The Study of Anma Therapy in “The Yellow Emperor's Manual of Corporeal Medicine” / 日本東洋医学雑誌

ABSTRACT

This paper is an effort to identify the benefits of Anma therapy's theory and technique from the ancient literature of Chinese medicine as having significance for modem medical manipulation. Our study is based on “The Yellow Emperor's Manual of Corporeal Medicine; Questions about Living Matter, and the Vital Axis (edited in the Sung Period).” The conclusions drawn from the results are as follows<br>(1) The name of Anma appears in four parts of the literature. It may be said that there was already a manipulation called Anma in the Han Period.<br>(2) Generally the term ‘an’ means that sensations are sent downwards in the tonic or syndromic direction, while ‘ma’ means that they are sent upwards in the sedative or antidromic direction, According to the previous two books, however, both ‘an’ and ‘ma’ both have upwards and downwards effects.<br>(3) It is clearly indicated that applications of Anma therapy are available for paralysis, feeling of cold, stiffness, etc. These conditions are caused by poor circulation of chi (Chinese) and blood. The effect of Anma therapy is to improve such circulation.<br>(4) Anma therapy was the one original method in the Han Period. In these classical texts, we found that it was highly advantageous to apply other methods with Anma therapy. In order to advance the usefulness of current Anma therapy, it is essential to re-evaluate classical techniques with regard to the fundamental facts and principles of medical science.