NMT 150 Naturopathic Therapeutics I PDF

NMT 150: NATUROPATHIC THERAPEUTICS I TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM) E-LEARNING LECTURE 11 A C U P U N C T U R E T R E AT M E N T P L A N S POINT ACTIONS 1 Author: Neemez Kassam, M.Sc., N.D., R.Ac. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Learn how to put together an acupuncture treatment plan Understand points a...

NMT 150: NATUROPATHIC THERAPEUTICS I TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM) E-LEARNING LECTURE 11 A C U P U N C T U R E T R E AT M E N T P L A N S POINT ACTIONS 1 Author: Neemez Kassam, M.Sc., N.D., R.Ac. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Learn how to put together an acupuncture treatment plan Understand points actions and their use in treatment plans Understand TCM action terms of: Tonifies/Nourishes Harmonizes/Regulates Descends/Subdues Clears Opens/Benefits Learn about the various Point Classifications DIAGNOSIS Written as a Zang-Fu Diagnosis E.g. Lung Qi Deficiency or Heart Fire Multiple organ diagnoses are also possible Liver Qi Stagnation with Spleen Qi Deficiency Heart and Kidney Yin Deficiency Objective is to treat the underlying dysfunction(s) TREATMENT PRINCIPLE Based on the Zang-Fu diagnosis Dx: Lung Qi Deficiency Tx Principle: Tonify Lung and Tonify Qi (or tonify Lung Qi) Based on signs or symptoms Sx: Productive cough, chest pain, nasal congestion Tx principle: Relieves coughing, resolves phlegm, opens the chest, opens the nose TREATMENT PRINCIPLE Based on dysfunctions Cough (descending function of Lung) Tx: Descends Lung Qi (or descends Qi for Lung meridian points) Cough (rebellious Qi in Lung) Tx: Subdues rebellious Lung Qi (or subdues rebellious Qi for Lung meridian points) SOB (dispersing function of Lung) Tx: Disperses Lung Qi Chest pain (stagnant Lung Qi) Tx: Moves stagnant Lung Qi TREATMENT PRINCIPLE Based on Indications Look for sx/signs under the “Indications” section for each point E.g. Cough treats cough, asthma treats asthma, chest pain treats chest pain, etc. Treats the branch (symptoms) over the root (diagnosis) Good for symptomatic relief over long-term benefit POINT ACTIONS Tonifies: Increase or build Used for conditions that are far away from optimal levels Nourishes: Strengthen or build Used for conditions that are far away from optimal levels Harmonizes: Bring into balance or return to “normal” levels Used for conditions that are close to optimal levels Regulates: Bring movements into balance (ie. Qi circulation) Used for conditions that are close to optimal levels POINT ACTIONS Descends: Forces down Sometimes uses the natural activity of the organ Lung and Stomach naturally descend Subdues: Prevents ascending by holding down Used for rebellious Qi and Yang, which tend to ascend Clears: Removes from the body through appropriate areas Mainly for heat Uses emunctories of perspiration, defecation, urination, respiration Choice of emunctory is based on function of the organ/channel DESCENDS SUBDUES POINT ACTIONS Opens: Increases movement in an area Causes of obstruction can be anything Stagnation, dampness/phlegm, cold, etc. Benefits: Directs Qi and Blood to a certain area Does not specify action once it arrives to the area E.g. Lung 10 A: Benefits the throat I: Sore throat, loss of voice POINT CLASSIFICATIONS 5 Transporting Points Well-Spring-Stream-River-Sea Source Points 12 regular meridians Influential Points Qi, Blood, Zang, Fu, Bone, Marrow, Sinews, Vessels Command Points Face/mouth, Posterior neck, Abdomen, Back POINT CLASSIFICATIONS Back Shu 12 Primary meridians Mainly for physical concerns and less emotional/spiritual Outer Back Shu Next to Back Shu points but more for emotional/spiritual and less for physical concerns Front Mu 12 Primary meridians Work for both physical and emotional concerns 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.