Acupuncture and herbal medicine are internal and external medicine.
By David Lee, L.Ac.
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Horary Points 천부혈 |
Xiang Sha Yang Wei Tang 향사양위탕 |
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Large Intestine 1 상양 |
Ren Shen, Bai Zhu, Bai Shao Yao, Zhi Gan Cao, Ban Xia, Xiang Fu, Chen Pi, Gan Jiang, Shan Zha, Sha Ren, Bai Dou Kou, Sheng Jiang, and Da Zao. 인삼, 백출, 백작약, 구감초, 반하, 향부자, 진피, 건강, 산사육, 사인, 백두구, 생강, 대조 |
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Urinary Bladder 66 통곡 |
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Gall Bladder 41 임읍 |
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Small Intestine 5 양곡 |
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Stomach 36 족삼리 |
A 16-year-old male student had experienced stomach pain since childhood. Initially, his parents dismissed it as a mere expression of discomfort, but an endoscopy later revealed esophagitis and stomach inflammation. A few years prior, a colonoscopy also indicated inflammation in the colon.
Over the past three years, his symptoms have remained consistent. Although medications have provided some relief, he continued to experience daily bloating, gas, and abdominal swelling. These issues occurred every day and were exacerbated by stress. He also had frequent bowel movements, averaging 3~4 times a day, and suffered from severe attacks every two months that required him to stay home for several days.
Despite an elimination diet, no specific food triggers, including melon, gluten, dairy, and shellfish, have been identified. This suggests that his condition may be more related to a systemic issue rather than a food intolerance.
In addition to his gastrointestinal symptoms, the patient had typical teenage acne, which worsened with excessive sweating and exercise
With the introduction of acupuncture and herbal medicine, the patient experienced a steady improvement in the intensity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms. He underwent acupuncture twice a week for five weeks, followed by weekly sessions for another two weeks. After his first acupuncture treatment, he reported feeling calm and relaxed, and a reduction in physical discomfort accompanied this mental improvement.
The acupuncture treatments focused on one side of the body, utilizing specific points: LI1 (metal point on a metal meridian), UB66 (water point on a water meridian), GB41 (wood point on a wood meridian), SI5 (fire point on a fire meridian), and ST36 (earth point on an earth meridian). These are the most representative five-element points that have a comprehensive influence.
In the first week, he experienced severe stomach pain only once. Starting from the third visit, he began taking the herbal formula Xiang Sha Yang Wei Tang, which improved the formation of his bowel movements. By the second week, his stomach pain had reduced to mild.
By the third week, his bowel movements had become firmer and more regular, occurring once or twice a day. Additionally, by the fourth week, he noticed a significant reduction in facial acne, with faster healing than before. This overall improvement in his condition suggested that he was healing both internally and externally.
The progress in his health was promising, indicating a positive change in his quality of life. He was expected to thrive academically, socially, and in sports, free from the constraints of an unmanageable digestive condition.
