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Psycho-emotional Disorders & the Eight Extraordinary Vessels

Yvonne R. Farrell, DAOM, LAc May 2012 Medigogy.com

Body-Mind Medicine
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In Chinese Medical theory we believe that physical suffering cannot be separated from psychological, emotional or spiritual suffering. Chapter 8 of the Ling Shu says, : According to the principle of acupuncture, one must examine the patient carefully first and then treat according to the conditions of his spiritual activities. The Chinese Classics say that the superior doctor treats the spirit first and foremost.

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Definitions: Qi Jing Ba Mai

Qi= Extraordinary !! Jing=Channel !! Ba=Eight !! Mai=Vessel !! These vessels are also known as: the 8 Ancestral Channels, 8 Prenatal Channels or 8 Psychic Channels.
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8 Extras
These extraordinary pre-natal vessels function as reservoirs of vital substance. !! They have a broadband effect on Qi from wei to Jing. !! This makes them well suited for the treatment of psycho-emotional disorders as these disorders can present at any and all levels of qi.
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Level of emotions
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Sometimes thought of as the progression of psychological armoring (J. Jacobs) How deep has this emotion invaded and how much do we identify with it?

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Wei level !! Ying level !! Yuan level

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Wei level
Emotions trapped at this level look like moods. !! They seem to come upon us quickly and without apparent reason. !! Eg. cranky-pissies !! You can also think of this as people who are leaking emotions. They are unable to contain their feelings.
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Ying level
Emotions here are uncomfortable enough that we begin to have the desire or need to suppress them. !! They are targeted and patients can usually tell you what triggers them. !! There is a tendency towards repeated patterns with this emotion causing the patient to relive it frequently. !! They usually involve relationships.
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Yuan level
Emotions here are chronic & strongly affect behavior. !! Patients are often unaware of the triggers because the trigger/trauma is repressed. !! Over a long time patients begin to identify with the emotion. !! In this level patients may not be aware of the emotion but everyone around them is.
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Chong Mai
This vessel represents undifferentiated yin & yang. (sea of blood/yuan qi) !! It can be thought of as the source vessel within in which the pure potential for growth & development exists. !! It is our genetic blueprint and the vessel of our core or authentic self.
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Chong Mai
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May be used to treat psycho-emotional conditions such as: depression, anxiety, phobias You choose the vessel for those conditions if:

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There is a disconnect from the core self resulting in a lack of self-esteem or sense of identity. !! The suffering is related to a cultural or spiritual lineage.
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Ren Mai
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This is the first polarity of yin. It represents all things yin. Yin substances, yin organs, yin pathogens & yin archetypes.

This vessel is effectively used for depression & anxiety related to: !! Bonding (over-bonding or not enough) !! Inability to achieve closure !! Mom issues
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Du Mai
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This is the first polarity of Yang, representing all things yang.

This is a powerful tool for treating depression and cognitive disorders that are manifesting with: !! Lack of motive force/force (apathy) !! Lack of spine !! Dad issues
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Dai Mai
This horizontal vessel acts as a container for repressed and suppressed emotion. !! It is useful in treating especially depression when it is associated with: !! Old hurts !! Early trauma ( especially but not limited to sexual trauma) !! Rigid beliefs developed in childhood
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Yin Wei Mai

This vessel uses the resources of the Ren Mai over time. !! It links yin in the body. !! This vessel is quite useful in the treatment of both anxiety and depression especially when there is evidence of a lack of self-contentment. !! You can also use this vessel when patients are unwilling to take up residence in their own lives.
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Yang Wei Mai

This vessel uses the resources of the Du Mai over time. It links yang in the body. !! Useful for depression, especially as it relates to anger turned inwards. !! Also chosen when patients are self-sabotaging. !! Here we can also see patients stuck and unable to move forward (fear related).
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Yin Qiao & Yang Qiao

These vessels are brain vessels. !! Their manifestations are related to perspective & stance. !! They are about how we direct the vision and how we take a stand in the world and in ourselves.
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Yin Qiao
Distorted body image !! Suicidal tendencies !! Depression due to Yin excess !! Fight or Flight !! Supports healthy relationship to the body !! Supports insight , trust & grounding
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Yang Qiao
Mania/ Manic-depression !! Paranoia / Fright !! How we extend ourselves into the world !! Locomotion !! Vessel of reactivity; respond to external stimuli
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Treatments
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Use the master point of the vessel (first needle in) + points on the trajectory of the vessel. (less is more)

Use singly !! Use in nuclear pairs (eg. Lu-7 & Ki-6) !! Use in functional pairs (eg. Lu-7 & GB-41)
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Emotions & Spirit

When patients can learn to be present in the moment and they find and live their purpose they tend to be healthier emotionally. !! Because they are primal/archetypal in nature, the 8 extras are vessels that have a profound impact on spirit and destiny/ curriculum. !! They provide an opportunity for the patient to gain awareness and perspective. !! They activate the observer.
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Live CEUs Approved for 14 CEU/PDA

Psycho-emotional Disorders and the 8 Extraordinary Vessels - Live Webinar !! June 9 & 10, 2012
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Psycho-emotional Disorders and the 8 Extraordinary Vessels - Live In-Person Vancouver BC Canada !! June 9 & 10, 2012
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Will also be available as a recorded seminar in October 2012.

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