Acupuncture: In The Beginning

Japanese Acupuncture

In The Beginning

When our ancestors did not have technical knowledge to observe and understand a human body, they relied on empirical observations of the external manifestation to infer the functions of organs within. They were apt to grasp the nature, or, the Intention* and the manifestation of diseases, and they perfected the observation of the exterior and the insight to the interior. They emphasized the human body as a whole to the relationship with the natural phenomena they experienced; such as day and night, light and dark, hot and cold, four seasons. By regarding a human body as a small universe* (therefore, a part of the Universe), astronomy and Ba Gua were further refined to incorporate physics and mathematics. By applying and establishing laws, they strived to attain the fundamental truth that transcended time* (The Tai Qi = The Oneness). To the day, the fundamentals of Oriental Medicine have not changed over millenniums.

*Intention: Yi (意)
*Small Universe: we are made of atoms that are constantly vibrating (the energy).
*Western medicine fundamental principle is always changing.
Most Commonly Asked Question
Everyone asks me if a particular symptom is treatable by acupuncture. To this, my answer is 99.9%, yes. I cannot think of a single symptom which acupuncture cannot treat. If we treat the body as a whole and bring into balance (homeostatic balance), then every possible symptom can be treated. It means by treating all major organs, namely, the Liver, the Heart, the Spleen, the Lungs, and the Kidneys*, all diseases could be treated (or, one might say, all disease are the results of imbalance with the five organs). This is called the Tai Qi Treatment. Millions of diseases are deduced to the five elements, then to the Three*, then to Yin and Yang, and finally the Tai Qi (Oneness). This fundamental approach has not changed for millenniums.

Therefore, I do not like the idea of specialization in acupuncture. Specialization is a western idea, and it is against the spirit of ancient Chinese who established and perfected acupuncture 2000 years ago.

Consequently, I do not use fancy equipments. I believe in basic treatment with needles (Yin) and moxa* (Yang). My mentor once told me that if there was pain, then it was not acupuncture. My treatment is very comfortable, and most of my patients fall asleep.

*Each organ is capitalized because it has some different functions than western medical science.
*The Three: could be interpreted as the Heaven, the Earth, and the Man, or the Liver, the Kidneys, and the Spleen, or the Upper (Jiao), the Middle, and the Lower, etc.
*Moxa: Chinese herb

A Good Question

Someone asked me how acupuncture worked on urinary track infections (UTI).
I thought this was an excellent question. Since an acupuncture needle cannot kill bacteria directly, how does acupuncture really work against certain diseases?
Before I answer the question, I need to ask readers to drop the western scientific way of thinking. If you do not, you cannot understand the concepts of Oriental Medicine. No, a needle cannot kill bacteria. But when you shift your mind to the Oriental way, you understand that it does…indirectly. The answer to the question is something to do with our “wisdom within.” In my first newsletter, I mentioned that “med” in Oriental Medicine is about “activating the natural healing power of the body.” After millions of years of evolution it is natural to have a defense mechanism built into our body. This system keeps us in homeostasis balance. We have the power to kill bacteria. An acupuncturist taps the wisdom within our body and activates the defense system. This is the very reason why acupuncture does not require drugs or surgeries. Yes, acupuncture works for UTI. It has been working for over 2000 years.

If you would like to see the wisdom in action, take a look at a dying man. Man’s wisdom prepares for the unavoidable death. All the things he has done in his life are brought into balance. He accepts death and feels comfortable. He has no more pain. He starts having an angelic face a few days before he dies. Our healing power within is always wise and spiritual.

(There is a Japanese saying: if the ending is good, all is good.)