Wan's Clinical Application of Chinese Medicine

Scientific Practice of Diagnosis, Treatment and Therapeutic Monitoring

Giorgio Repeti, Marc Micozzi

• Publisher: Singing Dragon
• Year: 2011
• ISBN:
  9780857010308
• Topic: Medicine
• Subtopic: Acupuncture

Much of acupuncture practice in the West remains incomplete or less potent because it has been based upon particular interpretations often by only one individual, in translation. The broad, diverse and ancient practices of Chinese medicine are often misconstrued and overshadowed by the more modern Traditional Chinese Medicine in Westernised texts. This book places more powerful tools in the hands of practitioners and expands our knowledge of the full potential of Chinese medical practices. Grandmaster Wan was a well known doctor of Chinese medicine, who in the traditional way of Chinese teaching took on only a handful of students throughout his life, one of whom was Giorgio Repeti.

The author's extensive notes, derived from his years of discipleship to Grandmaster Wan, form the basis of this book, and he has in the core of the book resisted any temptation to include his own views or amend those of the teacher. The approach described was characterised by Grandmaster Wan as the 3E approach (easy, economical and efficient), and is deceptively simple. It is, however, an approach that can only fully be comprehended through reflection and experience. The book covers the basic principles of diagnosis, with chapters on pulse and tongue diagnosis. A key chapter on acupuncture provides clear directives for treatment that relies on simple yet powerful underpinning principles, and challenges the much more complex approach to acupuncture commonly taught in the West. Herbal medicines and herbal treatments for cold, warm and hot diseases are also covered.

This clinically based text will provide an essential vademecum for practitioners of Chinese medicine, and a thoughtful introduction for students that will carry them through to their own practice.

1

WAN’S 3E DIAGNOSTIC METHOD

Introduction

The following information is included here to give the reader a concise review of the many diagnostic tools used in Chinese medicine, including:

• Yin and Yang principles
• the Five Elements
• examination of the six types of body syndrome
• eye diagnosis
• facial diagnosis
• pulse diagnosis
• tongue diagnosis.

The following are not included:

• abdomen palpation (Hara diagnosis)
• asking
• listening and smelling.

Dr. Wan’s summation of the above-mentioned methods of diagnosis follows. It is good practice to briefly refresh our memory from time to time with the fundamentals. Without the correct understanding and absorption of the right fundamentals the practice will be sub-standard. Wan’s 3E Method helps maintain the standard, and a correct understanding of the fundamentals is key to engaging better future practice.

Yin and Yang principles

Diagnosis and prescribing are based on Yin and Yang.

A state of health is maintained when there is balance between Yin and Yang.

Excess of one automatically leads to the depletion of the other. It is excess that is noticed, while deficiency can go unnoticed.

There are several basic relationships or conditions of Yin and Yang. The model describing them can help form the basis for diagnosis and treatment.

The thick line in Figure 1.1 is the line of balance, or midpoint, which indicates homeostasis. The (+) or Yang side represents and is manifested by heat, action, Fire, energy, Qi. The (–) side, or Yin, represents and is manifested by cold, inaction, stasis, water, blood.

Figure 1.1: The basic condition of balance, where both Yin and Yang are just right

Figure 1.1 represents the basic condition of balance, where both Yin and Yang are just right.

Figure 1.2: A situation where the Yang is excessive

Figure 1.2 represents a situation where the Yang is excessive. This excess can manifest in heat and/or inflammation. The way to deal with this imbalance is to reduce the excess Yang. Western medicine will use antibiotics and aspirin.

Figure 1.3: A condition of Yin deficiency

The condition represented by Figure 1.3 is of Yin deficiency. In this case we must tonify or replenish the Yin.

Figure 1.4: A condition of excess Yin

The condition represented by Figure 1.4 is one of excess Yin. This condition is actually very rare. Even here we do not try to diminish the Yin because the saying in Chinese medicine is “Yin is always insufficient.” For example, we can just give a bit of ginger to counteract the coldness.

Figure 1.5: A condition of deficient Yang

Figure 1.5 represents a condition of deficient Yang. In this case we must replenish the Yang.

Figure 1.6: A condition of deficient Yang and Yin

Figure 1.6 represents a c...