AYURVEDIC ACUPUNCTURE

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AYURVEDIC ACUPUNCTURE
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History

Many references exist today with regards to ancient acupuncture practice in India (see our reference section). It is impossible today to know for a fact exactly where acupuncture first originated. There are references to denote that the first needles were made of stone before the advent of metals, showing exactly just how ancient this practice is (stone age). The ancient practice of nailing a person to a cross, practised by Carthaginians (from ancient area of Lebanon) and later by the Romans also reflects a deep understanding of marmas or pressure points for the person being crucified died from suffocation, as the palm and sole marma points cause slow death by reducing air and Prana intake into the lungs. By direct contrast, by needling these points, Prana and air flow is promoted into the lungs.

Acupuncture was practiced as a global system around the world in ancient days, including Egypt, but most interesting is the practice by the Amazon Indians in South America. Using needle-like blow darts, the natives puncture various points for curing diseases, often in combination with herbs by dipping the needle point into the herb liquid, to effect a better cure. The development of the same practice using the muscle relaxant 'curare' to paralize the prey (e.g wild game or enemy) stems also from acupuncture. The lack of communication between the Amazon and China within the last two thousand years seems to prove that acupuncture is indeed extremely ancient. Possibly emanating from the region of Northern India, near the Himalayas according to some scholars, Ayurvedic Acupuncture was practised by many in India and was taught as an Ayurvedic subject in the major ancient universities like Nalanda and Takshashila. Excavations have unearthed metal acupuncture needles in the sites of these ancient universities so we know the practice was there at that time. Some experts believe that this acupuncture via Buddhism was taken to Tibet and to China alongwith the knowledge of the Five Elements. The Five Elements knowledge was established in China by Tsou Wen believed to have received it from Buddhist travellers from India. Later, China developed its own excellent system of elements and acupuncture. This adoption of Indian knowledge seems to parallel the adoption of Kalaripayat- the Indian martial arts which was taken to China by Buddhist monks and traders and which later developed into Shaolin Temple Boxing.

Like the decline of Buddhism in India, its place of origin, and the meteoric rise in other countries such as China, Korea and Japan etc. Ayurvedic acupuncture and marma therapy in general declined in practice in India and was delegated to remote areas, especially Sri Lanka and Northern India, near the Himalayas. Buddhism still has a great influence in these two areas. Marma therapy (and acupuncture) is practiced by a small number of southern Indians, especially Tamils who articulate between Kerala and Sri Lanka. Like many indigenous systems around the world (eg Australian aboriginal medicine), Ayurvedic acupuncture and Marma therapy are generally practised secretely, away from main stream society. There is a grave danger that in this format, it risks extinction. Today this knowledge is becoming more and more accessible as academics research into ancient, and lost systems.

Modern Ayurvedic Acupuncture commenced in Australia in 1970 when Indian-born Gurukal GP Scaife emigrated there from India. The system was made accessible to Western society and was further developed for Western practice. It was later developed academically and proper research methods were utilised. Today, Ayurvedic acupuncture, although capturing the essence of the Indian system, is a modern system of Ayurvedic Acupuncture which like Ayurveda itself is 'an open and endless science'. In conjunction with institutions in India, modern research on its practice and history continues.

The pioneering research and teaching work of Dr. Frank Ros, Prof. Dr. Avinash Lele, and Prof. Dr. Subhash Ranade (from the International Academy of Ayurveda in Pune, India) on Marma therapy (of which Ayurvedic acupuncture is a system) will ensure future establishment and acceptance internationally for this extremely effective but much neglected system of Indian healing.

How it Works

What disorder a nail (or other sharp instrument) may cause by traumatically injuring a marma, an acupuncture needle can cure by stimulating the body into healing rather than disease when that marma is gently needled. It is the amount of trauma (dosage) that dictates whether the instrument

1. kills
2. inhibits functions (pain killing, anti-inflammatory, anti-emetic) or
3. stimulates the organism into repair.

This is known as the Arndt-Schutz Law and Hormesis Law of Science and toxicology. Consequently, a warrior (kshatriya) and an acupuncturist (suchika) use similar tools, albeit for opposite reasons!

Marmas connect with internal organs and systems via a series of ducts or energy network called nadis. These energy channels carry Prana to each marma.

Using Ayurvedic Acupuncture to balance the function of organs, elements, to increase Agni (digestive fire) or even to balance the Tridoshas- Vata, Pitta or Kapha although primarily necessary is regarded as treatment of a physical nature, mainly affecting the physical body (although undoubtedly, it may affect in some connected way our emotions and thoughts). Although this treatment is generally carried out as standard by an Ayurvedic Acupuncturist, the main holistic aim for Ayurvedic Acupuncture is always to balance all levels of the Self, not just the physical. Ayurveda believes that most diseases start in the psychological or emotional levels, gradually manifesting themselves more and more until they reflect very physical symptoms of which we are well acquainted and which as groups form the recognized diseases classified in conventional medicine. In this way not only will a patient be able to say "I feel better"(physically), but will eventually say "I am emotionally stronger, more assertive, more confident I am thinking more clearly and my aims or goals are higher". This higher level or enlightened thinking is called Sattvic in Ayurveda and is always considered desirable.



AKASHIC BALANCING

The main purpose for Ayurvedic Acupuncture is the principle termed Akashic Balancing. Ayurvedic Acupuncture's main objective is to bring about health to all three levels of the Self. Utilizing specific acupoints or marmas of the body much like selecting a number of herbs to produce a balanced Ayurvedic herbal formula, can assist the body's own bio computer to balance itself and achieve homoeostasis. In Akashic Balancing or Etheric Balancing , we treat the Physical Body (Sthula sharira) first, by needling the appropriate points according to the patient's constitution/ aggravated humour (dosha), unbalanced Elements or organs.

Once the patient has responded appropriately after one or more treatments, the Astral Body (Sukshma sharira) is then treated by Ayurvedic Acupuncture, working on the emotions and astral levels such as the nadis, chakras etc. Lastly, when the Physical and Astral bodies have responded positively and the patient has improved in health, the Causal Body (Karana sharira) is then treated. This causes a total balance of the body including the physical mental and psychological/spiritual levels and including the koshas or five major subtle sheaths.

In Akashic Balancing it is believed that each human consists of three bodies (shariras) each one more subtle or etheric (akashic) than the previous and that there are three separate consciousness 'bio-computers' synergistically working together to produce total health. Suchi Karma gently stimulates these 'computers' into action, which results in total health.

Ayurvedic Acupuncture encourages gentle manipulation of the needles. Stimulation of the marmas or points is mostly carried out by the direction of the needle puncture and flow of the underlying channel (nadi) rather than strong physical manipulation by the practitioner, which would result in an entirely different outcome. The Consciousness of the patient is gently stimulated or encouraged to act in the healing process by Ayurvedic Acupuncture. Consciousness (chitta), has the intelligence (buddhi) to act and react (balance the organism) appropriately according to what is best for the individual person and is the best allay of the practitioner and patient.

In summary, Ayurvedic Acupuncture aims for three major principles in practice:

1. Oneness. This is the goal of treating the patient in a synergistic way (ekada- as one), attempting to balance both opposites (dvandva). Often, the energy in the channels of the right side of the body may be greater or less than the ones on the left side. Consequently, it is the practitioner's task to balance this imbalance in the patient. The patient and practitioners are both as opposite poles, yet their task is to work in a synergistic, cooperative way (oneness) in order to achieve the desired results. It is the duty of the practitioner to assist in the empowerment of the patient. It is the principle to be at one with oneself and at one with our surroundings and others.
2. Gentleness. This is the goal of treatment using the most gentle or soft way (mrdu) as appropriate to the patient's constitution or the presenting dis-ease. Needling is gently carried out, in order to stimulate the inner healing potential of the body and to avoid aggravating Vata.
3. Continuity. Ayurvedic Acupuncture believes that all therapeutic actions function best when there is a resultant continuity or flow (sru). Flow is the quality of Prana and of Water, the Element of flow. It is in allowing Prana to flow appropriately that will result in the achievement of health. Consequently needling of a number of points in combination produces better results than needling a different and individual point each day.



MAJOR CLINICAL PRINCIPLES OF AYURVEDIC ACUPUNCTURE

Treatment based primarily on the diagnosis of the condition of the three doshas- Vata, Pitta and Kapha in a patient. This is used in conjunction with their related Elements, organs, and srotasis (gross channels).

Akashic Balancing of the three bodies, one level at a time, according to the patient's presenting physical, emotional and psychological reactions or changes.

Mild manipulation of needles to produce a gentle stimulus in order to encourage the healing intelligence (buddhi) and consciousness (chitta) of the inner Self to balance the patient via Prana.

Utilization of fine needles in order to avoid aggravation of Vata, considered the underlying humoral cause for most diseases.

Recommendation of gentle insertion of needles to avoid aggravation of Vata. Modern insertion guide tubes (as available in Japanese-produced needles) are ideal for this. Insertion is best carried out according to the breath of the patient, especially at kumbhaka time. Painless insertion and treatment is the ideal goal as pain relates to Vata and consequently its possible aggravation.

Traditional utilization of Gold (+) or Silver (-) needles according to the aggravated humor (dosha) of the patient. Modern stainless-steel disposable needles can be used today, however gold and silver plated disposable needles are available, although they are more expensive.

The number of needles used will depend on the constitution of the patient or aggravated humor, with Vata requiring the least number of needles, Kapha may require the most and Pitta somewhere in between. No more than a maximum of ten to fifteen needles are recommended per patient.

Acupoints (marmas) are selected in a dynamic form, so as to treat the patient as an individual, according to the aggravated dosha that is present. Often, traditional formulas of points (combinations established by traditional use) may not be suitable for the individual patient and modern conditions and consequently a synergistic and dynamic form of point selection is encouraged, according to the patient's obvious symptoms and underlying causes which differ from patient to patient. Traditional combinations may be used but often they need modification in each individual case, according to Ayurvedic Acupuncture and Ayurveda's three Doshas or bio-energetic forces. It is up to the expert practitioner to discern and modify as appropriate, the acupoint selection.