Anmo (Tuina) and its Relationship to Acupuncture and TCM

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

 

I found this wonderful article on Acupuncture.com which describes the

history of Anmo, and its current standing in the field of TCM. Here is

one excerpt that describes the mechanism of Anmo and its relationship

to acupuncture:

 

" Other parts of the Nei Jing describe the therapeutic mechanism behind

anmo treatment using the physiological language of the time. First,

anmo is said to have the effect of " moving qi and invigorating blood. "

It is written: " When cold qi lodges in the vessels of the back shu

points, the vessels constrict; the vessels constrict, thus blood is

deficient; blood is deficient, thus there is painä massaging causing

hot qi to arrive; hot qi arrives hence the pain ceases. " (N.B. this

contains a remarkably accurate description of the role of local

ischemia in pain syndromes!) Another mechanism of anmo described in

the Nei Jing is the stimulation of acupuncture points and conduction

of that stimulation along the channels. It is written: " The points

along either side of the spineä if pressing them causes the pain

inside to resolve, then one has accurately located the point. "

Finally, the Nei Jing ascribes to anmo the effect of eliminating

pathogens and " dispersing heat, " thus abating fever in certain cases. "

 

" The Nei Jing also describes the intimate relationship between anmo

and acupuncture treatment. For example, manually pressing acupuncture

points to bring about the alleviation of a patient's symptoms is

considered an important criterion for accurately locating these

points. Also, in the Lingshu section of the Nei Jing, it is written:

" First massage the area to be needled, then insert the needle, then

massage again after withdrawal. " In a chapter entitled " On the

Regulation of the Channels, " the Yellow Emperor asks his doctor Qi Po,

" How should mild invasion by external evils be needled? " Qi Po

replies: " The massage time should be increased, and the needling

should not be too deep. By bringing qi to the area of insufficiency,

the spirit will recover. " Even today in China, the acupuncture major

in TCM universities is actually a combination acupuncture/tuina major,

which further indicates the close relationship between these two

disciplines. "

 

Regards,

Rich