Mr Ben Carrigan

POINT LOCATION: ST-36 足三里 (Zúsānlî or Leg Three Miles)

St-36 is located on the lateral side (outside) of the lower leg, three cun (or one hands' breadth) below the knee crease, and one finger's breadth lateral to the tibial crest or shin bone. St-36 is a powerful acupuncture point. Its name in pinyin is Zúsānlî, which translates as 'Leg Three Miles'. Legend has it that it found its name by enabling ancient Chinese soldiers to go the extra three miles. Traditionally, Zúsānlî strengthens the legs, fortifies the whole body, tonifies Qi, Xue (blood) and Jinye (body fluids), and eliminates fatigue. Li may be interpreted within this context as a 'mile' or as a homonym for 'to rectify'. For this reason, Qin Cheng-Zu of the Song Dynasty declared Zúsānlî to be the 'point of one hundred diseases'.

POINT LOCATION: SP-6 三阴交 (Sān Yīn Jiāo or Three Yin Crossing)

Sp-6 is located on the inside of the lower leg, 3 cun (or one hands’ breadth) above the prominence of the medial malleolus (ie. the highest point of the ankle bone). It is located in a depression on the medial side or inside of the tibia or shin bone. Sp-6 is a powerful acupuncture point. Its name in pinyin is 'San Yin Jiao’, which translates as ‘3 leg crossing’ and highlights its primary function as a meeting point of the three yin channels of the leg: kidney, spleen and liver. It is this connection that makes Sp-6 a primary point for tonifying the kidneys and spleen, and harmonising the liver—all key components in the creation and movement of qi and blood. Within this context, Sp-6 is said to regulate menstruation, and invigorate, cool and nourish the blood. However, its actions and indications are broad, and it is a primary point in the treatment of many digestive, gynaecological, sexual, urinary and emotional disorders as well as being indicated for skin conditions; for example, eczema and urticaria (hives). Finally, as a local point, Sp-6 can be used in the treatment of atrophy disorder and painful obstruction of the lower limbs. As it facilitates a strong downward movement, Sp-6 is contra-indicated during pregnancy but is indicated, along with other acupuncture points, in the induction of labour for this very reason. It is also this downward movement that indicates Sp-6 in the treatment of difficult urination, anxiety, insomnia and more.

An Introduction | What is ‘Acupuncture West London – The Podcast’?

Classical Chinese philosophy, Chinese medicine and acupuncture – for those who wish to deepen their understanding of the very concepts that inform our practice. In today's special introductory episode, we discuss the following: • What is Acupuncture West London – The Podcast, and who is it for? • What is the focus of this podcast? • What makes us different from other Chinese medicine podcasts and why did I decide to create it? • What’s the format for the show?

Yin and Yang (Part 1) | The Balance Of Two Opposing Forces

Yin and Yang (Part 1) | The Balance Of Two Opposing Forces Yin and Yang are representative of a cosmic duality that governs the universe. But what does this actually mean, and, as practitioners, how can we best put these concepts into practice in the treatment of our patients? In today's episode, we discuss the following: • Yin and Yang as a static concept, and within numerology • Yang, Qi and Yin: motive force and the relationship between Yin and Yang • The Laws of Yin and Yang • The Tai Ji Symbol • The Four Seasons and Five Phases • Quality vs. Quantity • The Three Yin and Three Yang • The Eight Principles • Yin and Yang within the clinic • Yin and Yang within pathology We also answer listeners' questions on Yin and Yang.

The Universe Moves with Number and Principle (Part 1) | In Conversation with Deborah Woolf

Within Chinese philosophy, numerology describes a journey from the unmanifest to the manifest; a journey from the universal spark to the manifestation of Heaven and Earth, space and time; a journey that documents the creation of the five elements in Heaven, on Earth and within Man as we know and use them in practice. Today, Deborah Woolf takes us on a fascinating journey through numerology, space and time, and Wu Yun Liu Qi (Stems and Branches) – the root of five element acupuncture. In today's episode, we discuss the following: • Yang and Yin – expansion and contraction; the clear and the turbid; spirit and form. • Numerology within Chinese philosophy. • Li Qi Shu – the universe moves with number, rhythm and proportion. • The importance of the words that we use in practice and the problems that we encounter in translating the classical texts. • Yi (oneness) and Qian (one). • Heaven, Earth and Man vs. Heaven, Man and Earth – prenatal vs. postnatal. • Si Fang – The Four Directions. • Si De – The Four Heavenly Virtues. • The Five Elements on Three Levels – Heaven, Earth and Man: the five archetypes of the five elements (Heaven); the five heavens (Earth); the five elements (Man). • Wu Yun Liu Qi (Stems and Branches): the root of five element acupuncture; space and time; spirit and form – treating at a constitutional, emotional and/or physical level.

The Universe Moves with Number and Principle (Part 2) | In Conversation with Deborah Woolf

Within Chinese philosophy, numerology describes a journey from the unmanifest to the manifest; a journey from the universal spark to the manifestation of Heaven and Earth, space and time; a journey that documents the creation of the five elements in Heaven, on Earth and within Man as we know and use them in practice. Today, Deborah Woolf takes us on a fascinating journey through numerology, space and time, and Wu Yun Liu Qi (Stems and Branches) – the root of five element acupuncture. In today's episode, we discuss the following: • Yang and Yin – expansion and contraction; the clear and the turbid; spirit and form. • Numerology within Chinese philosophy. • Li Qi Shu – the universe moves with number, rhythm and proportion. • The importance of the words that we use in practice and the problems that we encounter in translating the classical texts. • Yi (oneness) and Qian (one). • Heaven, Earth and Man vs. Heaven, Man and Earth – prenatal vs. postnatal. • Si Fang – The Four Directions. • Si De – The Four Heavenly Virtues. • The Five Elements on Three Levels – Heaven, Earth and Man: the five archetypes of the five elements (Heaven); the five heavens (Earth); the five elements (Man). • Wu Yun Liu Qi (Stems and Branches): the root of five element acupuncture; space and time; spirit and form – treating at a constitutional, emotional and/or physical level.