Illustrated Chinese Moxibustion Techniques and Methods. Xiaorong Chang
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stasis. This manifests as welling or flat abscesses, lumps or blood stasis. Moxibustion can free and regulate the qi dynamic, and harmonize and disinhibit construction and defence, allowing stasis and knots to naturally dissipate. For this reason, in clinical practice moxibustion is often used for the treatment of diseases involving qi and blood stagnation, such as early mammary welling abscess, scrofula and goitre. According to modern medical research, moxibustion can cause an increase in neutrocytes and phagocytic function, and a decrease in inflammatory exudation. For these reasons moxibustion is able to dissipate congealed cold, disperse swelling, disperse welling and flat abscesses, either speeding the ulceration of suppurative sores or dispelling putridity and engendering flesh in the case of qi vacuity sores that fail to close. In this way, moxibustion achieves the effects of dispersing stasis and dissipating binds, quickening blood and ceasing pain.
11.5 PREVENT DISEASE, IMPROVE HEALTH AND PROLONG LIFE
In Bian Que Xin Shu it says, ‘In times of health, moxibustion of Guan Yuan (RN-4), Qi Hai (RN-6), Ming Men (DU-4), and Zhong Wan (RN-12), will guarantee a hundred or more years of life.’ This quotation describes the disease prevention and health improving effects of moxibustion. Performing moxibustion when there is no disease can stimulate right qi, strengthen the ability to resist disease, restore energy and allow longevity without debilitation. Modern medical research points out that moxibustion of Zu San Li (ST-36), Bai Hui (DU-20), for example, can reduce blood coagulation and lower blood lipids and cholesterol. From this we can see why performing moxibustion in times of health can strengthen disease resistance, increase energy levels and prolong life.
12. Point Selection Principles and Combined Point Prescriptions
Moxibustion prescriptions are formed under the guidance of the theories of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), especially those of the channel and collateral doctrine. According to the principles for point selection and methods of combining points, acupoints are chosen and combined to form a treatment strategy. As acupoints are the basic element in moxatherapy prescriptions, the precise and appropriate selection of acupoints will directly influence the treatment efficacy. The creation of point prescriptions should be done in accordance with the basic point selection principles and methods of combining points.
12.1 POINT SELECTION PRINCIPLES
The principles for selection of points are the basic rules to be followed when choosing which points to direct treatment at when performing moxatherapy. They include selection of local points, distal points, points according to pattern, and selection of points according to signs and symptoms. The principles for selection of local and distal points are based primarily on the area of pathology, while the selection of points according to pattern and signs and symptoms is based on analysis of the manifestation of pathology.
1.Selection of Local Points: This is a method of choosing points that are at or near to the area of pathological change, and is a reflection of the local therapeutic response characteristic of acupoints. It is usually used in the case of obvious local symptoms, such as choosing Zhong Wan (RN-12) to treat stomach pain, Ting Gong (SI-19) to treat tinnitus, and Xia Che (ST-6) and Di Cang (ST-4) to treat facial paralysis.
2.Selection of Distal Points: This is a method of choosing points that are distant from the area of pathological change, but that are located on the channel or collateral that the area is associated with. This is a reflection of the rule that ‘if the channel reaches an area, the channel is the primary treatment choice’. For example, in the case of stomach pain, Zu San Li (ST-36), on the Foot-Yangming Stomach channel, will be chosen; Nei Ting (ST-44), also on the Foot-Yangming Stomach channel, is chosen for treating toothache in the upper jaw; while the point He Gu (LI-4) on the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine channel is chosen for treating lower jaw toothache.
3.Selection of Points According to Pattern: This method of point selection is carried out according to the patient’s syndromes, cause of disease and pathomechanism; after analysis the points selected are based on the resulting pattern. In clinical practice there are some disease patterns such as heat effusion, profuse sweating, night sweating, vacuity qi desertion, tugging wind and stupor that do not have an obvious limited area of pathological change, but rather are generalized conditions. Additionally, some internal organ disease patterns require point selection based on organ pattern identification. In these cases the method of selecting points according to pattern is used, for example: Shen Shu (BL-23) and Tai Xi (KI-3) for vacuity heat caused by deficiency of kidney yin; Tai Chong (LR-3) and Xing Jian (LR-2) for headache caused by ascendant liver yang. Besides this, in the case of diseases in which there is an obvious area of pathological change, basing selection of points on the cause and mechanism of disease is the realization of the principle of ‘treating the root’. For example, toothache can be divided into wind-fire toothache, stomach fire toothache and kidney vacuity toothache depending on the cause of disease; Feng Chi (GB-20) and Wai Guan (SJ-5) are chosen for wind-fire toothache, Nei Ting (ST-44) and Er Jian (LI-2) are chosen for stomach-fire toothache, and Tai Xi (KI-3) and Xing Jian (LR-2) are chosen for kidney vacuity toothache.
4.Selection of Points According to Signs and Symptoms: This principle, also known as ‘selection of points based on experience’, is based on specific therapeutic characteristics of certain acupoints. For example, Ding Chuan (M-BW-1) is selected for treatment of asthma, Si Feng (M-UE-9) is for child gan accumulation (spleen vacuity with food accumulation) and Yao Tong (N-UE-19) is for lower back pain. This is the treatment characteristic of the majority of extra points.
12.2 METHODS FOR POINT COMBINATION
This is a method for choosing combinations of points with similar indications, or that have a synergistic function in treating disease. It is guided by the point selection principles, and is done in accordance with the area, cause and mechanism of the disease being treated. A variety of different methods are used in clinical practice, and they can be divided into two general categories: point combination according to location and point combination according to channel.
1.Point Combination According to Location: This point combination method selects acupoints from different regions of distribution to deliver combined effects. It includes local and distal point combination, upper and lower point combination, front and back point combination, and left and right point combination.