Reference; https://mbp-japan.com/tokyo/seino-1987/column/5097220/
Modified and translated by CFJA
In Japan and China, for a long time, they have been using taisho ronchi 対症論治, the method of treatment that aims to resolve the symptom. After the Meiji period, a scientific perspective came in and the idea of treatment based on sho and the disease name from the eastern medical perspective appeared. However, the majority of the treatment methods are symptom-directed.
Even in the situation as such being mainstream, Cheng Dan’an was attempting to invent a disease name that is based on Traditional Chinese thought. Dr. Seino also does not use symptom-directed treatment methods and he found this out after looking into and analyzing the history. Hence, although the basic treatment plan differs, the urge of the need to escape from conventional thoughts turned out to be the same for both Cheng Dan’an and Dr. Seino.
On the other hand, Yang Chengsen’s idea is similar but different. The idea of using sho is similar to the Japanese but sho in bensho ronchi is an idea used when prescribing herbs. The effect of the medicine/herbs takes some time after being consumed into the body, whereas the effect of acumoxa therapy is immediate. The time it takes for the change in one’s body after inducing a stimulation on acumoxa points and after the medicine/herbs are digested is different. Therefore, we believe that bensho ronchi cannot fully and effectively utilize the characteristics of acumoxa therapy. Also, bensho ronchi attempts to understand the physiology and pathology from the yin-yang five-element theory in classics. The knowledge of modern medicine is brought up for the presentation at the conference, however, we feel that the method of body analysis has gone back before the period of the Qing dynasty.
In bensho ronchi, the theory and the treatment methods are contradicted. Thus, treatment results do not improve and both patients and practitioners are beginning to move away from acumoxa therapy in the world. Its cause is not merely from the problem with the theory. It also includes the fact that the Japanese acumoxa techniques that Cheng Dan’an brought back were not properly transmitted.
After the death of Cheng Dan’an, his apprentices gradually became leaders. In 1989, the 90th birthday of Cheng Dan’an, Chengjiang Acupuncture and Moxibustion School of Thought澄江鍼灸学派 was established. Chengjiang澄江 (Jp. Choko) is another name for the region Jiangyin江陰 (Jp. Koin), Cheng Dan’an’s hometown. At around this time, we feel that the things Cheng Dan’an wanted to tell were being left out.
The next blog will be about the Japanese acumoxa techniques that Cheng Dan’an has brought back and taught in China, and what Chengjian School of Thought 澄江学派 has been transmitting and claiming.
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