Reinforcing and Reducing Methods

Reinforcing and reducing are two corresponding methods based on the guide line set in Internal Classic, i.e. reinforcing for the deficiency - syndrome and reducing for the excess - syndrome. The method which is able to invigorate the body resistance and to strengthen the weakened physiological function is called reinforcing, while that which is able to eliminate the pathogenic factors and to harmonize the hyperactive physiological functions is known as the reducing. Clinically, reinforcing or reducing method is applied according to the functional conditions of the patient.

Under different pathological conditions acupuncture may produce different regulating functions, or the effects of the reinforcing and reducing. If an individual is subject to a collapse condition, acupuncture functions to rescue yang from collapse ; when an individual is under a condition of internal pathogenic heat, acupuncture functions to expel the heat outwards. Acupuncture can not only relieve the stomach and intestine spasms, but also strengthen the stomach and intestine peristalsis. This dual regulating function is closely related to the condition of anti - pathogenic factors of the human body. If it is vigorous, the meridian qi is easy to be activated and the regulating function is good. On the contrary, if it is lowered, the meridian qi is difficult to be excited and the regulating function is poor.

Acupuncture is an approach which can promote the transformation of the internal environment of the human body. For this purpose certain manipulations are created. Acupuncturists in past ages developed and summarized a lot of reinforcing and reducing methods which are still commonly used in clinic.

• Reinforcing and reducing by lifting and thrusting the needle : In Classic on Medical Problems, it states, " Heavy pressing of the needle to a deep region is known as reinforcing, while forceful lifting of the needle to the superficial region is known as reducing. It tells the reinforcing from the reducing by the force and speed used. After the needle is inserted to a given depth and the needling sensation appears, the reinforcing is obtained by lifting the needle gently and slowly, while thrusting the needle heavily and rapidly. The reducing is achieved by lifting the needle forcefully and rapidly while thrusting the needle gently and slowly
• Reinforcing and reducing by twirling and rotating the needle. The reinforcing and reducing of this kind can be differentiated by the amplitude and speed used. When the needle is inserted to a certain depth, rotating the needle gently and slowly with small amplitude is called the reinforcing, on the contrary, rotating the needle rapidly with large amplitude is known as the reducing. In the seventy - third chapter of Miraculous Pivot, it says, " Twirling the needle slowly is the reinforcing and twirling the needle rapidly to promote the flow of qi is the reducing method. " In addition, the reinforcing and reducing methods are distinguished by clockwise or counter - clockwise rotation of the needle. In other words, the right rotation is the reducing method, and the left rotation is the reinforcing method. In Guide to Acupuncture it describes, " Rotating the needle forward with the thumb means the reinforcing ; rotating the needle backward with the thumb means the reducing. " Of course, twirling of the needle doesn ' t follow on direction. There is a difference only between the speed of rotation and the force used. For example, in forth turning, the needle is rotated forcefully and rapidly by the thumb, however, in back turning, the needle is rotated gently and slowly by the thumb. The right rotation is just in the opposite way
• The reinforcing and reducing achieved by rapid and slow insertion and withdrawal of the needle : This is another kind of reinforcing and reducing methods distinguished by the speed of insertion and withdrawal of the needle. In the first chapter of Miracular Pivot, it says that " inserting the needle slowly and withdrawing it rapidly is the reinforcing method, and inserting the needle rapidly and withdrawing it slowly is the reducing method. " In the third chapter of Miraculous Pivot the same explanation is given. During manipulations the reinforcing method is performed by inserting the needle to a given depth slowly and lifting it rapidly just beneath the skin, and a moment later withdraw it. The reducing method is performed just in a opposite procedure
• The reinforcing and reducing achieved by keeping the hole open or close. In Chapter 53 of Plain Questions, it says that " excess is due to the entrance of the pathogenic factor into the human body whereas deficiency is due to exit of the vital qi. " On withdrawing of the needle, shake it to enlarge the hole and allow the pathogenic factor going out. This is called the reducing method. Conversely, pressing the hole quickly to close it and preventing the vital qi from escaping is called the reinforcing method
• The reinforcing and reducing achieved by the direction the needle tip pointing to. In Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, it says, " The three yang meridians of hand run from the hand up to the head. The needle tip pointing downwards, i.e. against the meridian course, is known as the reducing method. The opposite direction of the needle tip pointing to, i.e. following the running course of the meridian, is known as the reinforcing method "
• The reinforcing and reducing achieved by means of respiration : In Chapter 27 of Plain Questions, it states, " The reinforcing is achieved by inserting the needle when the patient breathes in and withdrawing the needle when the patient breathes out. The reducing is achieved in an opposite way "

In addition to the above - mentioned methods, even reinforcing and reducing movement is also used in clinic. This method is used in treating diseases which are a typical to deficiency or excess nature. Lift, thrust and rotate the needle evenly and gently at moderate speed to cause a mild sensation and withdraw the needle at moderate speed as well.

" Selling the mountain on fire " : This method is derived from the reinforcing procedures of slow and rapid insertion, lifting and thrusting and keeping the hole open or close. When it is applied, the patient feels warm at the punctured part. This method is often used to treat the diseases of deficiency - cold nature. During the operation, after the needle is inserted slowly beneath the skin the needle is repeatedly thrust thrice according to the superficial, medium and deep sequences, and lifted once. At a depth of 0.5 cun and the arrival of qi achieved the needle is lifted and thrust for nine times. Then the needle is inserted to a depth of I cun and lifted and thrust for another nine times. After that the needle is inserted to a depth of 1.5 cun, and lifted and thrust for nine times too. Repeated operations can be conducted for several times until a warm feeling is got. Quickly withdraw the needle and press the hole.

" Penetrating - heaven, coolness " : This method is derived from the reducing procedures of slow and rapid insertion, lifting and thrusting and keeping the hole open or close. When this method is employed, the patient has a cool sensation at the punctured part. This method is usually applied to the excess syndrome and heat syndrome. After it is inserted quickly to a certain depth, the needle is repeatedly lifted thrice according to the deep, medium and superficial sequences and thrust once. At a depth of 1.5 cun and the arrival of qi achieved the needle is lifted quickly and thrust slowly for six times. After that the needle is lifted to a depth of I cun and given the same operation. Then the needle is further lifted to a depth of 0.5 cun and given the same operation too. Repeated operation can be conducted for several times until a cool feeling is got.