Guest guest Posted May 22, 2007 Report Share Posted May 22, 2007 I was taught by a China scholar when I was in school that the classics say the fewer needles used, the more a sign of a superior practitioner. Perhaps this thinking comes from the origin of acupuncture when only a single stone needle was used. Can others knowledgeable about the classics confirm this, or what is the context of this thinking? When I am faced with a pt with a complexity of patterns, I do tend to limit the number of needles in my needle prescription as well as confining herbs to a small, classic formula. Perhaps the context of this in the classics is simply one of an epistomological parsimony. -p >>>>I only recently heard of these one needle treatments. Personally, I think it's a load of rubbish. It points to an idealised view of Chinese medicine which isn't real. It just goes to show how westerners perceive Chinese medicine, through rose tinted new age glasses. Funny enough that Foreign Language Press have a book on it titled 'One Needle One Treatment'. Has anyone read this book? Pamela Zilavy, L.Ac. chexin http://www.change-exchange-interchange.com 415) 279-8376 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 22, 2007 Report Share Posted May 22, 2007 Hi Pamela, I use very few needles in my treatments, usually under ten. I recall reading somewhere about Miriam Lee stating that the minute she walked into the room the healing process had already started.. The actual treatment itself was just a formality... The human body is an amazing organism. One never knows what will entice it to gravitate towards healing... Maybe just one needle is all it needs.. Or perhaps just a kind word or a gesture, or a smile.. I don't know... Believe me, there isn't one 'new age' bone in me.. just a higher sense of respect for the body... Fernando , Pamela Zilavy <chexin wrote: > > I was taught by a China scholar when I was in school that the classics say > the fewer needles used, the more a sign of a superior practitioner. ................... > >>>>I only recently heard of these one needle treatments. Personally, I think > it's a load of rubbish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 22, 2007 Report Share Posted May 22, 2007 Robert Johns describes this in his book: The art of acupuncture techniques. Early needles were very crude, so a single insertion was the norm. Later 3 or 4. Robert Johns says to use not more than 8 needle s per treatment. If 4 points bilateral are not enough, a common practice in China is to use two groups of points and alternate them every treatment. Prof. Xiao Shao-Qing, whom I studied with in Nanjing did this almost with every patient. , Pamela Zilavy <chexin wrote: > > I was taught by a China scholar when I was in school that the classics say > the fewer needles used, the more a sign of a superior practitioner. > Perhaps this thinking comes from the origin of acupuncture when only a > single stone needle was used. Can others knowledgeable about the classics > confirm this, or what is the context of this thinking? > When I am faced with a pt with a complexity of patterns, I do tend to > limit the number of needles in my needle prescription as well as confining > herbs to a small, classic formula. Perhaps the context of this in the classics is > simply one of an epistomological parsimony. > -p > > >>>>I only recently heard of these one needle treatments. Personally, I think > it's a load of rubbish. It points to an idealised view of Chinese medicine > which isn't real. It just goes to show how westerners perceive Chinese > medicine, through rose tinted new age glasses. > > Funny enough that Foreign Language Press have a book on it titled 'One > Needle One Treatment'. Has anyone read this book? > > > Pamela Zilavy, L.Ac. > chexin > http://www.change-exchange-interchange.com > 415) 279-8376 > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 23, 2007 Report Share Posted May 23, 2007 Imagine meridians as highways And needles as cars trucks, buses and bykes The more needles, the more congestion We are working with energy, very sutle After all by experimenting, you shall experience science, and maybe wisedom Good luck Gaal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2007 Report Share Posted May 25, 2007 Gaal, I respectfully find this analogy to be off track. . .what do you consider a 'meridian' to be? We can imagine lots of things, but since cars and trucks would be moving along a 'meridian', while the meridian, if like a road, would be standing still, the analogy would be false. What kind of 'energy' do you think we are working with, subtle or not? And if this energy is so subtle, why do many 'one-needle' acupuncturists use such a strong needle stimulus? What is this 'energy' we are working with? On May 23, 2007, at 6:47 AM, gaaldoc wrote: > Imagine meridians as highways > And needles as cars trucks, buses and bykes > > The more needles, the more congestion > We are working with energy, very sutle > > After all by experimenting, you shall experience science, and maybe > wisedom > > Good luck > > Gaal > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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