How old is acupuncture?
Most people know that acupuncture has been around for thousands of years. In fact, the classic textbook, The Huang Di Nei Jing stems from a couple hundred years BCE and that book actually refers to other books which have been since lost. That text is still used today as one of the 5 essential texts for acupuncture study today in China.
Has acupuncture evolved over the years?
Over the centuries, the knowledge of acupuncture has evolved and been improved upon. With the advent of modern medicine, acupuncture and Chinese medicine has further evolved. In particular, modern knowledge of the nervous system has helped explain how some of the acupuncture points work. Modern research with MRI has also demonstrated how acupuncture can change responses in the brain which may help understand how acupuncture can help depression, influence neurotransmitters and effect hormones.
What happened when acupuncture was introduced into the West?
As acupuncture was introduced to the western world over the last 50 years, there have been many more translations of classic Chinese medicine texts released, involving many different sources of knowledge. Hence, the acupuncture taught in many colleges around the world may have a different style and direction of their curriculum.
As a general rule though, the acupuncture taught in the west is based on the modern Chinese hospital system of Traditional Chinese Medicine, TCM.
Acupuncture is more of an art form as opposed to a concrete science based on double blind placebo comparisons and hence there is no “perfect” way to do acupuncture.
This then brings us to the plethora of all the different styles of acupuncture outside of China. Some styles and methods of acupuncture have been made famous, so to say, by the practitioner who may have developed techniques based on their own experience and interpretation of the knowledge they had presented to them.
What are some of the other different styles of acupuncture?
Here are a few styles that we could mention.
- Worsley 5 Element Acupuncture
- Van Buran Acupuncture
- Manaka Style Japanese Acupuncture
- Ikeda Sensei Japanese Acupuncture
- Toyohari Japanese Acupuncture
- Dr Tan Balance Style Acupuncture
Some new techniques and styles have also developed based on “science” and “anatomy”. These include
- Neuropuncture
- Electro-acupuncture
- DNA (Distal Needling Acupuncture)
- Medical Acupuncture
- Dry Needling
What is the background of Tung Style acupuncture?
Tung Style Acupuncture is based on the family lineage teachings from the Tung family. It is believed that the Tung Family resided in the Shan Dong province for centuries and practiced their style of acupuncture there. It was always passed down to family members who continued to practice that style. Tung Ching Ch’ang born in 1916 was the last family member to obtain the knowledge and he passed away in 1975 in Taiwan. As he had no immediate family members to pass on his knowledge to, we are fortunate that he took on a total of 73 students who then went on to pass on the teachings to the rest of the world.
Dr Wei Chi Young
In particular, Master Tung’s top disciple was Dr Wei Chi Young who again had many students and continued to pass on the knowledge. In turn, Dr Michael Chung was the top student from Dr Wei Chi Young who now teaches this style around the world. This is who I, and my colleague Kane Monrad in Hamilton, have been learning from these past years.
Are the standard acupuncture the points the same as in the Tung Acupuncture Style?
Heiko Lade and Michael Chung
This is where the Tung Style Acupuncture is quite different. There are many acupuncture points used by Tung practitioners that are not part of the traditional 14 meridians system of Chinese medicine. Some of the points used in the Tung system are also used in traditional Chinese medicine but can have quite different functions. In the Tung system, points are more commonly used on the thighs, fingers and face when compared to other styles of acupuncture. Acupuncture points on the front torso and back of body are rarely used in the Tung Style of Acupuncture.
How long are the needles left in the patient when using the Tung Style of Acupuncture?
Kane Monrad with Michael Chung
As a general rule, needles are left in place for 30, 40 to 50 minutes and for some conditions such as concussion, are left in place for an hour. Often they are stimulated, that is, the needles are rotated and lifted slightly to re-stimulate the needle connection each 10-15 minutes.
Are the needles inserted in or close to area of the problem in Tung Style Acupuncture?
Rarely are acupuncture points selected at or near the site of injury when implementing the Tung Style Acupuncture. This is unlike Dry Needling which is focused on needling close to the injury site. Other methods of modern acupuncture may needle with the aim to stimulate the nerves that go to the injured body part, sometimes using electro stimulation.
Why are acupuncture points in the Tung Style Acupuncture used on the opposite side of the problem?
This is a unique attribute of using the Tung Style Acupuncture. One way to explain it, is by comparing a fertile piece of land which is next to a dried out paddock. You can borrow the top soil and water from the fertile land and regenerate the lifeless paddock next to it. An example is that in the Tung Style Acupuncture, points on the right hand are used to treat the left hand.
What are the zones and holographic correspondences in the Tung Acupuncture System?
There is a particular diagnostic protocol used in the Tung Style Acupuncture involving comparing one body section to another and then selecting the points accordingly. A simple explanation is to refer to the diagram below. Here we can see how acupuncture points are selected at the ankle to treat problems in the groin area or acupuncture points half way down the leg can treat the stomach and intestines. Often these points will be very reactive, that is, sore even just upon palpation often confirming they are the correct points to needle.
Tung acupuncture points on ankle and shins treat the torso
Are the Tung Style Acupuncture points needled differently to other acupuncture styles?
Some differences are for example, points are inserted very shallowly when treating skin diseases or deeply when treating bones. In other instances, the needles are inserted into the tendons to treat the tendons.
Are there any different diagnostic methods used in the Tung Style Acupuncture?
There are a number of different diagnostic approaches used in the Tung Acupuncture Style, one of which include Palm Diagnosis, where areas of the palm may indicate treatment target areas for specific organs or body areas.
Areas of the palm relate to body areas
What else can the patient do to help the Tung Style Acupuncture treatment along?
If you can imagine the needles are in place and you are lying down, the treatment is telling the brain to send all the energy and blood to the injured area such as the shoulder. As you lie there, gently lift or tense the injured shoulder. In other instances, the injured shoulder may benefit from some local moxibustion, massage or cupping whilst the treatment is in process.
Who can I see in New Zealand who has completed all the three levels of Tung Style Acupuncture training with Michael Chung?
Kane Monrad from Connect Therapies in Hamilton and the author, Heiko Lade based in Hastings, have completed the three levels of Tung Extraordinary Acupuncture System with Dr Michael Chung from Canada, who was taught by Dr Wei Chi Young. Thus, the Tung lineage continues on in New Zealand.
If you are an acupuncturist and interested in learning about the Tung Style please feel free to contact me privately.
