M&M- Tonification and Dispursion

Tonification and dispersion-types of needle manipulation

Tonification

-Used for deficiency

-Eg. Asthma

-Helps to strengthen body’s defenses and build a weakened system

Dispurtion

-Used for excess

-Eg. Phlegm

-Eliminates pathogenic factors and helps to harmonize an overactive system. Also expels heat and stops spasms.

5 Methods

1. Lifting and Thrusting- get needle in to desired depth, find qi

- to tonify: life needle slowly, and insert forcefully

- to disperse: lift rapidly, insert slowly

2. Twisting and Thrusting- amplitude, speed, direction

- to tonify: gentle amplitude, slowly, clockwise emphasis

- to disperse: strong , fast, counterclockwise emphasis

3. Opening or closing hole

- to tonify: close hole after removing needle

- to disperse: leave hole open after removing needle

4. Direction of needle (channel)

- To tonify- go with the channel

- To disperse- go against the channel

5. Breathing

- to tonify – insert on exhale, remove on inhale

- to disperse- insert on inhale, remove on exhale

Even Method- no tonifying or dispersing