Basics of Acupuncture

304 Pages·1991·6.174 MB·English

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

Gabriel Stux Bruce Pomeranz
Basics of
Acupuncture
Translations of Chinese Terms by K. A. Sahm
Illustrations by Petra Kofen
Second, Revised and Enlarged Edition
With 72 Figures
Springer-Verlag
Berlin Heidelberg New York
London Paris Tokyo
Hong Kong Barcelona
Dr. med. Gabriel Stux
Acupuncture Center
GoltsteinstraBe 26, 0-4000 Dusseldorf
Federal Republic of 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 M5S1A1
Ontario, Canada
This book is based on the following books published by
Springer-Verlag:
Acupuncture, Textbook and Atlas
ISBN 3-540-17331-5/0-387-17331-5
Grundlagen der Akupunktur
ISBN 3-540-15845-6/0-387-15845-6
ISBN-13 :978-3-540-53072-5 e-ISBN-J3 :978-3-642-97280-5
001: 10.1007/978-3-642-97280-5
This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved, whether the whole or part of
the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of
illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in other ways, and
storage in data banks. Duplication of this publication or parts thereof is only permitted
under the provisions of the Gennan Copyright Law of September 9, 1965, in its version
of June 24, 1985, and a copyright fee must always be paid. Violations fall under the
prosecution act of the German Copyright Law.
© Springer· Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1988, 1991
The use of registered names, trademarks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even
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Typesetting, printing, and binding: Appl, Wemding
2119/3130·543210 - Printed on acid·free paper
Preface to the Second Edition
We are very pleased that it has become necessary after such a short
time to publish a new edition of this handy guide to acupuncture,
which is intended to combine practicality with an affordable price.
It, just like the first edition, is based on our larger Acupunclure
Textbook and Atlas, but we have taken this opportunity to revise
and update the text. For example, several scientific advances have
been included in Chapter 2 (e. g., findings of recent studies on drug
addiction, antiemetic effects, and urogenital efficacy).
In response to numerous requests we have added a detailed
account of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in Chapter 8.
Although most practitioners in the West have been using "scien
tific" acupuncture (e. g., stimulating peripheral nerves to release
endorphins), a growing number are now trying TCM approaches.
The mechanism of action of TCM is unknown: the method is based
on empirical phenomenology and pattern recognition rather than
cause-and-effect logic. Nevertheless, double-blind, controlled scien
tific trials are required to determine whether TCM is more effective
than "scientific" acupuncture. Scientific assessment of TCM in con
trolled clinical trials is possible even in the absence of a scientific
explanation of its mechanism of action, i. e., even if we do not
know how it works. Many successful Western medical procedures
are empirical; for instance, gaseous anesthetics are used widely al
though we do not understand how they work. We hope that the in
clusion of TCM in this book otherwise presenting the conventional
Western understanding of acupuncture will encourage clinicians to
undertake the clinical studies necessary to determine its efficacy.
Autumn, 1990 The Authors
v
Preface to the First Edition
Basics of Acupuncture is an introduction to acupuncture based on
several books published in Gennan 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 organs
and the significance of the points are described. The 14 main chan
nels 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 detail
with their clinical applications. The chapter on treatment is based
on Western modes of diagnosis, discussed in relation to Chinese di
agnostic categories, and the major principles of therapy. The most
important acupuncture points are given for the different diagnoses.
They should not be used as "recipes" but as hints to which underly
ing rules should be used for the selection of points.
For a more detailed book the reader is 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 BriUa 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 14
2.1.3 Evidence for Midbrain Monoamines and Acupuncture
Analgesia ...................... . 18
2.1.4 Evidence for Pituitary Hypothalamic System and
Acupuncture Analgesia . . . . . . . . . . 20
2.1.5 Conclusions ............... . 21
2.2 Acupuncture Analgesia for Chronic Pain 21
2.3 Drug Addiction ............. . 24
2.4 Nerve Regeneration, Cardiovascular, Antiemetic and
Urogenital Effects of Acupuncture ....... . 25
2.5 Acupuncture Points (Do They Really Exist?) .. 27
2.5.1 Does Needling at True Points Work Better Than
Needling at Sham Points? ........ . 28
2.5.2 Are There Unique Anatomical Structures
at Acupuncture Points? ............... . 29
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) 56
3.1 Tao, Yin, and Yang ........... . 56
IX
3.2 The Vital Energy, Life Force: Qi ..... . 57
3.3 The System of Five Phases ........ . 61
3.4 Diagnosis in Traditional Chinese Medicine 62
4 Channels, Organs, and Points (G. Stux) . 67
4.1 System of Channels and Organs 67
4.2 Point Categories . . . . . . . . 73
4.2.1 Shu Points or Transport Points 73
4.2.2 Mu or Alarm Points .... 74
4.2.3 Influential Points, Hui Xue 74
4.2.4 Xi-Cleft Points .. 74
4.2.5 Five Shu Points .. 74
4.2.6 Tonification Point 75
4.2.7 Sedative Point 75
4.2.8 Jing Well Point .. 75
4.2.9 Ying Point .... 76
4.2.10 Yuan Source Point. 76
4.2.11 Jing Point ..... . 76
4.2.12 He Sea Point ... . 76
4.2.13 Luo Connecting Point 77
4.2.14 Confluent Points ... 77
4.3 Methods of Point Location 77
4.4 Description of Channels and Points 84
4.4.1 Lung Channel . . . . . . 84
4.4.2 Large Intestine Channel . 92
4.4.3 Stomach Channel 98
4.4.4 Spleen Channel ..... 108
4.4.5 Heart Channel . . . . . . 114
4.4.6 Small Intestine Channel . 118
4.4.7 Urinary Bladder Channel 122
4.4.8 Kidney Channel . . . 136
4.4.9 Pericardium Channel 140
4.4.10 Sanjiao Channel ... 144
4.4.11 Gallbladder Channel 150
4.4.12 Liver Channel 160
4.4.13 Du Mai ... 164
4.4.14 Ren Mai .. 170
4.4.15 Extra Points 176
X
5 Technique of Acupnncture (0. Stux) . 184
5.1 Acupuncture Needles ....... . 184
5.2 De Qi Sensation . . . . . . . . . . . 186
5.3 Tonifying and Sedating Methods of Stimulation 187
5.4 Sterilization of the Needles ........ . 188
5.5 Complications of Acupuncture Treatment . 189
5.6 Moxibustion . . . . 190
5.7 Acupressure .... 193
5.8 Laser Acupuncture . 194
6 Acupuncture Treatment (0. Stux) ............. 196
6.1 Principles of Acupuncture and Rules of Point Selection 197
6.2 Locomotor Disorders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
6.2.1 Cervical Spondylitis, Torticollis, Rheumatoid Arthritis 205
6.2.2 Intercostal Neuralgia, Trauma of the Thorax,
Ankylosing Spondylitis, Zoster Neuralgia ... . 205
6.2.3 Sciatica, Lumbar Pain .............. . 207
6.2.4 Periarthritis Humeroscapularis, Frozen Shoulder 208
6.2.5 Epicondylitis, Tennis Elbow. . . . . . 209
6.2.6 Coxarthrosis, Coxarthritis . . . . . . . 210
6.2.7 Gonarthrosis, Pain in the Knee Joint . 210
6.2.8 Rheumatoid Arthritis ... . . . . . . 211
6.3 Respiratory Disorders 212
6.3.1 Common Cold .. 214
6.3.2 Maxillary Sinusitis . 214
6.3.3 Frontal Sinusitis . . 215
6.3.4 Chronic Bronchitis . 215
6.3.5 Bronchial Asthma . 216
6.4 Cardiovascular Disorders ........... . 217
6.4.1 Coronary Heart Disease with Angina Pectoris. 217
6.4.2 Cardiac Neurosis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
6.4.3 Exhaustion Conditions in Heart Disease. 218
6.4.4 Hypertension ............... . 218
6.4.5 Hypotension . . . . . . . . ....... . 219
6.4.6 Disturbances of Peripheral Blood Supply 219
XI
6.5 Gastroenterological Disorders . 220
6.5.1 Gastritis, Gastroenteritis .... 221
6.5.2 Gastric and Duodenal Ulcers. 221
6.5.3 Diarrhea ....... . 222
6.5.4 Irritable Bowel Disease ... . 223
6.5.5 Constipation ......... . 224
6.5.6 Cholangitis, Cholecystitis, Biliary Dyskinesia,
Biliary Colic . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
6.6 Mental Disturbances and Illnesses . 225
6.6.1 Depression....... 225
6.6.2 Exhaustion Conditions 227
6.6.3 Agitation . . . . . . 227
6.6.4 Sleep Disturbances . 228
6.6.5 Drug Addiction .. 228
6.6.6 Alcohol Addiction . 229
6.6.7 Nicotine Addiction 230
6.6.8 Overweight, Weight Loss 230
6.7 Neurological Disorders. . 231
6.7.1 Headache and Migraine . 231
6.7.2 Trigeminal Neuralgia 233
6.7.3 Hemiparesis 234
6.7.4 Facial Paresis . 236
6.7.5 Epilepsy .... 236
6.8 Gynecological Disorders 237
6.8.1 Dysmenorrhea . . . . . . 237
6.8.2 Pain Caused by Gynecological Tumors 238
6.8.3 Analgesia During Childbirth 239
6.9 Urological Disorders . .... 239
6.9.1 Pyelonephritis, Urinary Infections, Chronic
Glomerulonephritis ..... . . . . . . . . . 240
6.9.2 Prostatitis, Psychogenic Urological Symptoms 241
6.9.3 Enuresis .... 241
6.10 Skin Disorders 242
6.10.1 Acne Vulgaris. 243
XII