Acupuncture for Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infections)

Submitted by yyh_staff on Wed, 2006-08-02 16:21.

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

Etiology & Pathology:

Excess (more common esp. in children):

Damp-heat in the LV/GB rising to disturb the ear

Deficiency

LV & KD Yin Deficiency with some LV Yang rising effecting the ear

Differentiation:

Damp-heat in the LV/GB

Signs & Symptoms:

Severe burning pain, fever, yellow sticky discharge from ear
Tongue: yellow greasy coat
Pulse: rapid, wiry

Treatment: (see below)

LV & KD Yin Deficiency

Signs & Symptoms:

Deficiency signs
Dizziness, tinnitus, hearing loss
Watery clear discharge, if any
Tongue: thin yellow coat
Pulse: thin, wiry

Treatment: (see below)

Treatment Points

GB 2, TH 17 - local points
GB 40 - damp heat in GB
ST 36 - w/damp signs, tonify SP and Qi
If Fever - add LI 11
If Excess Pattern - add TH 21 - another local point
If Deficiency Pattern - add KD 3 - tonify KD Yin

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

St. John, Meredith: New England School of Acupuncture, Etiology and Pathology Lecture Notes
Valaskatgis, Peter: New England School of Acupuncture, Etiology and Pathology Lecture Notes

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