Table of contents hide 1 INTRODUCTION 2 YING AND YANG 2.1 QI 2.2 WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE? 3 HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK? 4 FOR WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE? 5 Acupuncture and its mechanisms by Mar a Martrat
“THE LIFE OF MAN IS THE RESULT OF THE ENERGY CONCENTRATION. IF THE ENERGY IS CONCENTRATED LIFE APPEARS, IF THE ENERGY IS DISPERSED, DEATH COMES ”
(ZHUANG ZI).
INTRODUCTION
Acupuncture, moxibustion, phytotherapy (medicinal herbs), food, exercise (Tai Chi, Qi Gong) are an integral part of the practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine (MTC).
They respond to a theoretical and philosophical system based on research and observation throughout the last millennia; to a mode of "dialectical thinking" that investigates within the laws that govern the macrocosm as well as the microcosm.
Yin-Yang, the theory of the five elements, the Zang-Fu, the essence of Qi, blood (Xue), body fluids, meridians, etiology, pathogenesis, diagnostic systems, prevention rules and treatment, are fundamental pillars for health and long life.
THE YING AND THE YANG
To the Yang belongs the luminous, the sky, the clear, expansive, all activity, external expression, what goes up, what shines.
To the Yin belongs the internal, the earth, what descends, the dark, what recedes, the decrease of an activity.
At first, the universe was in "Wu Chi" (meaning "empty", "there is nothing"). As an egg full of a "sea of air" began to move, always changing. From that movement the water was produced (by the theory of the five elements). And the water produced the wood and the wood produced the fire. The fire warmed and expanded that "sea of air", that "egg", and there was a great explosion.
From that explosion the lightest and lightest particles rose to the sky: the Yang. And the dirtiest and heaviest descended to the earth: Lo Yin. Between heaven and earth is man and nature. Thus we have defined the principle of Yin-Yang in the concept of triagram: Earth-Man-Sky.
THE QI
“WHEN THE QI OF THE EARTH RISES THE CLOUDS ARE FORMED; WHEN THE QI DELCIELO DESCENDS, THE RAIN IS PRODUCED ”.
Like day and night, heat and cold, movement and rest. "The Yin Yang movement and changes promote the development and change of things." This is explained in the chapter "The Manifestations of Yin and Yang" of Su Wen, the interdependence between opposites and complementary.
The universe expands. The force that energizes the most basic material structure of the universe in MTC is called Qi ("chi"). The concept of Qi is broad and is also used to explain each of the events or things that form its manifestations.
EVERY BLOCK OR STAGING OF THE QI IS GENERATOR OF DISTURBANCES, WHICH CAN BE EXPRESSED BOTH IN THE PHYSICAL AND IN THE ANIMIC AND SPIRITUAL.
The "concentration of energy" that shapes all things in the human body must flow in harmony according to the times in which it passes (different schedules, seasons, ages) and without obstacles (external, "perverse" climatic factors or internal emotions) to be healthy.
The Qi is transformed into matter but its essence is invisible. What we see is only the expression of it (which is in the macrocosm, universe, as well as in the microcosm, our body).
WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE?
It is a therapy that has more than 5000 years of evolution. Throughout history, it has been used successfully in millions of people. The oldest book of medicine, on earth and curiously still current, is the SO WEN NEI JIN, a book that was written around 2500 BC
It seems that he himself is a compilation of older books on the subject. The illustration that can be seen next to it is the first page of a modern edition of this book. Acupuncture was not used only in China, but in all the realms of its influence, such as Japan, Korea, Vietnam, etc., and since the 17th century in the west.
Naturally, at all times and in all countries, dozens of healing techniques are invented every year and only those that have a real and proven usefulness remain, the rest being forgotten.
Acupuncture serves humanity for more than 5000 years, being revalidated and perfected in every era. Throughout Europe, it is taught in universities, in many countries it enters Social Security, or is recognized by the State.
HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK?
It is based on a philosophy called TAO. Philosophy of the harmony and balance of man with his environment, and with himself. It is probably the most subtle therapeutic. It is based on correcting energy imbalances, which runs through the body. Energy that is represented by a series of points, called meridians.
There are 12 meridians, each representing an organ (liver, lung, etc.) or a viscera (bladder, gallbladder, etc.). These meridians travel the body from top to bottom and from bottom to top. To achieve this balance, the command points of the affected meridian are used. There are command points to disperse (remove energy), to tone (produce energy), or pass energy to a coupled meridian.
In addition to the medical history, the only assessment point coinciding with Western medicine, the pulse diagnosis, essential pillar, is used for energy diagnosis. In the radial artery, 12 different pulses are seen, 6 in each hand, each corresponding to an organ. Logically, it is not possible to try to carry out an adequate treatment, but a proper diagnosis has been made.
There are other means to confirm the pulse diagnosis, if necessary, such as tongue diagnosis, changes in the coloration of certain areas of the face, etc.
So what does acupuncture serve?
Acupuncture can be used in almost all pathologies. But the most spectacular effects are seen in functional pathologies, that is, where there is still no organic injury.
If someone suffers an injury to a heart valve, and wants to be treated with acupuncture. You can improve your general condition, and perhaps, get it to evolve no more, but you can not return to normal that injured tissue.
It could only be cured through surgery. In cases where there is no organic injury, acupuncture is very effective.
It is used successfully among other pathologies in:
* Thinning effortlessly.
* Disposal of tobacco.
* Joint and muscle aches.
* Stress
* Nonspecific symptoms.
* Cervical pain, vertigo and contractures.
* Back and lumbar pains.
* Sciatica, neuralgia.
* Migraines and headaches.
* Allergic rhinitis.
* Digestive disorders: constipation, irritable bowel, etc.
* Hypertension.
* Impotence, premature ejaculation.
* Dysmenorrhoea.
Marta Martrat
Director of the VIPASSANA School
www.vipassana.es
Acupuncture and its mechanisms by Mar a Martrat
