The Difference of Reducing and Clearing Methods

Dear Z.L,
The clearing method is called "Qing Fa" in Chinese, while the reducing method is "Xie Fa".
Qing Fa is mainly used to clear the heat while Xie Fa can be used to deal with the excess of all the pathogens, not only the pathogenic heat.
For sure reducing method can be used for reducing heat, so the points you have mentioned can be chosen in this case. On the other hand, these points can be also performed with reducing techniques to eliminate other pathogens, e.g. cold.

To do acupuncture, these two techniques are not much different, only there is a special technique which is called "penetrating-sky coolness" but it is seldom done.

For sure to use herbs there would be a distinct difference in prescribing the materia medica for pathogenic heat and for other pathogens.

Ok, that's my understanding on the difference of the two techniques.
Hope it is clear and reasonable.
Bye!
Best regards
David King




[quote:a312329450]Dear David King,

What different between the 2 ways to treat a heat syndrome?

[b:a312329450]Clearing[/b:a312329450] The clearing method, known as a febrifugal approach, is used to clear off the pathogenic heat for resuscitation, or for heat syndromes.
[b:a312329450]Reducing[/b:a312329450] reducing heat, Quchi (LI 11), Tianshu (ST 25) and Fenlong (ST 40) are needled with the reducing method.


Thanks
Z.L[/quote:a312329450]