Lecture Tung acupuncture techniques by MK Sastry, an attendees's perspective

Lecture on tung therapeutic and six channels theory , from Mk Sastry. So inspiring.

"Acupuncture is a indepth knowledge treating both the symptoms and cause of the disease , but without knowing the symptoms and treating the cause of the disease the entire effort shall be futile , and frustrating, disgrace to the efforts you made. the body has a defense of six channels. The foundation of Traditional Chinese medicine lies upon three basic theories which are referred to as the three pillars of TCM. These are the Yin Yang Five Element theory, Zang Fu theory and Meridian Channel theory. Yin Yang and the Five elements form a basic 

code that can describe all phenomena, events and existence in the universe. They allow the description of all things by an arrangement tocategories, initially by the division to Yin and Yang opposite pairs of duality and then further 

into the 5 distinct categories of the elements. 

Together they form the language that 

describes TCM in the ancient classics. While the rules of the outer universe are discussed inthis language, the environment and the climate of the inner body and it's arrangement into functional systems is described by the Zang Fu theory, the theory of the internal organs. The major subject of discussion in the cassics refers to physiology and pathology in terms of the 5 Zang and the 6 Fu organs. Meridian Channel Theory is the connecting pathway between these two theories of outer and inner climates. The channels are describes and referred to as the avenue that balances external influences and climatic factors and 

regulates their entries and exits into and out of body. This creates a balanced internal climate that permits the harmonious function of the internal organs. 

According to Meridian Channel Theory, the external influences are specific climate factors which are referred to as the 6 Qi. These are Cold, Summer-Heat Fire, Dampness, Dryness, Fire and Wind. It is important to note that the 6 Qi are functional climatic forces which are necessary for the function of the internal organs and are therefore not 'Evil' factors. The 6 Qi may become 'the 6 Evil Qi' if the function of the Meridian-Channel system is not balanced or if they are excessively strong and invade the body. The Meridian Channel systems have both external and internal roles. 

The external role is to balance and regulate the movement of the 6 Qi into and out of the Body. As extensions of the organs, the internal role of the Meridian Channels is to balance and Regulate the functions of the Zang and Fu by creating an infinite web of inner connectionsand by creating the appropriate inner climatic environment specifically needed for each Organ. These relations are specific and bond each climate of the 6 Qi to a specific organ system. The overall structure is referred to in the classics as the 6 Channel Theory and is structured in the body as Tai Yang (Si,UB-cold); 

Shao Yang (Tw,Gb-summer heat fire),Yang  Ming (Li,St-dryness), Tai Yin (Lu,Sp-dampness), Shao Yin (Ht, Ki-fire) and Jue Yin (Pc, Liv-wind),

Part 2 

Many people knows “prescribed herbs not forming a formula (you yao wu fang) and “a formula without modified herbs (you fang wu yao)” while learning herbal prescriptions. The same problems happen to acupuncture too. The so called “using a formula without modified herbs (you fang wu yao)” means rigidly using the formula without changes or modifications according to individual patient’s condition. As the “prescribed herbs not forming a formula (you yao wu fang)” means merely gather a bunch of herbs without following any principles. Some acupuncture treatments fall into the above two circumstances. The acupuncturist merely puts one needle here, one there, without any principles. It is like shooting birds in the dark (making random attempts). One needs to understand the principles of herbal combination to successfully prescribe an effective formula. The same applied to acupuncture too. For instance, some acupuncturists needle Linggu (22.05), Dabai (22.04), Jioil (88.25), Xinmen (33.11), Shouwujin (33.08), Shouxienjin

(33.09), Biyi (1010.22), etc. all together to treat sciatica. Sometimes they even add more points from the 14 channels. This is a typical example of gathering a bunch of points without principles. Certainly the treatment result will not be good. Acupuncture needs to be like prescribing a formula. It is said “Having Songs of Tang Tou Formulas (sets of prescriptions) in mind, one needn't to worry in clinic.” One needs to have sets of point prescriptions in mind as basis before selecting treatment points.

First is to memorize the application principles of the special points. For example, for the Five Transport points, one can memorize the texts in the Ling Shu in chapter 44 (’The Sequence of Qi and the Four Seasons within a Single Day’): When the disease is at the Zang, needle the Jing-Well point. If manifesting as a change in the color, needle the Ying-Spring point. When the disease attacks intermittently, needle the Shu-Stream point. When the disease manifests as changes in the patient’s voice, needle the Jing-River point. If there is disease of the stomach and irregular appetite, needle the He-sea point. In Ling Shu, in chapter 4 Disease Patterns of Zangfu as Caused by Pathogenic Qi says: the Ying-spring and Shu-stream points treat the exterior channels; and He-sea points treat the internal Fu. Classic of Difficulties (68th Difficulty) says “Jing-well points for fullness below the heart, Ying-spring points for heat of the body, Shu-stream points for heaviness of the body and pain of the joints, Jing-River points for dyspnea, cough, chills and fever, He-Sea points for rebellious Qi and diarrhea. If one can memorize those texts, he/she can apply them to the clinic practice potentially. Whenever encounter the pain, first select the Shu-stream point of the disease channel, because Shu-stream points govern the pain syndromes. When encounter the diseases of qi reverse, select the He-sea points of the channel. For example, cough is the qi reverse of the Lung, so first thing is to select the He-sea point of the Lung, Chize (LU5) to treat it. Hiccup, the qi reverse of the Spleen, select the He-sea point of the Spleen, Yinlingquan (SP9), or Jienshi (PC5) in the Pericardium channel, because “the disease manifested with voice (sound) change, select the Jing-river points, and also that the communication of the Pericardium and the stomach.

Secondly, memorize three to five classical songs or odes. For example, Bai Zheng Fu (Ode of a Hundred Patterns), Zhou Huo Ge (Song to Keep Up Your Sleeve), Biao Yo Fu (Song of Elucidate Mysteries), Xi Hong Fu (Ode of Xi Hong), Tong Xiuan Zhi Yao Fu (Ode of the Essentials of Understanding), Zha Bing Xue Fa Ge (Song of Points for Miscellaneous Diseases), Shen Yu Ge (Song More Precious Than Jade). All those are very popular and useful songs and odes. By memorizing those songs and odes myself, I gained very strong foundation in acupuncture. I also recommended my students to memorize those songs and odes so to skillfully select points in practice. Those songs and odes are set prescriptions. For example, in Xi Hong Fu (Ode of Xi Hong) and Zha Bing Xue Fa Ge (Song of Points for Miscellaneous Diseases), they both say the combination of Lei Xue (LU7) and Tai Yuan (LU9) treats the qi stabbing the two breasts, and temporal and frontal headache. The clinical experience proves it. Also, in Bai Zhen Fu (Ode of a Hundred Patterns), it says “sore throat, Yi Men (SJ2) and Yu Ji (LU10) can treat.” In my decades of clinical practice, I use Yi Men and Yu Ji to treat sore throat and always receive instant results. Another example, Za Bing Xue Fa Ge (Song of Points for Miscellaneous Diseases) says, “Urination obstruction, needling Yinlingquen (SP9) and Zusanli (ST36) will drain the urine like stream flow.” There are too many such examples to enumerate piece by piece. Those point prescriptions are very refined. They usually contain one or two points.

Having those prescriptions at hand make clinical practice convenient and create high efficacy. Besides, those prescriptions are very refined and contain only a few points.