ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT
LI-4 Hegu, LI-5 Yangxi, LU-7 Lieque, TE-4 Yangchi, SI-6 Yanglao, SP-6 Sanyinjiao, SI-40 Fenglong and Ah Shi points. Reducing method was used on these points. Use of a three-edged needle is advised in order to puncture the nodules.
Explanations
• LI-4, the Source point, and LI-5 promote circulation in the channels and relieve the pain.
• LU-7, the Connecting point of the Lung channel, promotes the circulation of Qi, harmonises the collateral and relieves the pain.
• TE-6 regulates the Qi circulation, eliminates Damp and relieves the pain.
• SI-5, the River point of the Small Intestine channel, promotes the circulation of Qi, increases urination and relieves the pain.
• SP-9, the Sea point, and ST-40, the Connecting point, activate the Spleen and Stomach and resolve Damp-Phlegm in the channels.
• The Ah Shi points in the locality regulate the circulation of Qi, reduce swelling and relieve the pain. Three-edged needles are used to eliminate stagnation of Phlegm, reduce swelling and sedate the pain.
Modifications
1. If there is numbness in the wrist, add TE-5 and LI-I to promote the circulation of Qi, harmonise the collateral and eliminate Phlegm.
2. If there is limitation of movement, add SI-5 and HT-7 to regulate the Qi and remove stagnation of Qi.
3. If the appetite is poor, add CV-12 and SP-3 to regulate the Qi in the Spleen and Stomach, harmonise the Stomach and improve the appetite.
STAGNATION OF QI AND BLOOD
Symptoms and signs
Chronic wrist pain with numbness, or history of traumatic injury to the wrist, or of wrist operation, worsening of the pain at night or with emotional upset, and alleviation with movement, accompanied by cold or purplish hands, a preference for warmth, a purplish tongue and a wiry pulse.
Principle of treatment
Promote Qi and Blood circulation, eliminate Blood stasis and relieve the pain.
HERBAL TREATMENT
Prescription
TAO HONG SI WU TANG
Four-Substance Decoction with Safflower and Peach Pit Dang Gui Radix Angelicae Sinensis 12 g
Chi Shao Radix Paeoniae Rubra IOg
Chuan Xiong Rhizama Ligustici Chuanxiong 12 g
Tao Ren Sctnen Pcrsicae 12 g
Hong Hua Fias Carthami 12 g
Mo Yao Resina Myrrhac 10 g
Jiang Huang Rhizoma Curcumac 10 g
Sang Zhi Ramulus Mori 15 g
Ji Xue Teng Caulis Spatholohi 20 g
Yu Jin Radix Curcumae 10 g
Explanations
• Dang Gui and Chi Shao nourish the Blood and regulate its circulation.
• Chuang Xiong, Tao Ren and Hong Hua promote the circulation of Blood and remove Blood stagnation.
• Mo Yao is also good at removing Blood stasis and relieving the pain.
• Jiang Huang and Yu Jin promote the circulation of Qi and Blood and sedate the pain.
• Sang Zhi promotes the circulation of Qi and Blood in the wrist to relieve the pain.
• Ji Xue Teng and Sang Zhi circulate the Blood, harmonise the collateral and relieve the pain.
Modifications
1. If there is a wandering or heavy pain of the arms due to invasion of Wind-Damp, add Qiang Huo Rhizoma seu Radix Notopterygii 10 g and Qin Jiao Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae 10 g to dispel the Wind and remove the Damp.
2. If there is a severe pricking pain due to traumatic injury, add Ru Xiang Resina Olibani 6 g and Qing Pi Pericarpium Citri Rcticulatae Viride 10 g to increase the effect of promoting the circulation of Qi and Blood and removing Blood stasis.
Patent remedy
Xiao Huo Luo Dan Minor Invigorate the Collaterals Special Pill
ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT
LI-4 Hegu, PC-7 Daling, LU-9 Taiyuan, HT-7 Shenmen, SI-4 Wangu, SI-5 Yanggu, SP-6 Sanyinjiao, LR-3 Taichong and Extra Baxie. Reducing method is used on these points.
Explanations
• LI-4, the Source point of the Large Intestine channel, and LR-3, the Source point of the Liver channel, smooth the Liver, promote the circulation of Qi and sedate the pain.
• PC-7, the Stream and Source point of the Pericardium channel, SI-4, the Source point of the Small Intestine channel, and SI-5, the River point of the Small Intestine channel, promote the circulation of Qi in the locality and relieve the pain.
• LU-9, the Stream and Source point of the Lung channel and the Gathering point for the Vessels, and SP-6, the crossing point of the three Yin channels of the foot, activate the circulation of Blood, eliminate Blood stasis and relieve the pain.
• HT-7, the Stream and Source point of the Heart channel, promotes the circulation of Blood, removes Blood stasis, calms the Heart and relieves the wrist pain.
• Extra Baxie removes Blood stasis from the locality and relieves the pain.
Modifications
1. If there is wrist pain with a heavy sensation, add TE-6 to promote urination and resolve Damp.
2. If there is numbness of the fingers, add LU-7 and LI-5 to harmonise the collateral and relieve the numbness.
3. If there is emotional upset, add PC-6 and GB-20 to calm the Liver and smooth the emotions.
4. If there is insomnia, add HT-3, the Sea point, to calm the Heart and tranquillise the Mind.
Case history
A 41-year-old man had been suffering from a stabbing pain on the left wrist for a week. He had sprained his left hand after slipping and falling to the ground. The pain was aggravated when he closed or extended his wrist, and the wrist 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 wrist pain.
Acupuncture treatment
HT-7, PC-6, SI-4, LU-9 and Extra Baxie. Reducing method was used on all the points.
Explanations
• HT-7, the Stream and Source point of the Heart channel, activates the circulation of Qi and relieves the wrist pain.
• SI-4, the Source point of the Small Intestine channel, promotes the circulation of Qi and Blood. PC-6, the Connecting point of the Pericardium channel, promotes the circulation of Blood. The combination of these two points has a strong function in removing Blood stasis and relieving the pain.
• LU-9, the Stream and Source point, promotes the circulation of Qi and Blood and relieves the pain.
• Extra Baxie regulates the circulation of Qi in the locality and relieves the pain.
The patient was cured after 8 days of treatment. He was followed up by letter 2 years later and he reported that he had experienced no more wrist pain since the treatment.
DEFICIENCY OF BLOOD
Symptoms and signs
Slight wrist pain, numbness and slight stiffness of the wrist, and weakness of the wrists and hands, accompanied by 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 Qi, nourish Blood and sedate the pain.
HERBAL TREATMENT
Prescription
BA ZHEN TANG
Eight-Precious Decoction
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
Ji Xue Teng Caulis Spatholobi 20 g
Qin Jiao Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae IOg
Sang Zhi Ramulus Mori 20 g
Gan Cao Radix Glycyrrhizae 6 g
Explanations
• Dang Gui, Bai Shao and Shu Di Huang nourish the Blood.
• Ren Shen, Bai Zhu, Fu Ling and Gan Cao strengthen the Spleen and reinforce the Qi.
• Chuan Xiong promotes the circulation of Qi and Blood and relieves obstruction in the channels.
• Sang Zhi is one of the patent herbs to relieve the wrist pain.
• Ji Xue Teng nourishes the Blood, promotes circulation in the channels and relieves the joint pain.
• Qin Jiao eliminates Wind and relieves the joint pain.
Modifications
1. If there is an aversion to cold, or cold limbs, due to deficiency of Yang, 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 there is dizziness, add Tlan Ma Rhizoma Gastrodiae 10 g and He Shou Wu Radix Polygoni Multiflori 10 g to nourish the Blood and relieve the dizziness.
3. If there is swelling in the fingers due to poor water metabolism resulting from deficiency of Spleen-Qi, add Hai Feng Teng Caulis Piperis Futokadsure 15 g and Ze Xie Rhizoma Alismatis 15 g to eliminate Damp, reduce swelling and relieve the pain.
4. If the appetite is poor, add Chen Pi Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae 10 g to regulate the circulation of Qi and improve the appetite.
Patent remedies
Gui Pi Wan Tonifying the Spleen Pill
Shi Quan Da Bu Wan All-Inclusive Great Tonifying Pill
ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT
PC-7 Daling, HT-7 Shenmen, ST-36 Zusanli, SP-6
Sanyinjiao, LU-9 Taiyuan and AhShi points. Reinforcing method is used on ST-36 and LU-9. Even method is used on PC-7, HT-7 and the Ah Shi points.
Explanations
• PC-7, the Stream and Source point of the Pericardium channel, nourishes the Blood and relieves the pain.
• ST-36, the Sea point of the Stomach channel, tonifies the Qi, promotes the production of Blood and relieves the pain.
• LU-9, the Stream and Source point of the Lung channel, and the Gathering point of the Vessels, and SP-6, the crossing point of the three Yin channels of the foot, tonify the Qi and Blood, harmonise the collateral and relieve the pain.
• The Ah Shi points regulate the Qi and Blood to relieve the pain.
Modifications
1. If the wrist is swollen, add SP-9 and TE-6 to strengthen the Spleen, eliminate Damp and reduce the swelling.
2. If there is an aversion to cold or coldness of wrist due to deficiency of Yang-Qi, add CV-6 and CV-4 with moxibustion to reinforce the Yang-Qi and dispel Cold.
3. If the appetite is poor, add CV-12 and SP-3 to tonify the Qi in the Middle Burner and improve the digestion.
4. If there are palpitations, add PC-6 and HT-5 to calm the Heart, regulate the circulation of Blood and relieve the pain.
