DISCUSSING ON ACUPUNCTURE MANIPULATIONS

Huang Shengyuan

(Department of TCM, Sichuan Medical College, Chengdu)

According to the principle of Yin-Yang-Xu-Shi, diseases can be divided into four groups: excess of Yang, excess of Yin, deficiency of Yang and deficiency of Yin (or Yin-Yang), Corresponding to these, we suggested four different types of needling manipulations to regain homeostatic balance, e.g. the sparrow-peck, intermittent stimulation, needle retaining with vibration, and simple needle retaining. This system of therapeutic needling manipulations is a result of prolonged clinical observations based on the theories of acupuncture and moxibustion supported by certain biophysical parameters such as the action potentials of meridian, EEG changes, intracranial pressure changes, and sensory duration of dermal sensitivity.

1. Sparrow-peck. The action potential of meridian, EEG, intracranial pressure and show that sparrow-peck technique has an action of reducing Yang.

2. Intermittent stimulation. The action potential of meridian and EEG changes show that intermittent stimulation technique has an action of reducing Yin.

3. Needle retaining with vibration- The action potential of meridian, EEG and intracranial pressure changes show that needle retaining with vibration technique has an action of reinforcing Yang,

4, Simple needle retaining. The action potential of meridians, EEG changes and sensory duration of dermal sensitivity. It shows that this technique has an action of reinforcing Yin or reinforcing both Yin and Yang.

In conclusion, it is postulated that each of the four needling manipulations is capable of inducing a specific reaction to modify an abnormal physical state to its homeostatic balance and to regain health.

Clinical application of the time-honored theory of traditional Chinese medicine, i.e. the Yin-Yang-Xu-Shi theory, in the practice of acupuncture, has led to the systematization of this art of treatment and has been rewarded with gratifying results.

It is suggested that the current contradictory opinions to the therapeutic value of acupuncture seem in part due to the negligence of technical refinement in its practice, hence different techniques of needling should be further studied both clinically and experimentally.