Japanese Integrated Medicine - Guiding Principles

The Guiding Principles of "Amatsu Ryoho" Japanese Integrated Natural Medicine

The guiding principles of Amatsu Ryoho are the principles for "Natural life" which are used medically for prevention, enhancement and recovery. Understanding these ways can help you to help yourself and others - which is why we have included them...

The philosophy and principles of Japanese Physical medicine and Naturopathic medicine are "Intricately simple and simply intricate" because they are also a mnemonic for life!

Our 10 guiding principles

1:The first of these is known as "Gairon" (Said Gai-lon) which translates to mean "The bigger picture, consider everything, discount nothing, use the best available and find that which is not obvious" relating to health, happiness, strategy and life. The bigger picture concept (Gairon) also relates to using more than only Japanese Natural Medicine, whilst also the recognition that there are more ways than just those written down and currently known. Within the records (Densho/Scrolls) of this tradition it is said "Even horse shit can be used" which from a deeper understanding alludes to the fact that 'horse manure' can help feed the food we eat, warm the body to prevent/recover from hypothermia and when mixed with egg white and applied as a poultice, can 'draw out' deep bruising from the body. The bigger picture (Gairon) also relates to the use of modern day medicines and the recognition that no 'one' system is the best, but the integration of many ways is the path of nature.

2: The second guiding philosophy and principle, which is not the second in importance, but merely the second one that we are covering, relates to "The Big Five - factors of health and mobility" termed "Godai" in Japanese (Said "Go-dye). The big five (Godai) is a mnemonic that has many levels of understanding and application. Initially it relates to the fact that our health and mobility is integrated and not individualised. At a basic level the big five relates to the integration and interdependence of;

i) Physical health. Musculoskeletal system, posture, mobility, integration, etc

ii: Mind health Emotional system, thoughts, reactions, mind integration, etc

iii: Energy health Internal and External energy, meridians, chakra's, aura, etc

iv: Chemical health Nutrition, absorption, organ processing, excretion, etc

v: Environment health Ergonomics, climate, spirituality, inside and outside, etc

This integrated and natural approach assists the body in restoring balance and harmony, within each part at the same time as restoring the integrated balance and harmony.

3: The concepts such as In/Yo (Yin/Yang in Chinese) the five phases, the 5 solid and 6 hollow

organs, the meridians, the tsubo treatment points, aetiology, pathogenesis, prevention and treatment, form a basis of Traditional Japanese Natural medicine

4: Distinguishing Features of Traditional Japanese Natural Medicine, include its own unique understanding and experience of the physiological activities and pathological changes in the human body. It has many distinguishing features in terms of the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. For example, it views the body as an organic whole. At the centre of this organic integrity, is an understanding that the centre of a person (The centre 'line' that exists inside the central nervous system) which we now know is the first part of human development inside the womb is the 'core' that houses the person.

The person inside this 'centre' is supported by the organs which are linked through an elaborate system of blood vessels and meridians.

Traditional Japanese natural medicine also views the relationship between the human being and nature as an integrated one.

5: Japanese Natural Medicine also recognizes that the treatment of the root is more important than the condition. Even in the treatment of Physical conditions, such as a bad back, strained ankle, etc. Treatment is directed on five levels at the same time. This is to improve recovery whilst also enhancing the constitutional health of the person.

Simply - Treatment of the person

6: The Concept of Integrity

Integrity infers a state of completeness and unity. Japanese Natural medicine views the human body as an organic whole, and the relationship between the human being and nature as one integrated unity. As an organic whole, the various parts of our body are inseparable in structure and function, the muscles, joints, organs and their physiological functions are interrelated and mutually influenced by any disorder or pathology. Meanwhile, the recognition that we have a close relationship which exists between the human body and the environment, is the recognition that our environment affects our health.

Guided by the concept of integrity, Traditional Japanese Natural Medicine recognises that normal physiological activity relies on the functions of the individual parts of the mind and body (The organs and tissues) and the harmonious function of the various organs and tissues, their natural interaction with each other.

7: Whilst treatment methods or modalities of treatment can be individualized, for the purpose of learning this integrated approach - such as Physical therapy, Nutrition, Energy medicine, Emotional medicine, it is the integrated approach that brings health. For example a lower back condition can be caused by or affects the Kidneys therefore treatment is directed at the local area and the Kidneys to restore a harmonious balance. This is also recognized in Chinese and Indian medicine. On the one hand, it attaches great importance to the localized lesion (imbalance/ailment/condition) as well as the organs and meridians which are directly related to each other (Godai and Gairon - Big five factors and the Bigger picture) whilst, on the other hand, it pays attention to the influence exerted by the diseased organs and meridians on other related organs. This double awareness reflects the concept of integrity in pathogenesis and treatment. Generally, a localized lesion/imbalance tends to have some kind of relations with the condition of the organs, ki/qi and blood, and the In/Yo (Yin/Yang) of the body, which is why treatment is to the person.

9: Integrity between Human Body and Nature

For as long as us human beings live in nature, the natural environment will supply the necessities for our existence. Any changes in our natural environment will directly or indirectly influence the human body, which will, in turn, respond. Modern humans have become more sedentary within our environment which creates changes within our physiology. In terms of physiology, this is a kind of physiological adaptation, in terms of pathology; it is a kind of pathological reaction. Therefore treatment is also adjusted to reflect these changes of human beings within the environment we live within and naturally takes into account the four seasons (Or different seasons in different countries) climatic changes being one of the preconditions for growth, harvesting, storage, etc. Human beings adaptation can not go beyond certain limitations, but Traditional Japanese Natural Medicine is one way of improving our adaptability.

Integration

It is the integration of the therapies or treatments that Japanese physical medicine practitioners use - which make this approach both unique and highly effective - of course "It makes Sense"