Basics of Acupuncture

325 Pages·1995·9.209 MB·English

by  Dr. med. Gabriel Stux, Prof. Bruce Pomeranz MD, Ph. D (auth.)

Springer
Berlin
Heidelberg
New York
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Gabriel Stux Bruce Pomeranz
Basics of Acupuncture
Third, Revised and Enlarged Edition
Gabriel Stux Bruce Pomeranz
Basics of
Acupuncture
Translations of Chinese Terms by K. A. Sahm
Illustrations by Petra Kofen
Third, Revised and Enlarged Edition
With 72 Figures
i
Springer
Dr. med. Gabriel Stux
Acupuncture Center
GoltsteinstraBe 26, D-40211 Dusseldorf
Germany
Prof. Bruce Pomeranz MD, Ph. D
Dept. of Physiology (Faculty of Medicine)
Dept. of Zoology (Faculty of Arts and Science)
University of Toronto
25, Harbord St., Toronto M5S1Al
Ontario, Canada
This book is based on the following books published by
Springer-Verlag:
Acupuncture, Textbook and Atlas
Einftihrung in die Akupunktur
ISBN 978-3-042-49113-9 ISBN 978-3-642-85496-5 (eBook)
DOl 10.1 007/978-3-642-85496-5
Die Deutsche Bibliothek - CIP-Einheitsaufnahme
Basics of acupuncture 1 Gabriel Stux ; Bruce Pomeranz. "frans!. of Chinese terms
by K. A. Sabm. Ill. by Petra Kofen. -3., rev. and enl. ed. - Berlin; Heidelberg;
New York : Sprin~er, 1995
ISBN 978-3-642-49113-9
NE: Stux, Gabriel; Pomeranz, Bruce
Cip Data applied for
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Preface to the Third Edition
In 1987, our first book Acupuncture: Textbook and Atlas received
rave reviews (e. g., in New England Journal of Medicine). This
prompted us to write this smaller affordable version in order to
reach a wider audience. The smaller format has been so successful
that we are now into our third revised edition. This has given us
the opportunity to update and improve the book. For example, nu
merous new references to scientific advances have been added.
Also the section on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) was ad
ded because it gives a more complete picture of the current prac
tice of acupuncture.
Acupuncture has come a long way since our first book in 1987.
There has been a surge of interest in treating drug addictions by
ear acupuncture in 450 centers world wide. The treatment of nau
sea and vomiting has been so well tested (scientifically) that the
FDA (USA) is considering making this the major indication for
acupuncture in America. Research into its efficacy for neurologi
cal and pulmonary diseases is also gaining credibility. No longer is
chronic pain the only scientifically acceptable use for acupuncture
(based on the endorphin mechanism).
Finally, the exponential increase in the number of acupuncturists
worldwide (an estimated 1 million outside China) has given acu
puncture the critical mass needed for its growth and survival. In
deed, many consider acupuncture to be at the forefront of alterna
tive medicine based on acceptability by physicians, scientific valida
tion, and its proven effectiveness. Ironically, the American legal
system in many states has overtaken the medical profession by giv
ing convicted addicts the choice between jail and acupuncture! To
top it off the FDA (USA) is in the process of changing its 1976 rul-
v
ing on acupuncture from being an "experimental" to a legitimate
medical procedure.
We are proud to have contributed, in some measure, to the re
cent success of acupuncture by writing a book which many consid
er to be one of the leading textbooks on the subject.
May 1995 The Authors
VI
Preface to the First Edition
Basics of Acupuncture is an introduction to acupuncture based on
several books published in German by the first author.
The chapters on the scientific basis of acupuncture and electro
acupuncture were written by Prof. Bruce Pomeranz, an eminent
neurophysiologist who is in the vanguard of basic research into
acupuncture, and teaches acupuncture as an elective course at Uni
versity of Toronto Medical School.
Following an introduction to the philosophical and theoretical
background of traditional Chinese medicine, the diagnostic system
is presented. The Chinese system of channels and functional or
gans and the significance of the points are described. The 14 main
channels with the most important acupuncture points for daily
practice are presented with didactic emphasis on morphology and
clinical applicability. The Chinese point names are given in the
Pin Yin Transcription according to the latest standardization of
the World Health Organization and are translated by Karl Alfried
Sahm into English.
The methods of needling and moxibustion are described in de
tail with their clinical applications. The chapter on treatment is
based on Western modes of diagnosis, discussed in relation to Chi
nese diagnostic categories, and the major principles of therapy.
The most important acupuncture points are given for the differ
ent diagnoses. They should not be used as "recipes" but as hints
to which underlying rules should be used for the selection of
points.
For a more detailed book the reader ist referred to the standard
textbook: Acupuncture Textbook and Atlas by the same authors
(Springer-Verlag ISBN 3-540-17331-5).
VII
Thanks are due to Prof. A. Jayasuriya, Dr. Maria Vinnemeier,
Prof. Zhang Jin, and Prof. Cheng Xingnong who have had impor
tant influences on this book. Thanks to Britta Severin, Janet Dods
worth and Alison Fisher for translation work and for correction of
the manuscript.
Spring, 1988 Gabriel Stux
VIII
Table of Contents
1 Introduction (B. Pomeranz) .................. . 1
Growth of Clinical Acupuncture in the West ...... . 2
2 Scientific Basis of Acupuncture (B. Pomeranz) .... . 4
2.1 Acupuncture Analgesia (Basic Research) ........ . 4
2.1.1 Neural Mechanisms of Acupuncture Analgesia .... . 5
2.1.2 Evidence for Endorphins and Acupuncture Analgesia 13
2.1.3 Evidence for Midbrain Monoamines and Acupuncture
Analgesia .............................. . 18
2.1.4 Evidence for Pituitary Hypothalamic System
and Acupuncture Analgesia ................. . 19
2.1.5 Conclusions ............................. . 20
2.2 Acupuncture Analgesia for Chronic Pain ........ . 21
2.3 Drug Addiction .......................... . 24
2.4 Nerve Regeneration, Cardiovascular, Antiemetic
and Urogenital Effects of Acupuncture ......... . 26
2.5 Acupuncture Points (Do They Really Exist?) ..... . 28
2.5.1 Does Needling at True Points Work Better Than
Needling at Sham Points? ................... . 29
2.5.2 Are There Unique Anatomical Structures
at Acupuncture Points? .................... . 30
2.5.3 Do Acupuncture Points Have Unique Physiological
Features? .............................. . 32
2.5.4 What Nerves Are Activated by Acupuncture? 36
3 Background and Theory
of Traditional Chinese Medicine (G.Stux) 61
3.1 Tao, Yin, and Yang ........................ . 61
3.2 The Vital Energy, Life Force: Qi .............. . 62
IX
3.3 Pathogenesis of Chinese Medicine ............. 64
3.4 The System of Five Phases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
3.5 Diagnosis in Traditional Chinese Medicine ....... 67
4 Channels, Organs, and Points (G.Stux) . . . . . . . . . . 72
4.1 System of Channels and Organs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
4.2 Point Categories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
4.2.1 Shu Points or Transport Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
4.2.2 Mu or Alarm Points ....................... 78
4.2.3 Influential Points, Hui Xue .................. 79
4.2.4 Xi-Cleft Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
4.2.5 Five Shu Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
4.2.6 Tonification Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
4.2.7 Sedative Point ........................... 80
4.2.8 Jing Well Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
4.2.9 Ying Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
4.2.10 Yuan Source Point ........................ 81
4.2.11 Jing Point. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
4.2.12 He Sea Point ............................ 81
4.2.13 Luo Connecting Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
4.2.14 Confluent Points. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
4.3 Methods of Point Location .................. 82
4.4 Description of Channels and Points ............ 88
4.4.1 Lung Channel ........................... 88
4.4.2 Large Intestine Channel .................... 96
4.4.3 Stomach Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 102
4.4.4 Spleen Channel .......................... 112
4.4.5 Heart Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 118
4.4.6 Small Intestine Channel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 122
4.4.7 Urinary Bladder Channel ................... 126
4.4.8 Kidney Channel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 140
4.4.9 Pericardium Channel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 144
4.4.10 Sanjiao Channel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 148
4.4.11 Gallbladder Channel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 154
4.4.12 Liver Channel ........................... 164
4.4.13 Du Mai . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 168
4.4.14 Ren Mai ............................... 174
4.4.15 Extra Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 180
x