What Is Acupuncture? (2)
Yin & Yang Theory in Acupuncture
Yin Yang – Great ultimate
Yin & Yang theory is one of the fundamental building blocks of acupuncture.
According to this theory, Yin and Yang are the sole building blocks of the universe and everything it contains, including the human beings.
• Yin and Yang are interdependent
• Yin and Yang are opposite
• Yin and Yang are mutually consuming and supporting
• Yin and Yang transform into each other
| Yang | Yin |
| Light/Bright Sun | Dark/Moon |
| Strong/Assertive | Recessive/Nurturing |
| Dry/Hot/Fire | Damp/Cool/Water |
| Male | Female |
| Positive Charge | Negative Charge |
| Heaven | Earth |
| Spring & Summer | Autumn & Winter |
What acupuncture needs to do for Yin and Yang?
Since everything is built upon Yin and Yang, everything contains both Yin and Yang. There needs to be a balance and harmony between the two. For example, the heart’s Yin is what keeps us calm and the heart’s Yang is what keeps us energetic. When there is a lack of heart Yin due to too much heart Yang, a person may be hyped up all the time, and a lack of heart Yang could result in lethargy. With acupuncture, the point HT7(神门) on the heart meridian can be needled to tonify heart Yin, and the point UB15(心腧) can be needled to tonify heart Yang.
HT7 Shen Men, 神门 | UB15 Xin Shu, 心腧
