[ENG]The Wisdom of the Nan Jing and Five Element Acupuncture

  CALee Acupuncture

The Wisdom of the Nan Jing and Five Element Acupuncture

The Nan Jing (Classic of Difficult Issues), far from being a mere ancient medical text, is a profound repository of wisdom underpinning the core of Korean Medicine: Five Element Acupuncture (五行鍼法). In particular, the Nan Jing's deep insights into the Five Shu points' (五輸穴) Five Element attributions (五行屬性) and their clinical applications continue to form the bedrock of Five Element Acupuncture, serving as crucial guidelines for treating disease even today. This document aims to present the key contents of the Nan Jing, focusing on the core principles and clinical significance of Five Element Acupuncture in a concise and clear manner to aid the reader's understanding.

Core Principles of the Nan Jing: The Theoretical Foundation of Five Element Acupuncture

1. The Sixty-Fourth Difficulty (六十四難): The Harmony of Yin and Yang - Differentiation of the Five Shu Points' Five Element Attributions

• Core Question: Why do the same Five Shu points in Yin and Yang meridians possess different Five Element attributions?
• The Nan Jing's Answer: By attributing the Five Elements to the Ten Heavenly Stems (十干) according to the principles of Yin-Yang (陰陽) and rigidity-softness (剛柔), the Nan Jing bestows Five Element attributes that align with the specific Qi (氣) flow characteristics of Yin and Yang meridians.
  • Example: The Well point (井穴) of a Yin meridian, signifying a gentle beginning, is associated with 'Wood-Yin (乙木),' while the Well point of a Yang meridian, representing a strong commencement, is associated with 'Metal-Yang (庚金).'
• Clinical Significance: Provides the foundation for differentiating the Yin-Yang nature of diseases and selecting the corresponding Five Element attributed Five Shu points.

2. The Sixty-Fifth Difficulty (六十五難): Resonance with Nature - The Functional and Seasonal Correlation of the Five Shu Points

• Core Content: The 'Well (井)' point, where Qi initiates, is likened to spring (East), while the 'He-Sea (合)' point, where Qi deeply converges, is compared to winter (North).
• Core Principle: Clearly elucidates the physiological functions of the Five Shu points by connecting the body's Qi flow with the cyclical order of nature.
• Clinical Significance: Aids in understanding the functional characteristics of the Five Shu points and selecting points in accordance with seasonal changes and disease patterns.

3. The Sixty-Ninth Difficulty (六十九難): The Principle of Restoring Balance - Setting the Direction for Tonification and Sedation (虛實補瀉)

• Core Principle: "Tonify the mother when there is deficiency (虛則補其母), and sedate the child when there is excess (實則瀉其子)."
• The Nan Jing's Emphasis: Accurately diagnosing the states of deficiency (虛) and excess (實) in disease and utilizing the Generating (相生) relationship of the Five Elements to determine the direction of tonification (補) and sedation (瀉) is crucial.
• Clinical Significance: Presents the fundamental treatment strategy of regulating the body's imbalances by leveraging the Generating and Controlling (相克) relationships of the Five Elements.

4. The Seventy-Fifth Difficulty (七十五難): The Wisdom of Mutual Constraint - Application of the Five Element Controlling Relationship

• Core Content: Explains the treatment strategy of utilizing the Controlling (相克) relationship of the Five Elements to regulate excessive or deficient Qi.
  • Example: In cases of Liver (Wood) excess and Lung (Metal) deficiency, the Nan Jing suggests sedating Fire (which vents Wood) and tonifying Water (which generates Metal) – the 'sedate Fire, tonify Water (瀉火補水)' method.
• Clinical Significance: Provides essential knowledge for formulating in-depth treatment strategies that consider the interactions between the Five Elements, moving beyond simple tonification and sedation.

The Luminous Legacy of the Nan Jing

The Nan Jing transcends being a mere technical manual for Five Element Acupuncture; it is a philosophical classic containing profound insights into the harmonious relationship between the human body and nature. The Sixty-Fourth and Sixty-Fifth Difficulties lay the foundational framework for point selection by attributing basic Five Element properties and functional meanings to the Five Shu points. The Sixty-Ninth Difficulty emphasizes the core principle of setting the direction for tonification and sedation based on the differentiation of deficiency and excess. More profoundly, the Seventy-Fifth Difficulty presents a strategic therapeutic approach that utilizes the Controlling relationship of the Five Elements to regulate complex imbalances within the body. Thus, the Nan Jing comprehensively presents everything from the fundamental principles to the advanced clinical applications of Five Element Acupuncture, serving as a timeless and crucial guide for Korean Medicine practitioners. A deep understanding of the Nan Jing unlocks the boundless potential of Five Element Acupuncture and paves the way for more effective clinical treatments. So, based on the content of the Seventy-Fifth Difficulty, could we not apply acupuncture treatment accordingly?

Reference: DAOM LAc Hanok Lee, South Baylo University, Principles of Sasang Acupuncture (舍岩鍼法) and Five Element Acupuncture (五行鍼法)