Sho
During the Kampo diagnostic process, the sho, the physician analyzes the clinical conditions of patients and use the information gathered to fix the proper herbal remedy. The sho can also be roughly translated as "kampo diagnosis."
The Eight Indicators
1. Heat: hyperactivity of bodily functions
2.Cold: hypoactivity of bodily functions
3. Vaculty (hypofunction): excess physiological functioning
4. Depletion (hyper-function): deficient physiological functioning
5. Interior: refers to location of disease in the body
6. Exterior: refers to location of disease in the body
7. Yin: marked by passive reactions to diseases
8. Yang: marked by active reactions to dieases
These components are crucial in analyzing the body’s overall homeostatic balance and Kampo’s six stages of disease. In addition three additional concepts are equally important during diagnosis:
1. Ki: universal energy
2. Ketsu: blood and the metabolic products of the body
3. Sui: fluids of the blood other than ketsu
Both yin and yang are presented in the six different stages of the period of a disease. The body first uses yangand then yin for combat against pathogens. As the disease progresses, it passes through each stage – three of the yang and three of the yin. As it does this, the body’s defense gradually becomes weaker.
Yang diseases:
1. Tai yang
2. Shao yang
3. Yang ming
Yin disease:
1. Tai yin
2. Shao yin
3. Jue yin
During the diagnostic procedures physicians rely on four main methods called the Four Examinations. The use of the five senses to employ the Four Examinations plays a significant role in Kampo diagnosis as physicans do not rely on mechanical instruments during the procedures.
1. Boh shin: visual looking
2. Bun shin: auditory exam
3. Mon shin: the oral exam
4. Setsu shin: the tactile exam
The Meridians
Adopted from Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kampo’s concept of the body relies on acupuncture meridians in which ki courses through. These meridians consist of twelve main meridians and eight extra channels. Two extra meridians can also be found within Kampo, the stomach branch meridian and the diaphragm meridian. Points along the meridian are named to indicate their character and effect. These major points are extremely important in treatments within Kampo.
In meridian diagnosis kyo and jitsu conditions are determined. The goal is to identify the areas in which kyo and jitsu are found in excess. Disease patterns are described by evaluating the balance of jitshu and kyo along the meridians. During treatment, both are treated at the same time, with the goal to find balance between the two. This can be done by identifying the corresponding yin and yang meridians.
The body’s balance is in constant flux and therefore the meridians will always show a bit of imbalance. However, if imbalance becomes prominent and continues for a long period of time this will result in a poor conditioned state of disease. This pronounced imbalance of kyo and jitshu is called ja-ki. Treatment, kyo-jitsu-ho-sha, includes therapeutic procedures to manipulate the ki.
Acupuncture and Moxibustion
The treatment of acupuncture and moxibustion seeks to remove the disturbances and help the body return to its balance. This is done by stimulating the biological activities that occur within the body and returning it to its natural state.
Acupuncture is often used as a tonification technique. During treatment, needles are inserted into the patient’s skin on acupoints. The practitioner manipulates the needle by applying pressure and rotation while feeling for the sense of ki, referred to as kiitaru. Types of methods includes the use of a guide tube and needle twirling.
Heat-stimulation methods are also forms of treatment in Kampo. Moxibustion consists of the burning of moxa which serves as a therapeutic remedy to relieve pain. There are two methods: scarring and non-scarring.
Massage and Manipulation Therapy
Young, Jacqueline. 2001. The healing path: the practical guide to the holistic traditions of China, India, Tibet and Japan. London: Thorsons.
There are three main types of massage and manipulation therapy used in Japan. All three types share similarities but differ considerably in their approach and theory.
1. Anma: stimulates the circulation of blood and relieves stiffness
2. Shiatsu: seeks to fix structural alignment and muscular tension
3. “Western Massage”: not a part of Kampo medicine but has been influential to Kampo's massage methods
Herbal Medicine
Herbal remedies are unique and tailored to each individual’s case. Although multiple patients may exhibit the same type of illness, their herbal treatment may be different. This method is known as zuisho therapy. The pharmacological nature and taste of herbs have been divided roughly into two fundamental groups: Shi-ki and Go-mi, both of which are the basis of Kampo’s pharmacology.
Shi-ki refers to the four pharmacological natures of herbs:
1. Kan: characterized by a cooling anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and sedative effect
2. Ryo: have a cooling effect but milder in comparison to kan-herbs.
3.On: has a warming quality
4. Netsu: has a warming quality
Go-mi refers to the five classifications of the herbs’ taste:
1. Shin: pungent taste
2. San: sour taste
3. Kan: sweet taste
4. Ku: bitter taste and has a purgative effect
5. Khan: mild purgative function
Kampo physicians attend to their patient’s overall well-being. This holistic approach enables the physician to determine a patient’s overall constitution, severity of symptoms, areas affected, and stages of disease. In doing so, the physician is able to identify the body system and potential abnormalities within the organs. The objective is to not only cure the body of invading pathogens, but to also restore balance and equilibrium to the individual.
