Hi Will:

I think the diagnosis of the organ systems using the compass method
is interesting. Can it distunguish between a Shen condition and
emotional imbalance or do you lump the two together? And if it is a
good diagnostic method, is using the five transporting points the
optimal points to use? Possibly it is effective for diagnosis and
then use other channels systems for treatment?

My posts are to encourage exploring ways not found in state board
books to treat Shen conditions, which is a very narrow view of our
Medicine. I do think we want to explore non-ZangFu methods and not
be limited by the ZangFu view of life, which has many drawbacks in
the practice of Acupuncture. It seems ZangFu did not become popular
to the Song Dynasty, so it was not given the same place of
importance as it has now in mainstream circles.

Based on my experience there are a variety of Models for
understating Shen:

1. Based on one, Yuan Shen

2. Based on Two: Hun-Po

3. Based on Three: Yin/Yuan/Yang Shen

4. Based on Five: Five Shen

5. Based on 10: 3-Hun/7-Po

6. Luo Mai

7. Eight Extraordinary Channels

Each model offers a unique way to understand, diagnose and treat.
The ancient Chinese saw the multidimensional aspect of life and how
channels were multidimensional too. Eight Extras contain our Jing or
Destiny Code, which includes Jing-Shen or Shen, depends how one
wants to communicate. The EV correspond to Shen imbalances,
particularly constitutional conditions, not every day stresses. So
with a Shen diagnosis we can select appropriate Ev. And this can and
is done.

Based on my memory Dr. Yang uses a ZangFu model and western
psychological terminology for Shen or in many cases Psychological
issues, of which it would be beneficial to discuss any differences
between the two. My experience is different channel systems are more
effective in treating different conditions. A lot depends how one
defines a Shen disturbance? On a basic level is it intensities of
emotions or is it a constitutional and chronic pattern or condition.

So for clinical treatment one needs to make a Shen diagnosis and
select the proper EV, for example, lets say a person comes to you
because they live much of their life from a state of fear, of which
they shared it was rooted in a fear of being dependent on another,
the fear of living and marrying another. This long term fear
manifests as a Shen condition. This would be in the terrain of the
EV, it is chronic, so is in the Yuan and constitutional level. Fear
of uniting or bonding or being reliant on another is a Shen issue,
it influences one's life. For EV it can be a Ren Mai and Chong Mai
treatment. One could argue the Front Shu points would be more
effective than the Back Shu, as they derive directly out of the
Chong Mai.

If at your clinic they was an intensity of the emotional than Luo
channels or other methods can be done for that intesity, eventual to
access the chronic nature we enter the EV.

Zang Fu would most likely include Kidney and Liver. EV I would
select Chong and Ren. Its just a different energetic model, Chong
and Ren to me can influence the constitutional nature of the
condition more than the Zang Fu, which gets is Yuan Qi from the EV.
If it were an acute condition disturbing the Shen than for me the
Luo or Zang Fu would be more appropriate.

Of course any of these models can have an influence, I don't mean to
imply that, just maybe some systems may be more suitable for
specific conditions. As practitioners maybe we should be thinking
which of the Six Channels systems would be most effective for any
given condition, including Shen conditions, before we think of
categories of points?

Just say thoughts and feedback from my experience.

Regards,
David