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🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:
Chinese Medicine Made Easy Book
TCM Diagnosis: From Theory to Practice Masterclass
Show Notes
I have been procrastinating on the six stages and four levels for a long time. And the reason is that it is a deep, difficult subject. When I teach about the six stages and the four levels in school, my students have the deer and the headlight kind of look, because they feel like, “what is this about? I’m so confused.”
What’s interesting to me is that back in TCM School, we learned the six stages and the four levels during our foundation or theory of TCM, and I feel like it was much too early to look at something that is such a vast, big subject, because they both come from the Classics. Classic books, classic TCM books, and those books are very big (The Six Stages is a thousand pages!)
So when we look at this, we feel really intimidated, and it feels very hard for a lot of my students. And even when I was in school, I felt really lost. So today, you know, I’m all about making it easy to grasp and fun to learn.
Making Sense of the Basics
First off, the Six Stages and Four Levels are deep concepts rooted in classic TCM texts. When I was in TCM school, I remember my classmates and I staring at our teacher like deer caught in headlights. The reason? These concepts are massive in scope and packed with detail. But don’t worry, my goal today is to simplify it for you.
The Six Stages come from the “Shang Han Lun,” also known as the Treatise on Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong Jing. Meanwhile, the Four Levels are from the “Wen Bing Xue” or Warm Disease Theory, which was put together by Wu Ju Tong in the 1700s. Each of these stages and levels helps us understand how diseases progress in the body and assists us in diagnosis and treatment.
Exploring the Six Stages
In TCM, diseases aren’t static but dynamic. They evolve, and the six stages provide insight into how the disease progresses in the body. The stages, starting from the most superficial, are:
- Tai Yang (Greater Yang): Linked to the small intestine and bladder meridians. When a pathogen first enters, this stage is often accompanied by cold symptoms like headaches and aches.
- Yang Ming (Bright Yang): Includes the stomach and large intestine. Symptoms here could involve a mix of heat with fever, and sore throat.
- Shao Yang (Lesser Yang): Associated with the san jiao and gallbladder meridians. You might see alternating chills and fever.
- Tai Yin (Greater Yin): Involving the spleen and lung, this stage can show signs like shortness of breath and water retention.
- Shao Yin (Lesser Yin): Connected to the heart and kidney, leading to symptoms such as low-grade fever and night sweats.
- Jue Yin (Terminal Yin): The deepest level, associated with the liver and pericardium, showing signs like nausea, heartburn, and cold extremities.
These stages are like a roadmap showing the journey a pathogen takes in the body, from the external to the internal.
Understanding the Four Levels
On the flip side, the Four Levels focus on heat invading the body. These are:
- Wei Level (Defensive Qi): The initial stage with symptoms like fever and sore throat.
- Qi Level: Can affect the lung or the stomach/large intestine, leading to cough or stomach issues.
- Ying Level (Nutritive Qi): High fever and restless symptoms, akin to severe viral infections like measles.
- Blood Level: The deepest level, with intense symptoms such as delirium and rashes.
Just like with the Six Stages, understanding the Four Levels can guide us in forming treatment plans by highlighting the depth and severity of the illness.
Using the Six Stages and Four Levels in Clinical Practice
I’ve found that both the Six Stages and the Four Levels are invaluable in clinical practice. For acute illnesses, they help chart the progression and inform treatment decisions. But what’s particularly fascinating is their application to chronic conditions as well. For instance, menopausal symptoms often align with the Shao Yin stage.
In conclusion, while these concepts may seem daunting at first, they’re an essential part of the toolkit for any TCM practitioner. Keep exploring, and know that with time and practice, they’ll become a helpful guide in your practice. If you’re ever stuck, remember my teacher’s wisdom: go back to the foundation. It never fails.
Disclaimer
The Acupro Show podcast and material shared through Acupro Academy is a subdivision of Natural Health Sense Incorporated. Designed solely for educational and entertainment purposes. The utilization of information from this podcast or any associated material is at the user’s discretion and risk. This content is not meant to replace the guidance of an acupuncturist. Nor Chinese medicine doctor, medical doctor, physician, or any qualified professional. It is not a substitute for proper diagnosis or treatment. Additionally, as well as users are strongly advised not to ignore or postpone seeking medical advice. For any existing medical condition with their healthcare professional. Regarding any health concerns.
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