Reference; https://mbp-japan.com/tokyo/seino-1987/column/5105120/
Modified and translated by CFJA
Let’s get back on track.
The concept of “hosha 補瀉 (reinforcing-reducing)” is used for nyushin 入鍼 (needle insertion), unshin 運鍼 (needle manipulation) and basshin 抜鍼 (needle removal). The basic textbook for acupuncture techniques is Huang di nei jing ling shu 黄帝内経霊枢 (Jp. Koutei daikei reisu, “Inner Classics of the Yellow Emperor”) and the concept of hosha 補瀉 (reinforcing-reducing) is noted in chapter 1, nine needle twelve sources 九針十二原篇. An early text states, ‘補瀉之時、以針為之（補瀉の時、針を以って之を為す）’. This notes that acupuncture therapy should be used to treat illness when ho 補 or sha 瀉 is seen in the patient. The concept of hosha 補瀉 (reinforcing-reducing) is explained numerous times later in the text. Various techniques with the concept of ho 補 and sha 瀉 have been created and organized for the next generations.
Cheng Dan’an decided to differentiate techniques of hosha 補瀉 (reinforcing-reducing) merely based on the amount of stimulation – strong or weak. He figured that the techniques of hosha 補瀉 (reinforcing-reducing) lack coherence and are contradictive after considering many texts such as Suwen 素問, Lingshu 霊枢, Nanjing 難経 (JP. Nangyo, “Classics of Difficulties”), Qianjin Yi Fang 千金翼法 (Jp. Senkin yokuho, “A Supplement to Recipes Worth A Thousand Gold”), etc. He states that it is unnecessary to differentiate hosha 補瀉 (reinforcing-reducing) for needle removal as well.
Below explains the way Cheng Dan’an taught unshin 運鍼 (needle manipulation) and basshin 抜鍼 (needle removal).
(Dr. Seino’s interpretation will be included as some of the translations in Chuirinsho『中医臨床』(Clinical Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine), vol. 8, no.3 (regular volume 142) seem to be inaccurate.)
[Unshin 運鍼 (needle manipulation)]
1. In general, strong stimulation is induced for patients with a strong constitution or an acute condition; Weak stimulation is induced for patients with a weak constitution or a chronic condition. If the patient does not feel de qi – soreness 酸, numbness 麻, heaviness 重 or swelling 脹 like sensation – from a weak stimulation, then increase the twisting degree 提挿捻転 to increase the amount of stimulation.
2. The practitioner can change the amount of stimulation based on de qi that the practitioner is feeling. If de qi feels strong and is being transmitted far, induce heavier stimulation; if de qi feels weak and close, the stimulation needs to be increased.
(Dr. Seino’s explanation)
There might be some agreements and disagreements regarding the fact that Cheng Dan’an decided not to use the techniques of hosha 補瀉 (reinforcing-reducing) from ancient China. According to Dr. Seino, there are three explanations as to why that was the case.
1. Although Traditional Chinese Medicine ceased during the Qing dynasty, the ROC did not attempt to revive it as a national medical practice because they did not acknowledge acumoxa and herbal therapy as medicine. The PRC had the same idea as well at the time of its establishment. In China, they develop and expand theories based on yin-yang and five-phase perspectives. Hence, theories such as the yin-yang theory and five-element theory are likely to become arbitrary, which is not scientific. Dr. Seino believes that it was hard to understand and adopt ancient medical techniques that are organized with ambiguous terms such as hosha 補瀉 (reinforcing-reducing) and kyojitsu 虚実 (deficiency-excess). If this is the case, then Dr. Seino agrees.
Unfortunately, benshoronchi 弁証論治 – created after the death of Cheng Dan’an – uses ambiguous diagnostic methods 病態把握. Dr. Seino feels that the current Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is not following Cheng Dan’an’s intentions of scientific approach. Currently, the world is working towards scientifically proving the treatment results from Eastern Medicine. However, Dr. Seino argues that the current methods are not really “scientific”.
2. Cheng Dan’an did not adopt the techniques of hosha 補瀉 (reinforcing-reducing) because probably, he sought to unify and give coherence to acupuncture techniques specialized in de qi. At that time, it had been 132 years since acupuncture was no longer practiced as a national medicine. Thus, he might have thought that he should avoid teaching complicated techniques for teaching purposes.
3. During the period when Cheng Dan’an was researching, war was going on within China. Hence, it must have been difficult to obtain enough texts and documents. He might have not had enough time to study and learn about techniques of hosha 補瀉 (reinforcing-reducing) in Sugiyama style or Sugiyama shinden style since his study in Japan was short. Either way, it must have been too difficult for an individual to learn and decide for themselves.
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