Professor LIANG Fan-rong's clinical application of the guiding-qi acupuncture technique

Abstract

In clinical practice, professor LIANG Fan-rong integrates the guiding-qi acupuncture technique of slow insertion and withdrawal of the needle with the thought of needling sensation reaching the affected site. These two theories were recorded in Lingshu: Wuluan (Chapter 34 of Miraculous Pivot). Professor Liang proposes that in acupuncture, both acupuncture physician and patient should be in a tranquilizing state. Firstly, the needle is inserted slowly so as to conduct the reversed turbid qi in yang back to yin. After arrival of qi, with the compound manipulation for promoting qi, qi is guided to the affected site. When the treatment ends, the needle is removed slowly to guide the reversed clear qi in yin back to yang and to guide qi of nutrient and defensive systems back to the original layers. Such acupuncture technique is applicable for various disorders induced by the impairment of qi activity. In clinical practice, it is adopted for the disorders of heart, lung, stomach, intestines, emotions and nervous system, as well as the obstruction disorders of meridians. The ying-spring and shu-stream points of the affected meridians are selected as the main acupoints in prescription. According the theory of four seas and qi street, the corresponding the front-mu, back-shu and he-sea points are combined. In acupuncture, the needle is inserted and withdrawn slowly. After arrival of qi, the needle is manipulated to guide qi to the pathogenic locations.