Acupressure for Common Ailments

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Chapter 1 ORIENTAL MEDICINE THE BASIC CONCEPTSUnderstanding why acupressure works requires an appreciation of tile Chinese system of diagnosis and treatment, where the fundamental approach to medicine bears little resemblance to that in the West.Oriental medicine and Western medicine are able to treat the same conditions, but practitioners from East and West diagnose an ailment in completely different ways. Western doctors try to isolate an agent such as a virus, seen as the direct cause of an ailment, and then aim to eradicate it. Where the cause is not so simple or clear, as with the degenerative diseases, for example, Western medicine will tackle only the symptoms. Oriental practitioners, by contrast, look for a complete picture of their patient. This is known as the "pattern of disharmony". This pattern is built up by close observation of the patient's complexion, general demeanour, colour of urine, voice quality, and so on (see p. 21). The patient also answers a series of questions, including how external influences such as eating, touch, or heat affect the symptoms. A total picture is produced, and the diagnosis then made. The information in this book will enable you to understand how this is done. It takes many years to master the art of diagnosis, but you can offer helpful treatment by looking up a symptom, such as headache, asthma, or indigestion (see Part Two,Treating common ailments),and following the suggested treatment plan. These treatments are designed to cover the most likely causes of the symptoms.The most fundamental concept of Oriental medicine is that your body, mind, and spirit are all interdependent. They affect one another at all levels: an ailment of the mind will be reflected in the body; similarly, any physical symptoms must affect the emotions and the psyche. The Oriental doctor does not see a physical ailment in isolation, but as a reflection of disharmony within your whole being. In addition to treating you, the doctor would also recommend that you consider the way you live, and evaluate your own weaknesses that are disrupting your body's equilibrium. Thus acupressure treatment helps to restore the harmony of body, mind, and spirit.The functions of the organsThis holistic approach in Oriental medicine is also seen in the wide interpretation given to the functions of the organs. For example, the anatomical organ "kidney" referred to in Oriental medicine has a much broader meaning than in Western medicine. An Oriental doctor takes into account the work of the kidney not only in water metabolism, but also in providing a link between sources of energy and growth, the bones and brain, willpower and memory. For this reason, the Oriental medical concept will be presented with an initial capital letter -- Kidney -- to differentiate it from the strict anatomical meaning used by Western doctors. Similarly, an initial capital letter for other organs indicates a wider connotation. You will find other terms throughout this book that also take an initial capital letter. Oriental medicine interprets these all more widely than in the West.The importance of EnergyThe flow of vital Energy is essential to our health and fundamental to the practice of acupressure. The Chinese call this Energy "Qi", or "Chi". Qi supplies our Organs, Blood, and other Body Fluids, as well as the Mind. It is also responsible for the life processes, from conception through birth and growth, until death. When your body is in good health, your Qi flows abundantly and smoothly. If your Qi becomes deficient or blocked in any way, disease may result. Acupressure can unblock congested Qi, strengthen weak Qi, and calm overactive Qi.The ChannelsAccording to Oriental theory Qi circulates along Channels close to the body's surface. Many Channels have been identified, 12 of which link points that are connected to a particular Organ in the body. The Channels