Presented by Robert Hayden, L.Ac. at the Breat Rivers Symposium, April 2, 2006
Japanese Meridian Therapy makes extensive use of non-invasive subtle needling, moxibustion and other techniques especially appropriate for treating affective disorders. You will have an introduction to these gentle yet extremely effective methods, as well as five-phase and extraordinary vessels patterns associated with psychoemotional problems, moxibustion treatments and examples of treatment protocols incorporating all these techniques. Discussion and demonstrations of contact needling, plus-minus techniques, moxibustion, abdominal palpation and point location will be included.
Intro Meridian Therapy
Japanese Neo-Classic School
Nan Jing basis: pulse, abdomen, point selection
About 25% of acupuncturists in Japan
Strong emphasis on palpation, many blind practitioners
Different schools of thought within Meridian Therapy
Only MDs, Pharmacists may prescribe herbs
Theoretically concise
4 basic Yin Organ Deficiency Patterns: LU, SP, LR, K
Mainly based on pulse position and abdominal dx
Tx Staging
1 - Root Tx, 5-phase needling based on Nan Jiing 69
2 - Supportive Tx, enhances Root Tx, may also Tx Sx
Examples: Extra Vessel, Non-pattern Root Tx, Back Shu Points
3 - Branch Tx, directly targets symptoms
Superficial needling very common, especially for Root Tx
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Classical Ideas re psych per Shudo
Prewar = age of Excess
Postwar = age of deficiency
21st century = age of Heart deficiency
More and more strong psych component to disease
People in advanced countries have comfortable environments but stressful lives
21st century = Age of Mind - shift from material to spiritual POV
Lots of people haven’t made this transition, so get depressed
Social factors primary cause
A types likely to be affected, B types better equipped to survive
Balance between meticulous & sloppy
Healthy person “happy just being alive”
Classical Ideas
Among Five Organs, Heart is special
Shen not just one aspect - integrates and controls all thought and action
“When the Shen is Lost, the Patient Dies”
(No Heart deficiency pattern in Meridian Therapy)
Lung deficiency
causes loss of motivation, passivity, complaining, loss of assertiveness, depression, life seems pointless
Po is related to motivation -- tx of Lung deficiency increases motivation and desire to put oneself forth
Lu Kyo--> Po kyo, tx LU and Po strengthens over time
Liver deficiency
characterized by timidity, indecision where Liver excess causes irritability, anger
Hun governs judgement and initiative
Tx brings clarity and decisiveness
Spleen deficiency
brings loss of appetite, depression, self-absorption, loss of memory, disorganization.
Yi related to organization and coordination
Tx brings better digestion, rest and coordination of mind and body
Kidney deficiency
causes fatigue, loss of perseverance, timidity, fearfulness.
Zhi related to persistence, ability to persevere, follow-through
Tx lifts energy and reduces fatigue.
Psych probs tx by acupuncture
Vague feelings of discomfort, ill at ease, autonomic disorders (mild psychosomatic complaints), nervous disorders (physical symptoms with psychological roots, mild depression.
Severe depression, bipolar, psychoses difficult to tx with acupuncture alone.
Inoue Keiri (one of Meridian Therapy founders)
tx psychoemotional as SP deficiency, superficial, few points, no retention or deep insertion. If patient sleeps after tx, good result.
Insomnia - “face like a fox” narrow eyes -- if eyes get bigger, progress
Appetite & sleep most important questions to ask
In depression check for hypersensitivity to reflex (patellar), tremors, etc; then recheck during course of tx to see progress
Pulse Quality
Usually floating deficiency pulse, sometimes slow.
Wan Bing Hui Chun -- mostly sunken pulse for depression, extreme cases submerged and hidden.
Usually SP or LU pattern
Don’t encourage them to cheer up, tell them to take it easy, know their limits and set limits
Suggest change in attitude away from perfectionism
Watch for suicidal tendencies, especially after improvement
Dr Kawai says depressed people have attitude of holding a grudge against others -- person needs to find way to transform to love and gratitude
Shudo Key Points
Shudo: Rule to tx depression, never go deep --
Contact or “super-superficial insertion”
If inserting, use few points
Shudo sensei key points:
Depression:
SP3, CV12, Upper UB10
add if needed LU9, ST36, UB15, UB20, Shitsumin
Autonomic disorders (multiple psychosomatic complaints):
LR8 (SP3 if app is weak), CV12, ST36, LI11, CV17, GB20, GB21, UB18, GV10 (needle or moxa)
Fukaya -- Du Mai Moxa
Fukaya style moxibustion:
Look for reactions between vertebral S.P. on upper thoracic vertebrae from GV12 to GV8 Okabe Sodo (one of Meridian Therapy founders): “nerve points” for insomnia, irritability, etc.
Most common on GV11 and GV10, indicate patient is very worried or has life problems
Findings usually boggy or sore - if no reactions don’t do
Thin people with protruding SP tend not to have as much reaction, can try Jiaji points on upper back
GV11 also in Shiroda, Shinkyu Chiryo Kisogaku; and Zhenjiu Juying, similar indications
GV12 used often in shonishin for hyperactive or emotionally disturbed children
Miyawaki -- EV Ab Patterns
Miyawaki Kazuto Extraordinary Vessel Patterns
Usually Tx with Plus-Minus:
N(-) & S(+) Magnets
Cu (+) & Zn (-) needles or pellets
DM 3x(+) & 2x(-)
IP cords: Red (+) & Black (-)
Abdominal reactions -- tend to be diaphragmatic in psychoemotional problems
substernal (Miyawaki P6)
subcostal (Manaka P6/Miyawaki TB5)
+rectus (Miywaki LR3/HT5)
HT5/LR3
LR3/P6
Diaphragm reactions
other recommendations
UB43
BL15
BL17
BL43
SCM / Scalene area (NASO)
Kampo:
Subcostal - Bupleurum
Substernal - Pinellia
Rectus - Peony
Periumbilical pulsations - Cinnamon twig, Dragon bone, Oyster shell
Fluid sounds - Poria
Case Hx
Female, 68, recent widow
CC: Anxiety, for “years”, getting worse, cause: “fears”
palpitations, tinnitus, gas bloating, upper /lower back pain, hair loss
“obsessive” worrying
occurs when she’s trying to enjoy herself
lost husband w/in last 2 months, financial stress
sleep okay, dreams but doesn’t recall
T: Purplish, scallops, red tip
P: sl wiry, Sp deficiency St/GB/SI excess
Ab: slight substernal w/periumbilical pulsation
Spleen Deficiency
SP3 P7 teishin; GB40, ST39 #2 contact
Sanshin (“scatter needling”) on arms, legs, back
UB15 UB20 #00 retained 5 minutes
GV12, GV10, GV8 DM 5x each
Ear Shenmen retained 3mm intradermal
Tx 2
Much improved, less anxiety all week
Kidney Deficiency K7 LU5 teishin, similar tx otherwise
F/U 2x more, then took break for 2 months
Tx5
CC: Palpitations, substernal & periumbilical pulsation
SP/K Deficiency
SP4, P6, K7, P5 CV12 contact
Ear Shenmen retained 3mm intradermal
UB15, UB20 #00 retained 10 minutes
Rx: Gui Zhi Long Gu Mu Li Tang KPC granules 1g BID
1 F/U 3 days later same tx, Sx subsided
2 Tx 1 month later
Returned 4 months later, anxiety but no irregular pulse, SP Def
Returned 3 months later, had been doing well, now palpitations again
Substernal reaction
LR Def
LR4, K6, SP4 contact
Sp4+ P6- Ito magnets
Ear Shenmen
Bl15, 17 retained
DM on Du mai, BL15, 17
Doing well afterwards, F/U PRN
TQ demonstration
Contact needling / Super-superficial / teishin
Sanshin
Direct Moxibustion
Retained needles + DM
Plus-Minus
Point Location
Upper UB10
Shitsumin
Yanagiya GB20