Korean Acupuncture (K-Acupuncture) [Part 4] Classical Wisdom of Acupuncture

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Modern Korean Acupuncture (K-Acupuncture) [Part 4] Classical Wisdom of Acupuncture: Classic of Difficult Issues, Problems 69 & 75, and Sa-am Acupuncture

In this part, we explore the essential principles of the Five-Element acupuncture system as presented in the Classic of Difficult Issues (Nan Jing, 難經). In particular, we look at the principle of supplementation and draining stated in Problem 69: “When deficient, tonify its mother; when excessive, drain its child (虛則補其母, 實則瀉其子)”, and the therapeutic strategies based on the controlling (相剋) relationship among the Five Elements explained in Problem 75. We also examine how these classical principles were inherited and developed in the unique system of Sa-am Acupuncture (舍岩鍼法), with its laws of supplementation and draining: “Tonify the mother and drain the official (補母瀉官)” and “Drain the child and tonify the official (瀉子補官).”

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1. Universal Principle of Acupuncture: “Drain the Excess, Tonify the Deficient”

The fundamental purpose of acupuncture is to regulate imbalance in the body. When the energy of an organ is excessive or insufficient, treatment restores balance by adjusting it accordingly.

This is summarized in the principle:
“Drain what is excessive, and tonify what is deficient (瀉其太過 補其不及).”

• Excess (太過): When an organ’s function is overly strong, its energy is carefully reduced or released to restore balance.

• Deficiency (不及): When an organ’s function is weak, its essential energy is reinforced to recover its original capacity.

This principle is like drawing off overflowing water and replenishing where it is lacking.

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2. The Wisdom of Problem 69 in the Classic of Difficult Issues: Child-Mother Supplementation and Draining

The ancient medical classic Nan Jing (Classic of Difficult Issues) presents the philosophical and clinical foundation of Five-Element acupuncture.

Problem 69 provides the following essential therapeutic principle:

👉 “When deficient, tonify its mother (虛則補其母); when excessive, drain its child (實則瀉其子).”

This strategy is based on the generating (相生) cycle of the Five Elements (e.g., Wood generates Fire, Fire generates Earth) and explains how to regulate deficiency and excess by selecting acupoints according to elemental properties of the channels and organs.

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3. Sa-am Acupuncture: Extending the Principle of Problem 69

Sa-am Acupuncture inherited the child-mother principle from Problem 69, while adding the concept of “official (官)” to establish a more refined therapeutic framework.

• Supplementation (正格, Tonifying treatment): Tonify the mother, drain the official → 補母瀉官

• Draining (勝格, Reducing treatment): Drain the child, tonify the official → 瀉子補官

For example, when applied to the Liver (Wood):

• To tonify the Liver → tonify points of Water, drain points of Metal.

• To drain the Liver → drain points of Fire, tonify points of Metal.

Later generations systematized these principles into tables by organ system for clinical use.

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4. Refined Strategy in Sa-am Acupuncture: Supplementation and Draining by Cold and Heat

Sa-am Acupuncture also developed a distinctive method of adjusting treatment according to Cold (寒) and Heat (熱) conditions.

• Cold condition (寒證): Tonify Fire, drain Water → 火補水瀉

• Heat condition (熱證): Tonify Water, drain Earth → 水補土瀉

This approach goes beyond the simple opposition of Water and Fire by using Earth to assist Water while simultaneously suppressing Fire, producing a complex therapeutic effect.

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Conclusion: From Nan Jing to Sa-am Acupuncture

Problems 69 and 75 of the Nan Jing present the most concise statement of the principles of supplementation and draining in acupuncture.
Sa-am Acupuncture inherited and expanded these principles into a precise and systematic clinical method.

This continuity is more than a historical transmission—it remains today as both the philosophical foundation and practical guidance for therapeutic balance in Traditional Asian Medicine.

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👉 In the next post, we will explore:
[Part 5] Eight Constitution Acupuncture Meets the Classics: The Inheritance and Uniqueness of Nanjing and Sa-am Acupuncture.

📌 Previous post: [Part 3 – The Hidden Secrets of Eight Constitutions: From Sasang Medicine to Refined Eight Constitution Medicine]
👉 Next post: [Part 5 – The Eight Constitutional Acupuncture Meets the Classics]

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