RE: channel reality

March 28, 2005

I'll agree with Z'ev, here. Anatomy is a strong point of biomedicine, and I

think any " tubes " would have been discovered by now. I also think a physical

" fluid " couldn't account for the speed of acupuncture nor the extreme

non-locality of many point selections. The latest study in Germany using

infrared cameras points to a light (photon) / electromagnetic phenomenon

that travels according to well-established laws of physics. Indeed, physics

can explain the distal action of points if one sees the propagation of

information through the body as a phenomenon of standing EM waves

transmitting signals in a nonlinear fashion. The points are merely relays /

amplifiers in a complex web. The meridians may be where that information

flow gets concentrated, but the signals may reflect/refract over a very wide

area (i.e. internal/external pairings, secondary vessels, and the myriad

other interconnections). The sheer variety of practice and theory in

acupuncture is probably due to the web-like structure of the channels -

there are many ways to give and receive input in a web, as opposed to a more

linear " tube " system. It also explains why non-point (placebo) needling can

still give a certain measure of results, especially in comparison to

cookbook acupuncture (the standard in clinical trials). Non-points are still

connected to the web, but just more weakly. They still carry information,

and possibly intention. The patient wants to get better, so the energy may

be directed to that area of pain / dysfunction by that healing intention

even if it doesn't originate from a strong acupoint. Conversely, if a

patient doesn't want to heal, the signal can get squelched.

An opinion.

Benjamin Hawes, MAOM, Lic. Ac.,

CORTEZ FAMILY ACUPUNCTURE

1430 E. Main Street, Suite #4

Cortez, CO 81321

(970) 565-0230

> Message: 11

> Sun, 27 Mar 2005 08:00:27 -0800

> " " <zrosenbe

> Re: Four Gates Junkies

>

> Mike,

> Perhaps we are too limited in how we see the phenomena of the body,

> but why does everything have to be 'physical'? We know orbits of

> planets are real, but can we see them? The Chinese discovered a

> functional system called the triple burner, said in the Nan Jing to

> have 'function, but no form'. Does that mean it is not real. To me it

> is more unrealistic to shove the concept of the channel/network vessel

> system into the construct of anatomy/physiology.

>

> On Mar 27, 2005, at 6:08 AM, mike Bowser wrote:

>

> > Is it not possible that there might be a possibility that jing luo mai

> > might

> > have a physical basis? I remember the research work conducted by Kim

> > Bonghan, Pierre de Vernajoule and Kwang Sup-Soh. In the first and last

> > names mentioned, physical structures (conduits) were identified.

> > Bonghan

> > identified liquid contents as well. The second name mentioned did his

> > Ph D

> > with human subjects and measured the movements of a radioactive

> > isotope thru

> > the jing luo mai. I am not expecting an exact one to one with these

> > discoveries but so far it seems that ancient knowledge and research

> > are in

> > sync.

> > When I hear practitioners speak only of TCM/OM as if it is

> > metaphorical only

> > it makes me wonder if we can ever embrace such profound info or if we

> > will

> > reject it due to dogma.

> >

>

March 28, 2005

Hi all,

Recent research conducted by Schlebusch, Maric-Oehler and Popp (2005) is a

major breakthrough in the long standing hunt for the existence of the

Jinglou. Previous research studies (XX), concentrated their efforts on

finding the meridian system using acupuncture. None were able to

conclusively prove that the Jinglou existed. They were however, able to

prove that particular acupoints stimulated areas of the body, including the

brain. The new study by Schlebusch, Maric-Oehler and Popp (2005) reverses

this by observing thermal imagery changes within the body when moxibustion

is applied against particular acupuncture points. No symptoms were intended

to be treated during the study and no symptom pattern analyses were

conducted before, during or after the study. Only changes in the meridians

themselves were observed during the application of moxibustion when viewed

with thermal imagery equipment.

Various studies have suggested that acupuncture illicit an electrical

response within the body. Research by Becker (cited in Gerber 2000) found

that the DC (Direct-Current) electrical-control system tended to transmit

information by slowly varying the electrical charge or voltage of glial cell

membranes. Becker suggests that the meridians are electrical conductors that

carried an injury message to the brain, which responded by sending back the

appropriate level of direct current to stimulate healing in the troubled

area. The idea that acupuncture responds and initiates electrical reaction

has now been further supported by the Schlebusch, Maric-Oehler and Popp

(2005) study, which notes that living matter, including the Jinglou, are in

a permanently electronically exited state.

What was lacking from Schlebusch, Maric-Oehler and Popp (2005) study was the

exact list of acupoints stimulated using moxibustion. It was interesting to

note that the whole meridian was stimulated and that heat could be observed

along the entire channel. Also, interestingly was as one meridian was

stimulated, its paired meridian was also affected. In the study, the Stomach

and Spleen were both stimulated separately (acupoint not given), both showed

a response at the same time. This fits with the Nei Jing theory of paired

organs amongst the Zangfu. However, when an acupoint (not specified) was

stimulated on the Urinary Bladder it was not noted if its paired organ the

Kidney was stimulated. The question of whether the collaterals were equally

stimulated by moxibustion still remains unclear.

As this new theory of proving the existence of the Jinglou using moxibustion

and thermal imagery has been put forward, it is up to other researchers to

duplicate Schlebusch, Maric-Oehler and Popp (2005) study and observe if the

same findings can be successfully replicated. Unfortunately, as the exact

acupoints used in the study were not given along with make and brand of moxa

stick used, some degree of variability exists. In addition, no qualified

acupuncturist was mentioned in the study. This again can cause a degree of

variability as only a qualified acupuncturist should illicit a response from

an acupuncture point using moxibustion. However, as no qualified

acupuncturist was used in the study, some degree of blindness may be

included in the giving of treatment, I.e. moxibustion and therefore it can

be argued that the study was of better methodological quality.

It is still unclear as to how researchers can observe, analyse and measure

the Jinglou using acupuncture. Recent research by Jiang et al. (2004) in

South Korea has shown the possible anatomical existence of the Jinglou.

Further quality research is needed to explore this exciting area of

research.

References

Gerber, R. (2000). Vibrational Medicine for the 21st century. Santa Fe: Bear

& Company.

Jiang, X., Lee, C., Choi, C., Baik, K., Soh, K., Kim, H., Shin, H., Soh, K.

& Cheun, B. (2004). 'Threadlike bundle of tubules running inside blood

vessels: New anatomical structure', Unpublished.

Schlebusch, K., Maric-Oehler, W. & Popp, F. (2005). 'Biophotonics in the

Infrared Spectral Range Reveal Acupuncture Meridian Structure of the Body',

Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 11, (1), p171-173.

Kind regards

Attilio D'Alberto

Doctor of (Beijing, China)

BSc (Hons) TCM MATCM

07786198900

attiliodalberto

<http://www.attiliodalberto.com/> www.attiliodalberto.com

Benjamin Hawes [ben_laura]

28 March 2005 17:41

Chinese Medicine