STAGNATION OF QI AND BLOOD
Symptoms and signs
A chronic history of finger pain or a history of trauma or operation, pain and numbness in the fingers, which worsens at night and is better with movement, accompanied by cold or purplish fingers and hands, a preference for warmth, a purplish tongue and a deep and wiry pulse.
Principle of treatment
Promote the Qi and Blood circulation, remove Blood stasis and sedate the pain.
HERBAL TREATMENT
Prescription
TAO HONG SI WU TANG
Four-Substance Dccoction with Safflozver and Peach Pit Sheng Di Huang Radix Rehmanniae Recens 12 g
Chi Shao Radix Paeoniae Rubra IOg
Dang Gui Radix Angelicac Sinensis 12 g
Chuan Xiong Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong 12 g
Tao Ren Semen Persicae 12 g
Hong Hua Flos Carthami 12 g
Mo Yao Resina Myrrhae 10 g
Jiang Huang Rhizoma Curcumae Longae IOg
Explanations
• Sheng Di Huang and Chi Shao nourish the Blood and regulate its circulation.
• Chuang Xiong and Hong Hua promote the circulation of Blood and remove its stagnation.
• Dang Gui and Tao Ren regulate the circulation of Blood and remove its stagnation.
• Mo Yao is good at removing Blood stasis and relieving the pain.
• Jiang Huang promotes the circulation of Qi and Blood in the fingers and relieves the pain.
Modifications
1. If there is a wandering finger pain or pain with heavy sensation due to the invasion of Wind-Damp, add Qiang Huo Rhizoma seu Radix Notoptciygii 10 g and Qin Jiao Radix Gentianae Macrophyllac 10 g to dispel the Wind and remove the Damp.
2. If there is a severe stabbing pain due to traumatic injury, add Ru Xiang Resina Olibani 6 g and Qing Pi Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae Viride 10 g to strengthen the effect of promoting the Qi and Blood circulation and removing the Blood stasis.
Patent remedy
Xiao Huo Luo Dan Minor Invigorate the Collaterals
Special Pill
ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT
LI-4 Hegu, LI-Il Quchi, PC-6 Neiguan, LU-7 Lieque,
SP-6 Sanyinjiao, Extra Baxie and Ah Shi points.
Reducing method is used on these points.
Explanations
• LI-4, the Source point of the Large Intestine channel, promotes the circulation of Qi and relieves the pain.
• LI-11, the Sea point of the Large Intestine channel, activates the circulation of Qi and relieves the pain.
• PC-6, the Connecting point of the Pericardiuni channel, promotes the circulation of Qi, removes Blood stasis and relieves the finger pain.
• LU-7, the Connecting point of the Lung channel, promotes the circulation of Qi, harmonises the collateral and relieves the pain.
• The Extra Baxie and Ah Shi points remove the obstruction in the channels and collateral.
Modifications
1. If there is severe finger pain, add LI-3 and LR-3 to dispel Wind, circulate the channels and remove Damp.
2. If there is a severe stabbing pain due to traumatic injury, add BL-17 and SI-4 to strengthen the effect of promoting the Qi and Blood circulation and remove Blood stasis.
3. If there is restlessness and insomnia due to pain, add HT-7 to calm the Heart and tranquillise the Mind.
Case history
A 41-year-old man had been suffering from stabbing finger pain in his right hand for 6 months, which occurred after carrying some heavy things. His finger pain had worsened over the preceding 12 days. It also worsened at night and with immobility, when carrying heavy things, and when finger movement was limited. His tongue was purple with a white coating, and his pulse was deep and wiry.
Diagnosis
Stagnation of Blood.
Principle of treatment
Promote Qi and Blood circulation, remove Blood stasis and relieve the finger pain.
Acupuncture treatment
LI-4, PC-6, TE-5, LU-7 and Extra Baxie. Reducing method was used on all these points.
Explanations
• LI-4, the Source point of the Large Intestine channel, activates the circulation of Qi and Blood and relieves the finger pain.
• TE-5, the Connecting point of the Triple Burner channel, promotes the circulation of Qi and Blood and harmonises the collateral.
• PC-6, the Connecting point of the Pericardium channel, promotes the circulation of Qi and Blood and tranquillises the Mind.
• The combination of TE-5 and PC-6 has a strong effect on removing Blood stasis and relieving the pain.
• LU-7 promotes the circulation of Qi, harmonises the collateral and relieves the pain.
• Extra Baxie regulates the circulation of Qi in the locality to relieve the pain.
The patient was cured after 2 months of treatment. He was followed up by letter 2 years later, and he said he had experienced no further finger pain.
DEFICIENCY OF BLOOD
Symptoms and signs
Slight finger pain, numbness of the fingers with stiffness, accompanied by weakness in the hands, a pale complexion, pale lips, dizziness, palpitations, dry stools, a pale tongue with a thin and white coating, and a thready and weak pulse.
Principle of treatment
Tonify the Qi, nourish the Blood and sedate the pain.
HERBAL TREATMENT
Prescription
BA ZHEN TANG
Eight-Precious Décoction
Dang Gui Radix Angelicae Sinensis 12 g
Chuan Xiong Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong 10 g
Bai Shao Radix Paeoniae Alba 12 g
Shu Di Huang Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata 12 g
Ren Shen Radix Ginseng 6 g
Bai Zhu Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae 12 g
Fu Ling Poria 12 g
Sang Zhi Ramulus Mori 20 g
Zhi Gan Cao Radix Glycyrrhizae Praeparata 6 g
Explanations
• The main function of this prescription is to reinforce the Qi and nourish Blood. When the muscles and collateral are properly nourished, the finger pain disappears spontaneously.
• Dang Gui, Bai Shao and Shu Di Huang nourish the Blood and tonify the Kidney-Essence.
• Ren Shen, Bai Zhu, Fu Ling and Zhi Gan Cao strengthen the Spleen and reinforce the Qi so as to promote the production of Qi and Blood.
• Chuan Xiong activates the circulation of Qi and Blood and relieves the obstruction in the channels.
• Sang Zhi is one of the main herbs for relieving pain in the upper part of the body, especially in the limbs.
Modifications
1. If there is an aversion to cold or cold limbs due to deficiency of Yang-Qi, add Gui Zhi Ramulus Cinnamomi 10 g and San Ji Sheng Ramulus Loranthi 10 g to reinforce the Yang-Qi and relieve the pain.
2. If the fingers are swollen owing to poor Water metabolism caused by deficiency of Spleen-Qi, add Hai Feng Teng Caulis Piperis Futokadsurac 15 g, Ze Xie Rhizoma Alismatis 10 g and Wu Jia Pi Cortex Acanthopamcis Radicis 10 g to induce urination, eliminate Damp and relieve the pain.
Patent remedies
Gui Pi Wan Tonifying the Spleen Decoction
Shi Quan Da Bu Wan All-Inclusive Great Tonifying Pill
ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT
LI-4 Hegu, PC-6 Neiguan, HT-7 Shenmen, SP-6 Sanyinjiao, ST-36 Zusanli, KI-3 Taixi and Ah Shi points. Even method is used on LI-4, PC-6, CV-6 and HT-7. Reinforcing method is used on ST-36 and SP-6. Reducing method is used on the Ah Shi points. Treatment is given every other day.
Explanations
• LI-4, the Source point of the Large Intestine channel, and PC-6, the Connecting point of the Pericardium channel, promote the circulation of Qi in the channels and relieve the finger pain.
• HT-7, the Stream and Source point, promotes the circulation of Blood and nourishes it.
• ST-36 and SP-6 activate the Spleen and Stomach and promote the production of Qi and Blood.
• Kl-3, the Source point, promotes the production of Kidney-Essence so as to promote the production of Blood.
• The Ah Shi points regulate the Qi and Blood and relieve the finger pain.
Modifications
1. If there is an aversion to cold or cold fingers due to deficiency of Yang-Qi, add CV-6 with moxibustion to reinforce the Yang-Qi.
2. If the fingers are swollen, add SP-9 and TE-6 to promote urination and eliminate Damp.
3. If there is generalised tiredness due to deficiency of Qi and Blood, add ST-42 and SP-3, the Source points, to strengthen the Spleen and Stomach and tonify the Qi and Blood.
DEFICIENCY OF ESSENCE OF KIDNEY AND LIVER
Symptoms and signs
Slight finger pain with spasm, gradual deformity of the fingers, weakness of the fingers, wrists, arms and legs, accomponied by tiredness, lower back pain, tinnitus, a poor memory, hair loss, a thin tongue coating and a weak pulse, especially at the Kidney positions.
Principle of treatment
Tonify the Kidney and Liver, nourish the Essence, strengthen the tendons and bones and relieve the finger pain.
HERBAL TREATMENT
Prescription
LIU WEI DI HUANG WAN
Six-Flavour Rehmanniae Pill
Shu Di Huang Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata 15 g
Shan Yao Rhizoma Dioscoreae 12 g
Shan Zhu Yu Fructus Corni 15 g
Tu Si Zi Semen Cuscutac 12 g
Dang Gui Radix Angelicae Sinensis 12 g
Mu Dan Pi Cortex Montan Radicis 9 g
Sang Zhi Ramulus Mori 15 g
Explanations
• Shu Di Huang, Shan Yao and Shan Zhu Yu nourish the Essence of the Liver and Kidney.
• Tu Si Zi nourishes the Kidney-Yin and Kidney-Yang.
• Dang Gui promotes the circulation of Qi and Blood and removes the obstructions in the channels.
• Mu Dan Pi clears Deficient-Heat.
• Sang Zhi promotes the circulation of Qi and Blood and relieves the finger pain.
Modifications
1. If there is lower back pain, add Xu Duan Radix Dipsaci 10 g, Sang Ji Sheng Ramulus Loranthi IOg and Bai Shao Radix Paeoniae Alba 10 g to strengthen the Kidney and relieve the pain.
2. If there is night sweating and heat in the palms and soles of the feet due to deficiency of Kidney-Yin, add Gui Ban Jiao Plastrum Testudinis Colla 10 g and Han Lian Cao Herba Ecliptae 10 g to nourish the Kidney-Yin and clear Deficient-Heat.
3. If there is an aversion to cold, impotence and cold hands and feet due to deficiency of Kidney-Yang, add Ba Ji Tian Radix Morindae Officinalis 10 g and Gou Ji Rhizoma Cibotii 10 g to tonify the Kidney-Yang and dispel Cold.
4. If there is constipation, add Xuan Shen Radix Scrophulariae 15 g to nourish the Kidney-Yin and lubricate the Large Intestine so as to relieve the constipation.
Patent remedies
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan Six-Flavour Rehmanniae Pill
Hai Ma Bu Shen Wan See Horse Tonify Kidney Pill
ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT
LI-4 Hegu, PC-6 Neiguan, KI-3 Taixi, LR-3 Taichong, SP-6 Sanyinjiao and Ah Shi points. Reinforcing method is used on these points except for the Ah Shi points, on which even method is used.
Explanations
• KI-3, the Source point of the Kidney channel, and LR-3, the Source point of the Liver channel, reinforce the Essence of the Liver and Kidney, and strengthen the tendons and bones.
• SP-6, the crossing point of the three Yin channels of the foot, activates the Spleen and Stomach and promotes the production of Qi and Blood so as to tonify the Essence of the Liver and Kidney.
• LI-4, Source point of the Large Intestine channel, regulates the circulation of Qi and Blood and relieves the finger pain.
• PC-6, the Connecting point of the Pericardium channel, promotes the circulation of Qi, tranquillises the Mind and relieves the pain.
• Even method applied to the Ah Shi points can clear obstructions from the locality and relieve the finger pain.
Modifications
1. If there is lower back pain, add BL-23 and BL-58 to strengthen the lower back and regulate the channels.
2. If there is night sweating, heat in the palms and the soles of the foot and thirst, add KI-7 and HT-6 to nourish Ym and clear Deficient-Heat.
3. If there is a dry throat and thirst, add LU-8 and KI-6 to nourish the Yin, clear Deficient-Fire and promote the secretion of Body Fluids.
4. If there is irritability, add GB-20 to calm the Liver and relieve the irritability.
5. If there is insomnia, add HT-7 and Extra Anmian to calm the Heart and tranquillise the Mind.
6. If there is an aversion to cold, with cold hands and feet, add CV-6 and CV-4 with moxibustion to warm the Interior and dispel Cold.
7. If there is oedema in the legs, add SP-9 and BL-22 to promote urination and relieve the oedema.
8. If the appetite is poor with loose stools due to deficiency of Spleen-Yang, add ST-36 and SP-3 to strengthen the Spleen and improve the appetite.
