THE LIVING TAO : TIMELESS WISDOM FOR THE MODERN WORLD

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 21 - The Spiritual Pivot – Cold and Heat Disorders 寒热病

This Chapter from The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine details diagnoses and treatments for cold and heat disorders, trauma, and energy blockages within the body. Specific acupuncture points and meridian therapies are prescribed based on symptoms, location of the ailment (skin, muscles, bones), and seasonal considerations. The text emphasizes the interplay of yin and yang energies and the importance of precise needling techniques to avoid complications. Diagnostic methods include pulse assessment at various neck points.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 22 - The Spiritual Pivot – Madness and Mania 癫狂

This Chapter from the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine details ancient Chinese medical diagnoses and treatments for madness (癫疾) and mania (狂疾). The text describes various symptoms, including visual disturbances, emotional volatility, and physical manifestations. Treatment strategies focus on acupuncture and bloodletting at specific points along meridians, along with moxibustion. Different types of madness and mania, each with unique symptoms and prognoses, are differentiated and addressed. The severity of the condition guides treatment decisions, with some forms considered incurable.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 23 - The Spiritual Pivot – Treating Heat Illness 热病

This Chapter is a detailed translation of Chapter 23, "Treating Heat Illness," from the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine. It provides a comprehensive guide to diagnosing and treating various heat-related disorders through acupuncture, focusing on pulse diagnosis and sweating as key indicators of prognosis. The chapter outlines specific symptoms, corresponding acupuncture points and techniques (including the "59 needling techniques"), and differentiates treatable from untreatable cases, offering crucial insights into the classical Chinese medical approach to heat illness. The text also includes explanations of specific conditions like partial paralysis, flaccidity, and various heat-related complications. Finally, it concludes with guidelines for prognosis and treatment based on pulse and sweat observation.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 24 - The Spiritual Pivot – Disorders of Collapse 厥病

This Chapter from The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine details diagnoses and treatments for various ailments, primarily focusing on pain. Specific conditions addressed include head and heart pain, categorized by symptoms and their associated acupuncture points. Gastrointestinal issues, ear disorders, limb paralysis, and severe wind disorders are also described, along with their respective treatments and prognoses. The text emphasizes the use of acupuncture, including specific points and needling techniques, for therapeutic intervention. Finally, the text highlights certain conditions considered incurable.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 25 - The Spiritual Pivot – The Root of Disease 病本

This Chapter from Chapter 25, "The Spiritual Pivot – The Root of Disease," of the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine details principles for treating illness based on the interplay between root causes (本) and superficial symptoms (标). The text outlines treatment strategies depending on the order of symptom appearance (e.g., cold preceding illness vs. illness preceding cold), the presence of excess or deficiency, and the severity of symptoms. It emphasizes treating the root cause in most instances, prioritizing adjustments to the system before addressing secondary issues. However, exceptions exist, particularly when superficial symptoms present as obstructions or severe manifestations, recommending treatment of those symptoms before addressing the root cause. The overall aim is a systematic approach to diagnosis and treatment guided by symptom order and severity.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 26 - The Spiritual Pivot – Miscellaneous Illnesses 杂病

This Chapter from The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine details various symptoms and their corresponding treatments within Traditional Chinese Medicine. The text outlines acupuncture points and techniques for addressing ailments such as spinal pain, throat obstructions, fever, toothaches, nosebleeds, and abdominal issues. Specific meridians are targeted depending on the presenting symptoms and their associated energetic imbalances. The treatments involve needling specific meridians, releasing blood from certain points, and utilizing manual techniques. The text provides a practical guide to diagnosing and treating a range of conditions based on Traditional Chinese Medicine principles.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 27 - The Spiritual Pivot – Systemic Bi Syndrome 周痹

This Chapter is a dialogue from the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, specifically Chapter 27 of the Spiritual Pivot section, discussing the diagnosis and treatment of Bi syndromes. The conversation between the Yellow Emperor and Qibo differentiates between zhōubì (systemic Bi syndrome), characterized by pain moving along meridians without lateral shifting, and zhòngbì (multiple Bi syndromes), where pain shifts between locations. Treatment strategies for both involve acupuncture, focusing on the flow of qi and addressing underlying factors like wind, cold, and dampness. The text emphasizes careful palpation, meridian assessment, and the importance of preventing recurrence. Qibo details the pathogenesis of zhōubì as involving external pathogens lodging between muscle layers, creating pain and eventually numbness.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 28 - The Spiritual Pivot – Inquiries on Disorders 口问

This Chapter is a dialogue from the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, specifically Chapter 28, "The Spiritual Pivot – Inquiries on Disorders." The Yellow Emperor questions Qibo about the causes and treatments of twelve common ailments, such as yawning, retching, and sighing. Qibo attributes these conditions to imbalances of yin and yang, the flow of qi, and the influence of external factors like wind and cold. Treatment, according to Qibo, involves acupuncture at specific meridian points to restore balance and proper qi circulation. The discussion highlights the ancient Chinese understanding of the body's energetic systems and their relationship to health and disease.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 29 - The Spiritual Pivot – Master’s Teachings 师传

This Chapter is a dialogue from the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, specifically Chapter 29, "The Spiritual Pivot – Master's Teachings." The Yellow Emperor questions Qibo about principles of governing and healing, exploring the concepts of harmony, individual needs, and diagnosis through observation. Qibo emphasizes aligning with individual preferences to achieve comfort and explains how to diagnose imbalances in the body's organs by observing physical features. The discussion covers treating both symptoms and root causes, depending on the season, and highlights the importance of understanding a patient's unique circumstances. Ultimately, the text offers insights into traditional Chinese medicine's holistic approach to health and governance.

The Yellow Emperor Chapter 30 - The Spiritual Pivot – On the Differentiation of Qi 决气

This Chapter from the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine details a dialogue between the Yellow Emperor and Qibo concerning the six vital substances: essence, qi, fluids, humors, blood, and vessels. Qibo defines each substance and explains its function within the body. The text then explores how deficiencies in these substances manifest physically, and finally considers their relative importance, ultimately emphasizing the crucial role of food and the stomach in sustaining overall health.