Chinese Tai Feng

The word 'typhoon' - associated with sudden havoc and immense damage - comes from the Chinese Tai Feng, meaning Great Wind.

If this reaches an extreme there arc all the symptoms of a stroke - sudden unconsciousness, inability to speak, deviation of mouth and eye, partial paralysis.

This is just one type of Liver Wind; others produce problems such as epilepsy, convulsions, or long-term tics and tremors. The treatment for example of stroke patients using a combination of acupuncture and remedial exercise has a good prognosis.

The earlier that treatment is started, however, the better the results are likely to be. Cold, Heat, Dampness and Dryness are seen in a similar way to Wind. For instance, certain points are described as expelling Cold, or cooling Heat.

A man comes at the onset of a cold. He has itching in the throat, a runny nose, a slight cough with clear, white catarrh, feels chilly and is better from warmth.

The acupuncturist diagnoses Wind-Cold invading the Lungs and uses inoxa and needles to strengthen the lungs and expel the Wind. The 'cold' resolves within a day or two preventing complications or the need for medication.