Reference; https://mbp-japan.com/tokyo/seino-1987/column/5110174
Modified and translated by CFJA
B. Cheng Dan’an’s classifications of treatment area.
Cheng Dan’an classified the moxibustion method depending on the treatment area:
(1) Local moxibustion 患部灸: Direct moxibustion therapy practiced on the local area with pain or discomfort.
(2) Induction moxibustion 誘導灸: Moxibustion therapy practiced on distal area associated with the local area to address congestion or blood stagnation causing inflammation or pain.
(3) Reflex moxibustion 反射灸: Moxibustion therapy practiced when there is illness in the internal organs. A method of utilizing the physiological reflex of the human body by performing indirect moxibustion.
[Comments from Dr. Seino]
Specifying the method through the classification of the treatment area is clinically significant. It is commonly done in Japan, and Dr. Seino considers it admirable to classify them by naming.
C. Cheng Dan’an’s classification of the amount of simulation for moxibustion therapy.
Cheng Dan’an classified how big and how many times should one be applying moxa for moxibustion therapy.
(1) Amount of stimulation for moxibustion therapy 1
1. Standard of strong stimulation
Gaishu is the size of a green bean. Knead to make it firm and round. 12 – 15 times.
2. Standard of moderate stimulation
Gaishu is the size of a mouse dropping. Knead to make it moderate size, firm and round.
3. Standard of weak stimulation
Gaishu is the size of a wheat grain. Tight and hard gaishu is not good.
(Comments from Dr. Seino)
Good eye for classifying the amount of stimulation for moxibustion therapy. In China, where gaikyu therapy was not commonly practiced, it was likely essential for education because there was not the opportunity to learn from observation.
(2) Amount of stimulation for moxibustion therapy 2
a. Differences between children and physically weak individuals:
For children under the age of 10, apply 5 – 10 gaishu with the size of sparrow droppings. For physically weak individuals, apply 5 – 10 gaishu with the size of rice grains. The number of points for moxibustion is 5 – 7. Too many application of gaishu can cause fatigue.
b. Difference between males and females:
The number of gaishu application should be slightly more for males and slightly less than males for females.
c. Difference between overweight and underweight individuals:
Since overweight individuals have more fat, apply fewer gaishu. For underweight individuals, apply more gaishu with the size of rice grains.
d. Difference between sensitive and insensitive individuals:
For sensitive individuals, remove gaishu when it is burning midway and repeat the process. For insensitive individuals, slightly larger gaishu compared to sensitive individuals are advisable.
e. Experience with moxibustion treatment :
For patients receiving moxibustion therapy for the first time, smaller and fewer gaishu are recommended. Increase the amount gradually from the next session.
f. Difference based on the appearance of symptoms:
In cases of progressive diseases (such as those involving pain or spasms), larger and more gaishu are advisable. For those with weak constitutions, efficacy may diminish, paralysis and loss of strength may ocur. Hence, smaller and more gaishu are recommended.
g. Difference based on the nature of work:
For those who work as a manual labours, larger and more gaishu is advisable compared to the intellectual workers.
h. Difference based on nutritional status:
For individuals with poor nutritional status, apply smaller gaishu and ensure exact number of gaishu, and must avoid kneading gaishu bigger at all costs.
(Comments from Dr. Seino]
According to the classification above, it clearly outlines methods to reduce the risks of moxibustion therapy and efficiently achieve its effects. While such knowledge has been transmitted orally in Japan, there are still very few texts that clearly articulate these methods. Therefore, the insight and analytical skills of Cheng Dan’an are truly remarkable.
Since his stay in Japan was short, it must have been challenging for him to write with more details. Also, even if he could have written it with more details, it would have been difficult to visualize for the Chinese practitioners who had never experienced moxibustion therapy.
Currently in China, the moxibustion therapy that Cheng Dan’an attempted to transmit is rarely practiced. Acupuncture therapy is effective for mental illnesses, while moxibustion therapy is effective for physical illness or in other words it is effective for organic diseases. Acumoxa therapy is effective for both physical and mental illnesses, however, not practicing moxibustion therapy means that one is incapable of treating 50% of the medical conditions. The premature loss of Cheng Dan’an, a giant figure in China, is a regrettable loss in human history.
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