The book of Acupuncture Techniques

Kit Li 

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses several therapeutic methods to treat patients, including Chinese Herbs, acupuncture, moxibustion, tuina massage, cupping or scraping, and TCM nutrition.  I'm sure you've experienced one or two methods in your life.

However, in terms of acupuncture techniques, could you imagine that the manipulation methods of applying a needle to a patient could have more than 10 different methods for guiding the Qi (tonifying or reducing) to strengthen or relax the patient? Unbelievable, right?  

To be honest with you, even though I never thought about it, I thought acupuncture was only for needling the acupoints on the different channels to treat the patient.  I was utterly wrong.   Possibly because I didn't have much experience with acupuncture, I only experienced it once, years ago.  I had three months of intensive acupuncture treatments from my motherland because of the terrible lower back pain in 2001.  As a patient at the time, I didn't even think about what techniques my Chinese Practitioner used; the only primary concern was the progress of my condition, and thankfully, I was fully recovered in the end.

Before becoming a TCM student, my knowledge about TCM and even the needling techniques was very superficial.  I can tell you that the more I delve into my studies, the more I'm into them.  It's not only what I learnt about the Yin and Yang, Five Elements or the Fundamental Theories, etc.  It's about how our body works with the needles during the treatment, combined with some manipulation techniques and such a fantastic invention by our ancestors several thousands of years ago, and it STILL works!

Anyhow, if you are a qualified Acupuncturist looking to improve your practice, there is a book I would highly recommend - Acupuncture Techniques: A Practical Manual by TianJun Wang and Weixiang Wang.  

This book is the first English language textbook on acupuncture and moxibustion techniques, co-authored by eighteen acupuncture experts from China and abroad.  It was published by the world-renowned science, technology, and medical publisher Springer.  Most of the authors are Chinese traditional medicine practitioners residing in Europe, with years of clinical and teaching experience in traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, particularly excelling in related acupuncture and moxibustion techniques.

https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-59272-

How Chinese Herbal Medicine helps with cancer patients

Kit Li 

It seems that the incidence of malignant tumours is on the rise. While there are many Western medical treatments available, many patients cannot tolerate the side effects of chemotherapy drugs, leading to poor prognoses. 

After studying Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), I understand that TCM can significantly help with cancer treatment. 

Recently, at my professor's clinic, a British male patient with T-cell lymphoma (non-Hodgkin's) joyfully shared with us that he had successfully cured his lymphoma within five and a half months through a combination of Chinese and Western medicine.  The swollen lymph nodes had wholly disappeared, the cancer cells were entirely eradicated, and his blood test results showed everything was normal.  

During this period, I witnessed the treatment process of this case. The patient underwent six courses of chemotherapy while taking daily herbal decoctions prescribed by my professor and also received acupuncture treatments twice a month at the clinic. 

The common side effects of chemotherapy were almost entirely absent, and his white blood cell count remained within the normal range. Additionally, the patient maintained a routine of moderate daily exercise, meditation, and a relaxed state of mind. 

In this world, many things are complementary. In cancer treatment, TCM and Western medicine are also complementary. By combining both strengths, we can effectively enhance the patient's immunity, suppress tumour cells, and counteract the side effects of chemotherapy. 

The patient's herbal formula was based on Xiaoluo Wan (Phlegm-Dissolving Pill) and Erzhi Wan (Double Supreme Pill), with modifications.  Because each person's constitution is different, the herbal formula is tailored to the individual and adjusted accordingly. 

 However, the essential components of the formula included: 

- Zhebeimu (Bulbus Fritillariae Thunbergii), Xuanshen (Radix Scrophulariae), and Muli (Oyster Shell): To soften hard masses and dissipate nodules. 

- Huangqi (Milkvetch), Nuvzhenzi (Privet Fruit) and Hanliancao (Eclipta): To boost white blood cell count and alleviate chemotherapy side effects. 

- Banzhilian (Barbat Skullcap) and Baihuasheshecao (Oldenlandia): To resolve phlegm and dampness. 

- Ezhu (Zedoary Rhizomes): To activate blood circulation and remove stasis. (Note: Ezhu is contraindicated for those taking anticoagulant medications) 

I'm so grateful to my professor for allowing me to witness the miraculous effects of Chinese Medicine. 

Below are two articles from Dr TJ Tang, his English blog on cancer treatments. Please refer to the following links for more information: 

1) Acupuncture and Moxibustion improve Leukopenia caused by Chemo and radiotherapy.

https://chinesemedicinesalon.blogspot.com/2023/04/acupuncture-and-moxibustion-improve.html 

 2) The Effects of Chinese Herbal Medicine on Cancer

https://chinesemedicinesalon.blogspot.com/2023/04/acupuncture-and-moxibustion-improve.html