- Researchers at the University of Utah placed tiny surface electrodes on the brains of epilepsy patients to detect brain activity associated with motor movements. The electrodes were able to pick up precise signals from small neuron groups without being implanted, opening possibilities for brain-machine interfaces. - Ötzi the Iceman, a 5,300 year old mummy, had tattoos located near acupuncture points that would be used to treat ailments he appeared to have. Some believe this provides evidence that acupuncture or acupressure was practiced even 5000 years ago. - Functional MRI and PET scanning research since the 1990s has provided new insights into the brain anatomy and physiology involved in acupuncture, helping validate concepts from traditional

1. ACUPUNCTUREandNEUROMODULATION~ BRIDGING ~EASTERN & WESTERN MEDICAL PARADIGMS

2. ACUPUNCTURE ~ NEUROMODULATIONBRIDGINGEASTER & WESTERNMEDICAL PARADIGMSACUPUNCTURE“Ancient Body & Modern Brain MAPPING”

3. The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine

4. Yin Yang &Five PhaseRhythmsStages of transformation that define all processes in nature can be similarly described by the two interpenetrating paradigms of Yin Yang&Five PhasesYin YangDescribes the alternation between shade &suncold &heatwet &dryFive PhasesRepresent the seasons of the earth, the stages of human life, the waxing and waning of YinandYang, Just as day is Yangand night is Yindawn is Wood,middayFire, afternoonEarth,eveningMetal,nighttimeWaterFive PhaseandYin YangConcepts always illuminate and cast shadows upon each other…

5. The ancient Chinese scholars discovered certain Principles of energy and correlation’s to 5 basic elements FIVE ELEMENT THEORYIt relates all energy and substance to one of the elements Fire~Earth~Metal~ Water~ WoodEach element has a particular association with a color, season, taste, two body organs, an emotion, a sound, a temperature, a tissue it governs, and a direction on the compass, as well as some others. Five Element/Phase theoryis process-oriented: it runs through birth, growth, maturation, harvest and storage, and death. It was very clear to the Chinese that life was a reflection of this natural process. This model may seem foreign to us, and in modern China it is a basic part of their classical education.

9. Categories of body acupuncture pointsCertain acupuncture points are ascribed different functions according to different systems within the TCM frameworkFive TransportingPoints system describes the flow of qi in the channels using a river analogy, and ascribes functions to points along this flow-line according to their location. This system describes qi bubbling up from a spring and gradually growing in depth and breadth like a river flowing down from a mountain to the sea.

10. Jing-wellpoints represent the place where the qi "bubbles" up. These points are always the first points on the yang channels or last points on the yin channels and with exception of Kid-1 YongQuan all points are located on the tips of fingers and toes. The Nan Jing and Nei Jing described jing-well points as indicated for "fullness below the heart" (feeling of fullness in the epigastric or hypochondrium regions) and disorders of the zang organs (yin organs).

11. Ying-springpoints are where the qi "glides" down the channel. The Nan Jing and Nei Jing described ying-spring points as indicated for heat in the body and change in complexion.

12. Shu-streampoints are where the qi "pours" down the channel. Shu-stream points are indicated for heaviness in the body and pain in the joints, and for intermittent diseases.

13. Jing-riverpoints are where the qi "flows" down the channel. Jing-river points are indicated for cough and dyspnoea, chills and fever, diseases manifesting as changes in voice, and for diseases of the sinews and bones.

14. He-seapoints are where the qi collects and begins to head deeper into the body. He-sea points are indicated for counterflow qi and diarrhea, and for disorders resulting from irregular eating and drinking.

15. Five Phase Pointsascribe each of the five phases - wood, fire, earth, metal and water - to one of the Five Transporting points. On the yin channels, the jing-well points are wood points, the ying-spring points are fire, shu-stream points are earth, jing-river points are metal, he-sea points are water points. On the yang channels, the jing-well points are metal, ying-spring are water, shu-stream are wood, jing-river points are fire and he-sea points are earth points. These point categories are then implemented according to Five Phase theory in order to approach the treatment of disease.

16. Xi-cleftpoints are the point on the channel where the qi and blood gather and plunge more deeply. These points are indicated in acute situations and for painful conditions.

17. Yuan-sourcepoints are points on the channel from where the yuan qi can be accessed.

18. Luo-connectingpoints are located at the point on the channel where the luo meridian diverges. Each of the twelve meridians have a luo point that diverges from the main meridian. There are also three extra luo channels that diverge at Sp-21, Ren-15 and Du-1. Like the pith of a tangerine.