An outstanding, major work
on the history of acupuncture and moxibustion
—Impressions of three texts written by my mentor to whom I am deeply indebted, Master Young Wei-chieh
By Master Tung's Extraordinary Points second generation rushi disciple, Dr. Zuo Changbo
Introduction
On the last day of a three day course on Master Tung's Extraordinary Points (DSQX) that I taught at the invitation of the World Federation of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Societies in December 2006, I stated that my beloved mentor, Dr. Young Wei-chieh, has entrusted me with Master Tung’s deathbed behest – to return his tradition to its home, mainland China, to benefit the people of this society. As the only rushi (inner-room) disciple of DSQX in the mainland, it is my responsibility to present the most brilliant chapter of this tradition to the acupuncture world of China. It is our sincere hope that more colleagues from the acupuncture world enter our tradition and revive this nearly lost therapeutic system which has traveled overseas for more than half a century, thus reestablishing this tradition of acupuncture, and showing the wonder of Chinese acupuncture to the world.
At this moment, I have laid out before me three major works recently published by the American Chinese Medicine Cultural Center, written by my venerable teacher, Dr. Young, Wei-chieh. They are: Tung’s Extraordinary Points Lectures: Acupoint Study; Tung’s Extraordinary Points Lectures: Treatment Study; and Acupuncture Treasure Text. When my teacher conferred these texts to me inscribed with words of his encouragement, I felt as if I had received a precious treasure, pouring myself over the books day and night.
I feel deeply blessed that I encountered a mentor whose moral character and mastery of his tradition make him truly a master of this generation. I am grateful to Master Young, Wei-chieh, for presenting China and the world with such a significant work of scholarship.
When facing an erudite of such rigorous scholarship, an outstanding clinician and a great philosopher, a student’s heart is filled with trepidation and respect. I do not dare make one unfounded comment. Nonetheless, I feel compelled to offer my impressions of the texts.
I. Character, Scholarship, Education and Practice
“Only a person of the highest moral character can achieve highest level of scholarship”
“To study thousands of books is equivalent to traveling thousands of miles”
These are the words my teacher imparted to me when I was with him studying DSQX. I believe that the reason Master Tung trusted Master Young and made him into his dichuan rushi (personally cultivated – inner-room) disciple had much to do with character. The reason for Master Young’s success today is his adherence to his moral principles. This should be a reminder to the scholars that follow in his footsteps. In 1997, on the day I first met Master Young, he was in the highest of spirits. From his bookcase he took out a book meticulously cared for, a secret text passed down to him by his teacher, filled with notes written in Master Young’s own hand that he painstakingly accumulated over years of his life. Master Young said, “One day when I was studying with my Master, I asked him a question only to find him glare at me and harshly reply, ‘think for you! You haven’t even given it a moments thought and you come to me for the answer. If I told you, what good would it do you?’ Admonished, I would return to my study, burying myself in books day and night, in constant meditation on the question. During clinic, I would carefully observe Master. One day I realized the answer and approached Master to confirm my conclusion. His expression turned soft and pleased. He only said one thing, ‘you can come up with the answer yourself, what do you need to ask me for.’” Master Young is a man of impeccable character, with deep respect and feelings for Master Tung that are always with him. Master Tung’s tomb at Yangming Mountain is meticulously maintained by him and he often takes disciples there to pay homage.
Master Young’s quest for knowledge has carried him to many places to search out his teachers. In order to do deepen his understanding of acupuncture phlebotomy, he traveled to Anhui province to visit Dr. Wang Xiuzhen. His attainments on the Treatise on Cold Damage [傷寒論 shang1 han2 lun4], come from his studies under classic formulas master, Liu Duzhou, under whom he completed a Ph.D.. Dr. Liu held him in the highest of regards. He also completed a Ph.D. at Beijing University. The subject of his dissertation was the origin of Chinese medicine and the Book of Changes. With his extensive body of knowledge, profound scholarship and succinct summarization, he has become the accomplished scholar he is today.
II. In regard to Tung's Extraordinary Points Lectures: Acupoint Study
This text puts all the acupoints of the DSQX system into one comprehensive text.
Before discussing the extraordinary points, the text begins with several essays: “Returning to the simple truth of DSQX”; “Discussion on DSQX, other extraordinary points and the points of the 14 Channels”; “How to judge a good acupuncturist”; and “Application of DSQX academic thought.” My teacher uses succinct and simple language to unfold to us the very core of the DSQX tradition.
The section following the essays, “Channel Points”, Master Young selflessly offers us his decades of experience and realizations. This is the result of years of painstaking efforts. The most notable part, “Theory and Application,” explains the effects and medical theory behind each point. The language is terse and lucid. The reader should read and research the text assiduously.
Although this section contains many unique discoveries of Dr. Young’s, he writes in a self-effacing manner, resisting personal claim. Below are a few examples.
1. Using Neiguan (PC6) to treat knee pain
This use of Neiguan is my teacher’s discovery. In DSQX, there are many points that can treat both anatomical heart disease and knee pain (e.g. Heart-knee point, Heart-gate point and Three-metal point). Inspired by this way of thinking and knowing that Neiguan can treat heart conditions, he researched and confirmed the point’s effectiveness in treating knee pain.
If you use traditional acupuncture theory to understand the connection, there are several explanations:
It is important to note, that many patients with knee pain also have “rest-pain” symptoms – pain that increases at night or at rest. This kind of pain decreases during the day after some activity. Pain of this characteristic fits the Blood Stasis pattern of Chinese medicine. Biomedicine explains this pain to be the result of capsular venous return obstruction causing an increase in intracapsular pressure. In this case, depending upon which Channel the pain is located, find a vein with evidence of pathological change in the corresponding area on the lower leg and apply acupoint phlebotomy. The results are instantaneous.
My teacher discovered this point using the correspondence principle of DSQX theory and it is exceptionally effective in treating ankle pain. I have personally used this point successfully on many occasions. Inspired by Master Young, I have my own realizations from my clinical experience. For example, because the Lung and Urinary Bladder are alternatively interconnected, pairing Xiaojie with Wanshun 1 and 2 (alternating left and right), one can treat all pain problems of the back of the body. The Neijing states: “The Lung governs (主zhu3) management (治zhi4) and regulation (節jie2)” [“The Lung is in charge of regulating body rhythm and order.”] In most academic circles, “zhi4” and “jie2” are understood to mean management and regulation of the body’s Qi. My understanding is different. I believe that “jie2” refers to “seasonal” and “rhythmical patterns.” The Lung is the organ most closely associated with the external world, it is a human’s link to unification with nature and therefore they are intimately related. The majority of diseases that present in patterns related to seasonal changes, Chinese Jieqi changes and other patterns of fixed timing often are related to Lung Qi disharmony. In these cases, regulation of the Lung produces extraordinary results. To treat this type of problem, I like to use Xiaojie and often combine it with point Huozhu and I find the effects even more remarkable. Does the name Xiaojie (小 xiao3 節jie2, minor regulation/rhythm) have a deeper meaning? I am looking forward to my teacher’s confirmation.
I combine Xiaojie with Huozhu to treat a many disharmonies with exceptional results. As a pair, one point belongs to the Lung Channel and the other the Liver Channel; one governs Qi while the other governs Blood; one Channel is the beginning of the 12 Channel sequence and the other the end. For treating insomnia that manifests as awakening the second half of the night at a fixed time, this combination has almost never failed me. I have had several patients with insomnia for more than ten years who got well in just a few treatments. For patients with irregular menstruation or other problems that present in association with the menstrual cycle, this combination is also effective. It is particularly useful for problems that manifest in association with seasonal changes, including many recalcitrant dermatological conditions.
“Moving Qi Needling Technique” [動氣針法, dong4 Qi4 zhen1 fa3] is a commonly used technique of Master Tung’s. However the term was first invoked by Master Young. The meaning of “Moving Qi” is ‘moving and drawing Qi.’ In comparison to what many people call “movement acupuncture technique” [運動針法, yun4 dong4 zhen1 fa3], I cannot begin to estimate how much higher the understanding of the mechanism behind the usage is. [How much more effective it is].
“Traction needling technique” is really the innovation of Dr. Young. Its theory is very much consistent with the “drawing effect” studied in advanced clinical neurophysiology. The acuity of his perception is phenomenal. Inspired by this technique, I have used two point treatment combinations of one main and one traction needle to treat numerous types of chronic, recalcitrant internal medicine diseases, including: coronary heart disease, cholecystitis, peptic ulcers, pelvic inflammatory disease, prostatitis and impotence. Often the effect is amazing. Follow up diagnosis using Western medicine testing often shows complete recovery.
In DSQX, points of the thigh are used to regulate the organs in a manner likened to “pooling the water at the source;” moving Qi technique is equivalent to “opening the irrigation channel and guiding the flow;” traction needling to aim the flow of Qi and Blood exactly to the target can be called “discharge the water directly onto the site;” acupoint phlebotomy is equivalent to “clearing the stasis and draining the turbid.” As a whole, the treatment process flows smoothly, each link connected perfectly, and the results awaken the healing potentials of the patient to their greatest level at the fastest pace and can move them most directly, with the highest concentration to focus an attack at the site of disease.
4. Important reminder
Master Young has repeatedly emphasized the following points to guide students to the shortest path to success and they are as close to the core as can be:
In a word, a person of with a deep theoretical foundation in Chinese medicine can see the depth of this scholarship while others may only see it superficiality as empiricism. A scholar should research this carefully, exploring all the knowledge this text contains.
III. Tung's Extra Points Lectures: Treatment Study
The places in this text worth marking and making notes are too many to all be discussed here.
This book is in lecture manuscript format and is truly a complete collection of DSQX treatment therapies. It includes both the way of thinking and acupoint formulas. It also contains case histories for analysis. There are even some of Master Young’s most commonly used, well tested, treasured acupoint formulas. The line of thinking is lucid, Channels and Collaterals are divided clearly, when the book is in your hand, it is as if a prominent physician is standing by your side. Analyzing the text meticulously, level after level of realization can expand the medical horizons of all who read it.
Several articles are outstanding and demand that we read them carefully, reviewing them over and over. In the manuscript, “Discussing the opening, closing and pivot [of the six warps] and Zangfu alternative interconnection theory,” Dr. Young guides us in using simple theory, and not only reveals some of the deepest secretes of DSQX but also some for the points of the 12 Main Channels. Some of the content is the first time ever it has been disclosed. For example, using the pre-heaven eight trigram model to fix the location the Zangfu Organs and the Channels and Collaterals; using the same model to fix the natures of the six warps model of pattern differentiation; using the opening, closing and pivot [of the six warps] to fix the direction of the Channels and Collaterals (with reference to the Zangfu Organs alternative interconnection theory); and using the post-heaven trigram to fix the order of circulation of the Channels and Collaterals. The “Discussion of the Supreme Ultimate (太極 tai4 ji2) holograms and correspondence” is also a miraculous essay. The level of its conception is much higher than any other ordinary correspondence point selection method.
Thanks to the profound kindness of my teacher, the article I published in the 2003.5 Journal of Chinese Acupuncture, “The distinguishing features of Tung’s Extraordinary Points Therapeutics” is included in this text. Everything in this article was taught to me by my teacher, nothing original of my own. Read it at your pleasure.
Under the guidance of my mentor, I once treated patient suffering from blindness. Michael, male, 36 years old is an American whose hypertension caused an ocular fundus hemorrhage. Testing confirmed bilateral optic nerve atrophy over the past six years since the lesion occurred. Four years prior to my treatment he spent three to four months in Beijing receiving treatment from a well-known acupuncture professor at the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine but failed to see any improvement. My first treatment with him was on August 8, 2005. According to the instruction of my teacher, I chose the three huang points bilaterally to harmonize the Liver. Using a subtle manipulation of the needles, a warm sensation traveled up along the liver channel all the way to the ocular fundus. I administered five treatments in total. The result was the right eye became photosensitive and the left eye’s photosensitivity became stronger. One month later the patient called to say he could already see signs on doors and could differentiate the color light yellow from white. In June of 2006, I gave the patient a second course of treatment. Again, after five treatments there was an improvement in his vision and recent follow-up interviews indicate that the effects have not regressed. This case could be called a miracle.
IV. Acupuncture Treasure Text針灸寶典
This text is based on Dr. Young’s own work Acupuncture Warp and Woof [Zhen Jiao Jing Wei 針灸經緯] written in 1975. The content of this text has undergone more than 30 years of clinical testing, and it now enjoys a celebrated rebirth as a brilliant acupuncture work. At the time my teacher was a talented protégé of Master Tung, and today he is the master of his generation!
This text covers the quintessence of acupuncture from the Emperor Huang Classic – Inner Volume [黃帝内經 huang2 di4 nei4 jing1], Classic on Difficult Questions [難經 nan4 jing1] and The Classic on the ABC’s of Acupuncture [針灸甲乙經 zhen1 jiu3 jia3 yi3 jing1] and combines it with his own rich, original experience. In all, it represents a return to the pure and simple, profound acupuncture traditions of ancient times. I am sure it will send a storm of excitement through the acupuncture world!
Conclusion
When reading a work on acupuncture as significant as this, I am often overcome by a wave of uncertainty, a moment of silence and speechlessness. When facing an erudite of such rigorous scholarship, such an outstanding clinician with such a depth of Chinese medical knowledge and its philosophical origins, how does a grateful student dutifully honor his teacher? I hope my teacher is pleased with this review as I was pleased to write it.
The Chinese and World Acupuncture Circles should always remember two names:
Dong Jing-chang (Tung Jing-chang)
Young Wei-chieh
We thank them for offering the world this cultural treasure to the world!
Dr. Yang’s comments:
After reading this essay by Changbo and seeing how rich and deep his thinking is, nostalgically, I was taken back to the time we spent together years ago. The rainy season, summer, 1998 whirled and whistled with one tumultuous storm after the other whose strength surpassed those of years past. Through avalanches, washed out roads and collapsed bridges, Changbo, I and two others day and night ventured out into high winds and heavy rains, through immense forests, trekking across snow plains, climbing dangerous mountains, fording treacherous rivers, topping many mountain passes over 5,000 meters, ferrying over several thousand mile long tributaries of the Yangtze river, arriving at Bayan Kara Mountain and looking out over Jinsha river. The altitude of Dege valley in Litang (Garzê) on the Tibetan plateau is 4, 100 meters, and in a tent we set up our free clinic. Eating roasted barely flour, drinking milk tea, gnawing on dried beef, experiencing the high plains we embraced the Tibetan people. Although many years have passed since those ten days and nights we worked together treating the sick in Tibet, the memories are as vivid as yesterday. Many students have worked with me during my best years, under the best of circumstances, but it is the students who where with me during the most difficult times who I remember most deeply, most fondly.
Changbo is a talented thinker, sharp and insightful. His passion for growth and improvement is insatiable. He repeatedly reaches beyond what he has learned to develop his own ideas. What is most honorable is his respect and admiration for his teacher. Every year, no matter how far we are apart, he always telephones me on holidays. And whenever he hears I am going to mainland China, it does not matter where he is, without mentioning a single word of his inconvenience, he buys a ticket and boards a plane to meet me to discuss scholarship. Just as the expression “first virtue and then Dao,” the same “first understand medicine and then become a renowned physician,” Mr. Dong scholarship can celebrate its heritage has a successor.
Editor’s comments: this essay is printed with the text neither to improve its sales, nor sing the praises of Mr. Yang. It is out of a sincere hope that reading it will provide insight into the rare, deep feelings of the relationship between master and disciple that exist even today. And, that readers can see how a student can learn by inferring numerous answers from one morsel of knowledge imparted by his teacher. From this I realized, this holds true not only for Changbo and his study of Mr. Dong’s Extra Points, but students of all acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine traditions following his example can develop into outstanding doctors and scholars.
Translated by ：Paul Ryan LAc. CA