Dialogues on Applied Channel Theory

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In this episode, Jonathan Chang and Nyssa Tang discuss some recent Shao Yin/Shao Yang cases where the channel changes made them rethink the pathophysiology and location of the disease. They discuss their evolving understanding of the inter-related Qi dynamics in these two systems and how symptoms manifest when they are dysregulated.

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In this episode, Jonathan Chang and Nyssa Tang discuss some recent Shao Yin/Shao Yang cases where the channel changes made them rethink the pathophysiology and location of the disease. They discuss their evolving understanding of the inter-related Qi dynamics in these two systems and how symptoms manifest when they are dysregulated.

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Jonathan talks to Dr. Meng Xiao-nan from the Huguosi TCM Hospital about his recent clinical research on the treatment of post-stroke shoulder and hand syndrome. His research studied the use of Applied Channel Theory, such as channel palpation to achieve more precise diagnosis, while also applying Dr. Wang’s methods of acupuncture and different massage techniques for more effective results.

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In this episode Nyssa Tang and Jason Robertson discuss two less-often remembered xi-cleft points. KI-8/交信 /jiāo xìn  is the xi cleft of yin qiao vessel. KI-9 筑宾 /zhù bīn is the xi cleft of yin wei vessel.  Dr. Wang's experience with these points is discussed as are clinical cases from Nyssa and Jason.  

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In this episode, Jason Robertson and Jonathan Chang discuss his recent trip to teach at the yearly international congress in Rothenburg Germany.  Jason asks Jonathan about his presentations on cardiology and the concept of 'constraint'  (鬱 yù).  For those interested in diving deeper into Jonathan's presentation, see his article here

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 In this episode, Yefim Gamgoneishvili and Jason Robertson discuss the centrality of placing a 'primary symptom' (主 症 zhǔ zhèng) at the heart of the diagnostic process.  Dr. Wang Juyi would often emphasize that the careful choice of a primary symptom was the crucial first step in the process of perceiving symptom-pattern-structure (症候结构  zhèng hòu jié gòu).  While many students and practitioners learn this concept early in their training, we all can make the common clinical error of diffusing the effects of acupuncture by needling single points for single symptoms. 

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In this episode, Yefim and Jonathan discuss the treatment of acute knee pain.  Yefim shares his general approach to the treatment of this type of disorder, from treatment methods to diagnosis with the use of channel palpation. 

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In this episode Jonathan shares a surprising belching case where channel palpation changed the course of his diagnosis and understanding of the patient’s physiology. He and Nyssa also discuss how Dr. Wang differentiated burps, the P6/SP4 point combination and its many uses. 

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In this episode, Jonathan Chang and Jason Robertson discuss a case which shines a light on the interesting role channel palpation might play in Chinese herbal medicine.  What seemed like a fairly straightforward gynecological case using Wen Jing Tang (温经汤) offered potential insight into the Yang Ming system.  One of Dr. Wang's hopes was to integrate channel palpation more methodically into Chinese herbal medical diagnosis and strategy. To that end, Dr. Wang used herbal formulas in some of his clinical cases but felt that the work was not finished. We're hoping that those listening might find ways to build experience using this approach to evaluate the mechanisms of formulas in their clinics. 

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In this episode Jonathan Chang and Jason Robertson have a dialogue on the concept of qi in the channels.  Conclusions are difficult but the idea that there is a physiological process (or connectivity/通/tōng) taking place within the anatomical spaces of the acupuncture channels was a foundational concept for Dr. Wang Juyi.  Questions such as "how might think about the effects of acupuncture needles on the local anatomy" and "what kind of concepts did Dr. Wang use to explain qi in the channels" are considered. In any case, a conception of acupuncture without a serious  engagement with these concepts may lead to less effective clinical applications.