Introduction to XU Lihua's Experience in Treating Insomnia with the Acupuncture Technique of Regulating Mind and Qi by Balancing Ascending and Descending
Abstract: This paper introduces XU Lihua's clinical experience in treating insomnia with the acupuncture technique of regulating mind and qi by balancing ascending and descending. Insomnia is a common clinical disorder, and its pathological changes generally involve yin-yang disharmony and disturbance of the heart and mind. Based on the theory of circular motion,Professor XU Lihua proposes that the root cause of insomnia lies in "dysfunction of the central axis,impaired movement of the four dimensions,and flotation of the vital activity." She thus establishes a theoretical model of three axis balancing, namely,the central axis,the mind axis,and the four dimension axis. The three axis balancing theory aims to activate the central axis to provide motive power,coordinate the mind axis to calm the spirit and stabilize the mind, and unblock the four dimension axis to ensure the free flow of qi movements. Using the acupuncture technique of regulating mind and qi by balancing ascending and descending,she selects Baihui (GV20) and Renzhong (GV26) for management of the mind axis, the abdominal acupuncture point combination along with Tianshu( ST25) with the effects of "conducting qi back to its source" for the central axis,and bilateral acupoints on the four limbs for the four dimension axis. The approach is designed to regulate the body's qi movements, thereby nourishing the mind and achieving harmony of yin and yang.