Dr. Yair Maimon OMD PhD AC

 

 

When we look at a child we see the end result of 5 stages: before heaven, conception, prenatal-pregnancy, birth, early childhood. Diseases especially chronic and unexplained problems such as autoimmune diseases, asthma, dermatitis and even unusual crying in babys, can be rooted at these stages. Therefore especially in our days when artificial interventions (IVF, Hormones, medication, early delivery, cesarean, forceps, Infant formula-no breast feeding, immunization) are so common they are all unnatural and can potentially cause trauma to the Jing, Shen extra-meridians and the ZangFu.

 

It is important to understand diagnose and to explore the treatment option of traumatic influences referring to these stages.

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some examples of how each stage can be a root of pathology later on in life:

 

Conception:  at conception the Jing and the Shen are entering, heaven and earth meet. The state of the parents at time of conception may have important influence on the child. For example the age of the parents- effect on the kid-Jing which can be the basis for trauma such as fear; being drunk-intoxicated/ taking drugs such as- steroids, chemotherapy- can result in toxins, unclear Shen, Hun weak Zhi and Jing; the emotional mental state such as in extreme case of rape or unwanted relationship – can cause trauma and effect on the Jing-Shen and may result in Gui (a topic which Sunsi Miao brought a special insight on).

 

There are few old texts which refer to the idealistic condition for the conception of the emperor, which can both give inspiration and explain the physiology and then the pathology arising from this very special moment.

 

Pregnancy: each month of pregnancy has a different influence on the development of the fetus. There are few old texts which refer to these stages of development some that relate the stems and the ZangFu to each month and the 5 elements starting from the wood element.

 

 

 

 

This is one example that shows the relationship of the 10 month of pregnancy and the related ZangFu.

 

 LIV    GB    HT  SP   ST   LU   CO   KID   BL

 

Case: a clinical case that illustrates the application of this relationship.

A two years old child with an unusual stubborn skin disease [fig 1]. The disease had started almost after birth. This early appearance of symptoms relates to a prenatal root of disease. Upon asking the mother if there was something unusual which occurred during the 7^th month of pregnancy (the month related to the lung therefore the skin). In response the mother turned white and said that at that time her sister committed suicide. The grief which relates to the metal element, the lungs and the skin, as well as the Po (corporeal soul) was hindered affecting the fetus on the level of the skin. The effect of grief is even visible in the Childs sad eyes [fig 2 eyes] .in this case the understanding of the root of the disease led to a different diagnosis and treatment approach which eventually had a very good therapeutic effect. 

 

 

 fig 1

                                           

  

 fig 2

 

During pregnancy the state of the mother's health deficiency and excess can affect the fetus. Deficiency- for example in diet can create Spleen and blood deficiency leading to mall absorption syndrome and can even effect the Jing and brain development. When the Jing is weak a trauma can easily set in.

Excess- such as can be a result of toxic hot disease of mother (as known that some disease such as rubella can cause fetal defects). Usage of drugs (as known from the case of using Thalidomide), drugs for psychiatric disorders all can be traumatic to the embryo.

 

The emotional state of the mother during pregnancy can effect the fetus since there is a close relationship between the mothers Po (corporeal soul) and the fetus. Any strong emotional event may effect the embryo, depending on the nature of the trauma and the time of pregnancy. As in the example above grief at the 7^th month effected the lung Zang. Fear can effect the Jing and the Kidney Zang. Unwonted pregnancy can effect the Heart Zang and the Shen of the embryo.

 

Nowadays in many cases delivery is unnatural with a potential of being traumatic both to the mother and the baby. For example:  Anastasia can cause coldness in Kidney and Liver and leading to a general Qi deficiency. Forceps delivery can cause trauma to the  Du mai . Caesarian delivery can effect the Lung Qi and the Hun and Po.

 

 

When a child is born he is coming to the world with hereditary (Jing) and spiritual (Shen) essences. This union of yin and yang is a natural process of life, but during this time many changes and transformation occurs which later on can be a root of childhood and adulthood disease both physical and mental. In many instances we will see that the disease process will be triggered during the gates of 7 or 8 year cycles of life.

Many of these issues haven't been discussed in written texts but have been experienced in clinical practice. The lecture will explore the different dimensions of childhood traumas and will give a new insight to diagnosis and treatment of such conditions.

Chinese medicine and acupuncture can be very effective in reaching the depth of such traumas and help in healing and reducing the suffering while assisting a healthy spiritual emotional and physical growth.