The skin as
the envelope of the body becomes easily penetrable and unable to
defend against assault by pernicious inuences, whether emotional,
climatic, or microbial. METAL: Lung  PatternsHarmonic
Collapsed
Exaggerated
Harmonic  and Dissonant PatternsIn the harmonic Lung pattern, the Spleen  and Kidney  maintain
stability while the Liver and Heart  provide the tension necessary for
movement and adaptation. In the exaggerated Lung pattern, the
Spleen  and Kidney  become hyperactive and the Liver and Heart
become hypersensitive and erratic. In the collapsed  pattern, the
Spleen  and Kidney  become drained and weake ned while the Liver
and Heart  become overbearing and congested. The key issues for Louis are stiness, dryness, and inhibit ion. The
exaggerated  tendency toward inner restraint of bodily sensation and
emotional expression retard s the circulation of Qi, the pulsatory
activity of the viscera, and impedes the distribution of bodily juices
that lubricate and soften the skin, muscles, and mucous membrane. To preserve his self-suciency and openness, Louis needs to
cultivate a buoyancy of spirit and a resiliency of structure. Keeping
his skin elastic with massage or brushing helps him to avoid
becoming callused and indierent to sensation and emotion. Aerobic
exercise, a high-ber diet, and a moderate uid intake are especially
important for Louis. Openin g his bowels, relaxing his chest, and
stimulating his skin will help him remain pliant and keep his mind
receptive to new ideas and inspiration. Socially, Louis can use his
talent for design to insure that involvement with other people
becomes a ceremonial if not a celebrated part of his daily life. It is
important for him to place himself in situations that demand
spontaneity as well as discipline: faith and instinct as well as
knowledge and reason. Herbs and diet would help him to regulate
and supplement Qi and Moisture . Acupuncture would be directed
toward regulating Blood  and Moisture  in the skin, relaxing the chest,
and activating the Liver, thereby preventing patterns of stiness and
dryness from crystallizing into stasis and rigidity. STELLA: I L IVE BY THE BOOKStella is a trim, crisply dressed woman with ne, curly dark hair. Calm and composed, prepared with a list of her symptoms and
questions written out on a note card, she waits courteously for an
invitation to speak. Stella asks, “Could you tell me your ke and
whether this session will include treatment as well as consultation?”
I explain the fee structure and the services that I oer. She continues , “The reason I’ve come is that my breasts are
continuously hard and brous, and over the last six months, my
periods have become spotty  and infrequent. My skin and hair are
dry, and my hands and feet get icy cold for no apparent reason. I do
regular exercise, eat with care, never drink, smoke, or overindulge. I
don’t understand these problems. I’ve always lived by the book. My
energy is good, digestion is ne, I sleep well, and am rarely sick. I
don’t mind not having the period, but I’m concerned that it may be
related to my breast problem . I won’t take drugs or hormones, so I
wanted to try acupuncture. I’ll consider the herbs, but I don’t like
the idea of taking medicine.”
TREATMENT
Stella’s pulse is thin, tight, and buoyant; her tongue is pale pink
with dry fur, and there is a hint of redness at the front edges and
tip. Stella comments that her mouth and throat often feel dry. She’s
not really thirsty, but she drinks four glasses of water a day because
she thinks she should. Her ovaries are tender. Even though her
hands and feet are cold, her chest and abdomen feel warm. In the
past Stella says she has had pain in her ovaries with spotting during
ovulation. The warmth of her abdomen  and the coldness of her extremities
indicate that her circulation is obstructed, which conne s the Heat
in the interior. A disorder of the Liver is often respo nsible for this
problem, so the treatment will use points that help the Liver move
the Blood  and Qi from the center of the body to the extremities. A point  on the top of the foot between the third and fourth toe on
the Gallbladder  meridian will help liberate the Qi and Blood  from theinterior by activating the Liver and Gallbladder  and drawing the Qi
down from the chest. Above the wrist on top of the forearm, a point
on the Ttiple-Burner  meridian will draw the energy from the chest
into the arms. In the middle of the chest, a point on the sternum will
disperse the stagnant Qi and circulate the Blood  in the breasts. Between the navel and the pubis bone is a point called Gate of the
Source , which circulates the Qi and Blood  in the lower abdomen and
benets the uterus and ovaries. As Stella lies stiy quiet, she begins to quiver as if she were
shivering. She says she is not cold and that she doesn’t understand
why she is shaking. I explain that this is a manifestation of the
release of Qi and that she will feel warm and relaxed when this
activity subsid es and not to worry about it. A tear spills from each
eye as she relates that she doesn’t feel upset but she seems to be
crying. I comment that this too is a sign of the release of bound-up
energy taking an emotional form. She comments that now her
mouth feels moist as well. Both the secretion of tears and saliva is
literally a sign that the juices are owing. Stella is surprised and
impressed by the changes that she is feeling and apologizes for
being emotional. INTERPRETATION  AND STRATEGY
Everything about Stella is well dened, from the clothes she wears
to the clarity of her self-expression. She is fastidious, careful, and
pleased with the rhythm and method of her life. Stella does not like
displaying her emotions— she is both private and well managed—so
her response to treatment makes an impact on her. She is not easily
moved, especially in the company of strangers. As a Metal  type, part of what upsets Stella is that the smooth-
running system of her life is being disturbed. She is reluctant to alter
her habits by taking herbs since she does not take kindly to
disruptions of her regular routine. But she is willing to consider the
idea if she can justify the use of herbs and incorporate them into her
life-style.A central relationship for the Metal  type is betwee n the Lung and
Liver, between the circulation of Qi and the distribution of Blood . When Metal  dominates Wood , the Qi and Blood  can become conned
and suppresse d. The prolonged stagnation of Qi and Blood  in a
localized regio n such as the breasts or ovaries engenders the
formation of congealed masses such as tumors. Stella shows signs of both deciency  and excess , but neither is
preeminent or extreme. Her tongue is pale, her pulse is thin, her
skin is dry, and her periods are scanty. These are all signs of a
deciency  of Blood . The redness around the edges of her tongue,
tightness of her pulse, harde ning of the breasts, and warmth of her
chest and abdomen are signs of stagnation of Qi and Blood  as well as
conned Heat in the interior. Overall, Stella has a strong
constitution as evidenced by her infrequent sickness, high energy,
healthy appearance, and well-integrated life-style. The strategy for Stella is to disperse the Qi and tonify the Blood . This will alleviate the conict that has developed between the Liver
and the Lung and reverse the process of stagnation, guarding her
against the formation of masses. When the Qi in her chest loosens,
the Heart will be able to perform its function of circulating Blood  to
the hands and feet, and the Liver will be able to distribute Blood
throughout the chest, breasts, and abdomen. Since Stella has some hesitan cy about taking herbal medicine and
because she is already committed to eating wholesome food, for the
time being I suggest an herbal food recipe to be cooked with grains,
vegetables, and protein. I advise her to avoid eating hot, spicy foods
that increase internal Heat and Dryness . The edible herbs include the
roots of white peony, ligusticum, and polygonatum, combined with
lycii berries, red dates, and saower. Together with the seasonings
of turmeric and fresh ginger  and a few more ordinary ingredients
like eggplant, leeks, shiitake mushrooms, and carrots, this recipe
will improve circulation, build Blood , tonify Qi, and generate
Moisture . The moistenin g, softening, and nurturing eects of these
supplementing herbs and foods will restore the smoothness and
elasticity of Stella’s skin, the luster and texture of her hair, and thecirculation within her breasts and reproductive organs. Later, when
she is comfort able with the herbs in her diet, she can begin using
medicinal formulas. Acupuncture and herbs together will harmonize
the Lung and Liver, Qi and Blood , and strengthen the Heart  and
Kidney . Over the subsequent three months, Stella’s midcycle bleeding
ceases, her breasts soften following each period, and her circulation
improves to better warm her hands and feet. She savors her herbal
meals and is amenable to taking herbal medicine until the hardness
in her breasts is completely gone. She is relieved that she doesn’t
have to contin ue acupunctur e for too long but agrees to return for a
follow-up in a few months to monitor her continuing improvement. (see larger image)METAL(see larger image)(see larger image)
SO, YOU THINK YOU’RE A METAL TYPE
KEYS TO UNDERSTANDING  METAL
• likes denition, structure, and discipline• respects virtue, discretion, and authority
• seeks to live according to reason and principle
• holds self and others to the highest standards
• reveres beauty, ceremony, and renement
TYPICAL  PROBLEMS
• indierence and inhibition
• autocratic, strict, and persnickety
• formal, distant, and unnatural
• sti joints and muscles, dry skin and hair, shallow breathing,
sensitive to climate, poor circulation
• self-righteousness and disillusionment
CRITICAL  TIMES
• exaggerated Metal—Lung  congestion: fall and spring, 3 A.M.-7 A.M.
and 11 P.M.–3 A.M.
• collapsed Metal—Lung  depleti on: winter and summer, 3 P.M.–7 P.M.
and 11 A.M.–3 P.M.
A FRIENDLY  REMINDER
The power of Metal  comes from the capacity to shape and rene. Metal  types need to compensate for their rationality, self-control,
and meticulo usness with passion, spontaneity, and social
involvement. OceanofPDF.comCHAPTER TWELVE
WATER
Of all the elements, the Sage should take water as his preceptor. Water is yielding but all-conquering. Water extinguishes Fire,
Or nding itself likely to be defeated, escapes as steam and re-
forms. Water washes away Soft Earth, or, when confronted by rocks, seeks
a way round. Water corrode s Iron till it crumbles to dust; it saturates the
atmosphere
So that Wind dies. Water gives way to obstacles with deceptive
humility,
For no power can prevent it following its destined course to the sea. Water conquers by yielding;  it never attacks but always wins the
last battle. The Sage who makes himself as Water is distinguished for his
humility,
He embraces passivity, acts from nonaction and conquers the world. Tao Cheng                 
Eleventh century A.D. 
WATER  IS AS SUBTERRANEAN AS AN UNDERGROUND STREAM, AS DARK AND
fertile as the womb, as enduring as the jade-colored sea. Water
ascends to fullness in the frost of winter as plants submerge their
energy into their roots, animals thicken their hides, and ponds
harden into ice. Movement slackens as matter and energy
concentrate. This is a time of apparent quiescence and stasis, yet
beneath the surface is the hidden activity of gestation and
germination that will bring forth renewal in spring. Before seeds and
bulbs germinate, they deman d a spell of chilly slumber. During this
period of hibernation the essence of life persists in its most primitive
state. The bear huddled in the corner of a darkened cave may be
mistaken for dead except for his subtle warmth and slow, shallow
breath. During winter he lives from accumulated reserves, resting
until aroused by the hunger that swells as spring signals the intense
activity of a new cycle. The Kidney  abides within us like the bear in
its cave, harboring the germ of being, the Essence , that feeds and
renews our life force. Like Dionysus, Greek god of nature, Water  represe nts the primal
inchoate forces of human nature, the realm of the collective and
personal unconscious. Water  is the primeval ooze out of which form
materializes as life. It links past and future, ancestor and
descendant, and is the source of our inherited intelligence. THE ARCHETYPE FOR  WATER. THE PHILOSOPHER
Revelation propels the Philosopher  in her relentless quest for truth. She brings to light that which is hidden, uncovering new
knowledge, dispelling myste ry, eroding ignorance. Scrut inizing life
until the meaning and signi cance of her impressions coalesce into
the germ  of understanding, she is like an old-time prospector with a
nose for nuggets, sifting through the gravel of notions and beliefs,
tireless in her eort to apprehend the nature of reality. Just as theminer digs through tons of ore before unearthing a single gem, the
Philosopher searches doggedly for truth, which, like a diamond, is
esteemed not only for its radiant sparkle, but for its abiding
hardness as a tool to advance civilization. It takes millennia to
crystallize the residual mine ral essence of fossils into this precious
stone. Time is the pick and shovel of the Philosopher , who exhumes
the bones of culture that endure. The Philosopher yearns for
meaning that transcends the rudderless meandering of human
aairs. As she oers insight to the world, she relies on her hope that
knowledge will be married with wisdom, power with compassion,
aware that destiny is the nal authority. Able to envision what can
be, she is critical of what is by comparison. She discerns the
inevitable disparity between apparent and ultimate reality. As the
custodian of our memories and dreams, she articulates our
aspirations, our ends, but does not dene for us the machinery of
their realization, our means. KATE: EXEMPLAR OF  WATER
Kate is a visionary. Her keen imaginative intellect has great scope. She has a sense of where things begin and where they’re going. Insatiably curious and willing to play with ideas, Kate wins respect
for her thoughtfulness and originality. She does well when inspired
by the enthusiasm and motivation of others. Left to her own devices,
she is a thinke r rather than a doer. Kate so savors the life of the
mind that it is easy for her to just sit and cogitate while  the world
goes on around her. Lean or eshy, Kate’s sturdy  frame, sculpted features, and soft,
graceful hands dene her appearance. Encircling her high forehead
and lucent eyes, her silky hair remains lustrous even as it becomes
gray with age. Like an owl with its furrowed, piercing gaze, she has
acute perceptions and a quietly pensive, seriou s demeanor. Hidden
by the veil of night, the owl perches silently, listening and waiting. Kate is at home in the dark and secluded spaces of her inner life,where her attention extends beyond the pedestrian details of daily
life. Alive in the world of ideas, she is relatively indierent to the
world of the mundane. A paragon of integrity, she is unwilling to compromise principles
for the sake of peace or pleasure. Bordering on eccentricity, even
heresy, she resolutely holds on to her views, regardless of the fact
that they may be outside of or in opposition to the mainstream. With candor she voices her truth, emanating a scrupulous toughness
of spirit, accepting the consequences of her unswerving commitment
to a path, belief, or cause. Hovering on the edge of stubborn
adherence, she is willing to withstand self-sacrice. Kate experienc es herself as resilient and self-sucient, preferring
the rest of her family to be the same. Relishing the accessibility of
warmth and intimacy, she also requires the freedom to withdraw
emotionally into a protective shell of solitude. Devotedly loyal and
committed, she regards the continuity of her family as more
important than harmonious daily happiness. Solitary by nature, she runs the risk of being isolated socially,
relying on other people to push through her armor, captivate her,
draw her out. Because Kate inhabits a deep interior world, it’s hard
to know what she’s thinking  or feeling from the outside . Taciturn
and removed, she is not always aware of how the distance she
maintains limits her relationships. She periodically seals herself o
from external aairs, seemin g not to require the society of others
because she is cloistered within her own mind, divining from the
source, the well of her being. Yet at a certain point she emerges
from her cocoon to recon nect with society so the seeds of
understanding germinating within may ower in the world. Under conditions of prolonged estrangement, Kate can become so
physically inactive and reclusive that, as if in suspended animation,
she becomes unresponsive and inaccessible. This hard, deadened
expression leads to apathy and depression. Negativity and a cynical
attitude begin to color her perceptions, sabotaging her desire for
and expectation of fulllment. Suspicious of people using her for
their own ends, she loses faith easily. She sees others as merely
living in the moment, wasting time and resources, while she plansprudently for the next hundred years. Enjoyment of the ordinary
pleasure of contact with friends and co-workers eludes her grasp as
she observes the world turn false and unreal juxtaposed to the vivid
profundity of her inner life. Her private thoughts and dialogues
become her most precious possessions, her secret refuge from the
clamor and clutter of life outside her mind. Entrapped in a pattern of retreat, Kate dreads her life becoming
an endless winter of hiberna tion without the promise of spring. She
resists rising out of bed in the morning, her back sore, her limbs sti
and chilly. Her libido and gusto for life and love fade. Moaning and
groaning, she feels grouchy, muttering complaints about minor
aches and pains. Kate engages in minute self-scrutiny of the way her
body feels and functions. Fascination with the workin gs of her
physical processes verges on a hypochondriacal concern with all
manner of discomforts. She focuses a clinical gaze on all of her
anomalies and eccentricities, noting a protruding vein or bone here,
a mole or bump there. Kate’s intense inward focus builds upon itself, reinforcing the
insular, self-pr otective cave within which she dwells. Her ideas and
desires, unable to nd expression, are like seeds that sprout in
darkness but cannot grow without light. Kate is aware of her grim
self-exile but is powerless to engage her will and overcome her
paralysis of life-arming impulses. Like a dark star, she sucks life
energy into herself but does not radiate luminous warmth. Yet in the depths of her despondency and loneliness, Kate harbors
the potential spark for self-renewal. At the extreme of her inward
regression and contraction, Yin turns to Yang as nighttime yields to
dawn, and her stored reserve of vitality is enough to feed her
recuperation, restore her strength, and rekindle her fervor for life. Kate is patient. Holding tenaciously to a durable sense of herself, she
knows that the spirit within  can be reanimated by harnessing her
will and creativity. Time is her healer, permitting the well that has
been drained to rell itself. Kate endures; she is a survivor. HOW WE RECOGNIZE  KATE AS A WATER TYPEFirmly rooted in herself, Kate is tough, self-possessed, and
idiosyncratic to the point of unconventional. Like an underground
spring, she has reserves of strength that can be tapped if you dig
deeply enough. If Kate’s tenacity, prudence, introspection, and solitary
independence become exaggerated , she hardens, appearing crusty
and cynical, arthritic, cold, and deadened, as if fossilized. Once
frozen, Kate cracks, like a sheet of ice. Her dissembling  takes the
form of fear, a constant prem onition of extinction throug h a loss of
substance and will. She becomes suspicious and stingy, worried that
everyone wishes to appropriate her thoughts and feelings, her
secrets and her warmth. Without a live connection with other
people, her grasp upon a reality outside of herself becomes tenuous. And when her vitality is attenuated through prolonged isolation, the
integral structure of Kate’s identity collapses. Her nativ e sense of
self, of continuity and future, that “I was born, I exist, I will
survive,” melts into a terror of invasion and absorption, of drowning
in a vast, undierentiated sea. What was tough and hard becomes
porous and fragile: faith, desire, and motivation collapse. She
succumbs to her asocial tendencies and escapes into a self-imposed
Siberian tundr a. What was dened and emergent in her becomes as
inchoate and primitive as formless protoplasm. Water  takes the form
of the vessel that contains  it—Kate cannot take shape without
developing the expansive, actualizing aspects of her being. As a
Water  type, Kate has a propensity either to harden and compact
herself into stone or to lose form, becoming undened and
amoebalike and, in a sense, anonymous. As with all the types, Kate’s strengths in Water  need to be
balanced by the connect edness of Earth , the warmt h and
expressiveness of Fire, the arousal to action of Wood , and the
structure of Metal . Development of these aspects will enable Kate to
enjoy the independence and creative gifts of her temperament. THE EVOLUTION OF  DISTORTED  PATTERNS OF  WATERDomination by the Kidney  particu larly stirs conict with the Heart
and Spleen . The Yin nature of the Kidney  is characterized by Coldness
and Moisture. Excess  of Yin dampens the Fire of the Heart  and the
digestive Fire of the Stomach  and Spleen . The Kidney  rules the lower
body as the Heart  and Lung rule the upper region. Kate’s energy is
concentrated in the lower back, legs, hips, and lower abdomen. The Yin of the Kidney  manife sts as Moisture , internal secretions,
and other essential substances like bone marrow, cerebrospinal
uid, reproductive hormones, semen, and urine. A Water  type tends
to be large-headed and large-boned, well developed in the hips,
pelvis, and legs. Her arms and upper torso may appear  small and
relatively underdeveloped by comparison, giving her a pear shape. When Water  suppresses Eire, a person becomes sensitive to cold
and has diculty both in making contact with people and
maintaining a positive and optimistic attitude. It is dicult to light
a re when the wood is soggy from being drenched with rain. Fire’s
expansive, comforting warmth is overcome by Water ’s wetness and
cold. Unbalanc ed by Fire, which reaches out, comm unicates, and
generates warmth and excitement through commingling, Kate is at
risk of being withdrawn, isolated, and insecure.WATER: Kidney  Patterns
Harmonic
Collapsed
Exaggerated
Harmonic  and Dissonant PatternsIn the harmonic Kidney  pattern, the Lung and Liver maintain stability
while the Heart  and Spleen  provide the tension necessary for
movement and adaptation. In the exaggerated Kidney  pattern, the
Lung and Liver become hyperactive and the Heart  and Spleen  become
hypersensitive and erratic. In the collapsed  pattern, the Lung and
Liver become drained and weakened while the Heart  and Spleen
become overbearing and congested. As a result of this overpow ering of Yang by Yin, a progressive
retardation of metabolism, activity, and expression occurs. Enlargement of the heart, due to an excessive volume of circulating
uids, and edema, an overow of uids, occurs as the Yang declines
and the watery aspect of Yin grows. Coldness  increases, causing the
core energy of the body to become congealed and hardened, which
can lead to the formation of tumors, nodules, and lumps,  especially
in the lower abdomen, reproductive organs, spinal cord, or brain. This may also take the form of hardening of the arteries, particularly
in the brain, leading to early senility or stroke. Increased blood
volume strains  the heart and elevates blood pressure by forcing the
heart to pump greater volum es of blood than it can easily handle. In
Western medic ine the strategy is to administer a diuretic to dispel
water, easing the demands on the heart. Outwardly, a Water  type would appear impervious and xed, like
a statue sculpted out of moist clay. Inwardly, she is emotionally
inaccessible, and because the warmth of the Heart  is muted, she
appears cold-hearted. The eect of this upon the Spleen  shows as abb y musculature, a
pot belly, a tendency toward edema, loose bowel movements, and a
lack of interest in food. When the Lung becomes drained by the
Kidney , shallow breathing and dryness of the nose and throat may
develop, along with emphysema and urinary retention. Because of
the concentration of uid in the hips and pelvis, strain on the
lumbar region  may result in chronic discomfort and instability of
the lumbosacra l spine and arthritis of the hips and knees . However,in spite of all their inrmitie s and immobility, people dominated by
Water  maintain a sharp, perceptive mind and intellectual
inquisitiveness. Their struggle is to keep creative ability and mental
acuity from being submerged  by currents of cynicism, pessimism, or
stoic resignation. The therapeut ic objectives for the Water  type are to circulate
Moisture , maintain warmth, and promote physical activity, social
interaction, and emotional expression. Foods that are salty and
astringent cause retention of uids and should be carefully
consumed. Bitter and spicy foods that promote excessive loss of heat
and secretions  can lead to dissipation of Kidney Essence . Regular
exercise is essential to preser ve muscle tone, blood circulation, and
the even distribution of warmth and uids. Strong social bonds keep
the Water  type involved and motivated to communicate her creative
visions and put her knowledge into practice. HOMER: BETWEEN A  ROCK AND A HARD PLACE
Homer enters the clinic limping. Taking careful and deliberate steps,
he approaches  a chair and with a barely audible sigh eases himself
down. He holds himself stiy in place, reluctant to relax in case he
needs to carry himself into the treatment room. Homer says with a wry grin, “Doc, it’s like I’m between a rock and
a hard place. When I’m sitting down, I can’t stand up, and when I’m
standing, I can’t sit down. I’ve been a welder for twenty-ve years. When I was a young guy, I could scale bridges and skyscrapers in
any kind of weather. Now as soon as there’s a chill in the air, I get
sti and it’s hard for me to shift around to do my work. I’m not
outdoors anym ore—I have my own shop where I do jobs and metal
sculpture. Lately I can’t hold my tools or maintain one position
without an aching pain in my back, hands, and hips. I’m only fty,
with lots more metal to bend. I need some grease on these bones so
they won’t squeak so bad. “I’ve tried aspirin, but it doesn’t help much and bothers my
stomach. At night I take a nip of whiskey to warm up, relax, anddull the pain enough for sleep. My spirits get low, and I start to lose
hope—especially if I’m cold and numb. The whiskey helps free me
up. I don’t want to become an alcoholic, and that’s why I’m here. I’m willing to try acupuncture and herbs if it gets me back to work. The pain I can live with; it’s not having my hands that really gets to
me.”
I ask Homer whether anything else bothers him. Homer remarks
that food tastes lousy, his appetite is poor, and he has been losing
weight. Whiskey before dinner and bed stimulates his appetite,
makes the food go down better, and minimizes the gas and belching
after he eats. TREATMENT
Acupuncture will increase Homer’s circulation, improve his
digestion, and alleviate the pain and stiness in his joints. The
needles are inserted into points that correspond to the Kidney,
Stomach, Spleen , and Pericardium , located on the low back, ankle,
knee, and wrist. The points in the low back correspond to the site of
Homer’s pain and stiness. They will invigorate the Kidney  and
strengthen the spine and lumbar region. Homer doesn’ t feel the needles go in, but he can feel a full,
drawing sensation around them. After a few minutes he reports a
warm current running down the back of his legs to his heels, a
feeling neither  familiar nor painful. He heaves a sigh, and his mouth
wrinkles into a bemused grin. Homer likes the warmth of my hand on his cold back. Since he
needs to be warmed up, I wrap the handle of the needles with a
tight ball of the herb called moxa. These wool-like leaves are
ignited, penetrating the acupuncture site with a nourishing heat. Warmth is conducted through the needle into the deeper tissue. With mild surprise Homer comments, “I don’t know if I’m imagining
this, but my feet are warm ing up.” Homer lies on the treatment
table for twenty minutes before the needles are removed.Expecting to feel his usual stiness and pain, he rises cautiously—
to nd himself moving and bending more freely. He has responded
well to treatment, and even if his symptoms slyly creep  back over
the next few days, he will make steady progres s, with relief lasting
longer after each treatment. To enhance his recovery, Homer soaks his feet in a hot ginger foot
bath in the evening. This activates circulation of Blood, Qi, and
Moisture  in his lower  back and legs, assisting the Kidney  and
supporting the Heart , relaxing his muscles and easing his sleep. INTERPRETATION  AND STRATEGY
For Homer, Water  is overcoming Fire and invading Earth . His sti
joints and back are associated with the Kidney , his digestive
disturbance with the Spleen , and his melancholy, poor circulation,
and troubled sleep with the Heart. Earth  should  contro l Water , but
because of the weakening of Fire, Earth  is inadequate ly nourished
and loses its ability to restrain Water . Homer loses his interest in
food, which ultimately results in the depletion of Qi and Kidney
Essence . Steady and constant work, anxiety about his capacity to continue,
and his willing ness to endure the pain but not the limitations of his
illness are attitudes associated with a Water  type. Homer is pleased
to be rooted in one place, chipping away at the same thing, year
after year. Homer undertook a lifetime commitment, progressing
from a skilled laborer to his own business. He had the imagination
to transform his trade knowledge into a creative, aesthetic medium. His graticatio n stems from building structures out of iron and steel,
things that last. Homer can put aside physical discomfort in order to stick with the
work at hand with a stoic acceptance. He takes responsibility for his
woe, seeking help when his own solutions are not working. Even
though Homer works with other people, within that environment he
remains set apart, maintaining a realm in which he follow s his own
creative path. It is characteristic of the Water  type to resolutelymaintain a self-sucient, inviolable sphere even when surrounded
by others. Homer is also a good illustration of what can happen to the
expression of the creative impulse when the inner re begins to
collapse. The Heart Network  is the vehicle  through which we come
to the fullest expression of our being. Water  needs Fire to fulll its
ends. When Yang deteriorates, Yin hardens, unable to ow, and
someone like Homer ossies. Homer’s “rock” is his persevering determination, and the “hard
place” is the physical rigidity and petrication of his body. In
Homer’s young er life he could work hard all day and night under
any condition s. The result of this unrelenting use of his inner
resources defeated him by undermining Fire and Earth . When
Homer’s excessive Water  quenches Fire and overcomes Earth , his
exaggerated  tendencies collapse . Homer’s instin ct to use whiskey to warm and activate his Blood
resembles the use of alcohol infused in medicinal herbal wines to
augment the warming and activating properties of herbs, especially
for the treatment of arthritic conditions. Alcohol stimulates the
Heart  and dilates  the blood vessels, temporarily improving
circulation and relaxing the mind. Homer should avoid cold and raw
foods because they have a chilling, dampening eect on the Kidney,
Spleen , and Heart . The strategy for Homer will be to strengthen and harmonize the
areas of weakn ess that exist in Water, Fire, and Earth . The Kidney
depends upon the Spleen  and Stomach  for replenishment of Essence
and upon the Heart  for the circula tion of Essence  and the “spreading
of joy.” An herbal formula disperses stagnation, strengthens the
Kidney , and warms his body. This also helps to revive his appetite,
improve his digestion, free his joints, and raise his spirits. After three treatments Homer’s pain and stiness were
ameliorated. He returned to his usual level of work with an
increased tolerance for the cold environment of his shop. After three
months of herbs and acupuncture with sustained improvement,
Homer prepared a strong brew of ginseng root to warm and
consolidate the Qi of his whole body, especially  the Kidney . He gaveup whiskey and for six months had no complaints. Then he
experienced a return of stin ess in his hips and hands. Another dose
of ginseng reversed this relap se, and a year later he remained free of
pain. (see larger image)WATER(see larger image)(see larger image)
SO, YOU THINK YOU’RE A WATER TYPE
KEYS TO UNDERSTANDING  WATER
• articulate, clever, and introspective• self-contained and self-sucient
• penetrating, critical, and scrutinizing
• seeks knowledge and understanding
• likes to remain hidden, enigmatic, and anonymous
TYPICAL  PROBLEMS
• emotionally inaccessible and undemonstrative
• isolation and loneliness
• tactless, unforgiving, and suspicious
• hardening of the arteries, deterioration of teeth and gums,
backache, chilliness, loss of libido
CRITICAL  TIMES
• exaggerated Water—Kidney  congestion: winter and summer, 3 P.M.–7
P.M. and 11 A.M.–3 P.M.
• collapsed Water—Kidney  depletion: spring and late summer, 3 A.M.–7
A.M. and 7 A.M.–11 A.M.
A FRIENDLY  REMINDER
The power of Water  come s from the capacity to conceive,
concentrate, and conserve. Water  types need to oset their
toughness, bluntness, and detachment with tenderness, sensitivity,
and openness, risking softness and contact, exposure and
attachment. OceanofPDF.comIII 
THERAPYAcupuncture and Moxibustion
OceanofPDF.comCHAPTER THIRTEEN
ACUPUNCTURE : A UNIFIED  FIELD OF  INVISIBLE
CHANNELS
Beginnings and Endings  (for Efrem)
The Acupuncturist
Told me how Chinese medicine
Connects the Grief emotion
To the intestines
As he treated me
For a painful
Somewhat mysterious malady
Beginnings and Endings
Separations
How to say good-bye
Holding the sadness in,
Or as he said once before
Some Deep Holding
Holding in the grieving
For a long time—yes said I
At least 21 years
Since my mother’s death
And also Elsa, and he said
The recent separation
Yes I agreed, and he said
Beginnings and Endings
That’s really all he needed
To say that dayBecause with his treatment
I cried and cried
My body shaking, quaking,
Tears lling up my ears
The needles sticking out all over me
Today was a healing feeling experience
Some part of what is trapped inside
Could no longer be repressed, denied,
Had to be expressed, so may
My future life be blessed
With an ability to calmly ow
To let it go—to tell it on the mountain
To tell my story
In all of its intricate
Weavings and blendings
Beginnings and Endings
          Lincoln Bergman
WHEN I RETURNED TO MY FAMILY AFTER ACQUIRING ACUPUNCTURE  skills, it
appeared as wizardry that a few needles placed strategically could
perform instan t wonder. I was able to help my aunt open jars that
had remained sealed to her arthritically crippled grasp and aid a
sculptor strengthen his limp arm so that he could again carve wood. My father had been unable to help either of them. I felt as if I had
found a secret key to knowledge buried within the folds of a foreign
culture. To my father’s Weste rn mind, it is suspiciously curious that
a throb bing between the temples vanishes when a needle is inserted
in the foot, or that melancholy lifts after stimulating a point above
the wrist, or that an improperly positioned fetus turns itself around
after burning herbs on the little toe. Seeing the body as permeated
by streams of vital force makes these events more comp rehensible,
even reasonable.GATES OPEN INTO A  MATRIX OF  CHANNELS
Organ Networks  communicate with each other via an invisible web
of channels transporting Qi and Blood . The Qi courses through the
body in perpetual motion similar to water in a riverbed . Like the
matrix of waterways that cover the surface of the earth, these
channels empty into one another, intersect, and have underground
as well as surface streams, connecting the interior with the exterior
of the body. Acupuncture points are located in small depressions in the skin
called “men” or “gates.” Access can be gained to the internal
circulation of Qi and Blood  through acupuncture points . In ancient
times, when Chinese cities were fortied by walls, gates were
opened to receive sustenance and closed to keep harm away. Acupuncture points are gatew ays, subtle portals of the body that are
opened and closed to adjust its dynamic. Thin, solid, sterile stainless-steel needles enter the channels,
activating or inhibiting the ow of Qi and Blood . Fourteen major
pathways traverse the body from the top of the head to the tips of
the ngers and toes. Many principal acupuncture points are located
below the elbow and knee—where the Qi changes its polarity from
Yin to Yang and gathers force as it moves from the extremities
toward the core. Stimulation of these points exerts profound
inuence upon the equilibrium of the organism as a whole. Depending on our assumptions about how the body works,
dierent possibilities arise for solutions to its problems. While doing
clinical study in Shanghai, Efrem treated a three-year-old boy who,
since the age of eight week s, was retarded because of meningitis. Western medic ine was able to save his life but could not help him to
speak, walk, feed himself, or dispel his dull and passive demeanor. After ten weeks of acupuncture, the boy was vocalizing, standing,
eating by himself, and interacting with animation and cheer. He
began to walk, and his manu al dexterity improved, enabl ing him to
explore and manipulate his environment. In this short period he
went through a metamorpho sis from a listless infant to a bright andresponsive child. In Chinese terms, the illness had shut down the
capacity of his Kidney  to sustain his growth and development,
severing the cohesion of Spirit  and Essence . By supplementing Kidney
Qi and activating all the channels with acupuncture, psyche and
soma were reunited, and his family felt that their child  had come
home to them. Acupuncture Needle InsertionAcupuncture Points upon Channels of  QiAcupuncture Points upon Channels of  Qi
CORRESPONDENCE  THEORY AND  REORGANIZING  PATTERNS OF  ILLNESS
Legends abound about the origins of acupuncture. One story is that
acupuncture was discovered by observing that soldiers wounded by
arrows and spears recovered  from ailments in other parts of their
bodies. Trial and error over many centuries evolved into a renedand detailed clinical methodology based on this system of
correspondences. Another tale holds that semi-divine sages mapped
the pathways of Qi and chronicled the eects of ingesting herbs. What was invisible to the ordinary eye was visible to their
enlightened perception. By eliminatin g congestion and activating circulation of Qi,
acupuncture interrupts and disorganizes patterns of illness. For
example, a throbbing, hot, full feeling in the head accompanied by
coldness in the hands and feet suggests an excess  of Qi in the head
and a deciency  in the extremities. By stimulating points on the
hands and feet, congested Qi and Blood  are dislodged from the head
and redistributed throughout the body. The headache retreats, and a
comfortable sense of warmth and connectedness pervades the body. Acupuncture is most eective when functional disturbances have
not yet developed into organic or structural impairments. Migraine
headaches are more responsive to treatment than pain due to a
brain tumor. However, even in degenerative disorders like the joint
deformities of arthritis or the chronic inammation of nerves and
muscles, frequent long-term treatment can bring about relief of pain
and sometimes impressive recovery of function. HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE  WORK, ANYWAY? The metaphor of the mechanic and the gardener helps us to
dierentiate between Western and Chinese explanatio ns of the
phenomenon of acupuncture. Conventional Western  wisdom
perceives acupuncture as limited to the amelioration of pain. For
example, neurophysiological experiments have demonstrated that
acupuncture modies the transmission of neural impulse s between
the spinal cord and the brain, forming the basis of what is known as
the “gate control” theory. This theory postulates that the action of
pain bers in the spinal cord is blocked by acupuncture. Acupuncture is also known to stimulate the release of endogenous
morphinelike substances called endorphins, brain hormones
produced by the body as a response to stress. Their release duringthe exertion of running or swimming accounts for what is referred
to as “jogger’s or swimmer’s  high.” Endorphins induce a euphoric
sense of well-being, serving as an adaptive and regenerative
resource for coping with pain, one form stress takes. While neurological and hormonal hypotheses describe how
acupuncture alleviates pain, they do not adequately explain its
diverse therapeutic eects. Other experiments, including  the study
of acupuncture -assisted surgery, have shown that acupuncture not
only inhibits pain, but also directly aects peripheral
microcirculation, rhythm and stroke volume of the heart, blood
pressure, levels of circulating immunoglobulins, gastrointestinal
peristalsis, secretion of hydrochloric acid, and the produc tion of red
and white blood cells. Acupuncture seems to adjust all the
physiological processes of the organism, possibly through activation
of the homeostatic function of the autonomic nervous system. Recent clinical research using acupuncture in the treatment of
alcohol, tobacco, drug, and food addiction suggests that stimulating
points along the vagal branch of the autonomic nervous system in
the external ear decreases cravings and withdrawal reactions. These
clinical and experimental ndings reect the state of our
understanding from the perspective of Western medical science. The central issue from the classical Chinese medical point  of view
is not why acupuncture works, but rather how and when  to use it. The dynamic balance that Chinese medicine equates with health
manifests as smooth and constant movement. When Qi and Blood
stagnate, the processes of elimination and regeneration deteriorate,
constituting the basic condition underlying many forms of illness. Pain is also considered to be the result of congested Qi, Blood , or
Moisture . If poor circulation persists, tissues (muscle, tendons,
nerves, blood vessels, internal organs) become swollen, brous, and
hardened, which further impedes adequate circulation, undermining
the functional capacity of the organism. Because pain is associated
with observab le phenomena  like swellings, nodules, and tumors,
pain that exists without observable cause is assumed to be the
product of hidden or invisible stagnation. This echoes the circular
logic of correspondence thinking. Acupuncture is a process ofstirring up the Qi so that stasis is overcome , thereby restoring
circulation, reducing swelli ng, alleviating pain, and promoting
healing. THE MECHANIC AND  GARDENER  REVISITED
The mechanis tic approach of Western science supposes that
acupuncture works by jamming pain signals in a complex
neurological circuit much like computer engineers reprogram
sophisticated information systems. The body becomes an electronic
and biochemical network of transmitting and receiving stations with
messages owing back and forth along specic single-function
pathways. So we have a picture of acupuncture blocking and
unblocking valves, opening and closing switches, latching and
unlatching gates. Because of such a narrow focus, the possibility of
multiple and simultaneous interactions is overlooked. Within the Chinese medical Zeitgeist the acupuncturist is a
practical ecologist who never loses sight of the whole while
attending to any of the parts. Since this model assumes the
synchronicity of response throughout the organism, it’s reasonable
that stimulation of a local site will have global impact and that
stimulation of an array of sites can have specic outcomes. Treating
the surface of the extremities with needles aects the deep organs of
the chest and abdomen, and at the same time, points of the
abdomen will aect the head, arms, and legs. It is not acceptable in
Chinese medicine for pain to be erased while the patient’s emotional
state declines, for the mobility of the knee to improve while the
digestion and circulation deteriorate. Acupuncture is not like a drug that is supposed to produce a
discrete and limited result. In Western medicine a given drug or
procedure results in a limited, desired eect, plus so-called side
eects, which are adverse changes in the organism as a whole. In
Chinese medicine, this logic is reversed, so that global changes in
the whole organism result in the disappearance of specicsymptoms. In acupuncture “secondary” eects are intended, all part
of one continuous process of change. Conceptualizing acupuncture as limited to the treatment of pain,
or as a disease-specic therapy, contradicts the very heart of
Chinese medicine, which takes multifarious eects for granted. The
acupuncturist operates much like a shepherd herding goats into a
corral or a farmer diverting river water into terraced elds in an
attempt to orchestrate a fortuitous convergence of natural forces. BIOELECTRIC  OSCILLATING  FIELDS
Some Western scientists and doctors have become interested in
acupuncture; they provide a nexus where ancient theories  of Qi and
modern theories of biology and physics converge. Several biological
theorists assert that electromagnetic elds organize and shape living
organisms but are so subtle they are imperceptible. They suggest
that the ux of these elds determines health and growth. Robert
Becker, M.D., a researcher in electrophysiology, has demonstrated
that certain electrical elds  and currents are essential for tissue
regeneration, and he has used microcurrent to heal nonunion bone
fractures. In The Body Electric , Becker comments:
Although neuro-physiologists had studied pain  … for decades,
there was still no cohere nt theory of it.…  The prevailing view in
the West was that if acupuncture worked at all, it acted through
the placebo eect.…  I proposed a more elegant hypothesis. The
acupuncture meridians, I suggested, were electrical conductors
that carried an injury message to the brain.…  For currents
measured in nanoamperes and microvolts, the ampliers would
have to be … a few inches apart—just like the acupu ncture
points! … like dark stars sending their electricity along the
meridians, an interior galaxy that the Chinese had somehow
found and explored.…  If the integrity of health really was
maintained by a balanced circulation of invisible energythrough this constellation  … then various patterns of needle
placement might indeed bring the currents into harmony.… Our
readings indicated that the meridians were conducting
current.…  Each point  … had [an electrical] eld surrounding it,
with its own characteristic shape. It was obvious  … that at least
the major parts of the acupuncture charts had, as the jargon
goes, “an objective basis in reality.”
The contemp orary practice of acupuncture has begun to
synthesize classical with modern concepts and methods. Acupuncture can now be conceptualized as a bioelectric
information-modulating system. In ancient China the metaphors for
the body reected the development of irrigation systems and
waterways for commerce that were unifying society durin g the Han
dynasty. Today the overarch ing concern of societies is the use and
acquisition of energy resources. Society used to be powered by
water; now it is fueled by electricity. In ancient times elds grew
golden grain; in the modern world elds have become the
playground in which electro magnetic pulses oscillate. The ancient
metaphor of currents of Wind  and Water  now coexists with
metaphors of currents of information in worldwide photoelectronic
systems and networks. As in ancient times, the body continues to be
perceived as a miniature projection of its social context, with
microprocessing systems and electromagnetic elds and conductors. These metaphors are comple mentary—the universe of Qi, “the web
that has no weaver,” and the elds and forces of the quantum
physicist are only a half step apart. ACUPUNCTURE  TREATMENT:  WHAT TO  EXPECT
AN UNUSUAL  INTERVIEW
The practitioner makes a diagnostic assessment that takes into
account the patient’s present and past symptoms and complaints
(medical history), inherited constitution (family history),environment (social and natural), life-style (work and habits), and
psychology (thoughts, emotions, and relationships) and involves
observation of facial and tongue color and physical palpation of the
body and pulse. HOW THE  NEEDLES  FEEL
Needles penetr ate anywhere from a fraction of an inch to several
inches, depend ing on the thickness of esh and muscle at a given
location. Since the needles are extremely ne, minimal pain
accompanies insertion. Sensations such as tingling, heaviness,
soreness, and pressure are not only common but desirable because
this indicates that the Qi is prese nt and being summoned. Sensations
may occur around the acupuncture point as well as along the
channel of which it is a part. Sometimes people feel the Qi moving
in areas far from the point of insertion. Response to treatment is highly individual. A drifting, dreamy
sense of well-being and relaxation is usual, as is an elevation of
spirits. The needle itself goes unnoticed or feels like a small pinch
followed by a sensation of numbness, ache, traveling warmth,
tingling, or heaviness around  the area. Following acupuncture it is
as normal to experience the desire to continue resting as it is to feel
immediately animated, though sometimes this sense of invigoration
is delayed until the days following treatment. Most people are
relieved to nd that treatments are not especially uncomfortable
and, in fact, look forward to the experience.Patient Receiving Treatment
Patient Receiving Treatment
HOW ACUPUNCTURE  POINTS  ARE CHOSEN-PRINCIPLES OF  TREATMENT
An acupuncturist considers many factors in selecting appropriate
points for treatment. Some of these include
1. the channel nearest the site of the problem
2. points known to benet particular conditions
3. points that aect specic Organ Network  function
4. points that harmonize the Five PhasesThe rst guiding principle is the topographical relationship
between the channels and the site of the symptoms. According to
this, it would make sense to treat nasal congestion using a local
point outside the nostril, Large Intestine 20 (called Welcome
Fragrance ), assisted by Large Intestine 4 (known as the upper Gate of
Qi), a distal point located between the index nger and the thumb. This latter point is chosen for assistance because it exerts a strong
inuence upon the upper body, especially the face and neck, and
because it governs movement upward from the chest and downward
to the abdomen. Because of this, it is used for dental pain, thyroid
surgery, sinus headaches, and coughs as well as for constipation and
facilitating childbirth. This leads to the second principle, which relies on the
eectiveness of classic sites for treating certain problems. Several
examples: heating Bladder 67 on the little toe can correct
malposition of the fetus; bleeding Lung 11 along the thumbnail can
relieve swelling of the throat; needling Pericardium 6  above the wrist
can alleviate angina pectoris ; and needling Small Intestine 3 on the
side of the hand can relieve acute spasm of the neck. Another principle is the selection of points based on their power
to prom ote unique functions  of the Organ Networks . For example,
since the Spleen  transforms Moisture , and edema and phlegm appear
when this function is depressed. Stomach 40 and Spleen 9 have the
property of invigorating the Spleen  and dispelling  Dampness . Since
the Liver stores and nurtures the Blood , when this function is
impaired, anemia and apathy develop. Needling Liver 3 harmonizes
the Liver, enabli ng it to revitalize the Blood  and arouse the mind. Selecting points according to the dynamics of Qi, Blood , and
Moisture  is called treating the “root,” and selection based upon
symptoms is called treating the “branch.”
The last principle dealt with here, though many more exist in
theory and practice, concerns Five-Phase  correspondence thinking. The lattice of channels and streams that organize and govern the
processes of the human organism act as a semipermeable
membrane, a lter and interface between the organis m and its
environment. Five points on each channel corresponding to each ofthe Five Phases  are the links and passages in this web, connecting
interior rhythm s of Qi with macroco smic cycles of activity. These
powerful nodal points of change, located below the elbow and knee,
can aect all conditions solely on the basis of Five-Phase
interrelationships. Allergies or depression that occur in the spring
and fall are a manifestation of a transitional conict between the
Liver and Lung within the body and the Phases  of Wood  and Metal  in
nature. Using the points that correspond to Wood  and Metal  on the
Liver and Lung channels serves to harmonize the interaction of these
two Organ Networks  and to place  the organism in sync with the
seasonal cycle . The body as hologram embodies the whole within
each part—embedded within each Organ  channel are points of
resonance akin to each of the ve Organ Networks . Each channel has
a point of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal , and Water . Within this framework, symp toms and signs of illness are used to
reveal the fundamental conicts between the Organ Networks  using
the language of the Five Phases— these are the basic relationships
from which symptoms emerge. For example, a restless, frightened,
confused, exhausted person, unable to sleep and experiencing sharp
pains in the chest and back, feels on the verge of mental and
physical collap se. This array represents the breakdow n between
Water  and Fire, between the Kidney  and the Heart . The crucial
objective is to reestablish a viable relationship between the Kidney
and Heart  by using points that harmonize Water  and Fire. With this
kind of treatment, process is reorganized, which brings about the
relief of symptoms as a by-product. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE? Duration and frequency of treatment vary since each person is a
unique riddle to be solved. Some need only a few sessions, while
others need the accumulat ed benet of weeks or months of
attention. This depends on factors such as the severity of the
complaint, how long the person has had it, and the extent to which
living patterns exacerbate the condition. A session lasts about anhour and is scheduled as often as every day or as little as twice a
month. As symptoms improve, fewer visits are required, individual
progress being the yardstick. Angus had fallen o a roof and suered contusions that left him
unable to walk without severe pain. He was told he would have
chronic arthritis for the rest of his life and would never be able to
return to his occupation as a roofer. After the third visit he
experienced whole days without pain for the rst time in six
months. By the fth visit he was able to walk normally without
discomfort, and within a few weeks he returned to work at his
trade. Shirley had uterine broids that were growing monthly. She
wanted to avoid surgery until she reached menopause, at which
time the broids might shrin k on their own. After eight months of
weekly treatment her broids diminished markedly, and her periods
became regular with a cessation of heavy bleeding, debilitating
pain, and weakness. Generally, after six to twelve sessions there will be some
subjective response to treatment: recovery from the main complaint
or a more generalized sense of improvement, including increased
alertness and tranquillity, more restful sleep, or better circulation. These positive signs suggest improvement, oering promise that the
specic symptom may be alleviated with continued treatment. For
chronic problems the process is often extended, and progress may be
recognized more by hindsight, when people look back and
remember how they felt before treatment. Changes that can be recognized by the doctor include
improvement of the pulse and appearance of the tongue, vitality and
tone of the skin and muscle s, clarity and brightness of the eyes,
lucidity of thinking and expression, evenness of temperament, and
buoyancy of spirit. Often the pulse will respond quite favorably
immediately following a treatment, even though the patient does
not note a change. Conversely, symptoms may improve dramatically
without comparably signicant alterations in the pulse. In China today, where health care is inexpensive and readily
accessible, acupuncture is usually administered in a series of ten to
twenty treatm ents and as often as twice a day in serious or acuteconditions. The potential of acupuncture is maximized by frequency,
continuity, and perseverance. Serious, chronic illness requires
persistent and long-term treatment in order to achieve results. Many
factors inuence the outcome of treatment. Based on animal
research it appears that the placebo eect or suggestibility is not the
determining factor. In other words, acupuncture works in spite of
the patient’s expectations or beliefs. Simple ailments such as the common cold, tension headaches,
strains, and sprains, when treated in their early stages, can be
resolved in one to ve treatments. Rheumatoid arthritis, cystic
ovaries; or asthma may require treatment over six months to two
years. There are miraculo us cures of apparently intractable
problems and times when recovery is beyond the scope of
acupuncture in spite of dedication, persistence, and faith. Acupuncture can also be helpful for people who can’t be cured but
whose pain can be ameliorated in an advanced terminal disease or
whose immunity, appetite, digestion, sleep, and energy can be
improved. Acupuncture is a subtle and potent technique for initiating change
that may engender strong reactions as well as gradual
transformations. There is often a struggle between the need for
change and the desire to maintain that which is stable and familiar. Everyone wishes for cure without change, for recovery without
eort. Aggravations that occur during the process of treatment are
referred to as “healing crises” if, after their resolution, a person feels
better than before. The doctor and the patient need to work together
to intelligently evaluate the eects of treatment and mutually
determine its course. Both response and responsibi lity involve the capacity to react and
interact. It is the patient’s responsibility to respond as fully and
freely as possible. It is the doctor’s responsibility to interpret
progress and guide the patient, being responsive to his or her
desires, expectations, needs, and limitations. It is the doctor’s
responsibility to both teach and learn from the patient and theobligation of the patient to explore the new perspectives and
suggestions oered by the doctor. ACUPUNCTURE IN A  SHANGHAI  CLINIC
When Efrem was an intern in Shanghai at the Shu Guan Hospital
Acupuncture Clinic, he was particularly excited by the enthusiasm
generated by many doctors and patients working together. Rather
than patients being isolated  in private rooms, ten people at once
were treated communally in a room crowded with tables and chairs. The atmosphere was neither frenetic nor chaotic, but friendly, vocal,
and intimate. Some people had traveled long distances to be seen at
this clinic renowned for resolving dicult cases. It felt thrilling to
be in an environment in which helping was what everyone was
doing. Patient s were helping each other by sharing both their
individual stories and their common intention to make the most of
this opportunity for treatment. Doctors were supporting each other
with continual exchanges of advice and assistance. There was no
competition between doctors, no motive for personal prot or gain,
and among patients there was no expectation of privilege or
ownership of a doctor’s time or attention. This atmospher e, charged
with a spirit of mutual support and intense commitment,  seemed to
accelerate recovery time. People who had languished for years
under other medical regimen s changed dramatically in a matter of
weeks. Acupuncture practiced in this way seemed to incorporate several
principles that maximized its benets. These were to focus the
treatment on the patient’s concerns, to make treatment as frequent
as necessary, to keep it aordable, and to tailor it to a person’s
physical and emotional capacity. The future of acupunctu re in North
America will in part depend on access to hospital settings,
outpatient clinics, and the economic support of private and public
insurers. WHAT ACUPUNCTURE  CAN TREATAcupuncture can treat disorders of Qi, Blood , and Moisture  and
problems of Organ Networks  and their associated channels—but this
obviously does not correspond to the Western vocabulary of named
diseases and conditions. Acupuncture may be helpful for withdrawal
from addictions such as sugar, coee, cigarettes, cocaine, and
alcohol; stress reduction; postsurgical recovery; signs of aging; and
decreased immunity. The World Health Organization of the United
Nations has listed conditions for which it considers acupuncture
appropriate:
Infections
colds and u
bronchitis
hepatitis
Musculoskeletal and Neurologic
arthritis
neuralgia
sciatica
back pain
bursitis
tendonitis
sti neck
Bell’s palsy
trigeminal neuralgia
headache
stroke
cerebral palsy
polio
sprains
Internalasthma
high blood pressure
ulcers
colitis
indigestion
hemmorrhoids
diarrhea
constipation
diabetes
hypoglycemia
Mental-Emotional
anxiety
depression
stress
insomnia
Dermatologic
eczema
acne
herpes
Eyes-Ears-Nose-Throat
deafness
ringing in the ears
earaches
poor eyesight
dizziness
sinus infection
sore throathay fever
Genitourinary and Reproductive
impotence
infertility
premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
pelvic inammatory disease (PID)
vaginitis
irregular period or cramps
morning sickness
“My arthritis had it so I couldn’t use my ngers much. After my rst
treatment, I could open a jar again. I hadn’t done that in a long time.”
Jeanne Forsmith, age  74
“It wasn’t really cramps that bothered me, but two weeks before my
period I would get bloated, stop sleeping well, feel irritable, depressed,
angry, and my breasts would swell up and hurt. If I stood too long, my
lower legs would ache, and I got real tired no matter how much I slept
The worst thing was the exhaustion and being a grouch with my family. All those things got better real gradually with acupuncture. I had to take
herbs, too. It’s been almost two years, and I still go for treatm ent once a
month before my period.”
Cynthia Fields, age 38
“My rash was red and itchy all over both legs. In the night Yd scratch
and have scabs by morning. I tried regular doctors and homeopathy for
two years. I tried everything. After my rst acupuncture treatment it
started getting better. After six visits it was pretty much clear. Then I
tried to quit smoking. It’s been a year and a half since my last treatment
and the rash hasn’t come back, and I haven’t smoked, either.”
Helena Muscal, age 22“I have osteopo rosis and kidney problems. I slipped and fell and was in a
brace from my neck to my tailbone in constant pain from compression
fractures in my upper back. The pain didn’t stop for ten months, keeping
me awake nights. I began acupuncture, and the pain began to ease up. The rst thing to happen was that I started sleeping at night. Within two
months the pain went away. After four months I shed my brace. I had
more energy. For the many months before treatment I never went through
a day without pain—now I go for days, and I can take care of myself
and function.”
Tom Bylar, age 44
“I broke my ankle so badly, I needed one steel plate and four pins. The
stiness and throbbing was awful . I noticed enough  improvement to
discontinue after ve acupuncture sessions. My range of motion
increased, and the stiness decreased. The most remarkable  thing was
how the muscle spasm and pain diminished and stayed gone after
treatments. I know it hastened my recovery period since I could stretch
and use my ankle more.”
Joanna Rinaldi, age 37
“For months my blood pressure  was so high that I was dizzy all the time
and couldn’t stand up. I was frightened because it was barely under
control with medication. Within forty-eight hours after one of my
acupuncture treatments the pressure dropped so low that my doctor had
to take me o medication.
_OceanofPDF.com_Between_Heaven_and_Earth_-_Harriet_Beinfield.txt
Summarize the following text section accurately and concisely. Maintain specific details and numerical information, and use anti-repetition mechanisms:

        The skin as
the envelope of the body becomes easily penetrable and unable to
defend against assault by pernicious inuences, whether emotional,
climatic, or microbial. METAL: Lung  PatternsHarmonic
Collapsed
Exaggerated
Harmonic  and Dissonant PatternsIn the harmonic Lung pattern, the Spleen  and Kidney  maintain
stability while the Liver and Heart  provide the tension necessary for
movement and adaptation. In the exaggerated Lung pattern, the
Spleen  and Kidney  become hyperactive and the Liver and Heart
become hypersensitive and erratic. In the collapsed  pattern, the
Spleen  and Kidney  become drained and weake ned while the Liver
and Heart  become overbearing and congested. The key issues for Louis are stiness, dryness, and inhibit ion. The
exaggerated  tendency toward inner restraint of bodily sensation and
emotional expression retard s the circulation of Qi, the pulsatory
activity of the viscera, and impedes the distribution of bodily juices
that lubricate and soften the skin, muscles, and mucous membrane. To preserve his self-suciency and openness, Louis needs to
cultivate a buoyancy of spirit and a resiliency of structure. Keeping
his skin elastic with massage or brushing helps him to avoid
becoming callused and indierent to sensation and emotion. Aerobic
exercise, a high-ber diet, and a moderate uid intake are especially
important for Louis. Openin g his bowels, relaxing his chest, and
stimulating his skin will help him remain pliant and keep his mind
receptive to new ideas and inspiration. Socially, Louis can use his
talent for design to insure that involvement with other people
becomes a ceremonial if not a celebrated part of his daily life. It is
important for him to place himself in situations that demand
spontaneity as well as discipline: faith and instinct as well as
knowledge and reason. Herbs and diet would help him to regulate
and supplement Qi and Moisture. Acupuncture would be directed
toward regulating Blood  and Moisture  in the skin, relaxing the chest,
and activating the Liver, thereby preventing patterns of stiness and
dryness from crystallizing into stasis and rigidity. STELLA: I L IVE BY THE BOOKStella is a trim, crisply dressed woman with ne, curly dark hair. Calm and composed, prepared with a list of her symptoms and
questions written out on a note card, she waits courteously for an
invitation to speak. Stella asks, “Could you tell me your ke and
whether this session will include treatment as well as consultation. ”
I explain the fee structure and the services that I oer. She continues, “The reason I’ve come is that my breasts are
continuously hard and brous, and over the last six months, my
periods have become spotty  and infrequent. My skin and hair are
dry, and my hands and feet get icy cold for no apparent reason. I do
regular exercise, eat with care, never drink, smoke, or overindulge. I
don’t understand these problems. I’ve always lived by the book. My
energy is good, digestion is ne, I sleep well, and am rarely sick. I
don’t mind not having the period, but I’m concerned that it may be
related to my breast problem. I won’t take drugs or hormones, so I
wanted to try acupuncture. I’ll consider the herbs, but I don’t like
the idea of taking medicine. ”
TREATMENT
Stella’s pulse is thin, tight, and buoyant; her tongue is pale pink
with dry fur, and there is a hint of redness at the front edges and
tip. Stella comments that her mouth and throat often feel dry. She’s
not really thirsty, but she drinks four glasses of water a day because
she thinks she should. Her ovaries are tender. Even though her
hands and feet are cold, her chest and abdomen feel warm. In the
past Stella says she has had pain in her ovaries with spotting during
ovulation. The warmth of her abdomen  and the coldness of her extremities
indicate that her circulation is obstructed, which conne s the Heat
in the interior. A disorder of the Liver is often respo nsible for this
problem, so the treatment will use points that help the Liver move
the Blood  and Qi from the center of the body to the extremities. A point  on the top of the foot between the third and fourth toe on
the Gallbladder  meridian will help liberate the Qi and Blood  from theinterior by activating the Liver and Gallbladder  and drawing the Qi
down from the chest. Above the wrist on top of the forearm, a point
on the Ttiple-Burner  meridian will draw the energy from the chest
into the arms. In the middle of the chest, a point on the sternum will
disperse the stagnant Qi and circulate the Blood  in the breasts. Between the navel and the pubis bone is a point called Gate of the
Source, which circulates the Qi and Blood  in the lower abdomen and
benets the uterus and ovaries. As Stella lies stiy quiet, she begins to quiver as if she were
shivering. She says she is not cold and that she doesn’t understand
why she is shaking. I explain that this is a manifestation of the
release of Qi and that she will feel warm and relaxed when this
activity subsid es and not to worry about it. A tear spills from each
eye as she relates that she doesn’t feel upset but she seems to be
crying. I comment that this too is a sign of the release of bound-up
energy taking an emotional form. She comments that now her
mouth feels moist as well. Both the secretion of tears and saliva is
literally a sign that the juices are owing. Stella is surprised and
impressed by the changes that she is feeling and apologizes for
being emotional. INTERPRETATION  AND STRATEGY
Everything about Stella is well dened, from the clothes she wears
to the clarity of her self-expression. She is fastidious, careful, and
pleased with the rhythm and method of her life. Stella does not like
displaying her emotions— she is both private and well managed—so
her response to treatment makes an impact on her. She is not easily
moved, especially in the company of strangers. As a Metal  type, part of what upsets Stella is that the smooth-
running system of her life is being disturbed. She is reluctant to alter
her habits by taking herbs since she does not take kindly to
disruptions of her regular routine. But she is willing to consider the
idea if she can justify the use of herbs and incorporate them into her
life-style. A central relationship for the Metal  type is betwee n the Lung and
Liver, between the circulation of Qi and the distribution of Blood. When Metal  dominates Wood, the Qi and Blood  can become conned
and suppresse d. The prolonged stagnation of Qi and Blood  in a
localized regio n such as the breasts or ovaries engenders the
formation of congealed masses such as tumors. Stella shows signs of both deciency  and excess, but neither is
preeminent or extreme. Her tongue is pale, her pulse is thin, her
skin is dry, and her periods are scanty. These are all signs of a
deciency  of Blood. The redness around the edges of her tongue,
tightness of her pulse, harde ning of the breasts, and warmth of her
chest and abdomen are signs of stagnation of Qi and Blood  as well as
conned Heat in the interior. Overall, Stella has a strong
constitution as evidenced by her infrequent sickness, high energy,
healthy appearance, and well-integrated life-style. The strategy for Stella is to disperse the Qi and tonify the Blood. This will alleviate the conict that has developed between the Liver
and the Lung and reverse the process of stagnation, guarding her
against the formation of masses. When the Qi in her chest loosens,
the Heart will be able to perform its function of circulating Blood  to
the hands and feet, and the Liver will be able to distribute Blood
throughout the chest, breasts, and abdomen. Since Stella has some hesitan cy about taking herbal medicine and
because she is already committed to eating wholesome food, for the
time being I suggest an herbal food recipe to be cooked with grains,
vegetables, and protein. I advise her to avoid eating hot, spicy foods
that increase internal Heat and Dryness. The edible herbs include the
roots of white peony, ligusticum, and polygonatum, combined with
lycii berries, red dates, and saower. Together with the seasonings
of turmeric and fresh ginger  and a few more ordinary ingredients
like eggplant, leeks, shiitake mushrooms, and carrots, this recipe
will improve circulation, build Blood, tonify Qi, and generate
Moisture. The moistenin g, softening, and nurturing eects of these
supplementing herbs and foods will restore the smoothness and
elasticity of Stella’s skin, the luster and texture of her hair, and thecirculation within her breasts and reproductive organs. Later, when
she is comfort able with the herbs in her diet, she can begin using
medicinal formulas. Acupuncture and herbs together will harmonize
the Lung and Liver, Qi and Blood, and strengthen the Heart  and
Kidney. Over the subsequent three months, Stella’s midcycle bleeding
ceases, her breasts soften following each period, and her circulation
improves to better warm her hands and feet. She savors her herbal
meals and is amenable to taking herbal medicine until the hardness
in her breasts is completely gone. She is relieved that she doesn’t
have to contin ue acupunctur e for too long but agrees to return for a
follow-up in a few months to monitor her continuing improvement. (see larger image)METAL(see larger image)(see larger image)
SO, YOU THINK YOU’RE A METAL TYPE
KEYS TO UNDERSTANDING  METAL
• likes denition, structure, and discipline• respects virtue, discretion, and authority
• seeks to live according to reason and principle
• holds self and others to the highest standards
• reveres beauty, ceremony, and renement
TYPICAL  PROBLEMS
• indierence and inhibition
• autocratic, strict, and persnickety
• formal, distant, and unnatural
• sti joints and muscles, dry skin and hair, shallow breathing,
sensitive to climate, poor circulation
• self-righteousness and disillusionment
CRITICAL  TIMES
• exaggerated Metal—Lung  congestion: fall and spring, 3 A. M. -7 A.
The Liver and Heart provide the tension necessary for movement and adaptation in the harmonic Lung pattern.
What is the significance of the Liver and Heart in the harmonic Lung pattern?
The recommended diet for Louis is a high-iber diet with a moderate uid intake.
What is the recommended diet for Louis, a Metal type?
The primary focus of treatment for Homer is to strengthen and harmonize the areas of weakness in Water, Fire, and Earth.
What is the primary focus of treatment for Homer, a Water type?
The Gate of the Source point is used to circulate the Qi and Blood in the lower abdomen and ovaries, and to alleviate the stagnation and hardening of the breasts.
What is the purpose of the Gate of the Source point in the treatment of Stella, a Metal type?
The goal of treatment for Homer is to strengthen and harmonize the areas of weakness in Water, Fire, and Earth, and to maintain the connection between the Kidney and Heart.
What is the goal of the treatment for Homer, a Water type?