One of the most important concepts in all systems of medicine, traditional and conventional alike, is that of prevention. Prevention is perhaps the most foundational idea governing traditional Chinese medicine. To quote the Neijing:
The sage treats disease not after but before it ever arises, and governs not after but before revolution arises. To administer medicines after disease has taken hold, to govern after revolution has taken hold, is like digging a well when thirsty or forging weapons when battle has already begun. That is to say, late!
We can use this excerpt from the Neijing to guide a discussion on effective point combinations to build health and vitality in patients. This can be an overwhelmingly large topic to discuss, so let's break it down into digestible pieces when considering the creation of acupuncture point combinations to prevent disease and suffering.
In my clinical practice, I break it down into three concepts: calming the mind / shen, boosting the qi, and awakening hope. Let's discuss these three concepts and how acupuncture point combinations can sprout from these metaphors of healing.
1. Calming the Mind / Shen
The implications of mental and emotional stress on the immune system are well-known. Any point combination to boost immunity or vitality should include points that calm the mind and emotions. When considering which points to choose for calming the mind, we can focus on some key ideas: points on the scalp / head, points that move qi, ear points, and back shu points. For example:
Du 20 + Yin Tang + Shen Men + Liv 3 + Bl 15 or Du 24 + Du 20 + GB 13 + Sp 6 + Bl 15 plus other points based on the patient's unique pattern of disharmony.
Clinicians can needle the back shu point first and retain the needle for five minutes; then have patient turn over and needle the remaining points. Ideally, combining one to two scalp points with one to two points to regulate the qi will be extremely effective for calming the state of mind.
2. Boosting the Qi
The concept of boosting qi is perhaps the most commonly known aspect of using acupuncture to prevent disease. We can focus on three key ideas to boost qi: spleen / stomach points, ren points, and back shu points. These points build up the overall root vitality of the patient and are less focused on the actual circulation of qi. The following combinations are some examples:
3. Awakening Hope
When discussing any concept of vitality, longevity or immunity, clinicians must always remember to consider the deeper aspects of healing. Even if we calm the mind or circulate and move the qi, if a patient feels hopeless, the overall immune reaction will be short lived at best. While this subject is an area of vast discussion, for the purpose of this short article let's connect this concept to the use of kidney meridian points in the acupuncture point prescriptions.
To prevent disease, we can calm the nervous system, circulate the qi and boost the qi, all to encourage the mind / body complex to stimulate health and vitality. But we must also stimulate deeper reserves in the body, symbolized by the kidneys in TCM. Kid 3, Kid 6, Kid 7, Bl 23, and Du 4 are important points to add to acupuncture point prescriptions when seeking to prevent disease and stimulate health and vitality to avoid sickness and suffering.
Tailored to the Patient
It is important to remember that while the three aforementioned categories can help you formulate acupuncture point prescriptions, the patient's unique pattern presentation must not be overlooked. Always blend these concepts into point prescriptions tailored to the patient's unique expression of imbalance, constitution, and the relation of the season to the patient's overall patterns of health or disease.
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