Medical Acupuncture
A Journal For Physicians By Physicians

Spring / Summer1994 - Volume 6 / Number 1
"Aurum Nostrum Non Est Aurum Vulgi"

GABRIEL STUX, M.D.

Chakra acupuncture is an expansion as well as completion of the practice of traditional Chinese acupuncture. It has the possibility of deepening classic acupuncture by including the Indian chakra system, a system of seven major energy centers.

The chakras of Indian medicine are energy centers. Seven main energy centers are known in the midline of the body, from the perineum to the cranium (fig. 1). In addition, there are some dozens of minor energy centers of secondary importance, which in most cases correspond with the location of important acupuncture points. The chakras, similar to the Chinese Organs, have certain functions.

The aim of treatment in traditional Chinese acupuncture is to harmonize the flow of Qi by dissolving the blockages and stagnations in the channels and organs. Excess or deficiency conditions are balanced and thus an undisturbed function of the organs is achieved by harmonizing Yin and Yang. These concepts are the basis of traditional Chinese acupuncture.

Chakra acupuncture extends the traditional application of acupuncture by including the Indian chakra system into the diagnosis as well as into treatment. In chakra acupuncture, apart from the acupuncture points selected corresponding to Chinese aspects, further chakra points are needled in the area of the seven energy centers. Thus the chakras are activated and the energy flow is stimulated. This is called "opening of the chakras".

The most frequently used chakra points are GV 20 (extra Baihui), which is situated in the center of the crown chakra, the 7th chakra, and extra 6 (Sishencong) surrounding the Baihui rectangularly. Other important chakra points are Extra 1 (Yintang) and GV 15 (Yamen) for the 6th chakra, CV 17 (Shanzhong) and GV 11 (Shendao for the 4th chakra, the heart chakra.

Besides needling of the chakra points, "the focusing of the conscious awareness", i.e. the attention of the patient toward the respective chakra region, is important for the efficacy of the treatment. After all acupuncture points have been needled with the usual technique, the patient is asked to direct his awareness toward the relevant chakra (for example, towards the crown energy center, where the points GV 20 {Baihui) and Extra 6 (Sishencong) have been needled).

After a short time the patient feels a sensation of a slight tingling or of a discreet flow in this area. The therapist, together with the patient, focuses his attention on this region too. He asks the patient repeatedly to open this area and to let the energy flow from above and downwards. Thereby the opening of the chakra as well as the flow of life force in the crown energy center are intensified.

When the flow through one energy center is clearly perceptible to the patient, one proceeds to the next energy center (for example to the heart chakra in the middle of the thorax), Here the points CV 17 (Shanzhong) and CV 15 (Jiuwei) have already been needled. The patient is then asked to breath into this area, to hold his awareness there, and to open the heart chakra until he feels a sensation of wideness, charge and flow in this chakra.

At the beginning of the chakra acupuncture treatment it is important to focus upon 2-3 chakras (e.g. the crown and the heart energy centers). The heart chakra, as the 4th, is situated in the middle of the seven chakras, above and below there are three chakras. Thus the heart chakra, because of its mid position, has an important harmonizing function for the whole energy of the body. Also the

healing quality of the heart energy harmonizes the other energy centers. After a few treatments, when the flow of energy in 2-3 chakras is well established, one proceeds to further chakras, especially to those where the illness of the patient is located. It is not recommended to start with the disturbed region, but to open and activate at first the main chakras (the crown and the heart) to stimulate the charge and the flow of energy in the whole energy system.

The first step is to open the energy centers and to promote the flow of life force in them, establishing a strong charge, thus raising the awareness of the patient for the energy centers and vitalizing his energies. The second step is to focus on the blockages and stagnations causing the diseases and to dissolve them. In addition to needling the area of the blockage, new direct methods of "energy medicine", such as the Awareness Release Technique (ART) of Robert T. Jaffe, have been introduced.

ART HAS FOUR STEPS:

1. Awareness is focused by the patient onto his problem, pain, region of nervousness or anxiety (i.e. the blockage of' energy). He is communicating his problem to the therapist.

2. Identification. The second step is a more precise identification of the problem. The therapist asks the patient to focus more deeply onto the region of the blockage to visualize it and to describe its location, size, borders, density, temperature and color. Later the awareness is directed also onto the emotions related to the blockage and the thoughts arising from it. During the second step of' ART and, through precise visualization, the awareness goes deeper into the blockage.

3. Release or Transformation of the blocked or stagnated energy. During this step the patient's awareness transforms the density of the energy blockage or releases its charge completely. This is done by a deepening of the focus through breathing consciously into the blockage by the patient, The therapist is also directing his attention onto the problem of the patient and observes changes into the energy patterns of the blockage. If the patient is getting tired or not breathing intensively into the area of the blockage the therapist asks to deepen the breath more. Thus is persistent deepening and focusing of the breath into the blockage it is released within 10-20 minutes.

4. Integration. During this step the flow of life force through the affected area is re-established and harmonized. This is achieved generally during the treatment session, but also later by the patient himself' at home by bringing his awareness into the affected area and promoting the flow.

ART is an excellent method to dissolve blockages which are very severe, especially for those blockages where acupuncture treatment alone does not achieve satisfactory results.

CHAKRA FLOW MEDITATION

Another method in energy medicine to promote the flow of the life force on deeper levels is the Chakra Flow Meditation, developed by the author. This method is similar to "Autogenic Training" or to "Progressive Relaxation''. With the patient lying or sitting in a comfortable position the therapist gives instructions. First, the therapist focuses on the crown center and tells the patient to open it: "open the crown center on the top of the head, open it more and more, wider and wider, let the energy flow from above into the crown center and down into the chest, the center of the chest, into the heart center. Widen this area and let the energy flow fully into the heart area, deeper and deeper".

After establishing the flow from the crown to the heart, other chakras are included into the flow, first the 3rd, 2nd and base chakra, later also the 5th and 6th chakra. After several days of exercise the flow is stabilized in all energy centers and then widened.

Chakra Flow Meditation is a form of energy treatment which can very effectively promote the flow of' force on deeper levels and enhance vitality and a state of stable health. It is first done in cooperation with the therapist and later by the patient at home.

These two methods of energy medicine, the Awareness Release Technique for dissolving blockages, and the Chakra FLow Meditation for the promotion of the flow in the energy centers of the body, are excellent additional methods for enhancing the effects of chakra acupuncture.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CHAKRAS AND THEIR RELATION
TO ACUPUNCTURE POINTS AND CHINESE ORGANS

1. Chakra Base Chakra Muladhara

Location: The first chakra is situated on the perineum and opens downwards. The position corresponds to the point CV 1 (Huiyin, the meeting point of the entire Yin.

Functions: The Yin corresponds to Earth and thus the base chakra provides the energetic connection of the human being to the earth. The opening of the base chakra and the energetic flow through the chakra is responsible for the energetic connection of the body to the earth, which is called grounding. This chakra corresponds to the Kidney Yin.

Acupuncture point: CV 1 (Huiyin)

2. Chakra Polarity Chakra Svadhishthana

Location: The second chakra is situated in the pelvis and has two openings, one forwards to the acupuncture points CV 2 (Gugu)- CV 4 (Guanyuan) and one backwards to the sacrum GV 2 (Yaoshu)- GV 4 (Mingmen).

Functions: The polarity chakra balances the Yin and Yang inside and out side, it forms the base for an undisturbed sexuality, i.e. the Yin and Yang balance outside. The first and second chakra correspond to the lower Jiao of the Sanjiao (pelvis). The polarity chakra corresponds to the kidney Yang, the urinary bladder and the large intestine.

Acupuncture points:

Front - CV 2 (Qugu) till CV 4 (Guanyuan)

Back - GV 2 (Yaoshu) till GV 4 (Mingmen)

3. Chakra Solar Plexus Chakra Manipura

Location: The third chakra is situated in the abdomen. It opens forwards to the navel and backwards to the region of GV 5 (Xuanshu)- GV 6 (Jizhong).

Functions: The Manipura chakra regulates the personal will in the upper part and emotional expression in the lower part. In case of imbalance it is responsible for striving for power, anger, rage and addiction. The Chinese organs spleen and liver correspond to the third chakra. There is also a relation to the middle Jiao of the Sanjiao.

Acupuncture points:

CV 8 (Senjue), CV 12 (Zhongwan)

GV 15 (Xuanshu), GV 6 (Jizhong)

4. Chakra Heart Chakwa Anahata

Location: The fourth chakra is situated in the center of the thorax and opens forwards to the point CV 17 (Shanzhong) and backwards to the point GV 11 (Shendao).

Functions: The corresponding functions are friendliness, understanding, compassion, balancing of contrasts, striving for harmony, inner peace and love. The heart chakra, as the fourth chakra, represents the energetic center of the human being and it is the most important integrating chakra between the three upper and the three lower chakras. The Anahata chakra corresponds to the heart and the upper Jiao.

Acupuncture points:

CV 17 (Shanzhong), GV 11 (Shendao)

5. Chakra Throat Chakra Viahuddha

Location: The fifth chakra is situated in the throat and opens forwards to the larynx and backwards to the point GV 14 (Dazhui).

Functions: The throat chakra produces the strength and expressiveness of speech. Another function is creativity. The throat chakra corresponds to the lung.

Acupuncture points:

CV 22 (Tiantu), GV 14 (Dazhui)

6. Chakra Third Eye Ajna

Location: The sixth chakra is situated at the base of the skull. It opens forwards to the point Extra 1 (Yintang) and backwards to the point GV 15 (Yamen).

Functions: The functions of the Third Eye are the ability to focus the mind, understanding, the power of discernment, intuition and clairvoyance.

Acupuncture points:

Extra 1 (Yintang), GV 15 (Yamen)

7. Chakra Crown Chakra Sahasrara

Location: The seventh chakra is situated upon the cranium. It corresponds to the point GV 20 (Baihui) and Extra 6 (Sishencong) and opens upwards, like a crown.

Functions: The crown chakra represents the highest Yang in the body, in contrast to the meeting point of the entire Yin in the base chakra. The crown chakra is considered to be responsible for the understanding of higher aspects of life, it provides the connection with the spiritual world. The point GV 20 (Baihui) as well as the Extra 6 (Sishencong) are particularly important acupuncture points and serve to harmonize psychic functions and the whole energy balance of the body.

Acupuncture points:

GV 20 (Baihui), Extra 6 (Sishencong)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Jaffe, R.T. Energy Mastery Seminars, Advanced Energy Healing. Script. 1990.

2. Jung, C.G. Ueber Psychische Energie und das Wesen der Traume. Rascher. Zurich and Stuttgart, 1948.

3. Krieger, D. The Therapeutic Touch. How To Use Hands To Help To Heal. Prentice Hall Press. New York, London, Toronto, 1979.

4. Pomeranz, B. and Stux, G. Scientific Bases of Acupuncture. Springer Verlag. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1989.

5. Stux, G. and Pomeranz, B. Basics of Acupuncture. Second Edition. Springer Verlag. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1991.

6. Stux, G. and Pomeranz, B. Acupuncture - Textbook and Atlas. Springer Verlag. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1987.

7. Stux, G. Akupunktur und ART. Therapeutikon. 1992. 6/1-2:42-43.

8. Stux, G. Was ist Energie Medizin? Therapeutikon. 1992. 6/4:171-172.

9. Stux, G. Chakra Flow Meditation. Therapeutikon (in preparation).

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