Alban Acupuncture & Chinese Herbs Clinic, New York City
Archive for the ‘History of Chinese Medicine’ Category
More than Acupuncture: Moxibustion, Cupping, and Gua Sha
Sep 23, 2009
This is the 4th is a series explaining acupuncture and Chinese medicine theory and background.
How is acupuncture more than just acupuncture?
Acupuncture is one of the most powerful and versatile therapies in Chinese medicine, but it is not the only one. Acupuncturists use many techniques of Traditional East Asian Medicine.
The most common therapies are acupressure, Chinese herbal therapy, moxibustion, gua sha, and cupping. I’ve written about the last three in this post.
Moxabustion
Needle Head Moxibustion
Moxabustion is the burning of an herb call mugwort, ai ye in Chinese, close to specific acupuncture points or on the needle itself. It is used to warm and add energy to the acupuncture point. It also is good for moving stagnation.
Moxibustion is central to acupuncture treatment, the word for moxibustion is actually in the Chinese for acupuncture- zhen jiu. Zhen means needle, and jiu is refering to moxibustion.
Gua Sha
Gua sha is the rubbing of a coin or a spoon on the skin. Often it is done on the upper and lower back, neck, and the ribs. It is a long time home remedy which is used for colds and fever, nausea, muscle aches and pain, as well as inhibited urination.
Often gua sha will break the blood vessels below the skin causing a bruise. In Chinese medicine we say this breaks blood stagnation and releases heat. Interestingly, if there is not too much heat present, or there is no blood stagnation, it does not create a bruise.
Cupping
Chinese Fire Cups
Cupping works in conjunction with acupuncture to relax muscles and increase circulation. During this therapy, glass, wooden, or plastic cups are applied to the skin. The inside of the cup is depressurized with a flame or a vacuum, so it then lifts up the skin below it.
This often leaves round bruises, which are mostly painless. It helps to relax the muscles and increase circulation. For more reading on cupping, I recommend this article at the Institute for Traditional Medicine.
Read More in this Series:
A Brief History of Chinese Medicine: The Beginning
Mar 26, 2009
Old City of Fu Zhou
The birth of the Chinese medicine tradition, which has carried on till today, occurred when the Chinese developed the viewpoint that disease is caused by forces in the natural world rather than spiritual forces. And through the healthy choices, we can influence our own health. This post is based upon ideas from Paul Unschuld’s fabulous book, Medicine in China.
Originally, disease theory in China was based upon a shamanistic view that illness was caused by evil spirits. The first record we have of healers in China dates back to the Shang dynasty. The religion of the day was ancestor worship. They believed the living and the dead lived side by side. The living worked hard to worship and please their ancestors. If not, one’s dead relatives will seek revenge, causing every tragedy known to man, including illnesses.
In order to pacify their ancestor’s wrath, people would follow extensive rituals of praise and sacrifice. If someone became sick, they would hire a Shaman who interpreted oracles and communicated with the dead in order to appease one’s ancestors. During later tumultuous political times, these benevolent ancestors transformed into demons, who were only controlled through the Shamen.
Personal responsibility, nor any means of physical treatment, were not considered factors for good health.
Later, in the Qin and Han dynasties, we see a change in the dominant Chinese world view. During this time, the Chinese were gaining control of their surroundings, the feudal wars were concluded, and a united Chinese government emerged. Many naturalistic philosophies developed based upon the balance of the universe, such as the yin-yang and five phase theory.
Confucianism also developed during this period which strongly espoused a code of ethics based on propriety, ritual, and hierarchy. Each individual within society, from the peasant farmer to the king, has a specific role to fulfill, and if everybody fulfilled these roles, society would function well.
Much of Chinese medicine which is still used today developed during this time period. Instead of demons or ancestors causing illness, the pathogenic influences from the natural world (wind, dampness, heat, dryness) or imbalances within the individuals result in disease. Health was maintained by a proper balance of yin and yang and the five phases within the body.
These ideas lead to the use of preventative medicine. Measures such as staying out of the cold and wind and practicing moderation were utilized. In cases of illness, physicians developed treatments using herbs, acupuncture, and massage.
In certain ways, we are seeing a similar pattern happening in modern medicine. The idea that good habits and preventative medicine can help you live longer and better are becoming popular. The old ideas that you have no control over your own health are dying.
Now we are turning back towards ideas that Chinese Medicine developed over 2000 years ago. Physicians and patients are looking towards holistic techniques in healing and now believe you can actively improve your own health.
Photo: Library of Congress
