JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE NUMBER 70 OCTOBER 2002 ...

1 5 JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE NUMBER 70 OCTOBER 2002 TEFILLIN: AN ANCIENTACUPUNCTURE POINTPRESCRIPTION FORMENTAL CLARITYby Steven SchramBaihui DU-20 Shangxing DU-23 Shenting DU-24 Fengfu DU-16 IntroductionTefillin is an ancient Jewish prayer ritual that uses two smallleather boxes, each attached to a long, 9mm wide, leatherstrap. One box is placed on the biceps of the weaker armwhile the second is placed on the head. The biceps strap istightly wound along the arm in a carefully prescribedmanner. The back of the head strap is tied in a knot andcarefully placed at the base of the acknowledged purpose of the tefillin is to raisespiritual consciousness of the men who wear it.

2 If weexamine where the knots and wrappings are placed from aTCM point of view, it appears that the tefillin and wrapsform a potent acupuncture point formula focused on theGoverning vessel (Du Mai) and aimed at elevating the spiritand clearing the head tefillinThe head tefillin is the simplest to examine as its positioningis very explicitly defined. The box is always placed midwaybetween the eyes with the base of the tefillin placed on theforehead so the bottom edge remains just inside the hair-line. The diagram below shows this location as ShentingDU-24.

3 The weight of the box (several ounces) is a littlefurther back at Shangxing DU-23; the exact placement ofweight will vary slightly depending on the size of the knot in the back (where the strap is tied together) is placedjust under the external occipital protuberance. This corre-sponds to Fengfu DU-16. Once the knot is in place, the sidestraps are tightened down. This creates a steady upwardpressure into Fengfu DU-16 and more pressure on bothShangxing DU-23 and Shenting the left armI explored the four major variations in wrapping proce-dures: Chassidic1, Sefardim2, Sefard, and Ashkenazi3.

4 Byexperimenting on myself with these different wrappingprocedures, I was able to map out the significant acupunc-ture points that are stimulated through the procedure (seeover page).Point Selection for AnalysisAlong with the three skull points already discussed, thetefillin wrap contacts a good NUMBER of the over 50 acu-puncture points on the arm6. However, we will limit ourpoint analysis to those that have a more substantive influ-ence on the mind and spirit7. In addition, because thepressure of the arm wrap is mostly felt at points on the6 JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE NUMBER 70 OCTOBER 2002 Ashkenazi4 SefardSefardimChassidic5outside of the arm bones we have excluded general pointson the Pericardium and Triple Burner channel.

5 That leavesus with the points shown on the Tables to the right. Thepoints are listed in the order in which they are point formula comparisonA set of point formulas for each of the methods arises fromour analysis:Chassidic: Tianfu LU-3, Shaohai HE-3, Chize LU-5, ZhizhengSI-7, Wenliu , Pianli , Lieque LU-7, Shenmen HE-7,Taiyuan LU-9, Shenting DU-24, Shangxing DU-23, FengfuDU-16, Hegu , Houxi SI-3, Pericardium : Tianfu LU-3, Zhizheng SI-7, Wenliu , , Lieque LU-7, Shenmen HE-7, Taiyuan LU-9, ShentingDU-24, Shangxing DU-23, Fengfu DU-16, Hegu , HouxiSI-3, Pericardium.

6 Tianfu LU-3, Shaohai HE-3, Chize LU-5, ZhizhengSI-7, Wenliu , Pianli , Lieque LU-7, Shenmen HE-7,Taiyuan LU-9, Shenting DU-24, Shangxing DU-23, FengfuDU-16, Hegu , Houxi SI-3, Pericardium :Tianfu LU-3, Shaohai HE-3, Chize LU-5, ZhizhengSI-7, Wenliu , Pianli , Lieque LU-7, Shenmen HE-7,Taiyuan LU-9, Shenting DU-24, Shangxing DU-23, FengfuDU-16, Hegu , Houxi SI-3, Pericardium Fengfu DU-16, Tianfu LU-3, Houxi SI-3, Hegu7 JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE NUMBER 70 OCTOBER 2002 Stimulation of acupuncture points on the armChassidicAshkenaziSefardSefardimLU-3 XXXXHE-3 XXXLU-5 XXXSI-7 XXXXLI-6 XXXXLI-7 XXXXLU-7 XXXXHE-7 XXXXLU9 XXXS timulation of acupuncture points on the headChassidicAshkenaziSefardSefardimDU-2 4 XXXXDU-23 XXXXDU-16 XXXXS timulation of acupuncture points on the and the Pericardium channel (from wrapping themiddle finger)

7 Always have more stimulation than , wrist points including Taiyuan LU-9 and ShenmenHE-7 receive stronger pressure compared to the other pointson the body of the forearm. Thus a more honed formula ofthe more significant points is as follows:Chassidic: Tianfu LU-3, Fengfu DU-16, Lieque LU-7, ShenmenHE-7, Taiyuan LU-9, Houxi SI-3, Hegu , : Tianfu LU-3, Fengfu DU-16, Lieque LU-7, ShenmenHE-7, Houxi SI-3, Hegu , Pericardium : Tianfu LU-3, Fengfu DU-16, Lieque LU-7, ShenmenHE-7, Taiyuan LU-9, Houxi SI-3, Hegu , :Tianfu LU-3, Fengfu DU-16, Lieque LU-7, ShenmenHE-7, Taiyuan LU-9, Houxi SI-3, Hegu , that there is essential agreement and overlap be-tween the honed point prescriptions called for by the fourdifferent tefillin wrapping techniques.

8 The only differenceis that the the Ashkenazi style excludes Taiyuan LU-9. Thisshould have little clinical significance, given the scope ofthe remaining points in the and channel discussion The Governing Vessel (Du Mai) is an extra-ordinarymeridian that runs up the spine and penetrates the brain. Itis well known for its ability to treat psychiatric disordersand influence the mind8. The Spiritual action of points onthe Governing vessel can be explained because it has theclosest relationship with the brain, which, according to pre-Inner Classic and later Daoist traditions is considered to bethe seat of the spirit.

9 A further connection of the GoverningVessel to Spirit is found from its anterior pathway, whichdirectly connects it to the more traditional home of Spirit,the Heart. Fengfu DU-16 (Wind Mansion) is also known as Gui Zhen,which translates as Ghost Pillow9. It has also a point in theWindow of Heaven category10. According to channel theory,Fengfu DU-16 is where the Governing vessel penetrates thebrain. It is one of two points (the other being Baihui DU-20)that directly nurture the brain and spinal cord. The thera-peutic scope of Fengfu DU-16 is quite wide and it is knownto strongly benefit both concentration and memory.

10 It alsotreats dizziness, stroke, aphasia and headache. In psychoticpatients, it reduces the desire for suicide and for self-mutilation. Fengfu DU-16 is also is a point on Yang Linkingvessel that connects all heavenly rising Yang energy. Shangxing DU-23 (Upper Star) is also known as Gui Tangwhich translates as Ghost Hall. It treats psychosis, head-aches, and nearsightedness. It is also the root of the sinusand is very effective in treating loss of smell. Since theolfactory nerve is the first of the 12 cranial nerves, its use inthis manner clearly indicates a profound effect on the brain.