Yin and Yang

THE THEORY OF YIN AND YANG.

According to the Yin-Yang theory, the Universe was originally in a state of primordial chaos without force, form or substance. It then resolved into negative(YIN) and positive(YANG) forces. It is said, therefore, that a balance exists in the Universe in its normal state, because of Yin And Yang relate to each other in harmony.

Natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and volcanic eruptions are brought about by an imbalance of the Yin and Yang forces. These forces are constantly interacting with each other, this is why everything in the Universe is neither stable nor final. The dynamic balancing of this duality which brings about both equilibrium and change. They are like the different but inseparable poles of magnet. According to TCM the Universe is in a state of oscillation of forces of YIN and YANG and thier changes.

The YIN is conceptualized as being  COLD, DARK and FEMALE.

YIN is passive and signifies that which is deep and hidden.

Where YANG is WARM, LIGHT and MALE.

YANG is active and signifies that which is above the surface.

Yin and Yang are constantly changing thier relationship to each other, one cannot exist, materially or conceptually , without other. Thus there is no night without day, no inside without outside and no virtue without vice. 

Yet nothing is absolutely Yin or absolutely Yang in every Yin there is always some Yang , and in every Yang there is some Yin.

Health and disease are also explained in terms of this Philosophy of Yin Yang. As man is made out of the same elements as the Universe , he is subject to the same law, the Universe being the macrocosm, man is the microcosm.

The hormonal balance in a healthy individual is a perfect example of this Yin Yang dynamism. In fact  the concept of homeostasis in mordern physiology is none other than the estsblishment of a Yin-Yang balance as applied to the known parameters of the biochemical physiology of the organism. The basic postulates of the Yin-Yang theory are therefore valid , even in the context of today's scientific milieu, if we can adjust our minds to these ancient semantics.

Human health and disease

CAUSES OF DISEASE

The causes of disease are divided into four categories:

1. Those originating from outside the body.

2. Those arising inside the body.

3. Miscellaneous causes (neither outside nor inside).

4. Phlegm.

When the different vital forces of the body are in a harmonious balance, there is positive health. And when this balance is disturbed, there is DISEASE.

The factors on which the development of disease depends:-

1. The immunity level of the body.

2. The virulence of the disease causing agents.

If the body is in positive health there is no way for disease to gain a foothold. Disorders may also arise from internal disharmonies without being caused by exogenous influences. In traditional medicine much emphasis is placed on the prevention of disease by the promotion of general health and the early treatment of internal disharmonies.

In traditional medical terminology, the physiological activity of the organ, the vital energy, and the blood, all of which have the power to resist disease, are called normal vital force. The course of a disease is seen as a battle between the Normal vital force of the body and the disease causing factors. Treatment of the disease, at any point in time, depends on the dynamic interaction between these two forces. Disorder which are primarily caused by internal disharmony require appropriate treatment so as to properly re-establish normal functioning of the affected organ.

CAUSES OF DISEASE

1. Those originating from outside the body: The six Excesses are the extrinsic causes of disease.

a) Wind

b) Cold

c) Heat

d) Dampness

e) Dryness 

f) Summer heat

Here the term Excess means "ABNORMALITY OR EVIL".

When normal environmental forces become excessive they may cause disease. 

2. Those arising inside the body: 

The seven Emotions:The seven Emotions are Excessive happiness, anger, worry, pensiveness, sadness, fear, and anxiety. They are linked with five element system of correspondences.

Worry and Sadness - Metal element

Fear- water element

Frustration upests the free flowing nature of liver.

These are the normal emotions which can lead to illness if sustained for long period of time.

3. Miscellaneous causes:  These refer to syndromes due to aetiologies that are neither Excesses nor Emotions. Inconsistency in the quantity, quality or time of eating causes indigestion and related diseases. Quality here refres both hygienic level of food and to the traditional classification of foodstuffs as either cold or Hot. Each organ is associated with a corresponding taste in five elements system. Too much of one taste will injure the corresponding Organ.

4. Phlegm: The word phlegm doesnot refer exclusively to the secrections that are coughed up from the Lungs, but also to stagnant fluids in the body. Its formation is due to the dysfunction in the water metabolism. When the water in the body becomes stagnant, it transform into Phlegm. When Phlegm collects in the lungs there is coughing and wheezing with profuse expectoration. When it enters the Stomach there is nausea and vomiting. When it invades the channels local swelling occur.

AYURVEDIC ACUPUNCTURE

Ayurvedic medicine has many different branches, as it is the study of whole body and life. One of these branches is Ayurvedic Acupuncture. This can be termed as an accessory therapy since it was used in conjunction with other forms to effect healing. It belongs more correctly to the branch of surgery.

Ayurvedic surgery in India was extremely advanced. Plastic surgery of the nose was a routine operation during Sushruta's time. Sushruta is the most ancient renowned Ayurvedic surgeon. During those time broken bones were also mended with metal pins in much the same way they are today.

Today there is no doubt that Ayurvedic Acupuncture originated from the practice of using needles in surgery and the knowledge of the pressure points.

Ayurvedic Acupuncture is traditionally termed Bhedan Karma, and is a part of the traditional Indian methods of using pressure points or marmas. These methods are generically reffered to as Marma Chikitsa. There is undeniable connection between Marma Chikitsa and what is today recognized as Acupuncture.

Acupuncture is more correctly termed "NEEDLING" where needles are used to penetrate the skin at strategic points of the body in order to cause a therapeutic effect. The Acupuncture points are positioned along energy channels which connect with major organ and structure of the body.

The needles must be inserted into specific reflex points( marmas) which then cause an internal therapeutic reaction. A system which does not take these points into account is not a true system of acupuncture.

It is unfortunate that many traditional Ayurvedic practices have remained secretive and have all but disappeared from popular usage. Example: There is a system of martial arts in India called Marma Adi (a part of Kalari) which is the secretive and complex art of striking vital pressure points for self-defence purpose. It is still kept quite secret, even in India, and very little information is available today to the West. Marma Adi's secrets were recorded in 72 shastras or ancient books which were written on palm leaf manuscripts and carefully handed.

Likewise, many diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and art forms have almost all but disappeared from popular use in India. Ayurvedic Acupuncture and moxibution appear to be two of these system, although once again they are gaining popularity, even if only very gradually.

According to the Ayurvedic principles the Ayurvedic Acupuncture form is termed BHEDAN KARMA (piercing through therapy) and a part of the Suchi Veda or science of needling.

Acupunture-Moxibustion

 Moxibustion- Heating or burning certain areas of the  body with the powdered leaves of the moxa plant ( Latin name: Artemesia Vulgaris).

Acupuncture- This is a form of point injection therapy. ( Latin: Acus- needle; punctura- to penetrate)

Acupuncture- Moxibution is one of the most ancient and characteristic therapeutic techniques of Chinese medicine. Very broadly speaking, the acupuncture technique was from ancient times onwards thought most valuable in both acute and chronic diseases, while moxa was more appropriate in the chronic ones.

Different environments gave rise to different incidences of endemic disease, hence the invention of different therapeutic methods. Thus, moxibustion came mainly from the North, materia medica and pharmacy came from the West, and gymnastics, remidial exercises and massage from the centre. But acupuncture originated in the East, where people suffered greatly from boils and carbuncles.

Acupuncture is a system of therapy which has been in constant use throughout chinese culture area for some four and a half thousand years; and the labours of a multitude of devoted men and women, through the centuries, have given it a highly developed doctrine and a set of rules to carry out the clinical practice.