitioner should experience is that even a slight manipulation of needling can bring the subtle change of the body. Manipulation of needling here is not a deep insertion, but a shallow needling, and one has to know that it can affect the sense and tone of the skin both subjectively and objectively.
The generally recognized effect of acupuncture is that a needle should be inserted in a certain depth for a certain period to give certain stimulation to get a result of needling. This view is mainly based on the neurological theory of the western medicine, and in other words, the misunderstanding that more stimulation brings more the treatment effect is.
However, acupuncture treatment can never be like that, rather, the most important is to give the most suitable stimulation that the body requires, and it engenders the most appropriate treatment effect.
Moreover, the structure of the body is based on multiple layers of qi, so to perform needling on the deep area abruptly is a forcible manner to the body, and the treatment effect can vary.
One has to know that the body is always changing, so acupuncture treatment should be adjustable to its change, requiring the fluid manipulation of needling. Abdominal contact needling is the first step of the treatment based on such an idea.
*This article is translated from the book of "Toyo igaku koza dai 10 kan, Keiraku-Shakuju chiryo hen (Oriental Medicine Lectures, Vol.10, Meridian Shakuju Treatment)"
The generally recognized effect of acupuncture is that a needle should be inserted in a certain depth for a certain period to give certain stimulation to get a result of needling. This view is mainly based on the neurological theory of the western medicine, and in other words, the misunderstanding that more stimulation brings more the treatment effect is.
However, acupuncture treatment can never be like that, rather, the most important is to give the most suitable stimulation that the body requires, and it engenders the most appropriate treatment effect.
Moreover, the structure of the body is based on multiple layers of qi, so to perform needling on the deep area abruptly is a forcible manner to the body, and the treatment effect can vary.
One has to know that the body is always changing, so acupuncture treatment should be adjustable to its change, requiring the fluid manipulation of needling. Abdominal contact needling is the first step of the treatment based on such an idea.
*This article is translated from the book of "Toyo igaku koza dai 10 kan, Keiraku-Shakuju chiryo hen (Oriental Medicine Lectures, Vol.10, Meridian Shakuju Treatment)"
Chill
A chill is the condition of feeling cold and shivering, in such a state, even one put a blanket on, the feeling of coldness stays. This is considered that one has the coldness from the core of the body to the surface of the body, in other words, the movement of the qi is getting weak systemically.
However, shivering means that the body still has power. If one loses the force of body qi, one cannot even shiver. In an extremely strong chill, during the period recovering from it, one sometimes gets fever and sweat on the contrary, but this indicates the body qi is getting stronger, so it is a good phenomenon.
The cause of a chill should be found in the temporally close past, so when one looks back one's daily life, it would be easily understandable. Generally speaking, a chill is one of symptoms of a cold, but one should be careful when it accompanies a pain in the abdomen.
(Note)
A chill accompanying a pain in the abdomen is the condition when one's energy gets lowered more, so it requires a professional examination and treatment.
*This article is translated from "Yamai hitokuchi Memo" p. 165, written by Shoji Kobayashi, 2005.
However, shivering means that the body still has power. If one loses the force of body qi, one cannot even shiver. In an extremely strong chill, during the period recovering from it, one sometimes gets fever and sweat on the contrary, but this indicates the body qi is getting stronger, so it is a good phenomenon.
The cause of a chill should be found in the temporally close past, so when one looks back one's daily life, it would be easily understandable. Generally speaking, a chill is one of symptoms of a cold, but one should be careful when it accompanies a pain in the abdomen.
(Note)
A chill accompanying a pain in the abdomen is the condition when one's energy gets lowered more, so it requires a professional examination and treatment.
*This article is translated from "Yamai hitokuchi Memo" p. 165, written by Shoji Kobayashi, 2005.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Heat
Whether one has heat or not is scaled by a thermometor, but it can be also known by comparing the pulse rate, the temperature of the forehead and languor with one's normal condition.
*This article is translated from "Yamai hitokuchi Memo" p. 163-4, written by Shoji Kobayashi, 2005.
Rather, it is far more important to get accustomed to judge one's own condition of the body than caring about deciminal one or two numbers showed in the thermometor. One can lighten the psychological burden to taking account of small change of temperature.
Except high fever, there is no criteria, such as more than what degree may harm the body, and also heat is not necessary to be shown as high fever in the thermometor all the time, it is very important to know the condition of heat checking disorders of the body.
Heat symptoms are evaluated from the body conditions, such as fatigue, the color of the face gets red, the whole body, of course the forehead as well, is getting hot, increased pulse rate and so on.
Heat indicates that the movement of qi of the body gets overactive, but one should not judge to lower the temperature as soon as one gets feverish. Fever is the condition that one cannot control the heat because the power of qi of inner organs to govern the movement of the body smoothly decreases and brings coldness in the center of the body. Basically, the body needs a rest, so it is better not to lower temperature forcibly to work or something.
(Note)
1. When one gets fever, one tends to think to use an ice bag to alleviate fever, but it should be done after the treatment such as acupuncture. The treatment is to give power to the qi of the body and to diminish the coldness of the core of the body, so if one uses an ice bag after the treatment, it does not cool the body so much.
2. When one has fever, one should not take a bath. Taking a bath is consuming the qi of the body, so it deteriorates the fever more.
3. Slight fever continuing for a long time, sudden high fever, symptoms with a chill, strong pain somewhere in the body, such as the head and the abdomen, something wrong with one's consciousness are emergency conditions, requiring professional examination and treatment.
*This article is translated from "Yamai hitokuchi Memo" p. 163-4, written by Shoji Kobayashi, 2005.
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