Korean Acupuncture By Paul Kim

31 Pages·2011·0.21 MB·English

Understanding

Korean Acupuncture

This capstone project is presented to the faculty members of Oregon College of
Oriental Medicine in partial fulfillment of the degree of doctor of acupuncture and
oriental medicine.

By Paul Kim
Table of Contents

Abstract…………………………………………………………………….…………………2

Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………..3

I. SAAM Acupuncture ……………………………………………………………………....4
The theory of Yin Yang interaction of the 5 elements………………..………….......3-5
The 5 transporting points of 12 channels…………………………..………………..5-7
The method of tonification and sedation formulae……………..…………………...7-9
SAAM’s points of tonification and sedation………………………..………..…….9-11
SAAM’s typical needle techniques for tonification and sedation……..……………..11
The problem of SAAM acupuncture and critique……………..………………….11-12
Hypothesis to find the optimal forumula………………………..………………...12-13

II. The Four Constitution Theory………………………………………………..…………13
Organ function comparison in four constitutions……………………….……………14
The appearance of eight constitution theory…………………………….………..14-15
Kuan, Do Won’s comparison table of strength and weakness of all organs in 8
constitutions………………………………………………………………………….15

III. The Eight Constitutional Acupuncture………………………………………………..16
The fundamental formulae for eight constitution…………………………………….16
Do Won Kuan’s understandings of the 5 transporting points and their functional
structures…………………………………………………………………………..17-18
Formulae for supporting the fundamental formulae………………………………18-22
The eight constitution specific pulse diagnosis…………………………………...22-23
The disease and the treatment………………………………………………………...23
The management of an adverse reaction…………………………………………..23-24
8 morbidities in 8 constitution……………………………………………………. 25-29

Summarization and Conclusion…………………………………………………………….30

Suggestion of Future Research………………………………………………………….30-31

Work Cited……………………………………………………………………………….32-33
Understanding Korean Acupuncture

Abstract

Korean Acupuncture is a unique and effective system. It is simple and systematic. SAAM
acupuncture, named after the great Korean monk and doctor or Oriental medicine who developed
the system, uses only 4 points selectively out of 60 transporting points of 5 element points.
SAAM systematized the tonification and sedation formulae by applying the theory of yin yang
interaction of 5 elements to the 5 transporting points. His system is analyzed, various problems
are pointed out, and possible optimal formulae are suggested.

JeMa Lee’s theory of four constitutions, which contends that a disease must be treated differently
according to a patient’s constitution, not on the basis of symptoms and signs that a patient
presents, even if the disease is the same, greatly influenced DoWon Kuan who originated the
eight constitution acupuncture theory. He complemented JeMa Lee’s four constitution theory by
clarifying the differences of all internal organs’ functional strength and weakness in a given
constitution, and between the different constitutions. He also theorized the 5 transporting points’
structure and their mutual relationship through the channels where the qi or energy exchanging
take place. Upon understanding of internal organs’ strength and weakness of a constitution and
the energy exchanging 5 transporting points’ structure, he finally created the two systems,
SAAM acupuncture and the four constitution theory, into one, the eight constitution acupuncture
theory and the eight constitution treatment formulae.

Key Words:

Korean Acupuncture, SAAM Acupuncture, Four Constitution, Eight Constitution,
5 Transporting Points, 5 Elements, The Theory of Yin Yang Interaction of 5 Elements.

Introduction

Koreans believe acupuncture originated in Korea, and it was introduced to the mainland China
around the Stone Age, where it was refined systematically and academically. Chinese style
acupuncture was then reintroduced back into Korea around 561A.D. Koreans had practiced
Chinese style acupuncture for about a thousand years until about 400 hundred years ago when
SAAM, a great Korean monk and doctor of oriental medicine wrote the book of “Chim Gu Yo
Gyol”, which translates to “The secret of acupuncture and moxabustion”. SAAM introduced a
very creative and highly effective new acupuncture theory by applying the theory of yin yang
interaction of the 5 elements to the 5 transporting points.

In 1894, JeMa Lee, another renowned Korean doctor of oriental medicine, published the book,
“Dong Yi Su Se Bo Won”, or “The Longevity and Life Preservation in Oriental Medicine”. He
created an ingenious, unique, and innovative new theory of four constitutions. He classified the
human into 4 types of constitutions, which relate an individual’s physical, emotional, and
pathological characteristics to one of four different energetic foundations: TaiYang, TaiYin,
ShaoYang, and ShaoYin. Because of characteristic differences in individual constitution he
contended that the disease must be treated according to individual constitution; even if two
individuals are afflicted with the same disease, their treatments will differ relative to their body
constitutions. He predicted that a method of acupuncture based on four constitutions would
appear in the future1.

One of the most brilliant Korean acupuncturists in recent years, Dowon Kuan, OMD, PhD made
even further developed JeMa Lee’s 4 constitutional theory into the 8 constitution acupuncture
theory. He applied JeMa Lee’s 4 constitutional theory, which is largely limited to herbal formula,
to SAAM’s 5 element’s acupuncture, and originated 8 constitution acupuncture theory.

This research, will focus on how JeMa Lee’s 4 constitutional theory and SAAM’s 5element
acupuncture progressed into the eight constitution acupuncture theory by DoWon Kwon. Lee’s
herbal formulae, and their application, beneficial or harmful foods, physical and physiological
characteristics, vulnerability or predeposition to a certain disease, behavioral patterns and
tendencies, and personalities to a specific type of constitution will be excluded from the

discussion.

SAAM ACUPUNCTURE

About 400 years ago, a great doctor of Korean style Oriental Medicine, SAAM(1544-1610),
created a highly effective new acupuncture method by applying the theory of yin yang
interaction of the 5 elements to the 5 transporting points. SAAM’s acupuncture is effective for
treating diseases and is widely studied and used in Korea. It is also called 5 element acupuncture
because it was created in conformity with the rule of the 5 element theory, otherwise known as
the theory of yin yang interaction of 5 elements. The theory of yin yang interaction of 5 elements
and the 5 transporting points must be clearly understood to comprehend the principle of SAAM
acupuncture method.

The theory of Yin Yang interaction of 5 elements

The theory of yin yang interaction of 5 elements is used to explain the interaction between Zang
and Fu organs, and all sorts of physiological and pathological phenomena of organs in the
Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine. The five elements consist of 5 attributes, and
have a relationship of reciprocal interaction of generating and controlling, or accelerating and
constraining between the attributes. The 5 attributes of the 5 elements are wood, fire, earth,
metal, water, and are circulating in the following order: wood→ fire→ earth→ metal→ water→
wood→ fire --→.
Each organ of the human body is assigned to one of the 5 attributes of 5 elements as shown the
following table of Organ Element Correspondences.

1 Chapter 10. P 217. General Remarks on the Shaoyin Person. The Essential of 4 Constitution in Eastern Medicine.
April 30, 1997. Park, Yin Sang. Sonamu Publishing Co.
Table 1: Organ Element Correspondences

5elements Wood Fire Earth Metal Water
5souls Ethereal Shen Thought Corporeal will
5zang Liver Heart Spleen Lung Kidney
Small Stomach Large Bladder
5fu Gall bladder
intestine intestine
5emotion Anger Joy Pensiveness Grief Fear&fright
5color Blue Red Yellow White Black
5odor Rancid Burned Sweetish Rank, Fishy Putrid&rotten
5taste Sour Bitter Sweet Acrid Salty
5sensory Eyes Tongue Mouth Nose Ears
5voice Shouting Laughter Song Wailing&crying Groaning
5fluid Tear Sweat Drivel Snivel Saliva
Climate Wind Heat Dampness Dryness Coldness
Tissue Sinews, Blood Muscles Skin Bones
tendons vessels
Direction East South Center West North

In the theory of yin yang 5 elements’ interaction, an element placed preceding any given element
is called mother, and an element placed succeeding any given element is called son.
Example: Fire is mother of earth and metal is son of earth.
Wood→ fire → earth→ metal → water → wood--→

In the theory of yin yang 5 elements’ interaction, an element placed preceding a mother is called
Guan, and an element placed succeeding a son is called Su. For convenience’ sake Guan and Su
will be called grandmother and grandson respectively hereafter.
Example: Wood is grandmother of earth and water is grandson of earth.
Wood→ fire→ earth→ metal→ water→ wood--→

In the theory of yin yang 5 elements’ interaction, a mother element tonifies and strengthens a son
element, and a son element tonifies and strengthens a mother element.
Example: Fire element, mother of earth element, tonifies and strengthens earth element.
Metal element, son of earth element also tonifies and strengthens earth
element.

In the theory of yin yang 5 elements’ interaction, grandmother element sedates and weakens
grandson element, and grandson element sedates and weakens a grandmother element.
Example: Wood element, grandmother element of earth, sedates and weakens earth
element. Water element, grandson element of earth also sedates and weakens
earth element.

Accordingly, there can be 4 different methods to tonify and strengthen an organ. For example,
the earth can be tonified by the following ways.

1. Tonify fire element which is mother of earth and sedate wood element which is
grandmother of earth : tonify mother and sedate grandmother.
2. Tonify fire element which is mother of earth and sedate water which is grandson of
earth : tonify mother and sedate grandson.
3. Tonify metal element which is son of earth and sedate wood which is grandmother
of earth : tonify son and sedate grandmother.
4. Tonify metal element which is son of earth and sedate water which is grandson of
earth : tonify son and sedate grandson.

In sedating earth, 4 different methods can be used to sedate and weaken the earth.

1. Sedate fire element which is mother of earth and tonify wood which is grandmother of
earth : sedate mother and tonify grandmother.
2. Sedate fire element which is mother of earth and tonify water which is grandson of
earth : sedate mother and tonify grandson.
3. Sedate metal element which is son of earth and tonify wood which is grandmother of
earth : sedate son and tonify grandmother.
4. Sedate metal element which is son of earth and tonify water which is grandson of
earth : sedate son and tonify grandson.

For convenience’ sake, the methods of tonification and sedation will be denoted following way.

Tonification
Tonify mother and sedate grandmother A+
Tonify mother and sedate grandson B+
Tonify son and sedate grandmother C+
Tonify son and sedate grandson D+

Sedation
Sedate mother and tonify grandmother A-
Sedate mother and tonify grandson B-
Sedate son and tonify grandmother C-
Sedate son and tonify grandson D-

Five transporting points

Each channel of the 12 main channels has 5 important points, called 5 transporting points or 5
element points, which have special functions below the elbows and knees. They are Jing-Well,
Ying-spring, Shu-stream, Jing-river, and He-sea points.

Table 2:The 5 transporting points of 12 channels
Yin
Wood Fire Earth Metal Water
channels
(Jing-Well) (Ying-Spring) (Shu-Stream) (Jing-River) (He-Sea)

Lung
LU11 LU10 LU9 LU8 LU5
(metal)
Heart
HT9 HT8 HT7 HT4 HT3
(fire)
Pericardium
PC9 PC8 PC7 PC5 PC3
(fire)
Spleen
SP1 SP2 SP3 SP5 SP9
(earth)
Kidney
KI1 KI2 KI3 KI7 KI10
(water)
Liver
LV1 LV2 LV3 LV4 LV8
(wood)

Yang
Metal Water Wood Fire Earth
channels
(Jing-Well) (Ying-Spring) (Shu-Stream) (Jing-River) (He-Sea)

L.Intestine
LI 1 LI 2 LI 3 LI 5 LI 11
(metal)
S. Intestine
SI 1 SI 2 SI 3 SI 5 SI 8
(fire)
T. Warmer
TW 1 TW 2 TW 3 TW 6 TW 10
(fire)
Stomach
ST 45 ST 44 ST 43 ST41 ST 36
(earth)
Bladder
BL 67 BL 66 BL 65 BL60 BL 54
(water)
G. Bladder
GB 44 GB 43 GB 41 GB 38 GB 34
(wood)

These 5 transporting points are based upon the yin yang interaction theory of 5 elements, which
is one of the core theories of the Oriental Medicine. These points are characterized with much
more dynamic in energetic action than other points and therefore they are used frequently in
clinical practice in wide range of conditions. Each of these 5 points is given one of 5 attributes
respectively, based on the theory of yin yang interaction of 5 elements. If these points are
stimulated, the corresponding organ or channel responds immediately to the stimulation method
of tonification or sedation, becoming tonified or sedated. By combining and stimulating these
points in accordance with the theory of yin yang interaction of 5 elements, the function of Zang
Fu organs can be regulated and the functional imbalance- related disease of the corresponding
Zang Fu organ can be treated. The method for formulating of these points can be applied to the
rule of interrelation of yin yang interaction of 5 elements, explained in the preceding page. For
example, when tonifying or sedating the stomach, the representing points of the stomach, an
earth point of the earth channel, ST36, is placed on the base point of the formulation, then
tonification and sedation will be applied on the points of mother, son, grandmother, and
grandson respectively. The mother point, ST41, of ST36, and the son point, ST45, of ST36, and
the grandmother point, ST43, of ST36, and the grandson point, ST44, of ST 36. The same
principle of tonification and sedation will be applied to the representing points of other related
channels on the basis of ST36 being a base point. A metal point, LI1, of the metal channel, and a
water point, BL66, of the water channel, and a wood point, GB41, of the wood channel, and a
fire point, SI5, of the fire channel.
These relationships are shown in the diagram below

Diagram 1:The method of formulation of 5 transporting points when the
stomach is sedated or tonified.

•
Grandmother GB41

Channel Wood(GB)

Mother Channel
•
Fire(SI) SI5

Grandmother Mother
Representing
Point Point
Point
Son Point Grandson Point
• • • • •

Self Channel ST43 ST41 ST36 ST45 ST44
(Representing Earth (ST)

•
LI1
Son Channel
Metal(LI)

•
Grandson Channel BL66

Water (BL)

Wood Fire Earth Metal Water

In the case of tonification or sedation for the stomach, there can be 4 different possible
formulations of tonification or sedation respectively.

The tonification formulae

1.Tonify mother and sedate grandmother (A+) : tonify SI5, ST41, sedate GB41, ST43.
2.Tonify mother and sedate grandson (B+): tonify SI5, ST41, sedate BL66, ST44.
3.Tonify son and sedate grandmother (C+): tonify LI1, ST45, sedate GB41, StT43.
4.Tonify son and sedate grandson (D+): tonify LI1, ST45, sedate BL66, ST44.

The sedation formulae

1. Sedate mother and tonify grandmother (A-): sedate SI5, ST41, tonify GB41, ST43.
2. Sedate mother and tonify grandson (B-): sedate SI5, ST41, tonify BL66, ST44
3. Sedate son and tonify grandmother (C-): sedate LI1, ST45, tonify GB41, ST43
4. Sedate son and tonify grandson (D-): sedate LI1, ST45, tonify BL66, ST44.
By examining the formulae of tonification or sedation closely from these premises, the following
principles can be deduced for tonification or sedation of a certain organ.
1. Place the representing point of the corresponding channel at the center.
2. Select 2 points from the corresponding channel that is to be tonified or sedated, then
select 2 representing points from other channels, and then tonify and sedate them.
3. When tonifying, select one point from either the mother point or son point for tonification
and select one point from either the grandmother point or grandson point for sedation.
When sedating, select one point from either the mother point or son point for sedation and
select one point from either the grandmother point or grandson point for tonification.
4. Altogether, there are 8 possible points that can be employed for cases of either tonification or
sedation.
5. Accordingly, there will always be 4 different possible formulae for tonification or
sedation respectively.

If these principles are applied to the 12 main channels, there will be a total of 96 formulae for
tonification and sedation, respectively. These formulae contain all possible lists of tonification
and sedation points for the 12 main channels. Theoretically, there should be a single rule that can
be used to determine the most effective formula for tonification or sedation among these
formulae. However, such a rule is yet to be discovered and confirmed. Therefore, at the present
time, there is no other choice but to find the best formula through the clinical experience.

Table 3: Formulae for tonification of all 12 channels or organs

Channels
A+ B+ C+ D+
/organs
tonify KI10,LV8 KI10,LV8 HT8,LV2 HT8,LV2
Liver
sedate LU8,LV4 SP3.LV3 LU8,LV4 SP3.LV3
tonify LV1,HT9 LV1,HT9 SP3,HT7 SP3,HT7
Heart
sedate KI10,HT3 LU8,HT4 KI10,HT3 LU8,HT4
tonify HT8, SP2 HT8,SP2 LU8,SP5 LU8,SP5
Spleen
sedate LVI,SP1 KI10,SP9 LV1,SP1 KI10,SP9
tonify SP3, LU9 SP3.LU9 KI10, LU5 KI10, LU5
Lung
sedate HT8,LU10 LV1,LU11 HT8,LU10 LV1,LU11
tonify LU8, KI7 LU8, KI7 LV1, KI1 LV1, KI1
Kidney
sedate SP3,KI3 HT8,KI2 SP3,KI3 HT8,KI2
tonify LV1, PC9 LV1, PC9 SP3, PC7 SP3, PC7
Pericardium
sedate KI10,PC3 LU8,PC5 KI10,PC3 LU8,PC5
tonify BL66,GB43 BL66,GB43 SI5, GB38 SI5, GB38
Gallbladder
sedate LI1.GB44 ST36,GB34 LI1,GB44 ST36,GB34
Small tonify GB41, SI3 GB41, SI3 ST36, SI 8 ST36, SI8
intestine sedate BL66,SI2 LI1,SI1 BL66,SI2 LI1,SI1
tonify SI5, ST41 SI5, ST41 LI1, ST45 LI1, ST45
Stomach
sedate GB41,ST43 BL66,ST44 GB41,ST43 BL66,ST44
Large tonify ST36, LI11 ST36, LI11 BL66, LI2 BL66, LI2
intestine sedate SI5,LI5 GB41,LI3 SI5,LI5 GB41,LI3
tonify LI1, BL67 LI1, BL67 GB41,BL65 GB41,BL65
Bladder
sedate ST36,BL54 SI5,BL60 ST36,BL54 SI5,BL60
Triple tonify GB41,TW3 GB41,TW3 ST36,TW10 ST36,TW10
warmer sedate BL66,TW2 LI1,TW1 BL66,TW2 LI1,TW1

Table 4: Formulae for sedation of all 12 channels or organs

Channels
A- B- C- D-
/organs
tonify LU8,LV4 SP3,LV3 LU8,LV4 SP3,LV3
Liver
sedate KI10,LV8 KI10,LV8 HT8,LV2 HT8,LV2
tonify KI10,HT3 LU8,HT4 KI10,HT3 LU8,HT4
Heart
sedate LV1,HT9 LV1,HT9 SP3,HT7 SP3,HT7
tonify LV1, SP1 KI10, SP9 LV1,SP1 KI10,SP9
Spleen
sedate HT8, SP2 HT8, SP2 LU8,SP5 LU8,SP5
tonify HT8,LU10 LV1,LU11 HT8,LU10 LV1,LU11
Lung
sedate SP3, LU9 SP3.LU9 KI10, LU5 KI10, LU5
tonify SP3, KI3 HT8, KI2 SP3, KI3 HT8, K2
Kidney
sedate LU8, KI7 LU8, KI3 LV1, KI1 LV1, KI1
tonify KI10, PC3 LU8, PC5 KI10, PC3 LU8, PC5
Pericardium
sedate LV1, PC9 LV1, PC9 SP3, PC7 SP3, PC7
tonify LI1, GB44 ST36,GB34 LI1, GB44 ST36,GB34
Gallbladder
sedate BL66,GB43 BL66,GB43 SI5, GB38 SI5, GB38
tonify BL66, SI2 LI1, SI1 BL66, SI 2 LI1, SI1
Small intestine
sedate GB41, SI3 GB41, SI3 ST36, SI 8 ST36, SI8
tonify GB41,ST43 BL66,ST44 GB41,ST43 BL66,ST44
Stomach
sedate SI5, ST41 SI5, ST41 LI1, ST45 LI1, ST45
tonify SI5, LI5 GB41, LI3 SI5, LI5 GB41, LI3
Large intestine
sedate ST36, LI11 ST36, LI11 BL66, LI2 BL66, LI2
tonify ST36,BL54 SI5, BL60 ST36, BL54 SI5, BL60
Bladder
sedate LI1, BL67 LI1, BL67 GB41,BL65 GB41,BL65
tonify BL66, TW2 LI1, TW1 BL66, TW2 LI1, TW1
Triple warmer
sedate GB41,TW3 GB41,TW3 ST36,TW10 ST36,TW10

The contents of the basic theory of SAAM’s acupuncture.

As explained in the preceding pages, SAAM’s theory is the extension of the theory of yin yang
interaction of 5 elements. He employed a new concept of the Governor channel or the
Grandmother (Guan) channel in the application of the theory of yin yang interaction of 5
elements, which is based upon the constrain or control cycle. He utilized not only the 5 element
points of the “self” channel, but also those of the other channels for tonification or sedation. For
example, if a patient has signs and symptoms of indigestion or gastoroptosis due to deficiency in
stomach function, the stomach function must be tonified by utilizing the tonification formula for
the stomach. On the other hand, if a patient experiences severe stomach heat such as symptoms
of excessive consumption of icy-cold water, abdominal bloating, and indigestion, the stomach
must be sedated with the sedation formula. If the stomach is deficient, it should be tonified.
Since the stomach channel belongs to the element of earth, ST36, an earth point of the earth
channel, should be treated as the base point, and tonify ST41, a fire point and the mother point of
ST36, and tonify SI5, a fire point of a fire channel, the small intestine channel, and sedate ST43,