Blood Spirit
Physicians of old have recognized the importance
of tending the spirit in order to effectively treat
disease. In particular, the Neijing (Yellow
Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine), the oldest
extant Chinese medical text (500-300 BC),
purports that in order to treat illness, one must
first establish with the patient's spirit. This is
certainly easier to do with a paradigm such as
Oriental medicine, which sees no separation
between mind, body and spirit, since they are
viewed as inextricable components of the life
force. The exhortation reminds us that the spirit is
the motive force of organism and must be
reached first in order to initiate the healing
process.
In Oriental medicine, the acupuncture needle is
often seen as the instrument of containing the
spirit because the needles are inserted into
discrete acupuncture points, each of which is said
to control specific physiological functions of the
body down to the cellular level - indeed, what we
might think of as the innate wisdom or spirit of
the body. However, Oriental medicine also
recognizes that before a practitioner can insert a
needle in someone, another form of spirit
connecting is also optimal. Whether it is guided
imagery, eye contact, a handshake, or the ability
to listen and be present, satisfying medicine for
both practitioner and patient requires the
possibility of meaningful interaction that allows a
deeper, soulful, spiritual encounter. It is the
medicine of the past and the new millennium.
Needling acupuncture points is a powerful avenue
for achieving this connection. As the Spiritual
Pivot (Lingshu) tells us, "If you should want to
treat illness, there is nothing as good as the
needle." The Three Treasures diagnostic paradigm
also reminds us that of the three treasures (jing,
qi and shen), the spirit (shen) must be treated
first. It must be balanced, rooted and secured
prior to the manipulation of qi, for it is indeed our
core substrate.
There are several ways to treat the spirit by
needling acupuncture points with specific
energetics. One particular approach I have
incorporated follows the ancient tenet that "blood
is the material basis of the human spirit." It is the
basis of our essence and our mental and
emotional activities. Thus, by regulating the
blood, the spirit can be tangibly addressed.
Many points affect the blood. The following five
points are among my favorites. I will address their
locations (if they are unique), their energetics,
and specific needle techniques that can be used to
treat the spirit by treating the blood.
PC6 (Neiguan) - Inner Gate: My favorite point
in this approach, neiguan is the major point to
move stagnant qi anywhere in the body,
particularly the upper jiao. As such, it has the
ability to decongest stagnant liver qi and move
the qi of the upper jiao, thereby expanding the
diaphragm, broadening the chest, and draining
excess stuck energy off of the upper jiao,
including stagnant emotional energy. Puncture the
point perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 inches, or apply
deep dispersives to the point as needed several
times a day. As a longitudinal luo point, it
regulates the qi and blood of the heart; opens the
heart orifice; calms the spirit and mind; and
benefits the brain, emotions and mental state. In
this case, needle the point obliquely 0.3-0.5
inches proximally. In either case, magnetic
bracelets on the point perform these functions
well.
KI6 (Zhaohai) - Shining Sea: KI6 is my second
favorite point of choice for assisting the spirit by
way of treating the blood. KI6 is perhaps to
Japanese acupuncture what ST36 is to Chinese
acupuncture. It is the primary point to nourish the
yin, a vital blood component. It calms the mind;
cools the blood; strengthens the adrenal glands;
and supports the sympathetic nervous system. It
is useful for chronic illness, stress and trauma,
which typically have an emotional (spirit)
component.
My preferred location of KI6 is typically referred
to as Japanese KI6 (or one of the alternate
Chinese locations). This location is one cun
directly below the medial malleolus at the junction
of the red and white skin. Puncture the point with
a #1 or 36-gauge needle transversely toward
the heel, inserting it 0.1-0.2 inches. Do not
obtain qi on the point; simply insert it toward the
heel. This is considered a tonification technique,
as it is inserted in the direction of the meridian
Figure 1: Japanese and Chinese locations for KI6
(Zhaohai).
KI1 (Yongquan) - Gushing Spring: KI1 is one
of the most powerful points to treat the spirit and
blood. Physiologically, it is the jing (well) point,
wood point and sedation point of the kidney
meridian. It tonifies yin; clears heat; subdues
wind; calms the mind; restores consciousness;
nourishes the kidney; and suppresses liver fire. In
Japanese acupuncture, it is the primary point to
adjust and treat any vascular disturbance such as
blood stagnation, blood pressure problems, or any
other circulatory problem.
Palpate the point first to optimize its energetics.
This point is extremely tender on most patients.
Patients can be taught how to massage the point
daily for several minutes to treat themselves. To
consolidate the effect, it should be needled by a
practitioner. Use a #1 or 36-gauge needle with an
insertion tube to assist in inserting the needle
painlessly. Puncture perpendicularly 0.3-0.5
inches. Many health problems, both emotional
and physical, can be resolved when treating this
point due to its intimate connection to the blood.
HT7 (Shenmen) - Spirit Gate: HT7 is a primary
point for treating the spirit. As the shu (stream)
point, source point, earth point and sedation point
on the heart meridian, it quiets the heart and
calms the spirit. By virtue of these effects, as the
classics say, "When the heart is serene, all
pain is negligible." As such, it is a primary point
for pain, emotional problems, anxiety and
insomnia. Puncture the point perpendicularly 0.30.5 inches. The point may be located according to
the standard Chinese location, or alternatively in
a Japanese location in which the needle is simply
inserted underneath the tendon of the flexor carpi
ulnaris muscle towards the Chinese HT7 (see
Figure 2). Obtain little or no qi depending on
your style of treatment. This is a handy technique
when it is difficult to needle the Chinese location
(in the articular regions of the psiform and ulna,
in the depression on the radial side of the ulna),
as sometimes there are arthritic bone deformities
or tight tendons in the area. HT7 and KI6
synergistically work well together to coordinate
the strong relationship between the heart and
kidney, the blood and spirit.
Japanese and Chinese locations for HT7
Shenmen
SP10 (Xuehai) - Sea of Blood: SP10 is a major
point that affects the blood. Energetically, it is a
sea of blood, meaning it has a profound influence
on the blood. It is a point of intersection of the
chong meridian, the extraordinary vessel which is
also a reservoir of blood. Clinically, one of the
major actions of SP10 is that diagnostically, via
palpation, it is indicative of blood stagnation
anywhere in the body. It cools heat in the blood
and moves, tonifies and strengthens it. It
perfuses the lower abdomen and activates blood.
Generally, it is extremely tender when palpated,
especially in the Japanese location. For this
location, cup your right palm to the patient's left
knee with the thumb on its medial side and the
other four fingers directed proximally. The point is
about one inch above where your thumb rests. It
is a large area, more medial than the Chinese
location (see Figure 3). The point may be
punctured bilaterally 0.7-1.2 inches.
Chinese and Japanese locations for SP10 Xuehai
The selected use of these points as a core part of
your acupuncture prescription can assist you in
seamlessly treating the spirit by treating the
blood. As we can see, this is surely strength of
the Oriental medical paradigm.
Skya Gardner-Abbate, DOM
