In this condition, the vital Chi energy of one or more organs or functions is polluted and becomes a destructive, attacking force, hence the name: Aggressive Energy.

The affected organ tries to rid itself of the Aggressive Energy (hereafter abbreviated AE) and sends it across the K'e cycle to infect the next organ in line. The originally affected organ cannot, however, rid itself of the condition and merely spreads it. The process will continue until the patient dies. AE, if not removed, is a fatal condition.

While AE is present, it acts as a total block to treatment and the patient cannot improve. Nature has essentially given up the fight.

Causes of AE:

1. Illnesses that pound away relentlessly at a person, overwhelming an organ or function
2. Relentless or overwhelming stress or strain (physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual) beyond what a person can take
3. Toxicity: usually prolonged consumption of toxins (including, but not limited to prescription or recreational drugs, or severe environmental toxicity)
4. Combinations of the above

AE, by nature, spreads only via the K'e cycle, but can be spread on the Sheng cycle by energy transfer with acupuncture. Therefore, testing for its presence and removal should be the first treatment with a new patient (only possession has priority). The only way to determine the presence of AE is to test for it. Do not rely on symptoms.

Testing for AE:

1. Place needles, very superficially, just under the skin, with perpendicular insertion, in the bilateral Associated Effect Points (Back Shu) of all predominantly Yin organs, excepting the Heart (i.e. Lung: UB 13, Pericardium: UB 14, Liver: UB 18, Spleen: UB 20, Kidney: UB 23). The insertion should be so shallow that, once inserted, a one-inch needle will hang at approximately a 45-degree angle to the skin.
2. Also, place needles in the same fashion nearby the Associated Effect Points, but not in acupuncture points (i.e. at the same height relative to the spine and approximately one-inch lateral to the Associated Effect (Back Shu). Points. These are called "test" or "dummy" needles. The positioning of the "test" needles should be at sufficient distance from the actual points so that any redness on the skin (erythema) from the actual points will not intermingle with that of the "test" needle.

If AE is present, redness (erythema) will appear within 5-10 minutes around the Associated Effect Points of the corresponding organ(s). As the skin on some people will turn red with the insertion of a needle anywhere; we compare the redness of the Associated Effect Points with the "test" needles. True AE erythema will be larger, darker, or more persistent than erythema, which might appear around a "test" needle. If no erythema appears around any of the AEPs, the test is obviously negative.

It is impossible for AE erythema to show on only one side. If it appears thus, you have missed the point on the opposite side and must re-position the needle. Point location is vital.

Treatment:

1. Leave the needles in those Associated Effect Points, which have tested, positive for AE until the redness COMPLETELY disappears. Then, you know that the AE has drained away. This can take minutes to hours.
2. Testing the Heart for AE: The Heart is checked last, and by itself, after all other organs have cleared of erythema. Even if all other organs test negative, check the Heart last, to be sure it is clear. After removing all other previously inserted needles, insert new needles, as described above, into UB 15, bilaterally, and a new "test" needle, not in an acupuncture point, but in the skin at approximately the same height and approximately one inch lateral to UB 15.

NOTE: Generally, once cleared, AE is not likely to recur and need not be tested repeatedly. However, AE can develop during a course of treatment even if a patient has tested negative, or has been cleared of it, in the past. Therefore, if a patient who has been doing well begins to decline, consider this possibility. If AE returns continuously, the condition may truly be beyond our reach and the reach of Nature to reverse, but if in doubt as to whether AE has cleared or may be present, re-test as soon as possible.

Professor Neil R. Gumenick, M.Ac. (UK), L.Ac., Dipl. Ac. is Founder and Director of The Institute of Classical Five-Element Acupuncture Inc., which offers post-graduate training to licensed acupuncturists, physicians, and students of Oriental Medicine. He has been in practice for 33 years, is a Professor at Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine, and has taught throughout the US and Canada. He can be reached at his website, www.5elements.com, by email at nrg@5elements.com, or at (310) 453-2235.