Introducing Acupuncture
by Ziki Dekel, L.Ac., ATH Editor of Acupuncture/TCM
Acupuncture is one of the oldest systems of medicine still practiced today. It has its roots in ancient East Asia and its practice can be dated as far back as the Stone Age in China. The basic precept of acupuncture is that illness and pain are the result of blockages and imbalances that can be corrected through the insertion of hair-thin needles into specific points on the body. When inserted, the needles access the body’s reserve of vital energy, called Qi. To fully understand acupuncture we have to consider some of the philosophical traditions behind Chinese medicine.
Yin Yang
In Taoist thought there are two opposing, yet interconnected, forces that control the universe: Yin and Yang. For harmony to
exist Yin and Yang must be balanced, which requires the two forces to constantly interact: When Yang is in excess, Yin has to rise to check Yang’s influence, and vice versa. A good way to examine Yin and Yang is by considering the earth’s climate. If we lived in a purely Yang world, it would always be the hottest, driest, sunniest day imaginable. There would be no water or shade to cool our bodies. Conversely, if the world were all Yin, it would always be the coldest, wettest, darkest day imaginable. We would lack fire and the bright glow of the sun.
At the same time, the hottest summer months (the most “Yang” time of the year) can be rather humid (a very “Yin” quality), while the dead of winter (the most “Yin” time of the year) can be very dry (which is associated with “Yang”). These basic weather patterns represent the interdependence between Yin and Yang. When Yang is at its fullest, there is always a kernel of Yin present. Moreover, when Yang has reached its apex, it will soon start to wane and give rise to Yin.
Our bodies are microcosms of the universal interaction between Yin and Yang. When we overheat in the summertime our internal Yang becomes excessive so we drink water, which nourishes our Yin and calms the fire. We sleep at night (a Yin activity during the Yin part of the day) so we can be active and alert in the morning. And even in our sleep our bodies work hard to regenerate and repair damaged cells (a Yang activity).
The Five Elements
A more refined way of looking at the role of Yin and Yang in nature is Five-Element theory. Traditionally, Taoist philosophy 
viewed the world as being made of a combination of five elemental forces: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Water is the element that embodies Yin, while fire is the element that embodies Yang. The other three elements fall along the Yin-Yang spectrum. Like Yin and Yang, these five elements correlate to body functions and processes. For example, the water element is associated with the kidneys and relates to the body’s ability to filtrate and excrete. Fire is associated with the heart and its ability to circulate the blood that fuels our bodies.
These elements exist in harmony and follow a pattern of generation and control that maintain an appropriate balance. For example, the water element is responsible for controlling the fire element, which keeps fire from scorching the earth element. When the water element is weak, fire will rebel against it and reverse the normal sequence of control.
The Three Treasures
The human body is a microcosm of the universe, and like the universe everything within the body falls somewhere on the Yin-Yang spectrum. Taoist philosophy recognizes three life
sustaining forces in the body, which are collectively referred to as the Three Treasures: Shen, Qi, and Jing. Shen is often translated as “spirit” or “soul,” but we can expand the meaning of Shen to include all human cognitive and emotional response. If we consider acupuncture and herbology to be mind-body medicines, then Shen represents the “mind” end of that continuum.
Jing is Chinese for “essence,” and it represents the material basis for the human body. It is often equated with sexual and procreative energy because it is the kernel of human life. Jing is the substance that grounds life and gives Shen a home; it is the “body” end of the continuum.
Qi is a difficult word to translate because it represents a concept more than a discreet element in the body. It is often translated as “vital energy” or “life force.” We can think of Qi as the sum total of all metabolic, neural, and hormonal activity in the body. If Jing grounds life, Qi allows it to flourish.
Qi travels through a pathway of meridians that traverse the body from head to toe. Acupuncture helps to supplement and move the Qi in the body by entering the meridians at specific points on the body. Acupuncture points are like train stations on the meridian network: you can get on and off the network or make repairs at these stations before sending your body’s Qi off to its next destination.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
Because it has grown and flourished as a medicine over thousands of years, acupuncture is practiced in countless ways. This introductory article is a background on acupuncture and the principles from which it has evolved. But to truly capture the Shen, Jing, and Qi of acupuncture we need to examine a plurality of viewpoints from practitioners and the patients they’ve helped. This website is a portal to the many perspectives this medicine has to offer and the many ways in which it can heal.
About the Author
Ziki Dekel, L.Ac., ATH Editor of Acupuncture/TCM, is a licensed New York
State acupuncturist, nationally certified in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. He came to acupuncture as a patient of the medicine, which propelled him to complete his training and apprenticeship in Chinese medicine. Prior to becoming an acupuncturist, Ziki received his B.A. from Brown University.
Ziki is currently the Director of Galapagos Acupuncture, where he offers comprehensive care to patients in New York City. His research and practice interests focus on the treatment of cancer and autoimmune disorders with acupuncture and herbal medicine.
Galapagos Acupuncture http://www.galapagosacupuncture.com/
Praise for Ziki Dekel:
"Ziki is an amazing acupuncturist and healer. I am not new to Chinese medicine or acupuncture, but this was the first time I literally felt the qi move with each needle - (it was kind of incredible)! Ziki is totally professional, and at the same time attentive, personable, empathic, and good humored; he made me feel very comfortable as his patient. He took the time to really explore my overall wellness, and in addition to the acupuncture left me with several suggestions and practices to build into my routine/diet to assist in my well being. He is clearly very knowledgeable in his field, and truly cares about his patients. I felt my energy renewed even after our first treatment. I recommend Ziki highly to everyone!"