YNSA Treatment Protocols

10
YNSA Treatment Protocols

“The stability of the inner environment is a cardinal requirement for the preservation of well being.”¹

“There is no wave without the wind.” – Chinese Proverb

Principles of Treatment

My osteopathic family practice director said, “More mistakes in medicine are made by not looking, than by not knowing.” The same holds true in acupuncture. The recommended treatment protocol is determined after one has done a history and physical examination, made a medical diagnosis, made an acupuncture/Oriental Medicine diagnosis, and have determined with the patient that acupuncture is indicated and acceptable because it could be helpful. One then starts refining the YNSA diagnosis and first begins the treatment phase with YNSA Basic points.

Finding the Basic and Ypsilon points is difficult at first. This psychomotor skill, as well as YNSA needling techniques, is best learned one-on-one with an expert instructor. The companion DVD included with this book will be helpful for learning, modeling, and practicing. The Basic and Ypsilon points are always little ridges, mountains, or palpable hills in the scalp as one searches the scalp with the palpatory thumb or finger. Treat the anatomical correlate ipsilateral to the pain, dysfunction, or disease. Determine sidedness for neck diagnosis, use the procedure depicted in Figures 5–1, 5–2, and 5–3 in Chapter 5. Use YNSA neck diagnosis whenever possible to confirm need for treatment. Retest the neck diagnosis after needle placement in the scalp to ascertain correct needle placement. If still positive, reposition the needle until the neck diagnosis is improved. If YNSA neck diagnosis is not possible, use YNSA abdominal diagnosis or TCM/Five Phase pulse diagnosis.

In neuromusculoskeletal conditions and somatic problems, treat first with Basic points in the appropriate phase YIN or quadrants based on the above decisions. Palpate the neck diagnosis Basic points (lumbar spine, thoracic spine, cervical spine, brain) first for tenderness. If tenderness is present, piqué the corresponding YNSA Basic point. To find the point, consult the figure or bedside chart, palpate for a small mountain or hill, press with your fingernail to elicit tenderness if unsure of the exact location on the scalp. Positive YNSA points are also tender to deep pressure.

Basic points such as A-1–7, C-1, C-2, and D-1–6 are piqued transverse-oblique at a 20 degree angle to thread the needle subcutaneously. Points S-1, S-2, S-3, and S-4 are piqued periperpendicularoblique at a 45 degree angle. All other Basic points are piqued perpendicular-oblique at a 70 degree angle. YNSA points are piqued perpendicular at a 90 degree angle.

YNSA Protocol Rules

The basic rules regarding the protocols listed below are few and simple. (1) Only treat what is absolutely needed to achieve a positive effect. (2) Using the listed points first will achieve a positive effect in most cases (see Chapter 12). (3) Ypsilon points are usually the key in getting 100% relief, especially in old and/or complicated conditions. (4) Follow the Ypsilon procedures in diagnosis and treatment. (5) Finally, Basic points work very well in acute cases and often are all that is needed.

Treating Pain

The general protocols for all painful conditions are to make the most specific diagnosis you can and determine the most probable causative factors and pathology present. Treat the condition medically and/or surgically first, as appropriate. Then treat with YNSA using the Basic points related to the anatomy that has or is causing the pain; for example, a painful finger. Treat ipsilaterally distally only C-1 (finger) and then if pain continues treat points A-4–7 over the correct spinal nerve root affecting the finger (C4–5, 5–6, or 6–7).

After the Basic points are treated, if pain persists, check YNSA Ypsilon neck diagnosis and treat any positive Ypsilon points. If pain persists, move on to check abdominal diagnosis and treat positive findings using Basic and/or Ypsilon points. If pain still persists, make a TCM/Five Phase radial pulse diagnosis and treat positive findings based on channel diagnosis; for example, with a weak LR pulse, treat YNSA Ypsilon LR point left in the correct quadrant.

Remember, pain is a subjective symptom; you must be a physician and use all of your clinical, medical, and surgical skills, since YNSA is a powerful tool but not a panacea.