Serie A No 254

Magazine Overview

This issue of ARCANUM, titled "VAD ÄR AKUPUNKTUR?" (What is Acupuncture?), is a Swedish-language publication from Serie A, issue number 254, likely from 1978. Authored by Dr. E. W. Stiefvater, it serves as an introduction to the system of acupuncture, aiming to spark interest and encourage further study.

Introduction and Foreword

Dr. Stiefvater's foreword emphasizes that this brief introduction cannot cover the entirety of Eastern medicine. He stresses the importance of distinguishing acupuncture from popular European interpretations, advocating for its practical application rather than mystical or religious views. He believes acupuncture possesses a first-rate healing element and should be integrated into modern medical understanding. Stiefvater aims to promote general interest in acupuncture and to encourage a broader perspective within standardized Western medicine. He hopes to correct false and exaggerated portrayals of acupuncture, clarifying that it is not a "universal cure" but a valuable method for aiding the sick and building an individual approach to healing.

The Art of Acupuncture

The article begins by describing the initial impression of ancient acupuncture diagrams, with their intricate lines and points on the human body, which might seem like misguided precision. However, upon studying the texts, one discovers deep wisdom and knowledge of nature. The author notes that acupuncture has been known in Europe since 1683, with a significant publication by a Jesuit missionary and a doctor from the East India Company. It was not until the early 20th century that European doctors began to seriously engage with acupuncture, with interest growing significantly in recent years. Learning acupuncture is described as a difficult art, heavily reliant on the practitioner's innate skill and sensitivity, which must be honed through practice.

What is Acupuncture?

For the uninitiated, the word "acupuncture" might evoke a fear of needles and pain. However, the practice involves inserting fine needles into specific points on the skin with such precision that the needle prick is barely felt. The true art lies not in the needle itself, but in the precise location of the points, of which there are over 800. This requires meticulous examination of the skin and a refined, almost artistic, use of the hands. The author references Eugen Herrigel's "Zen in the Art of Archery" and Graf Dürckheim's "Japan, or the Culture of Stillness" as works that can help understand this practice. The article suggests that acupuncture offers a more essential perspective on human health, challenging conventional medical thinking and encouraging a re-evaluation of ingrained thought patterns.

The Chinese Pulse Theory

This section delves into the complex "fourteen Chinese radial pulses," a diagnostic method still considered a mystery in the West. It requires highly developed sensitivity in the fingers and is thus considered "subjective" and "scientifically unassailable." The Chinese pulse diagnosis is characterized by its ancient origins and widespread use across the Orient. It involves feeling the pulse with three fingers across the radial artery, using different pressure levels to assess the condition of six different organs. Ancient Chinese physicians also relied on facial observation, eye examination, and abdominal diagnosis. The author suggests that modern physicians should integrate such methods rather than relying solely on contemporary techniques. While critical of some aspects, the author acknowledges the pulse diagnosis's connection to the body's circulatory system and its rhythmic, continuous activity.

The "Peripheral Pulse"

Beyond the radial pulses, acupuncture utilizes a complementary diagnostic method called the "peripheral pulse," also known as the "revealing pulse." Each organ has such a pulse, detectable at various points near the skin's surface, including the head, neck, arms, hands, groin, knees, and feet. These points are connected to internal organs, and comparing radial and peripheral pulse findings can reveal consistent patterns. This examination of the body's surface points is considered crucial in acupuncture, allowing for a deep understanding of the body's internal connections.

Yin and Yang

Ancient Chinese thought viewed health and illness within the context of the body's rhythm and the two fundamental forces, Yin and Yang. Yin represents darkness, cold, and moisture, while Yang represents light, heat, and dryness. When these forces are balanced, a person is healthy; imbalance leads to illness. These forces are active within humans, and their equilibrium is essential for well-being.

Therapeutic Points of Attack

The therapeutic goal of acupuncture is to restore or maintain the balance between Yin and Yang, thus acting as a form of hygiene. Historically, Chinese physicians were paid for days of health, not sickness, reflecting this preventive approach.

The Practical Path

The article provides an example of insomnia, suggesting that while medication might induce sleep, it doesn't address the underlying imbalance causing the sleeplessness. This imbalance could stem from physical or mental issues. The body communicates its distress through various signals like pain, fatigue, digestive issues, and lack of appetite. Acupuncture aims to address these underlying causes.

A Remarkable Discovery: Yin and Yang Organs

One of the most significant insights in Chinese medicine is the classification of the body's main organs into Yin and Yang characteristics. Hollow organs (stomach, intestines, gallbladder) are considered Yang, representing movement and elimination. Solid organs (liver, kidneys, heart, spleen, lungs) are considered Yin, representing mass and stillness. The balance between these organ types is crucial for the body's energy balance. The Chinese also associated Yang with body heat regulation and Yin with the heart, blood vessels, and endocrine glands. While Western medicine views the heart and blood vessels as hollow, acupuncture considers them Yin organs due to their connection with blood.

The Chinese Monad

This concept, represented by the Yin-Yang symbol, illustrates that within each Yin organ, there is a trace of Yang, and vice versa. This symbol is also likened to Einstein's theory of relativity, suggesting a dynamic interplay of opposing forces that form a whole.

The Liver as the "Seat of the Unconscious"

The article touches upon the idea of the liver being the "seat of the unconscious." Damage to the liver can lead to negative emotional states like sadness and anxiety, and conversely, suppressed anger can harm the liver. The connection between the body and the mind is profound, with psychological distress potentially originating from organ dysfunction and vice versa.

Another Remarkable Discovery: The Skin's Connection to Internal Organs

Chinese medicine observed that internal diseases manifest on the body's surface, particularly the skin. This discovery of the connection between internal organs (and the psyche) and the skin is a major achievement. The system of "fourteen acupuncture meridians" developed over centuries of study, representing invisible pathways through which organs communicate their status to the surface. The division of these meridians into Yin and Yang reflects the nature of the organs they connect.

The "Peripheral Pulse" and Meridians

The examination of the "peripheral pulse" leads to the study of numerous points on the body's surface. These points, connected to internal organs, are considered vital. The author emphasizes the importance of understanding the theoretical knowledge of the acupuncture system, which is difficult to acquire.

"The Chinese Monad"

This system may seem archaic to laypeople, but it is founded on the "intelligence" inherent in each organ. The example of the liver, a Yin organ, highlights that even a seemingly passive organ has an active inner life, a "lesser Yang" within its "greater Yin." This concept of interconnectedness and balance is fundamental.

The "Harmonizing" of the Nervous System

Dr. Stiefvater introduces the term "harmonizing" the nervous system, suggesting that acupuncture can alter the body's reactivity. By applying gentle stimuli, it can sensitize the nervous system, potentially enhancing the effectiveness of other treatments. This is likened to tuning an instrument to produce good music.

Acupuncture and Segment Therapy

Acupuncture is closely related to "reflex-zone therapy," which is based on the discovery that certain skin areas (segments) represent internal organs. These segments can become hypersensitive when an organ is diseased, serving as an early diagnostic tool. Acupuncture, with its ancient knowledge and understanding of the body's surface, expands upon this concept.

"Energy Circulation"

This section discusses the concept of energy circulation within the body, influenced by daily and seasonal cycles. The body's energy is seen as constantly moving in cycles, responding to various stimuli. The article posits that the body's energy, like the circulatory system, moves in a cyclical manner.

The Chinese Organ Clock

Kinesiology developed a 24-hour clock that indicates periods of rest and activity for different organs, with energy circulating through each organ every two hours. This "organ clock" (OMT - Organ Maximum Time) is based on meticulous observation. For instance, the large intestine is most active between 5 and 7 AM, making it particularly responsive to "purgative" treatments at that time. This concept can be applied to all organs for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The organ clock is useful for classifying pain and determining the optimal time for taking medications, especially homeopathic remedies, by distinguishing between assimilation (night) and elimination (day) phases.

Applications of the Acupuncture System

Instead of focusing on curing diseases named by modern medicine, acupuncture aims to influence the body's physiological and psychological reactions, addressing the root cause of illness. It is most effective in the early stages of disease, particularly for "functional" disorders with minimal tissue changes. While not suitable for acute conditions like perforated appendicitis or heart attacks, it is beneficial for a wide range of issues including skin conditions, nerve pain, rheumatism, migraines, asthma, bladder and kidney dysfunction, gallbladder issues, and digestive problems. These common ailments significantly impact daily life and can serve as warning signs for more serious future illnesses.

Some Concluding Thoughts

Effective acupuncture treatment requires a calm and balanced approach, going beyond mere palpation, pulse-taking, and needling. It is a challenge to the practitioner's thoroughness and humanity. The author emphasizes that no symptom is too insignificant to be considered. The concept of "energy" in Chinese medicine is described as universal and divine. Understanding its connection to organs and time inspires awe and reverence.

Literature

• The issue lists three books as references:
• Akupunktur by Yeung Lai Yin (Forum, Lund 1973)
• Kinesisk läkekonst by Georges Beau (Gebers, Sthlm 1973)
• Zen i bågskjutningens konst by Eugen Herrigel (Berghs, Malmö -75)

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the principles of acupuncture, its diagnostic methods (pulse diagnosis, organ clock, peripheral pulse), the philosophical underpinnings of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Yin/Yang, energy circulation), and its practical applications. The editorial stance, as presented by Dr. Stiefvater, is one of advocating for acupuncture as a valuable, practical, and holistic healing modality that complements and can even enhance modern Western medicine. It emphasizes a scientific yet holistic approach, encouraging practitioners to look beyond superficial symptoms to address the root causes of illness and to integrate ancient wisdom with contemporary understanding.