NMT 150 Naturopathic Therapeutics I PDF

NMT 150: NATUROPATHIC THERAPEUTICS I TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM) E-LEARNING LECTURE 12 POINT ACTIONS 2 Author: Neemez Kassam, M.Sc., N.D., R.Ac. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Understand TCM action terms of: Releases the Exterior Expels (exterior) wind Calms the mind Resolves phle...

NMT 150: NATUROPATHIC THERAPEUTICS I TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM) E-LEARNING LECTURE 12 POINT ACTIONS 2 Author: Neemez Kassam, M.Sc., N.D., R.Ac. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Understand TCM action terms of: Releases the Exterior Expels (exterior) wind Calms the mind Resolves phlegm Removes obstructions Dissipates masses POINT ACTIONS Releases the exterior: Forces out from the layer between skin and muscle Works as a diaphoretic (Causes sweating/perspiration) Good for external pathogens: wind, heat, cold, dampness, dryness Most effective when used with first symptoms  PATHOGENS SKIN WEI QI MUSCLE FUNCTIONAL DEFENCE SYSTEM RELEASING THESYSTEM COMPROMISED EXTERIOR POINT ACTIONS Expels (exterior) wind: Similar action to releases the exterior but specifically for wind Believed to open gates to allow wind to escape Can use the “wind gate” to expel wind Mainly for exterior wind that is caught in the Wei Qi layer POINT ACTIONS Calms the mind: Works in many ways depending on the condition Can slow an overactive mind or can quicken a slower mind Can help with sleep difficulties due to an overactive mind Works for emotional concerns like depression, anxiety, and stress Treats the branch over the root cause Best if used with point actions that manage the root cause POINT ACTIONS Resolves phlegm (damp): Converts phlegm into a less viscous or more mobile substance Does not affect the cause of phlegm/damp accumulation Best if used with other actions to treat the root POINT ACTIONS Removes obstructions: Obstructions usually manifest as pain or lack of flow Treats obstructions of any type Self-regulating with respect to what and how it removes the obstructions Can be used for stagnation (Qi or Blood), phlegm/damp, cold Treats the branch over the root Best if used with point actions that manage the root cause POINT ACTIONS Dissipates masses: Masses are generally caused by either Qi stagnation, Blood stagnation, or phlegm-damp accumulation Reduces the size and impact of the mass of meridian flow Treats the branch over the root Best if used with point actions that manage the root cause REFERENCES Kassam, Neemez et al. Fundamentals of Clinical Acupuncture. Toronto, Canada: CCNM Press, 2009. Liangyue, Deng et al. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion. Beijing, China: Foreign Languages Press, 1996. Maciocia, Giovanni. The Foundations of Chinese Medicine. 3ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Ltd, 2015.