What are Classical Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine?
Written by Holly Macias L.Ac.
Classical Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine is a comprehensive, highly sophisticated, stand-alone practice using all 68 acupuncture channels in their entirety. It differs from modern acupuncture in that modern acupuncture focuses on only 12 channels and emphasizes point functions.
During the 1600 years spanning the 5th century BCE to about the 12th century CE, the Chinese masters used all the channels of acupuncture. They had a complete tool kit; acupuncture was able to address anything.
The acupuncture channels fall into two broad categories:
Primary Channels (12), responsible for maintaining the moment to moment functioning of the internal organs.
Complement Channels (56), responsible for protecting the internal organs by diverting illness away from them.
The Complement Channels are divided into four groups:
The 12 Sinew Channels defend the body and also enable it to move. They treat chronic and acute injury, concussion, pain, stiffness, skin conditions, mood disorders, burns and more.
The 16 Luo Channels treat emotional, psychological, and psychiatric disorders including psychosomatic pain, musculoskeletal conditions, blood and heart diseases and blood cancers.
The 12 Divergent Channels treat chronic musculoskeletal conditions and chronic degenerative diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, lupus, carpal tunnel syndrome, frozen shoulder, gynecological conditions including endometriosis, infertility, fibroids and cysts, gastrointestinal issues such as reflux, Crohn’s, irritable bowel, respiratory conditions including asthma, allergies, sensory organ and skin diseases including eczema, insomnia, back pain, hypertension, chronic headaches, teeth issues, cystitis, anxiety, fibromyalgia, cancer, etc.
The 8 Extraordinary Channels treat illnesses that originated in childhood, psychological issues that originated in childhood, long term food intolerances and other allergies that originated in childhood, moderation of birth defects and psychological issues resulting from birth trauma, infertility, cancers, geriatric conditions, childhood and infant illnesses, bonding and over-bonding issues, deep trauma, PTSD, gait imbalances, hormonal disorders, seizures, strokes, the quest to find purpose and meaning, orientating toward one’s vocation, the feeling of being off-track in life, etc.
Interested in how this ancient practice can benefit you and address your health concerns? Holly Macias, one of our highly skilled acupuncturists, began a 6 month mentorship program in Classical Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine in the winter of 2024. She is studying virtually with Ann Cecil Sterman- a renowned acupuncturist and expert in Classical Chinese Medicine. Holly is in a cohort of about 20 other acupuncturist from all around the world and they meet virtually 3x a week to dive into the roots of this ancient and powerful medicine. The program focuses on the acupuncture complement channels, nutrition and food therapy, pulse and tongue diagnosis and practitioner cultivation.