acupuncture-tx

Acupuncture Treatment Protocols

Acupuncture to Stop Smoking - Treatment Protocols

Submitted by yyh_staff on Mon, 2008-06-30 08:53.

Acupuncture is used with good success to help people stop smoking, and is useful in treating the full range of addictions and addictive behavior. Acupuncture works to adjust cravings by balancing your body's brain chemistry and is also useful to help heal the damage caused by smoking. The treatments are unique, from an acupuncturists perspective, as there are many fixed protocols talked about to help people stop smoking. Below you will find some of the more common treatment patterns for smoking cessation.

Acupuncture for Pregnancy, Childbirth and Postpartum Issues (3rd Trimester)

Submitted by yyh_staff on Tue, 2007-01-09 17:49.

Below you will find common acupuncture diagnoses and treatment options for issues which may arise during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy.

  • Sciatica and Back Pain (also described in more detail here)
  • Symptoms: nausea, vomiting, general lethargy, strong food cravings or aversions

Acupuncture for Pregnancy, Childbirth and Postpartum Issues (1st and 2nd Trimester)

Submitted by yyh_staff on Fri, 2006-12-22 14:53.

Below you will find common acupuncture diagnoses and treatment options for issues which may arise during the 1st and 2nd trimesters of pregnancy.

Acupuncture for Pregnancy, Childbirth and Postpartum Issues

Submitted by yyh_staff on Fri, 2006-12-22 14:38.

Our TCM diagnosis and acupuncture treatment pages for the issues which may arise during the pregnancy and childbirth process are divided into four main sections. The first section covers issues which may arise during the 1st and 2nd trimesters such as morning sickness and constipation. The second section covers 3rd trimester issues such as sciatica and a breech position. The third section covers birthing issues such as the induction of labor and weak contractions. Finally, the fourth section covers postpartum issues such as depression and insufficient lactation.

Currently in Development

Acupuncture for Urinary Disorders - Treatment Protocols

Submitted by yyh_staff on Sun, 2006-08-20 11:57.

Below you will find some of the more common tcm diagnoses and acupuncture treatment protocols for urinary disorders (also known as "lin disease" in tcm theory). There are many ways to treat this condition with Eastern Medicine and our presentation is only one of many possible options.

  • Differentiation - 5 Types of Lin Disease:
  • Qi Lin
    • Signs & Symptoms:
      • Interrupted a/or stagnant urination, distention and pain in the hypogastrium
      • Tongue:  Thin white coat, possibly a little purplish
      • Pulse:  Deep, wiry or Firm
    • Treatment Points:
  • Blood Lin
  • Damp Lin
    • Signs & Symptoms:
      • 2 general differentiations, damp-heat (clear heat, resolve damp) and damp w/KD Yin Deficiency (tonify KD Yin, resolve damp)
      • Turbid obstructed urination w/pain a/or burning, many times related to a urinary tract infection
      • Tongue:  Red w/greasy coat
      • Pulse:  Thin, rapid
    • Treatment Points:
  • Stone Lin
    • Signs & Symptoms:
      • Obstructed dark yellow urination w/small stones a/or gravel discharge, severe pain in the hypogastrium a/or low back
      • Tongue:  Yellow coat possibly a little greasy
      • Pulse:  Deep, wiry, rapid
    • Treatment Points:
      • Valaskatagis Point Selection:
      • UB 39 - lower he sea, resolves stagnation causing urinary issues
      • KD 2 - clear KD heat
      • SP 6 - clear damp from lower warmer
      • SP 9 - resolve damp
      • CV 3 - clear excess in lower abdomen
      • UB 28 - UB Shu, clear UB heat
      • CV 12 - ST Mu, tonify ST/SP
      • UB 20 - SP Shu
      • Acute Passing of a Stone
      • Use electrical stimulation from UB 23 to GB 25 (Shu/Mu Combination) on the side of the pain, higher frequency works best
      • You can use CV 4 w/SP 6 to help relax the ureter
  • Fatigue Lin
    • Signs & Symptoms:
      • Incomplete urination (i.e. starts and stops) with an urge to urinate upon exertion a/or when fatigued, may show up in men with englarged prostates or in women with mild bladder prolapses
      • Tongue:  Pale, swollen w/greasy coat, possibly yellow
      • Pulse:  Thin, weak
    • Treatment Points:

The information on our site is drawn from our own lecture notes and clinical experience. The following lecture notes were consulted within this section:

Acupuncture for Allergies - Treatment Protocols

Submitted by yyh_staff on Sun, 2006-08-20 11:25.

Below you will find some of the more common tcm diagnoses and acupuncture treatment protocols for allergies and related issues. There are many ways to treat this condition with Eastern Medicine and our presentation is only one of many possible options.

  • Etiology & Pathology:
    • Wind-Cold effecting the LU
    • Wind-Heat effecting the LU
    • When the patient is not in an acute stage you should treat the Root KD, LU & GV Deficiencies
    • General Speaking, according to Giovanni Maciocia, a persons "allergic" reaction(s) to certain substances correlates with a weakening of the body's Defensive Qi (Wei Qi) system in the body due to LU & KD deficiences.
  • Differentiation:
    • Wind-Cold effecting the LU
      • Signs & Symptoms:
        • Similar to general Wind-cold as it presents with the common cold, however, there are more signs of an underlying KD a/or LU Deficiency.
        • Patient may have: sneezing, runny/stuffy nose (white discharge), slight headache, no thirst, pale complexion.
      • Treatment Protocol:
        • Expel Wind-Cold
        • Restore the Descending and Dispersing Function of the LU Qi
      • Treatment Points:

        • Main Points:
          • UB 12 - Main point for Wind Disorders.
          • GB 20 - Expel Wind.
          • GV 23 - Expel Wind from the Nose.
          • UB 13 - LU Back Shu.
          • LU 7 - Restore the Descending and Dispersing Function of the LU Qi.
        • Local Points:
          • Use various local points for the sinus issues:
            LI 20 a/or Yintang - good local points for sinus issues.
    • Wind-Heat effecting the LU
      • Signs & Symptoms:
        • Similar to general Wind-heat as it presents with the common cold, however, there are more signs of an underlying KD a/or LU Deficiency.
        • Patient may have: Fever and Chills w/Fever predominating, slight sweating, runny nose w/yellow discharge, headaches, body aches, cough, itchy red eyes (heat), sratchy throat (wind).
      • Treatment Protocol:
        • Expel Wind-Heat
        • Restore the Descending and Dispersing Function of the LU Qi.
      • Treatment Points:

        • Main Points:
        • Local Points:
    • Root Deficiencies of LU, KD & GV
      • When the patient is not experiencing an acute phase you should try to tonify the KD & LU Deficiencies and Strengthen the GV.
      • Points to Tonify the Kidneys:
      • Points to Tonify the Lungs:
      • Points to Strengthen the Governing Vessel:

The information on our site is drawn from our own lecture notes and clinical experience. The following lecture notes were consulted within this section:

Acupuncture for Asthma - Treatment Protocols

Submitted by yyh_staff on Sun, 2006-08-20 10:32.

Below you will find some of the more common tcm diagnoses and acupuncture treatment protocols for asthma and related respiratory issues. There are many ways to treat this condition with Eastern Medicine and our presentation is only one of many possible options.

  • Etiology & Pathology:
  • Differentiation:
    • Invasion of Wind coupled with heat or cold
      • Signs & Symptoms:
        • Similar to Common Cold, however, the pathogen enters deeper into the LU causing an acute asthma condition.
        • This condition, while an excess, usually arises from a deficiency which can be treated after the acute symptoms are resolved.
        • Patient may have: Chills, fever, headache, SOB, stuffiness in chest, thin white dilute sputum.
        • Tongue:  Thin, white coating
        • Pulse:  Floating, tight
      • Treatment Protocol:
        • Eliminate Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat
        • Restore Descending and Dispersing Function of the LU
        • Soothe asthma
      • Treatment Points:

        • Points for Wind-Cold:
          • GV 14 - Eliminate Wind.
          • UB 12 - Wind disorders.
          • CV 22 - Descend LU Qi (cough), open chest (asthma).
          • LU 5 - Clear LU excess.
          • LU 9 - Clear LU excess.
          • LI 4 - Eliminate Wind.
        • Points for Wind-Heat:
          • UB 13 - LU Back Shu Point.
          • LU 7 - Release exterior, circulate LU Qi.
          • LI 4 - Release exterior.
          • LU 5 - Better when issues are in the chest, cool heat, descend LU Qi.
          • Dingchuan - Soothe asthma.
    • Phlegm-Damp or Phlegm-Heat
      • Signs & Symptoms:
        • Phlegm-Damp
          • Patient may have: Chills, cold limbs, stuffy chest, thicker white expectoration, grayish complexion, lack of thirst or thirst w/no desire to drink.
          • Tongue:   White, greasy coating
          • Pulse:   Tight or slippery
        • Phlegm-Heat
          • Patient may have: Coarse breathing, yellow sputum, stuffiness in chest, mental restlessness, red face, spontaneous sweating, dry mouth, thirst.
          • Tongue:   Yellow, greasy coating
          • Pulse:  Slippery, rapid
      • Treatment Protocol:
        • Resolve Phlegm
        • Expel Dampness or Cool Heat
        • Soothe Asthma
      • Treatment Points:

    • LU Deficiency
      • Signs & Symptoms:
        • Patient may have: Short/quick breathing, spontaneous sweating, weak low voice, weak cough, difficult expectoration, poor appetite, bright white face.
        • Tongue:  Pale, swollen
        • Pulse:  Thin, empty
      • Treatment Protocol:
        • Tonify LU
        • Soothe Asthma
      • Treatment Points:

    • KD Deficiency
      • Signs & Symptoms:
        • Patient may have: Breathlessness/worse w/exertion, difficult inhaling, asthma impoved with lying down, frequent urination, polyuria, edema, cold limbs, loose stools.
        • Tongue:  Pale, swollen, wet
        • Pulse:  Thin, deep, weak
      • Treatment Protocol:
        • Tonify KD (esp. receiving function)
        • Soothe Asthma
      • Treatment Points:

    • LV Qi Stagnation
      • Signs & Symptoms:
        • Patient may have: Stress induced asthma, chest oppression, hypochondriac pain.
        • Tongue:  Normal
        • Pulse:  Wiry
      • Treatment Protocol:
        • Resolve LV Qi Stagnation
      • Treatment Points:

    • LV Fire insulting the LU
      • Signs & Symptoms:
        • This is a further progression of LV Qi Stagnation as described above, however, patient will present with heat signs.
        • Tongue:  Red w/red sides, yellow coating
        • Pulse:  Wiry, rapid
      • Treatment Protocol:
        • Resolve LV Qi Stagnation
        • Cool LV Heat
      • Treatment Points:

    • LV Yin Deficiency
      • Signs & Symptoms:
        • This pattern is more emotionally based than LV Qi or Fire - Sadness constraining the LV Qi.
        • Women who have overworked especially post-partum are susceptible.
        • Patient may have: Infrequent asthma attacks more often at night, dry throat/cough, blurred vision, dry eyes, hypogastrium/chest distention.
        • Tongue:  Red w/no coating
        • Pulse:  Floating, empty
      • Treatment Protocol:
        • Resolve LV Qi Stagnation
        • Nourish LV Yin
        • Restore Descending and Dispersing Function of the LU
      • Treatment Points:

        • LV 8 - Nourish LV Yin.
        • CV 4 - Nourish Yin of the body.
        • SP 6 and KD 3 - used together to nourish KD Yin (water is the mother of wood).
        • PC 6 and SP 4 - Master/Couple points of the Yin Wei Chong Mai, open chest & calm mind.

The information on our site is drawn from our own lecture notes and clinical experience. The following lecture notes were consulted within this section:

Acupuncture for the Common Cold - Treatment Protocols

Submitted by yyh_staff on Sun, 2006-08-20 10:21.

Below you will find some of the more common tcm diagnoses and acupuncture treatment protocols for the common cold. There are many ways to treat this condition with Eastern Medicine and our presentation is only one of many possible options.

  • Etiology & Pathology:

  • Differentiation:
    • Wind-Cold
      • Signs & Symptoms:
        • An invasion of wind-cold is made possible when the Defensive Qi (Wei Qi) of the person is temporarily weaker than the force of the Pathogen. Weakened Defensive Qi (Wei Qi) may come about as a result of emotional stress, overwork, poor diet and a host of other factors.
        • Strong and/or frequent changes in environment also play a role (i.e. the effects of going outside on a cold winter day from a heated home).
        • Patient may have: An aversion to cold, shivering, low or no fever, chills predominated over feelings of heat, no sweat, occipital headache, stiff neck, body aches, slight cough, sneezing, running nose w/white discharge.
        • Tongue:  Thin white coating (indicates cold) or normal (indicates wind)
        • Pulse:  Floating, tight (indicates cold predominates) - Floating, slow (indicates wind predominates)
      • Treatment Protocol:
        • Release the Exterior
        • Expel the Wind
        • Scatter the Cold
        • Restore the Descending and Dispersing Function of the LU Qi
      • Treatment Points:

        • Main Points:
          • LI 4 & LU 7 - Disperse to Move Qi in the head & face, Release the Exterior, Circulate and Descend the LU Qi.
          • UB 12 - Main point for Wind Disorders; may cup to move the LU Qi and Release the Exterior.
        • Secondary Points:
          • GB 20 & GV 16 - Main Points for Wind; use if Head/Neck Tension is pronounced.
          • UB 13 - LU Back Shu; use if Cough is pronounced to restore the descend and dispersion functions of the LU.
          • ST 36 a/or GV 14 - generally strenghten the Wei Qi.
          • Tonify KD 7 & Disperse LI 4 to induce a sweat.
    • Wind-Heat
      • Signs & Symptoms:
        • Similar Wind invasion via weakened Wei Qi as described above in Wind-Cold but patient presents with heat signs.
        • Patient may have: Fever and Chills w/Fever predominating, slight sweating, runny nose w/yellow discharge, headaches, body aches, cough, sore throat (more severe than wind-cold), slight thirst.
        • Tongue:  Red Sides
        • Pulse:  Floating and Fast
      • Treatment Protocol:
        • Expel the Wind-Heat
        • Release the Exterior
        • Restore the Descending and Dispersing Function of the LU Qi
      • Treatment Points:

        • Main Points:
          • LI 4 & LI 11 - reduce fever.
          • GV 14 - Main point for reducing fevers, works well with LI 11 listed above.
          • TH 5 - Disperse for Wind-Heat, useful in exterior conditions.
        • Secondary Points:
          • GB 20 - Head/Neck tension, especially posterior.
          • LU 11 - Bleed point for severe sore throat w/high fever (May disperse LU 10 in cases with fever and no sore throat.
          • Possibly local points for sore throat - LI 18 a/or CV 22.
    • Wind-Dry
      • Signs & Symptoms:
        • Similar Wind invasion as above but patent presents with signs of dryness - occurs in the desert southwest a/or climate controlled environments.
        • Patient may have: Aversion to cold, fever, slightly sweating, dryness of nose, mouth & throat, dry cough.
        • Tongue:  Dry, slighly red in the LU/HT area
        • Pulse:  Floating
      • Treatment Protocol:
        • Release the Exterior
        • Expel Wind
        • Restore the Descending & Dispersing Function of the LU Qi
        • Tonify Body Fluids
      • Treatment Points:

The information on our site is drawn from our own lecture notes and clinical experience. The following lecture notes were consulted within this section:

Acupuncture for Cough - Treatment Protocols

Submitted by yyh_staff on Sun, 2006-08-20 10:13.

Below you will find some of the more common tcm diagnoses and acupuncture treatment protocols for acute and chronic cough and related issues. There are many ways to treat this condition with Eastern Medicine and our presentation is only one of many possible options.

  • Etiology & Pathology:
  • Differentiation:
    • Wind-Cold
      • Signs & Symptoms:
        • Patient may have: chills and fever (w/chills predominating), aversion to cold, headache, stuffy nose, clear mucus, choking cough.
        • Tongue:  Thin white coating
        • Pulse:  Floating, tight (indicates cold predominates)
      • Treatment Protocol:
        • Release the Exterior
        • Expel the Wind
        • Circulate LU Qi
        • Warm the Cold
      • Treatment Points:

        • Main Points:
          • UB 12 - expel wind.
          • UB 13 - LU Back Shu point.
          • LU 7 - Release exterior, expel wind, circulate LU - useful in conjuction with UB 12 as listed above.
          • LU 9 - alleviate cough, circulate LU.
        • Secondary Points:
          • GB 20, GV 16 a/or LI 4 - useful if body aches a/or head/neck tension is present.
    • Wind-Heat
      • Signs & Symptoms:
        • Patient may have: fever, sore throat, thirst, cough with sputum.
        • Tongue:  Thin yellow coating
        • Pulse:  Floating, fast
      • Treatment Protocol:
        • Expel the Wind-Heat
        • Release the Exterior
        • Circulate LU Qi
      • Treatment Points:

        • UB 12 - expel wind.
        • UB 13 - LU Back Shu point.
        • LU 10 - expel heat in the LU.
        • TH 5 - release the exterior in cases of wind-heat, LI 4 is more for wind-cold.
    • Wind-Damp
      • Signs & Symptoms:
        • Patient may have: Profuse mucus, heavy/loose/thick cough, feelings of heaviness in the body.
        • Tongue:  Greasy, thick coating
        • Pulse:  Floating, slippery
      • Treatment Protocol:
        • Expel Wind
        • Resolve Dampness
        • Circulate the LU Qi
      • Treatment Points:

        • LU 7 - expel wind, circulate LU Qi.
        • SP 5 - Dispersion & Jing-River Point - often used for cough and throat disorders to resolve dampness.
        • SP 9 - Resolve dampness.
        • CV 12 - ST Front Mu Point, resolve dampness.
    • Wind-Dry
      • Signs & Symptoms:
        • More likely in the fall or in warm/dry climates.
        • Patient may have: Dry cough w/o sputum, dry mouth, nose & throat.
        • Tongue:  Red tip, dry
        • Pulse:  Floating
      • Treatment Protocol:
        • Expel Wind
        • Moisten and Circulate the LU
      • Treatment Points:

        • Main Points:
        • Secondary Points:
          • CV 12 a/or SP 6 - to aid the ST in the production of body fluids.
    • LU/KD Deficiency/Dryness
      • Signs & Symptoms:
        • Patient may have: Unproductive cough, scanty/no sputum, yin deficiency signs (afternoon fever, night sweats, mallor flush, heat in the 5 palms), possibly coughing blood as in TB.
        • Tongue:  Red, no coating
        • Pulse:  Thin, rapid
      • Treatment Protocol:
        • Moisten LU
        • Nourish Yin
        • Descend LU Qi
      • Treatment Points:

        • Main Points:
          • KD 3, UB 13 & UB 23 - used together to nourish the Yin of the KD/LU.
          • LU 5 - clear LU empty-heat, descend LU Qi.
        • Secondary Points:
          • LU 6 & UB 17 - used together to alleviate coughing Blood.
          • UB 43 - for patients with severe deficiencies.
    • SP Yang Deficiency
      • Signs & Symptoms:
        • Patient may have: Poor appetite/digestion, fullness in the epigastric area, fatigue, bodily weakness, cold extrememties, pale face, cough w/profuse sweating.
        • Tongue:  Empty/Soft (w/deficiency) or Slippery (w/excess phlegm-damp)
        • Pulse:  Pale, swollen, greasy tongue coating
      • Treatment Protocol:
        • Tonify SP
        • Transform Phlegm
        • Alleviate Cough
      • Treatment Points:

        • Main Points:
        • Secondary Points:
          • May want to tonify KD Yang as it is the root of SP Yang.
          • Moxa/Needle either:
            CV 4 & CV 6 or
            UB 23 & GV 4
    • LV Fire effecting the LU
      • Signs & Symptoms:
        • Patient may have: coughing possibly blood-tinged, costal pain, irritability.
        • Tongue:  Red w/yellow coating
        • Pulse:  Wiry, rapid
      • Treatment Protocol:
        • Expel LV Heat
        • Alleviate Cough
      • Treatment Points:

        • LV 2 - Expel LV heat.
        • LV 14 - Expel LV heat, resolve stagnation.
        • GV 34 - Aid LV 2, alleviate costal pain.
        • UB 13 with LU 5 - used together to expel LU heat and descend the LU Qi.

The information on our site is drawn from our own lecture notes and clinical experience. The following lecture notes were consulted within this section:

Acupuncture for Sinusitis - Treatment Protocols

Submitted by yyh_staff on Sun, 2006-08-20 09:22.

Below you will find some of the more common tcm diagnoses and acupuncture treatment protocols for sinusitis. There are many ways to treat this condition with Eastern Medicine and our presentation is only one of many possible options.

  • Etiology & Pathology:
    • The root of this condition, according to Giovanni, is repeated invasions of wind-heat (more frequently) or wind-cold many times coupled with an improper diet.
    • Wind-Heat - acute conditions
    • Liver/Gall Bladder Heat - chronic conditions
    • Heat in the LU - chronic conditions
    • SP Deficiency - chronic conditions
  • Differentiation:
    • Wind-Heat
      • Signs & Symptoms:

        • Patient may have: stuffy nose, nasal discharge (yellow/green, thick), headache, inability to smell, aversion to cold, fever.
        • Tongue:  Tip/Sides Red
        • Pulse:  Floating and Rapid
      • Treatment Protocol:

      • Release the Exterior
      • Expel Wind-Heat
      • Restore the Descending and Dispersing Functions of the LU Qi
      • Treatment Points:
        • Main Points:
          • LI 4 with LI 11 - used together to expel heat.
          • UB 12 - expel wind.
          • LU 7 - Restore the descending and dispersing functions of the LU Qi.
          • GV 23 - Expel wind in the nose/sinus area.
        • Secondary/Local Points:
      • Liver/Gall Bladder Heat
        • Signs & Symptoms:

          • Yellow discharge, eye issues (bloodshot, etc.), red face, headaches (frontal/temporal), irritability, bitter taste in the mouth.
          • Tongue:  Red w/red sides, greasy yellow tongue coating
          • Pulse:  Wiry, poss. slippery, fast
        • Treatment Protocol:

        • Clear LV/GB Fire
        • Restore the Descending and Dispersing Function of the LU Qi
        • Treatment Points:
          • Main Points:
            • LV 2 - fire point of the LV.
            • GB 43 - water point of the GB.
            • LU 7 - restore the descending and dispersing function of the LU Qi.
          • Local Points:

        • Heat in the LU
          • Signs & Symptoms:

            • Thick nasal discharge, tender sinus area, heat signs - flushed face, thirst, feelings of heat, etc.
            • Tongue:  Red w/sticky yellow coating
            • Pulse:  Slippery, Full
          • Treatment Protocol:
            • Clear Lung-Heat
            • Restore the Descending and Dispersing Function of the LU Qi
          • Treatment Points:
            • Main Points:
              • LI 4, LI 11 & GV 14 - used together to clear heat.
              • LU 7 - restore descending and dispersing function of the LU Qi.
              • LU 10 - fire point of the LU, clears lung-heat.
            • Secondary/Local Points:
          • SP Deficiency - ST/SP Damp-Heat
            • Signs & Symptoms:

              • Heavy/Foggy feeling in the head, sticky/yellow discharge, red cheeks, thirst, dry lips, frontal headache, chest/epigastrium oppression.
              • Tongue:  Sticky yellow coating in the ST/SP area
              • Pulse:  Slippery
            • Treatment Protocol:

            • Clear Heat
            • Resolve Dampness
            • Tonify ST/SP
          • Treatment Points:

The information on our site is drawn from our own lecture notes and clinical experience. The following lecture notes were consulted within this section:

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