BRIEF DISCUSSION ON SHAOSHANHUO AND TOUTIANLIANG

Wen Jiefeng

(Hiiiyang District Hospital of TCM, Guangdong)

"Shaoshanhuo" (Mountain Burning) and "Toutianliang" (Sky Cooling) were ihe modification methods of reinforcing and reducing acupuncture manipulations described in Neijin (Canon of Medicine) for inducing the sensation of heat and cool.

The author had demonstrated this acupuncture manipulation method and treated 25 times during the National Symposium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion held in Guiyang in 1981, and yielded dramatic effect.

The methods of "Shaoshanhuo" and "Toutianliang" acupuncture manipulations are expounded as follows: "Shaoshanhuo", when the needle was inserted into the skin, the operator held the needle for a moment, thrusting and lifting the needle for three times, then the needle was to lifted "the heaven portion" (upper portion) to wait for Qi (needling reaction). Then according to the three portions of "heaven, man, and earth" (upper, middle and lower) the operator rapidly thrusted and lifted slowly the needle for 9 times, after a pause for 5 times of breathing, followed by inserting the needle to the man portion. The needle was then thrusted to the earth portion and the afore-said manipulation was repeated, immediately lifting the needle to the heaven portion. Putting the needle in horizontal position to direct it as the meridian ran. Then the needle was held in position. Thus one course of •manipulation ended. If the therapeutic effect had not been achieved, after an interval of 5-10 minutes, this manipulation might be repeated for 2-3 times. Before withdrawing the needle should be inserted to the earth portion and held for an interval of 10 times of breathing, then the needle was withdrawn and the hole was pressed by a finger rapidly.

"Toutianliang": As the needle was inserted into the skin, the needle was held for a moment, and lifted and thrusted 3 times as before. After that, the needle should be put at man portion to wait for Qi. When Qi appeared the needle should be inserted to the earth portion. According to the earth, man, and heaven, in each portion the operator lifted rapidly and thrusted slowly for 6 times respectively. When the needle stayed at the heaven portion, it was declined in horizontal position opposite to the running meridian, and the needle was held. This was one course of manipulation. If the aim of therapy was not achieved, it might be repeated for 2-3 times as before. Before withdrawing the needle, the operator should thrust the needle to the earth portion. After a pause for 10 times of breathing, the needle was withdrawn slowly, but did not press the needle hole.

The author used this method of acupuncture manipulation derived from the ancient but did not stick to it. The principles of "Shaoshanhuo" and "Toutianliang" are observed that the manipulation is from shallow to deep with rapid thrusting and slow lifting and from deep to shallow with rapid lifting and slow thrusting respectively, but without twisting or twirling the needle during the whole course of the manipulation. According to the author's breathing the author carries out the manual with declining the needle to the direction for or opposite the running meridian. Besides, it is emphasized that when carrying out this manipulation the author is with great concentration on it. "Rapid thrust" means to thrust the needle in with force; and "slow thrust" means to thrust the needle in without much force. The area of thrusting and lifting is about a ""bean-like" large. Therefore one must carry out this manipulation skillfully and pay much attention to it.