The Extraordinary Channels
A Protocol for a Psycho-Emotional Application of Extraordinary Channel Treatment with Acupuncture
by Damian Carey
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CONTENTS Page Acknowledgement Intro Int rod ducti tion on - The The Para rad dox of th the Extr tra aord ordin ina arie ries s Literature Review The Four Primary Extraordinaries Du Mai Ren Mai Chong Mai Dai Mai Treatment Methodology Discussion Conclusion References Notes
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 13 14 15 16
Appendix One: Extraordinary Case Studies
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Appe ppendix ndix Two wo:: Fun unc ctions tions,, Indic Indica ations tions,, Pathway Pathways s and Points of the Eight Extraordinaries Du Mai Ren Mai Chong Mai Dai Mai Yin Y in Chia iao o Ma Maii Yang Chia iao o Ma Maii Yin Y in Wei Ma Maii Yang Me Meii Ma Maii
19 19 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
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Acknowledgement This paper has grow n fro f rom m my or original iginal t raini raining ng as as an app apprenti rentic ce to Graha Graham m Tow Tow ns nsend end in Adelaide Adelai de (So ut uth h Aust Aust ral ralia) ia) fro f rom m 1988 1988 t o 199 1990. 0. Graham spec pecial ialis ises es in Ext Extrao raord rdin inary ary Channel t reatment s. H e has has als also o develo d eveloped ped a sys systt ema ematt ic app appro ro ac ach h to t o pul p uls se diagnosis diagnosis and has expanded the traditional emotional correspondences of the organs to a sophisticated level of psychot ps ychotherapy. herapy. These lat lattt er tw o areas areas are ful fully ly des d escri ribed bed in Graham’ Graham’ s bo book ok Pulses and Impulses . (Townsend & Dedonna, 1990) However, apart from a brief workshop manual, Graham has not yet published any of his research or ideas about the Extraordinary Channels. I will always be indebted to Graham for his generous teaching and initiation into the w or orld ld of o f the Ext xtraor raordi dinary nary Channels Channels.. N onet onethele heles ss, aft aft er w or orkin king g regu regularl larly y and and spec specififica icalllly y with Extraordinary Channel treatments over fifteen years of clinical practice, and having developed my own ideas and insights, I must take full responsibility for the expression of the co nce ncept pt s pr pres esented herein. The cas case st udi udie es of App Appendix endix O ne are are tak t aken en from fro m my m y ow o w n clinica clin icall pr prac actt ice ice.. Appendix Ap pendix Tw o is st andard TCM t heor heory, y, sou sourced rced from fro m a variety vari ety of o f the t he t ext xts s l is istt ed in the t he Referenc eferences es.
D amian Car are ey
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Introduc ntroducti tion on - The Paradox of the Ex Extraordi traordina nari rie es The or origins igins of Chines hinese e M edi dic cine coi coinc ncid ide ed w itith h the develo development pment of o f a phi philo los sop ophica hicall w or orld ld vie vi ew. The Taois aoistt obs o bservat ervatio ion n of t he natur natural al wor w orld ld gave ri ris se t o an underst underst anding of t he human body as being a bridge between Heaven and Earth and therefore reflective of the greater cosmos. This fundamental polarity was demonstrated in the esoteric anatomy of the human body: early scholars arrived at the notion of a central axis in the body around which flowed t he Conce Concept pt io ion n and Governo Gov ernorr Ves Vessels els** . (Chien-min, 2002) The Therefo refore re t he Conc Concepti eption on and and Governorr Ves Governo Vessels are cri ritt ica icalllly y impor imp ortt ant to t he hea healtlt h of the t he human body. This id idea ea lilies es behind t he st ro rong ng foc fo cus on t he Gov Gove erno r and Concept Conceptio ion n Ves Vessels in t he st udy of Q i Gong. Go ng. The additional Extraordinaries fitted well into early Chinese Cosmology and could similarly be seen as coinciding with the axial planes. (Maciocia, 1989, pg. 357) Som ome e autho authors rs believe that “ TC TCM M ... ow o w es it s very exist exist enc ence e t o the t he mys mystt ica icall w or orld ld view v iew of O ri rie ent ntal al philo phi los sop ophy” hy” and that a far far great great er emphas emphasis is shoul hould d be placed placed in TCM TCM educ educatio atio n on psychol ps ycholo o gy or t he nat nat ure of co ns nsciou cious s o r Shen. (Watson, 2005) There is als also o a pr prevail evailin ing g attitude that the Extraordinaries are somehow esoterically important, if only we understood them better! On the other hand our understanding of the Extraordinary Channels as outlined in the classics consists of brief references which can leave the student with the impression they are merely an an elabor elaborate ate sys ystt em of o verf verflo low w channe hannels ls.. M od odern ern TCM TCM te t ext xts s on the t he w hol hole e repea repeatt t his lilimi mitt ed view. It is rare to find f ind an aut author hor w ililliling ng t o dis di scus uss s t he Ext xtraor raordi dinaries naries at the level of cos osmo-biol mo-biology ogy or w ho are willing wil ling to re relate late the prac practi tic ce of medicine medicine with wi th t he evol volutio ution n of conscio cons cious usnes ness s. So me autho aut horr s regard t he name Ext xtrr aor aordi dinar narii es as meani meaning ng st st r ange and emphaemp hasise their lack of symmetry and the non-exclusivity of their functions. Let me re-emp re-emphas hasis ise e the tit ti t le of t his paper paper,, and there t hereby by dec d eclare lare my bias b ias:: I do d o no nott reg regard ard ‘ t he eight extras ext ras’’ as an app appro ropr priat iate e l abe abel.l. Such a t erm releg r elegates ates t he Ext xtrao raord rdin inary ary Channels t o a sid ide e is iss sue and demons demo nstt rat rates es a lack of unders un derstt andi anding ng of t heir t ru rue e signi ignifi fi ca cance nce.. The Extraordinaries have not been tacked on to the human energetic system as an afterthought. O n the t he con contt rary, the t he Ext xtraor raordi dinaries naries pl play ay a signif ignifica icant nt ro role le in reg r egulat ulating ing the t he other ot her channe channels ls and are therefo therefore, re, at the t he very very lea leas st, cruc rucially ially imp impor ortant. tant. The truth is, that in addition to the twelve ordinary channels, there exists a set of eight extra-ordinary channels.** So w hat is t he t rue nat nat ure of t he Ext xtraor raordi dinary nary Channels Channels? ? Do t he hey y have an es esot eric appli applic catio n? Is t here a w ay to appl y them t hem to ps p sycho-emot io ional nal healing? healing? The aim of this paper is to answer these questions by suggesting an alternative clinical application of Extraordinary Channel treatments. This paper offers a broad discussion of the Extraordinary Channels, beginning with a syno ynops psis is of t he clas class sic and and mod m odern ern lit li t era eratt ure, and then t hen intro int roduce duces s a con conc ceptual framew f ramewor ork k for f or t he four pr prim imary ary Ext Extraor raordi dinary nary Channe hannels ls and dis di scus uss ses it s appl applica icatt io ion n in i n clinic clini cal prac pr actt ice ice.. This is a w or orking king hypo t hesis is,, arising arising from fr om many years years of care areful ful ob obs ser vati vation on and tes t est ing. It is w ell grounded in classical theory and emphasises the psychological correspondences of the Ext xtraor raordi dinaries naries.. W hen we view vi ew the t he Ext xtraor raordi dinaries naries in t he manner descri ribed bed in this t his paper paper,, it opens up a treasure house of practical application and can lead to extraordinary clinical results. * The wor w or ds channels channels,, ves v ess sels and merid m eridians ians are used used int in t erchangea erchangeabl bly y in i n thi t his s pap paper er..
* * M or ore e ac accurately, w e can can describe a set set of o f fo four ur pairs p airs of cha channels nnels,, namely, four f our pr primary imary cha channels nnels and their ‘inverse’ partners. In this paper I will refer to the Primary Extraordinaries (Du, Ren, Chong and Dai M ai) and t he Sec econ ondar dary y Ext Extrao raord rdin inaries aries (Y (Yin in Chiao, Yang Yang Chiao, Chiao, Yin Wei and Yang Yang Wei Wei M ai).
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Literature Review The Extraordinary Channels are mentioned in varying degrees in the classical texts of Chinese Chines e M edicin edicine. e. The Nei Jing (consis (consistt in ing g of t he Su Wen, or o r Sim Simpl ple e Q uest io ions ns,, and the t he Lin Ling g Shu, o r Spi Spiri ri t ual Piv Piv ot ) i ncludes bri ef references references t o t he exi exis st enc ence e and and l oca ocatt io n of o f t he Ext xtrao raord rdin inari aries es. The Su Wen, in i n Chapter Chapt er 1, 1, refers r efers t o t he Ren Ren and Chong Chon g channels channels as being responsible for conception; the pathways of the Du, Ren and Chong channels (but not the Dai) are briefly bri efly descri ribed bed in Chapt Chapte er 59 5 9 (N i, 1995) 1995) . Cha Chapt pt er 17 17 of o f t he Lin Ling g Shu contains cont ains a br brief ief referenc ref erence e to t he Ren Ren and and Du D u channels channels and Chapter Chapt er 62 refers r efers t o t he Cho Chong ng Mai M ai as “ .. .... the t he sea sea of the tw elv lve e major cha hanne nnels ls”” (Jing-Nuan, 1993). The 1993). The Nan Jing (The Classic of Difficulties) prov pr ovid ide es som ome e ins insight ight int o t he heir ir functi function ons s and indica ind icatt io ions ns.. Cha Chapt pter er 28 of t he N an Jing Jing st st ates: “ .. .... w hen a pers person on’’ s ves vess sels are sw ol ollen len and exuberant, exuberant , [t [ t he surp urpll us Q i and Blood Blo od]] enters t hese eight ves vess sels .. ...” .” (Flaws, 2003, pg. 62). There are other references to the Extraordinary Channels scattered amongst the early cl assic texts text s, but o n the t he w ho hole le thes t hese are brief bri ef and frag fr agment mentary. ary. They are di dis scus uss sed more mo re full ful l y in t w o later l ater M ing Dynas Dyn ast y commentaries comm entaries:: t he 1578 AD te t ext by Li Shi Zhen, ‘S ‘ St udy o f t he Eight Ext xtrao raord rdin inary ary Ve Ves ssels els’’ ; and t he 160 601 1 AD te t ext by Yang Yang Ji Zhou, Zho u, ‘ Comp Compendi endium um of o f Acupunctur Acupunct ure e and M oxibus oxibusti tion’ on’.. The Extraordinary Channels are included as standard information in most modern comprehensive acupuncture texts; however the discussions are generally brief, reflecting the paucit y of o f info i nform rmatio atio n in i n the t he clas class sica icall t ext xts s. The most most com ompr pre ehensiv ive e disc discus uss sio ion n of o f t he Ext xtraor raordi di-naries can be found in M ats atsumo umott o and Bir Birc ch’ h’s s Extraordinary Vessels . Th The e Japan apanes ese e mas mastt er, Yos oshio hio M ana anaka ka,, made liberal li beral use use of Ext xtraor raordi dinary nary Cha Channel nnel trea t reatt ments ments,, much of w hich is described in his text, co-authored by Birch, Chasing the Dragon’s Tail. Other texts providing useful discussions include Omura’s Ac Acupunctur upuncture e M edicine , Royston Low’s The Sec eco o nd ndary ary Vess Vessels o f Acupunctu Acupun cturr e, Fund undament amentals als o f Chines Chin ese M edi edicine cine by Ellis, Wiseman & Boss, Bensky & O’Connor’s Acupuncture - A Comprehensive Text , Text , A M anua nuall of o f Acupuncture by by Deadman Deadman & Al-K Al -Khafaji hafaji and M ac acio ioc cia’ ia’s s F Found oundatio atio ns of Chinese M edi dic cine . Each of these present a different emphasis in their description of the Extraordinaries. O mur mura a st ates ates:: “Amo “ Among ng the t he 8 Ext Extra ra M erid eridians ians,, the t he Go Go vern vernor or Ve Ves ssel and Conce Con cept pt io ion n Ves Vessel play pl ay exc xce ept ptio ionally nally im impo port rt ant roles ro les,, equall equally y as im impo port rt ant as eac ach h of t he 12 main meridians merid ians.. The remaining remainin g 6 Ext Extra ra Meridi M eridians ans mo more re or le l ess pl play ay the role rol e of safe afett y valves valv es.” and “ ... if i f t he regu regular lar acupuncture point on the main meridian cannot produce any beneficial effect in chronic diseas ea se, then the key key point po int of t he ext xtra ra meridian merid ian may produce pro duce a dr drama amatt ic eff effe ect .” (Omura, 1982, pg 121) M ac acio ioc cia st st ates t he Ext xtraor raordi dinaries naries “ all deriv d erive e t he heir ir ene energy rgy from fr om t he Kidney and all all con on-tain the Essence (Jing) ... They circulate the Essence around the body, thus contributing to int eg egrati rating ng t he cir irc culat ulatio ion n of N ut utri ritt iv ive e (Y (Ying) ing) Qi Q i w it h that of t he Essenc ence. e. For t his rea reas son the t he ext xtraor raordi dinary nary ves vess sels are the link li nk betw bet w ee een n Pre Pre Hea H eaven ven Qi Q i and Pos Postt H eaven Qi.” Qi .” (Maciocia, 1989, pg. 355) Bensky and O’ O ’ Conno Connorr de d escri ribe be the Pri Primary mary [ t w elv lve e ordinar ord inary] y] channe hannels ls as being “ lilike ke t he main t ru runks nks o f t he channel channel sys systt em, and the t he Mis M isc cell ellane aneo o us [ ext xtrao raord rdin inary ary]] cha channels nnels asbr branc anches hes w hich diverge div erge fr from om t he hes se trunks trunk s.” The They y furt f urt her st st ate: “As a net net w or ork k of con ondui duitt s cri ris ss-c -cro ros ssing t he primary pri mary channe hannels ls,, the t he Mis M isc cellllane aneous ous channe hannels ls dr drain ain and st st or ore e Qi and Blo Blood od fr from om t he prim pr imary ary channels channels w hen it is exc xce essiv ive e and and supp supply ly Q i and Blood Blo od w hen it is deficient. deficient.”” (Bensky and O’Connor, 1981, pg. 74) In contras cont rastt , M ats atsumot umot o and Bir Birc ch st st ate: “ The bio biorhy rhythm thmic, ic, cos cosmo molo logic gic and prenat prenat al quali qualitt ies ascribed to these (extraordinary) vessels are a bridge between some of the most intriguing element eleme nts s of O ri riental ental philo phi los sop ophy hy and som some e of t he mo mos st effec eff ectt iv ive e ac acupunct upuncture ure pract pract ice ices s” . (1)) (1 (Matsumoto & Birch, 1986, intro. pg v)
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The Four Primary Extraordi Extraordinari narie es The general general co ns nsens ensus us,, fr from om t he cl cl assics as w ell as mo modern dern t ext xts s, is i s t hat t he four fo ur Pri rimar mary y Extraordinaries have a significant role in regulating the flow of Qi and Blood in the ordinary channe hannels ls.. This is certainl ertainly y so so w it h regard regard t o t he Gov Governor ernor Vessel (Du M ai) and the t he Con Conc cept ptio ion n Vessel (Ren (Ren Mai). M ai). The Du M ai has t he fu functi nction on of o f reg r egul ulati ating ng al al l of o f the t he Yang cha channels nnels o f the t he body bod y and the t he Ren Mai M ai has has t he functi function on of o f re r eceivi eiving ng and and bearing the Qi Q i of o f all t he Yin channels channels of t he bod body. y. The There re is als also o a st st ro rong ng argument argument that t hat the t he ot her primary pri mary Ext Extraor raordi dinaries naries have an equivalent equiv alent ro role. le. The Pene Penett rat ratin ing g Ves Vessel (Chong ( Chong M ai) is cons consis istt entl y des d escrib cribed ed as t he Sea of t he Twelve Regular Channels with the function of regulating the Qi and Blood of the twelve ordi or dinary nary channe channels ls.. The Gird Girdliling ng Vessel (Dai Mai) M ai) does do esnot di direc rectt ly reg r egulate ulate Blo Blood od,, yet its it s ro role le is to bind the twelve ordinary channels and to regulate the balance between the upward and downward flow of Qi in the trunk; and Qi moves Blood. Clea learl rly, y, all all fo four ur prim p rima ary Extr xtra aor ordinary dinary Cha hanne nnels ls play a pro -a -ac cti tive ve part in governing and and harmo ha rmonis nising ing the fl flow ow of Q i and Blo Blood od t hroughout the t he body. I w ould de d escri ribe be them as as pri prime me distributors of Qi and Blood, acting as hierarchical overseers of the ordinary channels and directing their role in the same way that government ministers direct heads of departments and have have primary pri mary res r espo pons nsibi ibililitt y fo r their t heir budget budget s. This is a di diff ffe erent emphasis emphasis t o the t he no norm rmal al interpretation of the Extraordinaries as being a network of overflow channels that fill and emp mptt y ac accor ordi ding ng t o current requireme requir ement nts s fo forr Qi Q i and Blo Blood od in i n the other ot her channe channels ls.. O ne mus mustt remember that the human body is not a passive network of pipes and tanks but a highly intelligent system in which mechanical, chemical, electrical and psychological factors operate simultaneously. Let us re-c re-con ons sid ide er for f or a mo moment ment t he Du M ai and and the t he Ren Mai. M ai. The Thes se t w o are know n respec res pectt iv ively ely as t he Mas M ast er Yang channel channel and t he Mas M ast er (or ( or sho houl uld d it i t be ‘M ‘ M is istt res ress s’ ?) Yin channel. N ot e t he di diff ffe erenc rence e betw een t he ac actt iv ive, e, male/ male/yang yang ro role le of reg r egulat ulating ing and and the t he pas pass siv ive e, female/ femal e/yi yin n role rol e o f receiv receivin ing g or bearing. beari ng. These des desc cri ript pt io ions ns,, M ale Yang and Female Yin in,, fit fi t very w ell w it ith h the natur nature e of the Du and and Re Ren M ai. But it i t als lso o impl i mplies ies the exis existenc tence e of the co unt unter-c er-co o rr rres espo pond ndenc ences es: M ale Yin Yin and Female Female Yang. Do such functio funct ions ns exi xis st in t he human body? The answer is, yes. When we combine our understanding of the functions of the Chong and Dai Channels Channels w it h som some e elementary elementary ps psycholo ycholo gy gy,, it i t is ea eas sy t o conclud onclude e that t he Chon Chong g M ai actt s as t he Female ac Female Yang in the t he hierarchical netw net w o rk of cha channel nnels s of t he body bod y and t he Dai M ai cor orres respo ponds nds t o t he Male M ale Yin. Yin. M y argument argument for fo r these these cor orres respo pondenc ndences es w ililll be develop developed ed in the sect io ions ns on the t he ind indiividual vi dual channe channels ls w hich follo fol low. w. For now now,, I as ask you to t o consid consider er this thi s hyp hypot ot hesis is:: the t he fo four ur prim pr imary ary Extraordinary Channels can be regarded as representing four primary states, rather like the f i r st subd ubdii v i si o ns o f Yin and Yang, namely nam ely M ale Yang, M ale Yin Yin,, Female Female Yang and and Female Yi Yi n. These states can be described as four primary archetypes, or energetic potentials, or psycho ho-emot -emot io ional nal st st ates ates.. Reme emember mber that t hat Yang is associat ociated ed wit w it h male ene energy, rgy, wit w it h acti action on,, the t he int elllle ect and expl explor oratio atio n of t he ext xte ernal enviro envi ronment; nment; Yin is i s associated wit w it h female female energy energy,, w it ith h res rest, the t he emot io ions ns and wit w ith h cons consol olidati idation on of t he int inte ernal envi environm ronme ent nt.. W he hen n we w e subdivide these two forces we get the following psychological correspondences: Yang Male
Assertive action; explora Ass xploration tion and and r egul at i o n o f th the o ut er wo w orl d
Assertive expre expres ssion of emotion; Femal Female e Ass r egul at io io n o f t he he i nner w or o rl d
Yin
Cre rea ative action; neg negotia otiation tion with t he o ut er wo w o rld Restful rec reception; ca calm abidin abiding g i n t he he i nner w or o rl d
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The Du Mai Functions The Du Mai M ai is t he M ast er Yang cha channel nnel.. It regulat regulates es and governs gov erns t he Q i of o f all t he Yang channels channel s. It is kn kno ow n as t he Sea of the t he Yang Chann Channels els (al (alll si six yang channels con conv verge at GV 14) 14).. “ The gov governor ernor ves vess sel hom homes est o t he brain and connect connect s t o t he Kid Kidney ney.. The Kid Kidney ney enge engennders marro marrow w and the brain is i s kno know w n as t he sea of marro marrow. w. The Therefo refore re the Gove Gov erno r Ves Vessel reflects reflec ts the physio physiolo logy gy and and patholo patho logy gy of t he brain and spinal spinal flui f luid, d, and the t heir ir rela relati tions onship hip w it ith h t he repr reprod oducti uctive ve orga or gans ns.” .” (E (Ell lilis s, Wis W iseman eman and Bos Boss s, 1989 1989))
Commentary In many ways w ays t he spi pine ne is t he fr frame amew w or ork k of t he or orga ganis nisatio atio n of t he human body. The spi pine ne con ontt ains t he spi pinal nal cor cord d from fr om w hich ari aris se all of o f the t he spi pinal nal nerves w hich in turn tur n enervat enervate e t he vital vi tal int ernal org or gans. It is lilitt tt le wonder w onder tha t hatt poi p oint nts s of t he Du M ai have suc uch h pot ent func f uncti tions ons.. The Du M ai reg r egul ulates ates t he Yang cha channel nnels s o f t he body, bod y, therefo t herefore re it is asso ciat iated ed wit w it h Kidney Kid ney Yang and the Lif Life e Ga Gatt e Fir Fire e of t he Kidney. Tw o of o f t he sec econ ondary dary pathw ays of t he Du M ai t ermin erminate ate in t he Kidney. N ot e t he spi pine ne and the kidneys have a very clo los se conn onne ect io ion: n: t he kidneys kid neys lilie e outs out sid ide e the perit oneal cavi cavitt y clos clo se to t he spi spine, ne, unlike unli ke the other ot her signif significa icant nt vi vis scera; also, one of the primary tissues of the developing embryo eventually differentiates into skeletal and nervous tissues and part of the kidneys. O ne of t he Governor Governo r Ve Ves ssel pathw ays pas pass sest hro hrough ugh the heart heart and one o ne of t he indic indi catio ns for the Governor Vessel is mental disturbance, therefore we can conclude there is a strong correspondence between the Governor Vessel and the Heart. N ot e that the t he Mas M ast er and Couple Coupl e po point int s of t he Du Mai M ai are are the Yang part partners ners t o H ea eart rt and Kidney. It is i s w or ortt h expl explor oring ing the dyn dynamic amic relati relation ons ship betw ee een n Heart Heart , Kidney, Kidney, Small Int In t est ine and Bladder Bladder as it of offers fers an in ins sight int i nto o the t he human energe energett ics inv invol olved ved in the t he Du M ai. The Small In Intt est in ine, e, or Yang Fir ire e organ, is i s associat ociated ed wit w it h dis di scrim crimin inati atio o n and dis d isc cur urs siv ive e thinki thi nking. ng. This gives rise to the human ability, very obvious in the male of the species, to apply single minde mind ed mental conce concentr ntra ati tion, on, ot he herw rw is ise e known know n as tunnel vis v isio ion. n. The ability of the male to focus exclusively on one thing is the force behind the construct io ion, n, and des dest ructi ruction on,, of w hol hole e societi ocietie es and their monuments mo numents.. For examp example, le, the buil builder der who w ho wields the hammer, mixes the concrete and places the stone must apply continuous mental foc fo cus and physica physicall contro cont roll in i n order or der to ge gett t he jo job b done. do ne. If he st st op ops s t o fe f eel how di dis st res ress sing is t he soun ound d of o f the t he hammer hammer,, how ho w dr dryi ying ng is t he concrete to his hands hands,, how ho w w ea earr yi ying ng is t he weight of the sto stone ne,, the t he hous house e w ililll not no t get get built bui lt . H ow ever ver,, the t he hous house e is not built thro throug ugh h ment menta al con onc cent ntrati ration on alone. alo ne. The pro proc cess requir requires es phy phys sica icall dri d rive ve and and raw r aw w ilill.l. This is suppl upplied ied by the t he Bladder which distributes Kidney Qi (the root of will) throughout the spinal muscles and nerves nerv es. W hen Bladd Bladder er is o ver verw w or orked ked (exc (exces essiv ive e phy phys sical labour labo ur)) Kidney Kid ney Qi bec b ecom omes es depleted, pl eted, whic whi ch will wi ll oft o ft en manif manife est as lo low w bac b ack k pain. pain. W hen Small Int In t est ine is ov overw erw or orke ked d (excessive mental activity) Heart Qi is depleted, with subsequent mental fogginess (deficient Heart Blood) or anxiety (deficient Heart Yin). A Du Mai treatment is appropriate for anyone with high mental stress or subject to int ense phys physica icall st st rain. As it happens it is very com ommo mon n for fo r trades t radesmen men to pr pres esent w it h low lo w back bac k pain and and a high Small Int In t est ine and/ and/ or Bladder pulse. pulse. A Du M ai treatment, treatment , wit w it h appr appro opriate local points on the Du and Bladder channels, will perform wonders for them.
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Primary State M ale Yang Yang
Psychological Correspondence Ass As sert rtiv ive e ac acti tion; on; vi vitali tality; ty; fo foc cus use ed intent; clarit clarit y in acti tion. on.
Associated Organs Kidney Yang and Heart Heart . Psycho-emot ycho-emotio ionall nally y the t he H ea eart rt relates t o mental ment al integ int egri ritt y, clari claritt y and awarenes aw areness. Inv ers ersely ely it i t exp xpres ress ses it self as anxi anxiety, ety, self self do doubt ubt o r mania. m ania. The Kid Kidney ney Yang psycho-emotional correspondence is vitality and will or, in a state of deficiency, exhaustion and fear.
Classical Indications St ififfn fnes ess and pain p ain of o f t he spi spinal nal co lu lumn; mn; hea headache dache;; ment mental al dis d istt ur urbanc bance; e; ess essenc ence-s e-spi piri ritt di dis sorders
Psychological Indications Exc xces essiv ive e w or orrr y or anxiety; anxi ety; exc xces essiv ive e mental fo cus us;; depleti depletion on of o f the t he w ililll
Clinical Indications A puls pul se that is i s do domi minant nant in i n either eit her or bot h of t he Small Int est ine or Bladder puls p ulse e po pos sit io ions ns;; often coinciding with excess or wiry pulses in all the Yang positions.
Contraindications Deficient Q i; in parti p artic cular, a lac lack k of Q i at t he Small Int est ine and Bladder Bladder puls p ulse e po pos sit io ions ns..
Characteristics of Treatment Conso lilidat Conso datio ion. n. The cha characteri racteris st ic of a Du M ai trea tr eatt ment is i s a deep, dreamles dreaml ess res restt that t hat calms t he Shen, re-c r e-charge harges s t he bat bat t eries (Ki (Kidn dney ey Qi) Qi ) and bri b rings ngs t he patient pati ent bac b ack k int i nto o t heir body, rea ready for fo r acti action on tomo t omorrow. rrow.
The Ren Mai Functions The Ren Ren M ai is i s t he Sea o f t he Yin Yin cha channel nnels s and co-o co -ord rdin inates ates all t he Yin Yin cha channel nnels s (t he thr t hree ee Yin channels channels of t he fo foot ot all joi j oin n the t he Conce Concept ptio ion n Ves Vessel at at Guanyuan (CV (CV 4). The functi function on of o f Ren Mai M ai is t o rec r eceive eive and bear bear t he Qi of t he Yin Yin cha channel nnels s. Ren means means res respo pons nsib ibililitit y, therefo t herefore re the t he Ren Ren Mai M ai is i s res respo pons nsib ibll e to t he other ot her Yin Yin cha channel nnels s. The Ren Ren Mai M ai regulates regulat es mens menstt ru ruati atio o n and governs gov erns t he foetus fo etus..
Commentary The Ren Ren Mai M ai is t he Mis M istt res ress s Yin in.. It regulat regulates es t he Yin Yin channels of t he body, bod y, supp suppor ortt in ing g the t is iss sues and preciou p recious s essenc ences es. The Ren Ren Mai M ai hold ho lds s t he pow po w er of o f co nce ncept pt io ion n and t he regeneraregenerat io ion n of lilife. fe. The Ren Mai M ai expr expres esses t he quali qualitt ies and functions functi ons of M ot her Earth, Earth, rec recon onnec nectt ing the patient with their essence and providing rest and emotional nourishment. The imag im age e for fo r Ren Ren M ai is any of o f t he archety archetypal pal Godd Go ddes ess fifigures gures in inc cl udi uding ng Kuan Kuan Yin Yin,, Tara Tara or the Fa Fair iry y Godmother Godmo ther.. The functio function n of the Ea Eart rth h M ot othe herr figure f igure is to suppo upport rt and nouris no urish, h, to to provide chicken soup and a comfortable bed, to provide grace and forgiveness. A Ren Mai treatment is appropriate for anyone feeling frazzled, overwhelmed or grief st ri ric cke ken. n. It bri brings ngs t he pat pat ient bac back k to t o a st st ate of calm abiding, abid ing, of o f sim simpl ply y being, a st st ate of ea eas sy, natural relaxation.
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Primary State Female Yin
Psychological Correspondence Rest ; pea peac ce; rec recon onnec nectt io ion n to the t he ea eart rt h; regene regenerati ration on..
Associ ociated ated Organs Organs Kidney Yin Yin and Lung. Lung. Psycho-emot io ionall nally, y, the th e Lung Lung cor corres respo ponds nds t o fee feelilings ngs of fr fre eedom and spaciousness or a sense of social ease; inversely it can manifest as feelings of claustrophobia or op oppr pre essio ion. n. H armo armonio nious us Kidney Yin Yin gives ri ris se to fee feelilings ngs of emot emotio ional nal connect connect ednes dness s and a sens ense e of repl replenis enishment hment;; in inver vers sely, Defic Defi cient Kid Kidney ney Yin Yin corres cor respo ponds nds t o fee f eelilings ngs of emo emo-tional and spiritual dryness, depletion and disconnection.
Classical Indications M enst rual ir irreg regulari ularitt ies ies;; mi mis scarri arriag age e; leuc leucor orrho rhoea ea;; incont inenc inence; e; enuresis enuresis;; hernia; retention ti on of o f urine uri ne;; low l ow er abdominal abdomi nal mas masses or pain; Qi defic deficienc iency y
Psychological Indications Grief, oppression and feelings of being overwhelmed
Clinical Indications A pulse that is dominant in either or both of the Lung and Kidney Yin pulse positions.
Contraindications Deficient Qi Q i is i s one of t he pr prim ime e rea reas son ons s fo forr doing do ing a Ren M ai trea tr eatt ment, how ho w eve everr a domi do minant nant Lung and/ and/or or Kidney puls pul se is st ililll a pre pr e-requesit e; if t here is no surp surplus lus Q i in i n the t he Ren Ren channel, opening the Ren will not serve any purpose and the treatment will be ineffective or detrimental [this principle applies to all Extraordinary treatments]. Exc xces ess H ea eatt ; rapi rapid d puls pul se or yellow yell ow t on ongue gue coat (o (opening pening the t he Ren Mai M ai can can drive dri ve Hea H eatt deeper into the body)
Characteristics of Treatment Con ons sol olid idatio atio n of Q i. The fee feeliling ng of a Ren M ai trea tr eatt ment is i s a lilight ght soo soott hing, drea dr eamy, my, rest . Often there is a sense of "not much is happening at all" until the patient gets up and realises how rela relaxe xed d t he hey y are.
The Chong Mai Functions The Cho Chong ng M ai is i s t ermed bo b o t h the t he Sea o f t he Tw elv elve e Reg Regul ular ar Channels and the t he Sea of Blo lood od.. It Its s functi function on is i s t o regulate mens menstt ruati ruation on and to reg regulat ulate e or act act as a res rese er vo voir ir for f or t he Q i and Blo Blood od of o f the t he t w elv lve e or ordi dinary nary channels channels.. The Chon hong g M ai links li nks t he St om omac ach h and and Kidney channels as well as strengthening the link between the Conception and Governing vessels (like bot h of o f t hese vessels it or originat iginates es in t he pelvic pelvi c cavit cavity y and asc ascends t he front fro nt of t he body bod y as w ell as the spine).
Commentary The Female Female Yang Channel Channel is i s cha characteri racteris sed by t he idea id ea o f t he assert ertiv ive e female or o r t he female w arri arrior. or. A Chon Chong g M ai trea tr eatt ment is i s pur purga gatt iv ive; e; it expels patho pathoge gens ns and moves mov esSt ag agnant nant Qi Q i and Blo lood od.. In ot o t he herr w or ords ds,, it i t rec reclaim laims s t he sac acred red fema f emale le spac space e (emo (emott io ional nal connect connect io ion n and peac peace) by act act iv ively ely expell expelling ing bloc blo cka kage ges s or inv invading ading pathoge patho gens ns.. This appli applies es no nott only o nly t o phys p hysica icall stagnation but also to stagnation at the psycho-emotional level.
~ 9~ An imag i mage e I oft of t en use use in cli clinic nic is t his his:: im imag agine ine a wo man who’ w ho’s s hom home e has has bee been n invaded i nvaded by a dr drunken, unken, dis di sres respec pectt f ul man. m an. H e has rai raided ded her pantr pant r y, messed up her her bathro bat hroo o m and take t aken n up residenc idence e on her living liv ing room couc ouch. h. The fema female le warrior warri or w ililll use use he herr w ililll to t o t hrow the man man outt of her hous ou ho use e (expel the t he pathoge patho gen) n) and re-claim her sac sacred red space space.. Thi This s coin coincides cides st ro rongly ngly with the functions of the master and coupling points of the Chong Mai, Gonsun and Neiguan, both of which are effective Phlegm dispersers. A Chong Mai M ai tre tr eatment is i s appro appropr priat iate e fo forr anyone anyo ne experi experienc encing ing an intens int ense emot emotio ional nal st ate w hich is being denied or unexpress unexpressed. It allo allow w s t he pati patie ent t o re r e-o -ori rie ent ntate ate t o their t heir gut insti ins tinc ncts ts and t o re-de re-defi fine ne their their emot io ional nal prior pri orit ities ies..
Primary Sate Female Yang
Associated Organ Spl plee een. n. The Spl ple een governs t he mo movement vement and trans tr ansfo form rmati ation on of o f flui f luids ds.. This relates psycholo ps ychologic gically ally t o t he expr xpre essio ion n and trans tr ansfo form rmati ation on of o f emot io ion. n. The Spl ple een als also o has t he jo job b of no nour uris ishi hing ng t he t is iss sues o f the t he bo body, dy, whi w hic ch relates relat es ps psychol ychologi ogic call ally y to t o self self est est ee eem. m. Thi This s in in-volv vo lve es t he abili abilitt y to de d evelo velop p eff effec ectt iv ive e belief sys systt ems t hro hrough ugh con onc centr entratio atio n and and ide id eati ation. on. In a dis di s-harm -harmo o ni niou ous s st ate, Spl plee een n expres expr esses l ow self est ee eem m and an inabil i nabil it y to t o t rans ransfo form rm..
Psychological Correspondence Ass As serti ertive ve express expressio ion n of o f emot emotio ion; n; re-c re-con onnec nectt io ion n w it h sac sacred red spac pace; e; inner i nner self-reg self-regulat ulatio ion n
Classical Indications Gynaecological disorders such as metrorrhagia, miscarriage, menstrual block, irregular menses and deficiency of breast milk; spasm and pain in the abdomen
Psychological Indications Emotional suppression or conflict
Clinical Indications A pul se that is i s do domi minant nant in i n either eit her or bot h of o f t he Spl ple een and and Perica Pericard rdium ium (Kid (Kidney ney Yang ang)) puls pul se po pos sit io ions ns.. The addit io ion n of a do domi minant nant Hea H eart rt pul puls se con onfifirm rms s t he pr pres esence of int ense mental-emotional preoccupation and indicates a strong argument for a Chong Mai treatment.
Contraindications Deficient Q i; in part particular icular,, a lac l ack k of o f Q i at t he Spl ple een and and Perica ericard rdium ium (Kid (Kidney ney Yang ang)) pul puls se pos po sit io ions ns.. Pro roc ceed wit w it h cautio cautio n when w hen the pati patient ent is manif manifes est ing unst unst able emo mott io ions ns..
Characteristics of Treatment The Cho Chong ng M ai treatm t reatment ent challeng chall enges es t he patient pati ent t o re-a r e-as ssert t hems hemselv elves es and to t o t ake affirmati fi rmative ve ac acti tion on t o re r e-c -claim laim the t heir ir emot io iona nall integ i ntegri rity. ty. The Chong Mai M ai tre tr eatment is cha harac racterterise is ed by a sens nse e of ac actt iv ivatio atio n of t he lo low w er abdo abdomen. men. Bec ecaus ause of it s abili abilitt y to t o mov m ove e St ag agnant nant Q i and Blood in the lower abdomen the patient may feel clearer or lighter or more tuned in to their primary pr imary ins i nsti tinc ncts ts / gu gutt emot io ions ns.. The Chong Ma M ai trea t reatm tme ent w ililll oft o fte en include a dis disti tinc nctt sense of emotional release, or perhaps a sense of resolve to acknowledge their emotions and exp xpres ress s t heir gut feeli feelings ngs.. Thi This s may range r ange fr fro o m a sim simpl ple e sens ense e o f pea p eac ce and and emot emo t io ional nal int i nteg egri ritt y to int inte ens nse e emot io ional nal releas release of the ca cathart thartic ic kind w hich w ililll commonly commo nly occ occur ur w it ithin hin 48 hours ho urs of the treatment.
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The Dai Mai Functions The function of the Dai Mai is to bind the twelve ordinary channels and to regulate the balanc ba lance e be bett w een the upw ard and dow nw ard flo f low w of Q i in the t he tr trunk. unk. The Da Daii M ai enc encir irc cles the body at the waist, binding the vertical paths of the twelve primary channels in general and t he Pene Penett rat ratin ing g and Conc Con cept eptio ion n Vessels and t he Kidney Kidn ey,, Liver Liv er and Spl plee een n channels in part icular.
Commentary Being the t he Male M ale Yin Yin cha channel nnel,, the t he Dai Dai M ai is cha characteri racteris sed by creat creat iv ive e (rather (rat her than t han assert ertiv ive) e) actt io ac ion. n. It emphasis emphasises es t he nee need d for fo r fle fl exib xibililitit y, negot negotiat iatio ion n and and harmony harmo ny betw een male and female and bet bet w ee een n Yin Yin and Yang Yang.. It als also o negotiates negoti ates betw een upp upper er and and low l ow er and betw ee een n left and right. ri ght. This sens nse e of flexibi f lexibililitt y and negot negot iati iation on emphas mphasis ises est he Liv Liver's er's ro role le of harmo harmonis nis-ing the Qi of all the organs. N ot ote e t he lo loc catio ation n of Weidao and and Wushu Wushu (GB (GB 27 & 28) at the ant ante eri rior or hip. hi p. The Thes se are impor imp ortt ant reflex po point ints s in their ow n right; they occ occur at at the t he sit ite e of t he or origin igin of many of the major maj or leg musc muscl es. Thi This s area is pi pivo vo t al for f or t he bal bal anc ance e o f t he ske kell etal sys systt em in general general and the t he pelvis in particu part icular lar.. The anterio nteriorr hip is i s the prima prim ary sit site e fo forr the t he dis distr tribut ibutio ion n of t he w eight of the t or ors so trans t ransmi mitt t ed thro t hrough ugh t o the t he lo load ad bearing bearing musc muscles of t he legs. The There re wil w illl alw ays be po point int s of extreme tenderness somewhere around the anterior hip for anyone presenting with a Liver Qi stag tagnatio nation n patt ern. A Dai Dai M ai trea t reatm tme ent is i s appropr appropriate iate for anyone with wi th obvi o bvious ous Liv ive er Qi Q i stag stagna natt io ion n or pe p elv lvic ic imbalance imbalanc e. It he helps lps a patient to t o find f ind a more crea creati tive, ve, flexible approac approach h to their w or ork k and/ and/ or relationships.
Primary State Male Yin
Psychological Correspondence Flexibil lexibilit ity, y, crea creati tive ve acti action, on, adaptabili daptability, ty, ne negoti gotiatio ation, n, ba balanc lance e
Associ ociated ated Organ Organ Liv iver er.. Psycholo ychologic gically ally t he Liv Liver er is associated w it h the t he direc dir ectt iv ive e as asserti ertion on of t he wil w illl asw ell asw it h visio vision n and and planning. pl anning. The Liv iver’ er’s s ro role le is t o harmonis harmo nise e all of o f the t he emo mott io ions ns,, which w hich im impl plies ies the abil abilit ity y to t o negot negot iate. A person person w it ith h a ps psyc ychol hologic ogically ally healt healt hy Liv Live er w ililll be ac acti tive ve yet yet gent ge ntll e, calm calm and creat creat iv ive. e. Exp xpres ress sed nega negatt iv ively ely the t he Liv iver er manifes manif est s ange anger, r, frus fru st rat ratio ion n and inflexibility.
Traditional Indications Abdo minal Abdomi nal pain; w ea eaknes kness s and pain pain in i n the lumbar regio region n and and hips hip s; vaginal disc discharge harge;; uterine prolapse; fullness and distention in the abdomen; limpness of the lumbar region;
Psychological Indications Anger and frustration; inflexibility; difficulty relating to the opposite sex
Clinical Indications An exces excess pul puls se that is i s do domi minant nant in eit either her or o r bo t h of o f t he Gall Gall Bladder and San San Jiao Jiao pul p uls se positions.
Contraindications Deficient Q i; in part particular icular,, a lack lack of o f Q i at t he Gall Gall Bladder and San San Jiao Jiao puls p ulse e posit posit io ions ns..
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Characteristics of Treatment A Dai M ai trea t reatt ment is charac haractt eri ris sed by chall challeng enge e; it is phy phys sica icalllly y chall challe enging to have an an inch or tw o of stainl tainle ess st eel ne nee edl dle e inse insert rte ed into i nto your ante anteri rior or hip, parti partic cularly if the patient is subjec ubjectt t o St St ag agnant nant Liver Qi Q i or o r st st ructur ructural al pelvic pelv ic displ displac aceme ement nt.. A Dai M ai trea t reatt ment give giv es t he patie pati ent t he mes messag age e "Go "Go bac b ack; k; you’ y ou’ re going the t he wron wr ong g way". w ay". A Dai M ai challenge challenges s t he pat pat ient to fi find nd some some balanc balance e, flexibili f lexibility ty or crea reati tivi vity ty in t he heir ir lilives ves.. A suc succ cessful Da Daii M ai t rea reatm tme ent w ililll have a sof oftt ening, unw unw ind inding ing quali qualitt y. This w ililll happen lilitt era eralllly y in the t he pelv pelvic ic st ructur ructure e asw ell as in the t he fee feeliling ng of “ st epping back back from fro m st st rugg ruggle” le” t hat is t he charac haractt eri ris st ic of t he Dai M ai.
Treatment Methodologies The methodology for initiating Extraordinary Channel treatments consists of four steps: puls pul se diagnos d iagnosis is psycho-emotional diagnosis treatment decision selection and application of points •
•
•
•
Pulse Diagnosis The skil killl leve l evell required r equired for fo r puls p ulse e di diag agnos nosis is in t his con ontt ext is st raightf raightfor orw w ard. The pr prac actt itioner simply pays attention to the relative force or volume of the pulse in the individual positions (this is, effectively, an observation of the quantity of the pulse as distinct from the qualit y). The t ask is t o lo ok fo r any obvious obvi ous do domi minanc nance e in the t he pul puls se at the spec pecifific ic pul puls se positions that correspond to the Master and/or Coupled points of the Extraordinary Channels. For exampl xample, e, a do domi minant nant Small Int I ntes est in ine e pul puls se (l (left eft hand, superf superficial icial cun po p o si t i o n) i nd ndii ca catt es a Du M ai pulse pulse patt ern; if i f the t he Bladder puls pul se (l (le eft hand, superf superficial icial chi chi pos po sit io ion) n) is i s als also o domi do minant, nant, t his serv rves es t o confir conf irm m the t he patt ern. [ N ot e t hat the Small Int I nte est ine and and Bladder pulses pulses do not n ot have to be the only pulses that are dominant; it is not uncommon for two or three Extraordinary patterns to be present simultaneously.]
Psycho-Emotional Diagnosis O nc nce e the pulse pulse pat pat t ern is rec recogni ognis sed, refl reflec ectt on t he psycho-emot psycho-emotio ional nal st st ate of t he pat pat ient ient.. This is do done ne in the cont cont ext of 1) their t heir pre pr esenti enting ng pat pat t ern of di dis sharmo harmony ny 2) t heir oc o ccupati upation on and 3) their current internal and external challenges.
Treatment Decision It is by no means automatic that a patient should receive an extraordinary channel treatment j us ustt bec becaus ause the puls pul ses say you yo u can. can. The infor inf ormat matio ion n you y ou have just just ga gatt hered has added to the full clinical picture you will have on this patient; you will still need to follow your normal nor mal proto pro toc col ols s to dec decide ide wha w hatt the very best tr tre eatment is on any partic parti cular occas occasio ion. n. It is justt that you no w ha jus have ve an an additio addit ional nal choice choice.. The challenge, as usual, is to treat all needs, root and branch, simultaneously and creatively ti vely.. You w ililll need need to dec decide ide whether the pot enti ntial al Extr Extra aor ordinary dinary patt ern w ililll 1) 1) eff effe ecti tively vely deall w it dea ith h the t he patient’ s patt patte ern o f dis d isha harmo rmony ny and 2) cons onsol olidate idate or suppo upport rt their ps psyc ychol hologiogical st st ate, or ot o t he herr w is ise e challenge t hem t o move mo ve on. Dif Differenti ferential al diagno diagnos sis w ililll alw ays guide your choice. You may have have a choi hoic ce betw ee een n tw o or three t hree Ext xtraor raordi dinary nary patt erns rns.. This can be decided on the basis of the physiological functions of the channels; it can also be decided purely on the basis of psychological correspondences.
~ 12 ~ For example, suppose your patient is a corporate type woman, subject to lots of stress, highly active but often very tired, with a tendency to blood stagnation type menstrual dis di sharmo harmonies nies.. H er Lung, Lung, Spl plee een, n, Hea H eart rt and Kid Kidney ney Yin Yin puls pul ses are do domi minant. nant. W it hout any other information you have positive indications for both Ren Mai and Chong Mai patterns. The Ren M ai w oul ould d consol consolid idate ate and and reinfo r einforce rce her Qi at the t he same t im ime e as as givi giving ng her her a soo soott hing restt . The Chong M ai woul res w ould d help help t o move mo ve St ag agnant nant Blo Blood od in i n the low er jiao and releas release pent up emotio emot ional nal frus fr ustt rati ration on and anxiety. Bot h patte patt erns make sense. Your j ob is i s t o decid decide e bet w ee een n con cons sol olid idati ation on and chall challenge enge.. Talk to her! Fin ind d out w hether she she has bee been n subj ubjec ectt to to consistent emotionally suppression and needs to re-define her boundaries, or whether she’s had one crisis after another and needs a deep, rejuvenating rest.
Point Selection A protocol for the precise application of needles for Extraordinary treatments has been described by Professor Van Buren (2): a single needle is inserted into the Master point of the sele elec ct ed channel. channel. This nee needl dle e is pl plac aced ed in t he right sid side e of t he body fo forr fema f emales les,, or o r in i n the t he left sid ide e of t he bod body y for fo r males. males. A needle needle is t hen ins inserted erted into int o the t he Coupl Couple e po point int on the t he op oppo pos sit e sid ide e of t he bo body. dy. For exampl xample, e, a Ren M ai app applilied ed to a female w ililll st st art w it h Lieque Lieque (Lu 7) at the right wri w ris st, fol f ollo low w ed by Zhiaohai Zhiaohai (Ki 6) at at the t he left ankle. This “ opens opens”” the Re Ren M ai, giving givin g t he body a clea clearr me m essag age e that a Ren Ren Mai M ai trea tr eatt ment is i s being ac act iv ivated. ated. Aft er a brief bri ef int erv rval al to to con ons sol olid idate ate this “ mes mess sag age e t o t he bo body” dy” , addit io ional nal point po int s can be sele elec ct ed. Id Ide eally t hese po point int s will be consistent with the corresponding channel; if they are not classical points of the selectt ed channel, lec channel, t hey shoul should d be point po int s on t he related channe channels ls w hich suppo support rt and com compl pleme ement nt t he focus of Ext xtraor raordi dinary nary Channe hannell t rea reatt ment. The idea is t o give giv e the body bod y a clear clear mess messag age e that an Extr xtra aor ordinary dinary Channe Channell is be being ing ac actitivated, vated, rather rather than dilut di lut in ing g the trea tr eatt ment by t hro hrow w in ing g everything into the pot (which is Maciocia’s approach). (M ac acio ioc cia, 1994 1994,, pgs. pgs. 239, 23 9, 271 2 71,, 444, 774, etc.) . This com ombin binatio atio n of nee needl dle es can be retained for f or 30 - 50 mi minut nutes es. Long retentio retent ion n Ext Extraorraordinary di nary Channel Channel trea tr eatt ments are of oftt en very effe eff ect iv ive e. The M ast er point poi nt needl needle e is t hen w it hdrawn, followed by withdrawal of the Couple point needle which is now inserted into the opposite Master point; the needle used to puncture the Master point is then used on the oppos opp osit ite e Coupl ouple e point. point . Aft Afte er anothe anot herr interv i nterva al (perha ( perhaps ps 5 - 15 15 minutes mi nutes)) the t he body poi point nt ne nee edles are withdraw wi thdrawn, n, follo fol low w ed by the t he Couple point and, finally t he M aster point .
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Discussion This paper begs for further discussion and research into both classical and modern texts. In particular I believe the Japanese would have amassed much clinical research data which w ould oul d be invaluable to exa examine mine (4). So t oo w ould oul d be the experience xperience of any practi practiti tioners oners w ho have st st udie udi ed and util ut ilis ise ed t he Ext Extraor raordi dinaries naries.. In particular there is one subject which has been inadequately dealt with here and requires qui res furt fu rt her exp expll orati or atio o n: Chinese Chinese cosmo cosmoll o gy. gy. Tw icken st ates: ates: “ The t heoreti heor etic cal basis suppor upp ortt ing t he clas class sic Eight Eight Extraor xt raordi dinary nary Channel Channel pairs p airs begins begins w it h Taois Taoistt cosmo osmolo logy gy.” .” A mor m ore e thortho rough exploration of this subject would undoubtedly prove invaluable for our understanding of the Extraordinaries and may well provide some surprising insights. This Thi s paper has barely t ouc ou ched on the t he Seco eco ndary ndar y Ext Extrao raord rdin inari aries es. These These are t radit radi t ionall io nally y seen as partners part ners t o t he Pri Primary mary Extraor xt raordi dinaries naries via vi a their invers inv erse e Mas M ast er and Couple Coup le po int relati relations onship, hip, yet overa o verallll they are are poorly poor ly understo understo od and rarely rarely util ut ilis ise ed. Dea Deadman and and AlKhafaji Khafaji st ate: “ The Yin Yin Q iao is i s said to t o dom d ominat inate e quie qui et ness. The Yang Q iao is i s said to t o dom d ominat inate e act act ivit iv it y. The Yin Wei dominat dom inate es t he int erior ri or of o f the t he w hole hol e body. bod y. The Yang Wei dominat dom inate es t he exterior of the whol e body.’ (D body.’ (De eadman adman and AlAl -Khafaji, Khafaji, 2000) 200 0) This description complements the nature of the Pri Primary mary Extr Extra aordinaries or dinaries very w ell and confirms confi rms the ove ov erall primary pri mary ps p sychoychological framework presented in this paper. The nature of Oriental Medicine allows for a variety of Extraordinary Channel practices and many ways w ays of t heoris heor isin ing g about w hat one on e has done. do ne. M anaka anaka has emphasis emphasised ed t he st ruc ru ctural resonances of the Extraordinary Vessels, which adds an additional intriguing flavour to their character. (M atsumo atsumott o & Birc ir ch, 1986, 1986, pg. 13) 13) This Thi s paper has pres pr esented but bu t o ne particul part icular ar st yle yl e o f Ext Extrao raord rdin inary ary Channel prac pr actt ice. If t his hi s paper has a w eaknes eakness s, it is t his hi s: it i t ’ s idea id eas s and their particular expression are based on the clinical observation of a small group of practitioners [albeit with many years of collective experience] (5) and have not been peer reviewed by the wider professional community, let alone incorporated into the mainstream dissemination of TCM TCM t heor heory. y. To quote quot e John Mc M cDonald, “ ... We Wellll that’s all very w ell in pra pr acti tic ce, but w ill it w ork in theory? theory?’’ ” (McDonald, 2005) So my m y chal challl enges enges as a st udent ud ent,, and the t he bro br oader aims aim s o f this paper, have been 1) to provide a theoretical framework for these ideas which is well grounded groun ded in class classical theor t heory, y, is articulat art iculately ely expres expr essed and and w hic hi ch makes makes impl im plicit icit sense; ense; 2) t o sugge uggest a tre tr eatment pro p rott ocol w hich is easy to t o lea l earn rn and te t each; ach; 3) t o subj subje ect all of t his t o rigorous peer review by inviting discussion and testing by as many interested professionals as pos po ssibl e; 4) to there t hereby by build buil d up anec anecdot do t al evide evid ence in supp suppor ortt of it i t s effic effi cacy; acy; and and 5) to incorporate incorpo rate it into int o mainstr mainstre eam TCM TCM educa ducat ion, io n, prefe p referably rably soo soone nerr rather tha t han n la l ater. ter. The st st rength rengt h of o f t his hi s paper is i s it s succes uccess in addres addr essing in g these these firs fi rstt t w o poin po intt s. The con conce cept pt of t he four fo ur subd subdiv ivii sions io ns of Yin and Yang Yang (M ale Yang/M ang/ M ale Yi Yi n, Female Female Yang/F ang/ Female Yi Yi n) is i s st r aightaight for fo r w ard and can can be readi readily ly recogni recognis sed as making se sense. nse. The extrapo xt rapolat latio ion n of o f t hese into int o four f our prim pr imary ary psycholo psychologic gical al st st atesis also also impl i mplicit icitly ly logic lo gical, al, though t hough it may require requir e some om e refle refl ect ion io n for fo r it to bec become se second natur nature e to other o ther TCM TCM practi practiti tioners oners.. Furthe urt hermo rmore, re, the treatm treatme ent methodology ol ogy prese presented in this t his paper paper is easily il y applied. Anyone wit w ith h a rudimenta rudi mentarr y familia famili arity ri ty w ith it h puls pul se diagnosis diagnosis can eas easily il y recognis recognise e the puls p ulse e patte patt erns that indica ind icatt e the po t ential enti al for f or Extraor xt raordi di-nary Channel hannel t reat reat ments. ments. The final three points raised, starting with the challenge of encouraging a widespread practice of this theory within the acupuncture profession, are nothing less than the on-going development of TCM theory and practice, of which this paper is a tiny, though hopefully w orthy, or thy, port po rtio ion. n. Chinese Me M edicine has has develo developed ped syncre syncreti tic cally, ll y, by incorpo rating new theories which demonstrate their efficacy through popular use and via their espousal by trusted practitioners and authors (Cochrane, 2005) . Time, and and peer peer review, will wi ll t ell if i f this t his partic parti cular unders understanding tanding of the Ext Extraordi raordina nari rie es w ill il l flouri fl ouris sh, or o r be relegate relegated d t o the dustbi dustbin n of o f his hi stor to r y.
~ 14 ~ The strength of TCM is its ability to deal with the infinite variations of clinical practice and its capacity to operate in a state of uncertainty (Clav (Clavey ey,, S. S. 200 2 004) 4) , whilst still yielding succ ucces essfu full res r esul ultt s. Yet thes t hese ver very y characteri characteris st ics vi virt rt uall ually y prec pr eclu lude de the pos po ssib ibililitit y of o f defi d efini nitt iv ively ely testing the effects of Extraordinary Channel treatments through scientific research methodology. M y recom recommendati mendation on fo r furt fur t her res rese earc arch h is t he t radi raditt io ional nal app appro roac ach: h: anec anecdo dott al evi evidenc dence e derived from clinical exploration and tempered by rigorous discussion.
Conclusion The Eight Ext xtraor raordi dinary nary Cha Channels nnels are firml fir mly y embedded in i n the t he clas class sica icall t heory of TC TCM M and will remain an enigma until a rational and practical application for their use becomes commonpl mo nplac ace. e. This paper has has of offered fered suc such h an an app appro roac ach, h, w it h a t he heor or y that t hat is w id idely ely suit suit ed to t he psychotherapeutic needs of western society. The primary psychological states of the four pairs of Extraordinary Channels describe fundamental polarities of human life: the mode of being versus the mode of doing; the modes of rest versus activity, of thinking versus feeling; the need for self-regulation and the defining of personal boundaries, contrasted with the need for yielding and negotiating with ot he hers rs.. Abo Above ve all all,, there is t he con ontt ras rastt betw ee een n the needs needs of t he out er/ phys physica icall w or orld ld and the t he inner/spiritual world. A well balanced understanding of these contrasting human realities is sadly lacking in modern mo dern society society in i n general general and and in TCM educa ducatt io ion n in part icular icular.. This paper offers of fers a fr frame amew w or ork k forr re-dress fo re-dressin ing g t hat imbalance. imbalance. A care careful ful reflec r eflectt io ion n on the t he natur nature e of t he Ext xtraor raordi dinary nary ChanChannels,, as des nels desc cri ribed bed herein, pro provi vides des a way w ay of o f re-int re-intro roducing ducing a philo phi los sop ophica hicall and psychol psychologica ogicall basis t o our unders understt anding of o f human healt healt h in i n the t he languag language e of Tradit io ional nal Chinese Chinese Medicine. M edicine. Furt urthermor hermore e, t his unders understt anding can can be im immediately mediately appli applied ed to pr prac actt ica icall medicine and and is i s t here here-fore for e wort wo rthy hy of furt furthe herr study study and appli applic cati tion. on.
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REFERENCES Bensky, D. & O’Connor, J. (trans. & ed., 1981) Acupuncture - A Comprehensive Text Chicago: Eastland Press Care arey, y, D. (20 (2003 03)) Chines Chinese e M edicin edicine e For Bo dy dyw w or orkers kers
Canberra: Life Gate Publications
Cheng Xinnong Xinno ng (Ed.) (Ed.) (1 (1980 980)) Chin hine ese Acupunctur Acupuncture e and and M ox oxibus ibustt io ion n Beijing: Foreign Language Press Chienhien-min, min, L. (2002 ( 2002)) Acupuncture meridians reflect ancient Chinese cosmology Unitt ed Dail Uni Daily y News New s of Taiw Taiwan an Aug Augus ustt 1, 1, 20 2002 02 Clavey lavey,, S. (200 (2 004) 4) The Tyr Tyranny anny of t he Micros M icrosc cop ope e and and t he Allure Allur e of Cert Cert aint ainty y The Lantern May 2004 Volume 1, No. 2 Cochrane ochrane,, W. (20 (2005 05)) The H is istt or orica icall Ori O rigins gins of Tradi raditt io ional nal Chines Chinese e M edi dic cine Univers Uni versitit y of o f We W est ern Sydn ydney ey,, M ast er of Ac Acupunctur upuncture/TCM e/TCM Lec ectt ure Not N ot es Compilation (1980) Essentials of Chinese Acupuncture Compiled by the Beijing, Nanjing & Shangha hanghaii Coll Col l eg eges es o f Tradi Traditt io ional nal Chines Chin ese M edicin edicine e and the t he Acupun Acupunc ct ure Inst Inst it ut ute e o f t he Ac Academy ademy of Tradi Traditt io ional nal Chinese Chinese M edicin edicine e Beij eijin ing: g: Fo reign Langua Language ge Pres ress s Deadman, Dea dman, P. & Al-K Al -Khafaji, hafaji, M . (2000 (20 00)) A M anu anual al of o f Ac Acupunc upunctur ture e CD ROM Ellis, A., Wiseman, N. & Boss, K. (1996) Fund undamental amentals s of Chines Chinese e Medicin M edicine e Brookline: Paradigm Publications El lilis s, A. & Wis Wi seman, N. (1 (199 991 1) Fundamentals of Chinese Acupuncture Brookline: Paradigm Publications Flaws, B. (trans. 2003) Cla Clas ssic of o f Dif Diffific cult ies Bo ul ulder: der: Blu Blue e Pop oppy py Pres Press s Jing-Nuan, Wu (trans. 1993) Lin ing g Shu or o r The Spi piri ritt ual Piv Pivot ot Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press Li Shi Zhen (1 ( 157 578) 8) St udy o f t he Eight Eight Ext xtrao raord rdin inary ary Ve Ves ssels (Q i Jing Ba M ai Kao) Lo w, R. (1 (1983 983)) The Secondary Vessels of Acupuncture Wellingborough/New York: Thorsons Publishers M ac acio ioc ca, G. (1989 (1989)) The Fo Fo und undati ation ons s of Chines Chinese e M edicine N ew Yor ork: k: Churchil Churchilll Liv Livings ingstt on one e M ac acio ioc ca, G. (1994 (1994)) The Practi Practice ce o f Chines Chinese e Medicine M edicine N ew Yor York: k: Churchil Churchilll Liv Livings ingstt on one e M anaka, Y. & Bir Birch, ch, S. (1 ( 199 995) 5) Chasing the Dragon’s Tail Brookline: Paradigm Publications M ats atsumo umott o, K. & Birc Bir ch, S. S. (1 ( 1986) Ext xtrao raord rdin inary ary Ve Ves ssels Bro rookl okl ine: Paradigm Publi ublic catio ns
~ 16 ~ M o rr rris is,, W. W. (2 (200 002) 2) Pul uls se Di Diag agno nos sis Acupuncture Today January 2002 200 2 Vol Volume ume 03 03,, Is Iss sue 01 N i, M aos aoshing hing (trans (t rans.. 1995 1995)) Yell ello o w Emp mperor eror ’ s Clas Class sic of o f M edicin edicine e - The Su Wen Bostt on Bos on:: Shambhala Shambhala Publ Publicati icatio o ns Omura, Yoshiaki (1982) Acupuncture Medicine Toky okyo: o: Japan Publ ublicati ication ons s St ux, G. (2 (200 004) 4) Chakras and Their Connec Con nectt io ions ns t o the t he Eight Ext xtrao raord rdin inary ary Vessels H ea ealiling ng Peopl People e Web Sit e : http://www.healingpeople.com/ht/ index.ph inde x.php? p?opti option= on= conten ontent&t t&ta ask= vie view w &id= 334&Ite 334&Itemid= mid= 136 Tow ns nsend, end, G. & Dedo Dedonna, nna, Y. Y. (1 ( 199 990) 0) Pulses and Impulses Avo Avon: n: Tho Thors rson ons s Publ ublis ishers hers Tw icke icken, n, D. (20 (2004 04)) The Eight Ext Extraor raordi dinary nary Channe Channels ls Acupuncture Today Decemb Dece mber er,, 2004 20 04 Vol Volum ume e 05 05,, Iss Issue 12 Yang, Jwing-Ming (2004) Chi Chines nese e Q i go gong ng M as ass sage Jama amaica ica:: YM AA Publi ublic cati ation ons s Yang Ji Zhou (1601) Com ompendium pendium of Ac Acupunctur upuncture e and M ox oxibus ibustt io ion n (Zhen Jiu Jiu Da Cheng Cheng) )
Notes (1) To the (1) t he kno know w l edge o f thi t his s autho r no res resea earch rch st st udi udies esof t he Wes Westt ern sc scient ientifific ic kind kin d have been done on the Extraordinaries. However I would be very surprised if the Japanese did not have masses of documented clinical research. (2) Pro rofes fess sor Van Buren Buren travell t ravelled ed to China in the t he 1960 960’’ s and came came bac back k w it h a com compl ple et e sys ystt em for fo r Ext Extraor raordi dinary nary Cha Channel nnel treatment t reatments s, yet no his histt or orica icall refere r eference nce t o t his sys ystt em is kno know wn t o t his autho author. r. Alt hough Van Van Buren Buren never publis publ ished hed anyt anythin hing, g, his sys ystt em was w as do doc cumented in in an article on the subject by Leon Hammer as well as in a text titled Advanced Acupuncture by H enry Wool Wo ole ert on and Jane Jane M cLea ean. n. This t ext is i s evident evidently ly a t rans ransc cri ript ptio ion n of Van Van Buren’ Buren’s s lectt ures lec ures.. W hatever the sour sourc ce fo forr this t his sys ystt em, it happens t o w or ork k exc exce ept ptio ionally nally w ell and is t he sys ystt em descri ribed bed (in (i n part) p art) by M ac acio ioc cia. (Maciocia, 1989, pg 356) M ats tsumot umot o and Birch relate relat e a lack lack of clear desc descri ript ptio ion n in t he clas class sics fo forr needle tecni tecnique que app applilied ed to t he Ext xtraor raordi dinari naries es and confirm the common practice of needling the Master point first, followed by the Couple point po int and any any ot o t he herr body bo dy poi p oint nts s. The They y go on to t o st st ate “ ... it i t see seems ms t o have bee been n the t he experi xperienc ence e of the Da Cheng [ Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion ] Moxibustion ] author that the Master point in combination with the other body points was sufficient, the coupled points were not necessar ary.” y.” (M ats atsumo umott o & Bir irc ch, 1986, 1986, pag page e 71) 71) Yos oshi hio o M anaka ut utililis ises es bi bi-l -lateral ateral nee n eedl dlin ing. g.
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Appendix One Extraordinary Case Studies The following clinical examples demonstrate how Extraordinary Channel treatments operat rate e in prac p ractt ice ice.. The name names s have bee been n chang changed ed to ded e-id identi entify fy t he pati patie ent nts s. It is im impo port rt ant to to not e that, eve even n t hough thes t hese cas casesalign w it h the t he Male M ale// Fema emale le relatio relat ions nship hips s of t he tre tr eatment atments s, this thi s is not a ge gender nder bas based proto pro to col ol.. All of the four pri primary mary extr extra aor ordinary dinary t rea reatt ments can be reasdily applied to either male and female.
Du Mai M ark ran r an a small small bus busines iness s w it h a couple coupl e of do doze zen n employ empl oyee ees s and w as going t hro hrough ugh a highly de d emandi manding ng phas phase. e. H e’d had a bac back k operation operati on fif f iftt een yea years rs pr prio iorr and was fami famililiar ar wit wi t h periodi perio dic c epi epis sod ode es of ext xtreme reme bac back pain w hich coul could d lea l eave ve him bed ridden ri dden for f or several days d ays,, but he’’ d had a good run for he f or many years years.. H e pr pres esented wit w it h ano anott her ac acute epi epis sod ode: e: extr extre eme t ende endernes rness s and wea w eaknes kness in the t he lo low w bac back k wit w ith h a st ro rong ng grabbin grabbing g pain w hen bendin bending g for fo r w ard o r attempt att empting ing to l ififtt . In the t he fac face e up pos po sit io ion n nee needl dle es w ere ins inserted erted to Gua Guanyuan nyuan (CV 4), Weidao Weid ao and Wushu (GB 27, 28); these needles were used bilaterally inorder to generate some immea im meadi diate ate relea releas se of t he pelv pelvic ic st ructur ructure. e. Aft er fift fif t een mi minut nutes es of retent retentio ion n the th ese nee needl dle es w ere remov remove ed and Ma M art rtin in roll ro lle ed ove ov er (w it ith h ext extreme reme dif diffi fic cult ulty). y). N eedles w ere inse insert rte ed to t o SI 3 on t he left ha hand nd and Bl Bl 62 in the t he right ankle. A se selec lecti tion on of o f four f our l ow ba bac ck Shu point poi nts s w ere used us ed wit w it h Yaoyangua aoyanguan n (Du 3) 3 ) and M ingmen (Du 4); 4) ; needl needle e head head moxibus mox ibustt io ion n w as appli applied ed to all of o f t hese point poi nts s. This patt ern of nee needl dles es w as retained for f or 30 minut m inut es and then the t he mas mast er and couple points were removed and re-inserted to their opposite sides. M art rtin in returned for a fo follllow ow up tre tr eatm tme ent t hree days later later.. H e coul ould d hardl hardl y beli belie eve the improv imp rove ement in his ba bac ck pain. pain. It w as 80% imp improv rove ed imme imm ediately after the first first trea t reatm tme ent and almos almo st completely comp letely gone gon e after three t hree days days.. W hat’ hat’s s mo more, re, he fo found und hims hi mself elf able to t ak ake e charge of his business with greater clarity and ease.
Ren Mai Sharon w as a 35 year year old o ld single mot mo t her of t w o childr chil dre en, subj subje ect t o int i ntens ense emot emotio ional nal pres pr essure from fro m her her “ ex” . H er normal nor mal pres pr esentati entation on w asLiv iver er Qi st st ag agnati nation on w it h symp symptt om oms s suc uch h as he heada adac ches, grindi gri nding ng of t ee eett h and seve severe re menst menst rual pain w it h irr i rre egularit y and mo mood od sw ings ings.. A series of previous treatments, included acupuncture and guasha, had made progress in reducing the backlog of Liver Fire, but it was an uphill battle dealing with the relentless stress. O ne day day Sharon pres pr esented wit w it h a obvious obvi ous Ren Mai M ai pattern patt ern (dom (d ominant inant Kidney Yin Yin and Lung pul puls ses). She w as feeli feeling ng rat rattt y and and pre-mens pr e-menstt ru rual al and and very ver y angr angry. y. She als also o report repo rt ed a pain deep deep in her pelvic pelv ic floor. flo or. N ee eedl dle es w ere ins inserted erted to t o Lieque Lieque (Lu 7) on o n the right w ri ris st and Zhaohai (Kid 6) at the left ankle followed by Huiyin, Guanyuan, Yinjiao, Zhongguan and Shanzhong (CV 1, 1, 4, 7, 7 , 12 12 & 17) 17).. A fin f inal al needl needle e w as added to t o Zusanli Zusanli (S (Stt 36) 3 6) on t he right l eg eg.. These needles were retained for 50 minutes, when the master and couple needles and Zusanli were swapped over to their opposite sides for a further ten minutes. At the t he end of thi this s tr tre eatm tme ent Sha Sharon ron loo l ooke ked d and felt felt lilike ke a dif differe ferent nt w oman. H er pain w as gone and and she she fel feltt sof sof t and pea p eace cefu full in i n a w ay she she hadn hadn’’ t experienc experi enced ed for fo r years. years. Thr Three ee w ee eeks ks later she reported the effect had lasted distinctly for at least two weeks, despite on-going stresses in her life.
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Chong Mai Denise had Denise had rec r eceived eived irregu ir regular lar burs bur st s of ac acupunctur upuncture e over three t hree or fo four ur yea y ears rs.. H er normal nor mal pres pr esentati entation on w as Kidney Yin Yin Deficienc Deficiency y w it h Deficient Spl plee een n Qi. Q i. She was w assubj ubje ect t o blo bloatin ating, g, fatigue fati gue and anxi anxie et y. H er role of mot mo t hering a dys dysfuncti functional onal famil f amily y left her feeli feeling ng exhaus xhaustt ed and impot impo t ent. She w oul ould d turn t urn up afte aft er a few mon m ontt hs in a mi mis sera erable ble st ate, ge gett three t hree or four f our t reatm reatments ents,, fee f eell recha recharged rged and t hen dis di sappear again. again. Rec ecentl ently y she she came came back back and and pers persis istt ed with the Kidney Yin treatments a little longer until one day she presented with a Chong Mai puls pul se. Af Aftt er that treatm t reatment, ent, and a sec econ ond d one on e a fo fort rt ni night ght later lat er,, Denise Denise st art arted ed assert ertin ing g hers herself, elf, bot h at home hom e and at at w or ork. k. She w as ama amaze zed d at her abilit abili t y to t o set set her person personal al boundaries bound aries in a way she had never thought possible.
Dai Mai Les was a fifty nine year old ex-footballer and was relentlessly active in owning and running runn ing tw o small small busin busine esses. H e had a his histt or y of pain p ain and and te t ens nsio ion n thro th ro ugho ughout ut hi his s bo body, dy, part icular icularll y lo l o w er back, back, sho shoul ulders ders and neck. neck. H e als lso o report ed jaw te t ens nsio ion n in the left side side with tinnitus and blurred vision. A previo pr evious us series of fo four ur t rea reatt ments had foc fo cus use ed on o n res r espo pondi nding ng to t he imme imm edi diate ate sit sit es of str tre ess w it h goo good d reducti reduction on in i n neck neck and and should shoulde er pa p ain, but w it ith h no impro i mproveme vement nt in t he ti tinnit nnitus us and lit t le chang change e in jaw j aw te t ens nsio ion. n. H is lo low w bac back k was w as als also o st st ililll sor sore e. O n his fo fourt urt h trea tr eatt ment Les Les pre pr esented wit w it h a do domi minant nant Gall Gall Bladder and San Jiao puls pul se. N ee eedl dles es w ere in ins sert ed to t he mastt er and coup mas couple le point po int s, Zulinqi Zuli nqi (GB 41) 41) and Weigu W eiguan an (SJ 5), fo follllow ow ed by Tinghui (GB ( GB 2), Tinggong (SI (SI 19) 19) and Erm Ermen en (SJ 21 21). ). These needles needles w ere retained retain ed for fo r t hi hirt rt y min m inut utes es and then t hen w it ithdraw hdrawn n to t o allow all ow the patient t o t urn over o ver.. The mast er and coupl couple e nee needles w ere re-ins re-inse ert rte ed on their opposite sites and then needles were inserted to Fengchi, Juliao and Huantiao (GB 20, 29 & 30) and retained for a further thirty minutes. Les returned in a fortnight reporting dramatic improvement in his neck tension and dist inct reduc r eductt io ion n of t he t inn innitit us us.. This case is a good exampl xample e of an Ext Extraor raordi dinary nary Channel Channel being used us ed in a st st rai raightf ghtfo o r w ard, phy phys sio ioll ogi ogic cal manner. N on onetheles etheless s, every case l ike thi t his s has a psypsychol hologica ogicall aspec aspectt , even even if it i t is i s no nott rea r eadi dily ly for f ortt hc hcom oming. ing. This pati patie ent w as clea learl rly y pushing pushing too to o hard in i n his hi s liliff e. H is cha chall l eng enge e w as t o t ake l ifife e a l ot ea eas sier in i n order or der to t o enjoy enj oy hi his s fifinancial nancial succ succes ess.
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APPENDIX TWO Functions, Indications, Pathways and Points of the Eight Extraordinaries W hat fol f ol lo w s is a syno syno ps psis is of t he pat pat hw ays ays,, poi p oint nts s, func f unctt io ions ns and indica ind icatt io ions ns of ea eac ch of t he Extr aor ordinary dinary Channe Channels ls draw n from fro m a variety of modern m odern texts. texts. It i s w or orth th not ing t hat t here are are incons i nconsis istt enc encies ies in t he way w ay thes t hese e channels channels are st st ru ruc ct ured. The Du and Ren Ren Channels each have a connecting point and a connecting vessel, but none of the others do. Convers Conversely ely the t he fo ur sec second ond ary channels channels eac ach h have have a defin defined ed Xi Cleft Cleft po point int , but t he prim pr imary ary channels channels do not n ot . Three of t he pr prim imary ary extraordi extr aordi naries have sec econd ond ary pathw pat hw ays ays,, yet t he o t hers co ns nsis istt o f a sin single gle pat pathw hw ay onl y. W hil e ea each ch of t he cha channels nnels are rega regard rded ed as havi having ng a set set o f defi ned bo dy po poin intt s, t he Chinese Chinese Academy Academy o f Scienc ciences es t ext “ Chines Chinese e Acupuncture Ac upuncture and M oxi bus bustt io ion” n” int rod uc uces es anot another her poi nt categ ategor or y, the coales coalesc cent po point int s, w it hout furt he herr explanati explanati on; w he here re thes these differ from f rom the defi define ned d point po int s I have added the categ ategor or y ‘body ‘bo dy point po int s’ . All of o f these these have bee been n added t o the col lec lectt iv ive e lilis st of pathw ays and points in the interest of maximising our knowledge of the interconnections and uses of the Extraordinaries.
General Functions of the Extraordinaries •
•
•
•
•
•
•
they act as reservoirs which fill and empty in response to the varying conditions of the or ordinary dinary cha hanne nnels ls they regulate the flow of Qi and Blood in the twelve regular channels they pro vi vide de addi additi tional onal interc i nterconnec onnecti tions ons among the t he tw elv lve e regu regular lar channe channels ls they are closely related to the Kidney and therefore to Jing they act as a pathway for the distribution of Yuan Qi, Ying Qi and Jing they provide additional defence against external pathogens by circulating Wei Qi they are directly related to the womb and the brain.
Du Mai (G (Gov overnor ernor Ve Vessel) Functions The Du Mai M ai is t he M ast er Yang channel. It regulat regulates es and governs gov erns t he Q i of o f all t he Yang channels hannels.. It is kno know w n as t he sea of t he yang channels channels..
Indications St ififfn fnes ess and pain p ain of o f t he spi spinal nal co lu lumn; mn; hea headache dache;; ment mental al dis d istt ur urbanc bance; e; ess essenc ence-s e-spi piri ritt di dis sorders.
Primary Pathway The Du M ai arises arises in t he pelv pelvic ic cavit cavity, y, emerge emerges s in t he peri perineum neum at H uiy uiyin in (CV 1) 1) t hen pass pas ses o n to t o t he tip ti p of o f t he co co ccyx at Changqi Changqiang ang (GV 1). 1). Fro rom m there t here it pas pass ses upw ards alo along ng t he spi pine ne to Feng engff u (GV 16) 16) at t he junctio juncti o n of t he spi pinal nal cord cor d and the t he skull kull.. There it pas pass sesin intt o the brain and re-emerges at Baihui (GV 20) and continues forward along the midline through t he fo forehe rehead ad and and along alo ng t he no nos se. Finall inally y it t ermin erminates ates at Yin Yinjijiao ao (GV 28) in i n the centr central al point poi nt of the upper gum.
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Connecting Pathway The co co nnec nnectt in ing g vess vessel of o f t he Du M ai lea l eaves ves t he primar pri mary y channel at Chiangqiang Chiangqi ang (GV 1) 1) and forms two branches which ascend along either side of the spine to the nape of the neck where they disperse over the head.
Secondary Pathways Three ot her pathw ays of t he Du M ai are are defined. The sec econd ond aris arise es in t he low er abdo abdo-men and and runs r uns do dow w n thro t hrough ugh the genit genitals als int o t he peri perinea neall reg r egio ion. n. It I t pas pass sesfr from om t here t hro hrough ugh Changqiang Cha ngqiang (GV 1) and t he hen n divert di verts s int o t he glut glut ea eall reg r egio ion n w he here re it int ers rsec ectt s bot h the t he Kid Kidney ney and the t he Bladd Bladde er channe hannels ls befor before e returnin retur ning g to t he spi spine. ne. Finall Finally y it pas pass ses int o t he Kidney. Kidney. A third pathway arises at Jingming (Bladder 1), passes up over the forehead and merges int o Baihui Baihui (Du ( Du 20) w he here re it ente ent ers t he brain. The channe hannell then t hen spl plitit s int o tw t w o channels channels w hich descend along either side of the spine to the waist and terminate in the Kidney. The fourth pathway arises in the lower abdomen, travels up past the navel, continues upw ard to jo join in w it ith h the Heart Heart,, the t hen n enters enters the thro at, cros ross ses the che chee ek, spli splitt tt ing into int o t w o t o go round ro und t he lips lip s, then t hen cont cont inues up t he chee cheek k to t o t he region region of Che Chengqi ngqi (S ( St om omac ach h 1) 1) in i n the t he infraorbita infraorbit al not ch.
Confluent (Master) Point H ouxi (Small Int est ine 3); Shu St rea ream m (Woo (W ood) d) poi p oint nt
Couple Point Shenmai (Bladder ( Bladder 62 62))
Connecting Point Changqiang (GV 1)
Body Points All points on the Governor Vessel from Changqiang (GV 1) to Yinjiao (GV 28)
Coalescent Points Fengme engmen n (Bladder 12) 12);; H uiy uiyin in (R ( Ren 1)
Associ ciated ated Sea Sea of Yang; Sea of M arr arro ow
Additional (Creative) Points In addition to the defined Du Mai points, the following can be creatively combined in a Du Mai treatment: all of the Bladder channel points of the back, including inner and outer channels and the t he H uato po poin intt s; Small In Intt est in ine e po poin intt s at the t he sho houl ulder der and neck neck (SI 9-17) 9-17);; ext xtra ra poin po intt s such as as Di Dingc ngchuan, huan, Shi hiqi qizhui zhui and Yaoyan. The Du M ai can can also also be b e used in t he face face up pos po sit io ion n allow all ow ing the t he use of po point int s suc uch h as Gua Guanyuan nyuan (CV 4), 4) , Jiuwei Jiuw ei (CV 15), 15), Yint ang and the t he Bl adder and Small Small In Intt est in ine e point poi nts s o f t he head head and face. face.
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Ren Mai (Co Conce ncepti ption on Ve Ves ssel) Functions The Ren Ren Mai M ai is i s t he sea sea of t he Yin Yin cha channels nnels and co-o co- o rd rdin inates ates all t he Yin Yin channels hannels.. The function functi on of Ren M ai is t o rec r ece eiv ive e and and bear bear t he Qi of t he Yin Yin channe hannels ls.. The Ren Mai M ai regulat regulates es menstruation and governs the foetus.
Indications M enst rual irr i rreg egulari ularitt ies ies;; mis m isc carri arriag age; e; leucor leucorrho rhoea ea;; incont i ncontinence inence;; enuresis enuresis;; hernia; herni a; retentio retent ion n of o f urine; lower abdominal masses or pain.
Primary Pathway The Ren Mai arises in the pelvic cavity, connects with the internal genital and urinary orga or gans ns and emerges emerges at Huiy H uiyin in (CV ( CV 1) in i n the t he peri perineum. neum. Thenc Thence e it asce cend nds s t hro hrough ugh the pubic pubi c bone and up the midline of the abdomen, chest and throat to the groove beneath the lower lilip. p. Fro rom m there t here it spl plitit s int o tw t w o and ascends t o the t he reg regio ion n of Chenqi (St om omac ach h 1) 1) below t he orbit.
Connecting Pathway The con connec nectt in ing g vessel of t he Ren Ren Mai M ai separates separates f ro rom m the t he primar pri mary y channel channel at Jiuw ei (CV 15) and disperses downwards over the abdomen.
Secondary Pathways A sec seco o nd pat pathw hw ay of o f t he Ren Ren M ai aris ari ses in t he pelvic pelv ic cavi cavitt y, enters enter s t he spi spine ne and asce ascends nds up the back.
Confluent (Master) Point Lieque (Lung 7); Luo-Connecting point
Couple Point Jiaohai (Kidney 6)
Connecting Point Jiu iuw w ei (CV 15) 15)
Body Points All points on the Conception Vessel from Huiyin (CV 1) through to Chengjiang (CV 24)
Coalescent Points Chengqi Che ngqi (S ( St o mac mach h 1); 1); Yin injj iao (D (Du u 28)
Associ ciated ated Sea Sea of Yin; Sea of Qi
Additional (Creative) Points In addit io ion n to t o t he defined Re Ren M ai point poi nts s, the t he fo follllow ow ing ca can be crea creati tively vely combined in a Ren M ai trea t reatt ment: Kidney channel channel poi p oint nts s of t he abdo abdomen men and ches chest ; Zhongfu (L ( Lu 1), 1), Yunmen (Lu 2) 2),, Renyi enying ng (S (Stt 9), 9 ), Zusanli Zusanli (S ( St 36), 36 ), Cha Chanqi nqiang ang (GV 1) 1)
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Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) Functions The Cho Chong ng M ai is i s t ermed bo b o t h the t he Sea o f t he Tw elv elve e Reg Regul ular ar Channels and the t he Sea of Blo lood od.. It Its s functi function on is i s t o reg r egulate ulate menst menst ruati ruation on and to t o re r egulate or act act as a a res resevoi evoirr for f or t he Q i and Blo Blood od of o f the t he t w elv lve e or ordi dinary nary channels channels.. The Chon hong g M ai links li nks t he St om omac ach h and and Kidney channels as well as strengthening the link between the Conception and Governing vessels (like bot h of o f t hese vessels it or originat iginates es in t he pelvic pelvi c cavit cavity y and asc ascends t he front fro nt of t he body bod y as w ell as the spine).
Indications Gynaecological disorders such as metrorrhagia, miscarriage, menstrual block, irregular menses and deficiency of breast milk; spasm and pain in the abdomen.
Primary Pathway The pr prim imary ary pathw p athw ay of t he Chon Chong g Mai M ai arise arises in t he low er abdo abdomen men and and emerges emerges at H uiy uiyin in (CV 1) in the t he reg regio ion n of the t he peri perineum. neum. Fro rom m the th ere it moves mo ves upw ards ards,, running runni ng ins insid ide e t he spi pinal nal column col umn.. It s superf uperficial icial branc br anch h pass passes t hro hrought ught the t he regio region n of Q icho ichong ng (St o mac mach h 30) and t henc hence e con connec nectt s w it h t he Kid Kidney ney channel. channel. Runni unning ng up bot h sid side es of t he abdo abdomen, men, it i t di dis spers perses es into the intercostal spaces of the chest.
Secondary Pathways Cont inuing Continui ng from fro m w he here re the primary pri mary channel channel te t erm rminat inates esin t he chest , the t he sec econd ond pathw ay moves up to the throat, curves around the lips and terminates at the nasal cavity. The third path emerges at Henggu (Kidney 11) then descends along the medial aspect of t he t high, thro t hrough ugh t he po popl plitit ea eall fos f oss sa, and and thenc t hence e do dow w n thro t hrough ugh t he medial aspec aspectt of o f the t he t ibi ibia, a, passing behind the medial malleolus before dispersing into the sole of the foot. A fourt fo urth h path diverge di verges s fr from om Q ichong (St om omac ach h 30) and descends ob obliliquely quely dow do w n the t he lower extremity to the medial malleolus where it enters the heel, crosses the tarsal bones of the foot and finally reaches the big toe.
Master (Confluent) Point Gongsun Gongs un (Spl plee een n 4); Luo uo-Conn -Connec ectt in ing g po poin intt
Couple Point N eiguan (Perica (Pericard rdium ium 6)
Coalescent Points H uiy uiyin in (CV ( CV 1); Q ichong (St 30); 30 ); all po int s on the t he Kidney channe channell fro f rom m K 11 t o K 21
Associ ciated ated Sea Sea o f t he Tw Tw elv elve e Chann Channels els;; Sea o f Blo Bloo od
Additional (Creative) Points In addition to the defined Chong Mai points, the following points can all be creatively com ombin bined ed in a Chong M ai trea tr eatt ment: Chongme Chongmen n (Sp 12), 12), Zha Zhangme ngmen n (Liv (Liv 13), Q im imen en (Liv 14), 14), Shanzho hanzhong ng (CV 17) 17),, Zusanl Zusanlii (St 36), 36 ), Shangj hangjuxu uxu (St (St 37), 37 ), Xi Xiaju ajuxu xu (St 39), 39 ), Geshu (Bl 17) 17)
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Dai Mai (Girdling Vessel) Functions The function of the Dai Mai is to bind the twelve ordinary channels and to regulate the balanc ba lance e be betw tw een the upw ard and and dow nw ard flo f low w of Q i in the t he tr trunk. unk. The Da Daii M ai enc encir irc cles the body at the waist, binding the vertical paths of the twelve primary channels in general and t he Pene enett rat ratin ing g and and Conce Concept pt io ion n ves v essels and t he Kidney Kidn ey,, Liver Liv er and Spl Splee een n channels in part icular.
Indications Abdo minal Abdomi nal pain; w eakne aknes ss and pain pain in i n the lumbar regio region n and and hips hip s; vaginal disc discharge harge;; uterine prolapse; fullness and distention in the abdomen; limpness of the lumbar region.
Primary Pathway The Dai M ai encir encirc cl es t he tors to rso o lilike ke a bel bel t and is i s so met metim imes es refer refered ed to t o as t he bel bel t cha channel nnel.. It arises below the lateral tip of the tenth rib, passing down anteriorly into the lower abdominal region and intersecting with Daimai (GB 26), Weidao (GB 27) and Wushu (GB 28). Pos ostt erio eriorl rly y it i t is said t o pas pass s ac acro ros ss t he lumbar reg r egio ion, n, t hough w it hout int ers ersec ectt ing any de d efifined ned body bod y point poi nts s. In this t his manner it encircles all of t he fo fourt urtee een n majo majorr meridians merid ians..
Master (Confluent) Point Zulinqi Zuli nqi (Ga ( Gallll Bladder 41); 41); Shu St rea ream m (Wo od od)) point po int
Couple Point Weiguan Wei guan (San (San Ji Ji ao 5) 5)
Coalescent Points Dai M ai (GB 26) 26);; Wus Wushu hu (GB 27) 27);; Weidao (GB 28)
Associ ciated ated Sea Sea of M ing M en
Additional (Creative) Points - Dai Mai In addition to the defined Dai Mai points, the following points can all be creatively com ombin bined ed in a Dai M ai tr trea eatt ment: Chongme Chongmen n (Sp 12); 12); Zha Zhangme ngmen n (Liv (Liv 13); 13); Q im ime en (Liv (Liv 14); 14); Jingmen (GB 25) 25);; Riy iyue ue (GB 24); 24) ; Qichong Q ichong (St om omac ach h 30); Tit Tituo; uo; ashi ashi point po int s of t he anterio r hip.
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Yiin Qia Y Qiao o Ma Maii (Yin Mo Mottili litty or Yin He Hee el Vessel) Functions Motor regulation of the lower limbs; regulation of the opening and closing of the eyes; control of the ascent of fluids and the descent of Qi; regulation of muscular activity in general. The Yin Qiao is said to dominate quietness.
Indications H ypers ypersom omnia; nia; night night-ti -time me epi epileps lepsy, y, eye disea diseas ses, chills chil ls and fe f ever, painful painf ul obs obstt ructi ruction on of t he skin due to damp-heat, hypogastric pain, internal urgency, pain of the genitals, contracted sinew s, shan shan dis di sor order der,, ut eri rine ne bleedi bleeding, ng, leu l euc cor orrho rhoe ea, flac fl acc cid iditit y of t he musc muscles of t he lateral l eg and tightness of the muscles of the medial leg.
Primary Pathway The Yin Qiao Q iao M ai originat or iginate es at Jiaohai Jiaohai (Kidney (Ki dney 6) in i n the regio region n of t he medial malleolus mall eolus.. Running up the medial aspect of the leg, it penetrates the genital region then continues internally nall y up t he abdo abdomen men and ches chest t o emerge in the t he supr uprac acll avi avicular cular fo f o ssa at at Q uepen (St om omac ach h 12). The Thenc nce e it mo moves ves up the t he t hro hroat at thro th rough ugh Renying (St om omac ach h 9), continui cont inuing ng up the medi medial al aspec pectt of o f the t he chee heek k to t o the t he in inner ner cant canthus hus of t he eye at Jin Jingmin gming g (Bladd (Bladder er 1). 1). Thenc Thence e it j oi oins ns t he Bladder and Yangqiao Channels, ascends over the head and enters the brain.
Master (Confluent) Point Jiaohai (K 6); Yin heel point
Couple Point Lieque (Lung 7); Luo-Connecting point
Coalescent Points Jiaohai (K 6); Jiaoxin (Kidney 8); Jingming (Bladder 1)
Xi Cleft Point Jiaoxin (Kidney 8)
Associated Channels Kidney, Bladder, Lung
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Yang Qia Qiao o Ma Maii (Yang Mot Motil ilit ity y or Yang He Hee el Vessel) Functions Motor regulation of the lower limbs; regulation of the opening and closing of the eyes; control of the ascent of fluids and the descent of Qi; regulation of muscular activity in general. The Yang Qiao is said to dominate activity.
Indications Daytime epilepsy; insomnia, eye diseases, loss of consciousness, aversion to wind, hemiplegia, pleg ia, chroni chronic c painf painful ul obs o bstr truc uctt io ion, n, rigidit r igidit y of o f the body, bod y, lumbar pain, contrac cont racted ted sinews sinews,, flac f lac-cidity of the muscles of the medial leg and tightness of the muscles of the lateral leg.
Primary Pathway The Yang Qiao M ai aris ari ses at Shenma Shenmaii (Bladder 62) 62 ) below t he lateral malleol m alleolus us and runs r uns up the t he lateral aspec pectt of t he leg leg and and t or ors so t o t he scapula. It pas pass ses ov ove er t he shoul houlder der to t o t he neck, jaw and corner of the mouth before moving up to Jingming (Bladder 1) at the inner cant anthus hus o f the t he eye. eye. Thenc Thence e it j oi oins ns t he Bl Bl adder and Yin Yinqi qiao ao Channel Channels s, asc ascends o ver t he head head and enters t he brain.
Master (Confluent) Point Shenmai (B ( Bl adder 62) 6 2);; Yang heel heel poin po intt
Couple Point H ouxi (S (Small mall Int est ine 3); Shu St rea ream m (Woo (W ood) d) poi p oint nt
Coalescent Points Shenmai (Bladder ( Bladder 62) 6 2);; Pus ushen hen (Bladder (Bladd er 61): 61): Fuyang (Bladder (Bladd er 59): 59 ): Femur-J emur-Jul uliao iao (Gall Bl adder 29) 2 9):: N aos aoshu hu (S ( Smal malll In Intt est in ine e 10) 10):: Jiao iaoyu yu (L ( Large In Intt est in ine e 15) 15);; Jugu (Large (Large Int est in ine e 16) 6);; Dic Di cang (St o mac mach h 4); 4) ; N o see-J Jul uliao iao (S (Stt om omac ach h 3); 3 ); Che Chengqi ngqi (S (Stt o mac mach h 1); 1); Jin ingmin gming g (Bladder (Bladd er 1); 1); Fengchi (Gall Bladder 20)
Xi Cleft Point Fuyang (Bladder 59)
Associated Channels Du M ai, Bladder Bladd er,, Small In Intt est in ine, e, Large Large In Intt est in ine, e, Gal Gal l Bladder Bladd er,, St om omac ach h
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Yiin Wei Ma Y Maii (Y (Yin in Linkin ing g Vessel) Functions The Yin Yin Wei M ai connects w it h all t he Yin Yin channels and reinf r einfo o rces and balanc bal ances es t heir respec pecti tive ve flow flo w s. The Yin Wei dominates do minates t he int inte erio r of o f t he w hol hole e body.
Indications Cardialgia; Heart pain, pain of the chest, fullness and pain of the lateral costal region, lumbar pain.
Primary Pathway The Yin Yin Wei M ai arises arises at Zhubin (Kid (Kidney ney 9) t he hen n runs r uns up t he medi medial al aspec aspectt of t he leg, leg, up the abdomen and across the chest to the throat where it joins with the Ren Mai.
Master (Confluent) Point N eiguan (Perica (Pericard rdium ium 6)
Couple Point Gongsun Gongs un (Spl plee een n 4); Luo uo-Conn -Connec ectt in ing g po poin intt
Coalescent Points Zhub i n (Kidn Zhubi (Ki dney ey 9); 9) ; Fus Fushe he (Spl plee een n 13) 13);; Daheng D aheng (Spl plee een n 15) 15);; Fuai Fuai (S ( Spl plee een n 16) 16);; Q i men (Liver 14); Tiantu (CV 22); Lianquan (CV 23)
Xi Cleft Point Zhubin (Kidney 9)
Associated Channels Chong M ai, Ren Ren Mai, M ai, Pericardi Pericardium, um, Spl Splee een, n, Kidn Ki dney ey,, Liv Liver er
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Yang Wei Ma Maii (Yang Linking Vessel) Functions The Yin Yin Wei M ai connec conn ectt s w it h all t he Yang channels channels and st st rengt rengthens hens t heir res respec pectt icve flflo o w s; it comp compens ensates ates f or exce xces sses and/ or defi deficienc ciencies ies in t he cir circ cul ulati atio o n of o f t he Yang channels channels.. The Yang Wei dominates the exterior of the whole body.
Indications Chills and fever; Visual dizziness, dyspnoea, acute and sudden pain and swelling of the lumbar region, chills and fever, dyspnoea with raised shoulders, fever and chills.
Primary Pathway The Yang Wei M ai arises arises belo below w t he lateral mall m alleol eolus us at Jin Jinmen men (Bladder (Bladd er 63) and runs ru ns up t he leg alo along ng the path of o f t he Gall Gall Bladder channel. channel. It pas pass ses t hro hrough ugh the hip and on o n thro t hrough ugh the posterior lateral aspect of the trunk, past the axilla to the shoulder and then up behind the earr to ea t o the t he f or orehe ehead. ad. It t hen con connec nectt s t o the t he Ga Gall l Bladder Bladd er channel channel and pass passes bac back k along alo ng the head, hea d, in intt ers ersec ectt in ing g wit w it h the t he St o mac mach h and San Jiao Jiao Cha Channel nnels s befo before re termi t erminat natin ing g at at Fengfu (GV 16) and Yamen (GV 15).
Master (Confluent) Point Waiguan Waigua n (San Jiao Jiao 5); 5) ; Luo uo-Connec -Connectt ing point po int
Couple Point Zulinqi Zuli nqi (Ga ( Gallll Bladder 41); 41); Shu St rea ream m (Wo od od)) point po int
Coalescent Points Jinm inme en (B ( Bladder 63) 63);; Yang angjijiao ao (Ga ( Gallll Bladder 35) 35);; N aos aoshu hu (S ( Small Int est ine 10) 10);; Tia Tianl nliao iao (San (S an Jiao Jiao 15) 5);; Jianj ianjin ing g (Gall Bladder 21 21); ); To uw ei (St (St om omac ach h 8); 8) ; Bens enshen hen (Gall Bl adder 13) 13);; Yang angbai bai (Ga ( Gallll Bladder 14); Toul oulinq inqii (Gall Bladder 15); M uc uchuang huang (Gall (Gall Bladd ladde er 16); Zhe Zhengying ngying (Gall Bladder 17); 17); Che Chengli ngling ng (Gall (Gall Bladder 18); 18); N aokong (Gall (Gall Bladder 19); 19); Fengc ngchi hi (Ga ( Gallll Bl adder 20); 20 ); Fengfu (GV 16) 16);; Yamen Yamen (GV 15) 15)
Xi Cleft Point Yangji angjiao ao (Gall Bladder Bladd er 35)
Associated Channels Dai M ai, Du M ai, San Jiao, Jiao, Gall Bladder Bladd er,, Bladder, Small In Intt est in ine e