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Reprinted with permission from the American Journal of Acupuncture, Vol. 9, No. 2, April-June 1981
Abstract: An acupuncture combination method has been used during the past three years to treat paralysis due to stroke and multiple sclerosis (15 stroke patients and 40 victims of multiple sclerosis). This method involved the traditional acupuncture of "Tien-Hsin Twelve Points" or "Ma Dan Yang's Points" and the use of cerebral acupuncture points. The results obtained for this acupuncture combination method show that recovery begins much faster than cases reported in the past where only traditional acupuncture was applied. Also, various chronic neurological conditions such as retrobulbar optic neuritis, bladder control difficulties, transient weakness, sexual impotence etc., were rapidly improved, sometimes even after the first few acupuncture treatments.
Stroke(cerebrovascular accident) is a sudden onset of symptoms that include the loss of brain function caused by acute vascular lesions of the brain such as hemorrhage, embolism, thrombosis or rupturing aneurysm and may be marked by hemiplegia. It is often associated with atherosclerosis and can be followed by permanent neurological damage. In the case of emboli, the victim may immediately collapse and may go into shock. The area of weakness and paralysis depends on where the accident occurs to the brain: small vessel damage causes local areas of weakness and numbness; large cerebral vessel damage causes large areas of weakness and paralysis. In 1979, 600,000 Americans suffered strokes with a fatality rate of 40 percent.
Daily, over three million stroke survivors live with the fear of another attack. Both men and women are affected, usually in the older age groups. Western medical treatment relies on the use of anticoagulants, surgery, blood pressure control, physical therapy, and protection against secondary bacterial infections after paralysis has occurred. Multiple sclerosis is a central nervous system disease characterized by disseminated patched demyelination in the brain and spinal cord, resulting in multiple and varied neurological symptoms and signs. The classical features of multiple sclerosis include paraplegia, paresthesias in one or more extremities (60 percent of multiple sclerosis patients), impaired vision (40 percent of multiple sclerosis patients have an episode of optic neuritis as their initial symptom), nystagmus, dysarthria, intention tremors, vertigo, difficulties with bladder control, or emotional disturbances. The etiology of multiple sclerosis is unknown. Women are affected somewhat more than men. Although some patients may die in a few months following an acute or subacute attack, the duration of multiple sclerosis is in excess of 20 years. Recently it has been reported that 74 percent of multiple sclerosis patients survived at least 25 years after the disease had been diagnosed.
Western medical treatment includes no specific therapy at present. Spontaneous remission makes any treatment difficult to evaluate. Prednisone may help retrobulbar neuritis during acute attacks if given early in the episode.
Ancient Chinese medicine explained the stroke (paralysis) as the results of "Fong" or "Wind" injuries which attack the human patient and become Yin or Yang, producing leprosy or hemiplegia. Other names for stroke are "Trung fong" and for leprosy are "Fong cui." In the chapter of "The Fong," "Paralysis," and "The Eight Kind of Fong" in the book of Su-Wen, Linh-Shu (Huang-Ti Nei-Ching) are found the following passages:
..."The wind comes from the Northwest, this "Fong" attacks the small intestine (Hand Tai Yang meridian), and the defensive energy is no longer able to circulate and causes sudden death....Chinese medicine prescribed barbs and acupuncture to treat stroke victims. In this article, however, we will limit ourselves to acupuncture therapy only."The wind comes from the South, this "Fong" is cause of disturbances of the heart and arteries, the sick person cannot speak quickly, his lips and tongue are very red...
"When the "Fong" attacks the spleen, the patients [sic] is very asthenic, cannot move his limbs..
"When the "Fong" attacks the kidney, the patient cannot hold himself upright, and the vertebral column is painful...
"If the Young and Wei defensive energies are emptiness and if one is attacked by the abnormal perverse energies, one can have apoplexy or hemiplegia..."
Recently, the cerebral acupuncture technique has been reported to be used widely for stroke victims in the People's Republic of China with a very successful recovery rate. This research is being done by Dr. Chiao, a neurologist of Shan-Hsi. The basic explanation of how cerebral acupuncture works is found in the "lnterior-Exterior" rule which theorizes that by needling of the scalp (exterior), the treatment can be realized in the cortex (interior).
At least one of the following cerebral acupuncture points have been used, depending on the patient's condition:
For symptomatic treatment, we also used selected points on the Governing Vessel meridian (GV-14, 15, 16, 20, 21); Conception Vessel meridian (CV-1, 4, 6); Spleen (SP-6, 10); Extraordinary points, etc., in collaboration with the "Twelve Points."
Each of these points will be discussed with regards to its location on the body, indications present to warrant its use and the techniques involved in the treatment.
This point belongs to the Foot-Yang Ming Wei (Stomach) meridian. This meridian and the point belong to the "earth" element.
Location: Three cun below the tuberosity of the tibia on the lateral side of the tibialis anterior muscle.
Indications: Gastralgia, abdominal distension, diseases of the digestive tract, paralysis, numbness of the fingers, aching legs, weak eyesight, hemiplegia, hypertension, shock, epilepsy, neurosis, and for tonic purposes.
Technique: Size 28-gauge needles are inserted 1 to 1 1/2 inches at a downward slant. Every two minutes the needles are strongly twisted back and forth during the 20-30 minute treatment. Indirect moxibustion is applied for three minutes to warm the needles.
2. Weizhong (UB-40), "water element"
This point belongs to the Foot-Tai Yang (Urinary Bladder) meridian.
Location: Exact midpoint of the popliteal transverse crease.
Indications: Sciatica, back pain, paralysis of lower extremities, heat stroke, hemiplegia.
Technique: Size 30-gauge needles, two inches long, inserted 1.5 cun vertically from the back, to the front. Needles are manipulated strongly every 2 minutes for 20-30 minutes. Moxibustion is applied to warm the needles for 3 minutes.
3. Lieque (Lu-7), "metal element"
This is the Luo point and belongs to the Hand-Tai Yin Fei (Lung) meridian. It is also a Confluent point of the Lung meridian with the Extra Renmai meridian (Eight Extra Meridians).
Location: Above the styloid process of the radius 1.5 cun above the transverse crease of the wrist. When the index finger and the thumb of both hands are crossed, the point is in the depression, right under the tip of the index finger.
Indications: Headache. stiff neck, cough, asthma, facial paralysis, hemiplegia, limb swelling, painful urination.
Technique: A size 32-gauge needle, 1.5 inches long, is inserted 0.5 cun at a slant toward the elbow. It is manipulated in the same manner as previously described.
4. Hegu (LI-4), "metal element"
This point belongs to the Hand-Yang Ming Dachang (Large Intestine) meridian. It is also a Yuan point of the Large Intestine meridian.
Location: On the middle of the second metacarpal bone on the radial aspect. At the highest spot of the muscle when the thumb and index finger are brought close together.
Indication: Headache, toothache, facial paralysis, ophthalmalgia, pain and paralysis of the upper extremities, apoplexy, hemiplegia.
Technique: Size 32-gauge needles, 1.5 inches long, are inserted perpendicularly towards the point Laogong (Pericardium 8) to a depth of 1.5 cun. Needles are manipulated the same way as above.
5. Neiting (St-44), "earth element"
This point is one of the Five Shu points of the Foot-Yang Ming Wei (Stomach) meridian.
Location: In the web margin between the second and third toes.
Indication: Gastralgia, headache, tonsillitis, dysentry, toothache, vocal cord paralysis, eye sores, swollen and painful arch, dyspepsia, leg cramps.
Technique: Needle size 30-gauge, 1 inch in length, inserted 1 cun perpendicular to the surface. The same needle manipulation is employed and moxibustion applied indirectly as for point Hegu.
This point is one of the Five Shu points of the Hand-Yang Ming of Dachang (Large Intestine) meridian. Both the meridian and the point belong to the "metal" element.
Location: At the external end of the elbow crease when the elbow is flexed.
Indications: Paralysis, hemiplegia, shoulder and back pain, upper limb joint pain, hypertension, fever, swollen and painful oropharynx, disorders of the cubital joint and its surrounding soft tissue.
Technique: Size 30-gauge needle, 2 inches long is inserted 1.5 cun at a perpendicular slant towards point Shaohai (H-3). The needle is manipulated strongly for 20 minutes. Indirect moxibustion was used every other session for five minutes.
7. Chengshan (UB-57), "water element"
This point belongs to the Foot-Tai Yang Pangkuang (Urinary Bladder) meridian.
Location: Below the belly of the gastrocnemius muscle, in the depressed area of the ^ shape. Midway between point Weizhong (UB-40) and the heel, on the groove 8 cun below Weizhong.
Indications: Sciatica, paralysis of the lower extremities, prolapse of the rectum, pain in the sole, leg pain.
Technique: Needles of size 30-gauge, two inches in length, are inserted 1.5 cun at a perpendicular slant. Stimulation and indirect moxibustion is applied at alternate sessions.
8. Taichong (Liv-3), "wood element"
This point is Yuan, and one of the Five Shu points of the Foot-Yueyin (Liver) meridian.
Location: Between the first and the second toes, 2 cun proximal to the margin of the web.
Indications: Headache, dizziness, convulsion in children and infants, epilepsy, eye diseases, uterine bleeding, mastitis, cold feet, hypertension, insomnia, hepatitis, platelet deficiency.
Technique: Chinese needles, 30-gauge, two inches long, are inserted at an angle 1.5 cun deep. Stimulation and indirect moxibustion is applied as for point Chengshan.
9. Kunlun (UB-60), "water element"
This point is one of the Five Shu points of the Foot-Tai Yang Pangkuang (Urinary Bladder) meridian.
Location: In the depression in front of the tendo calcaneus behind the lateral malleolus.
Indication: Paralysis of the lower extremities, lumbago, sciatica, disorders of the ankle joint and its surrounding soft tissues, stiff neck, headache.
Technique: Size 30-gauge needles, 1.5 inches in length, are inserted 1.5 straight into the point. Stimulation and indirect moxibustion are applied as for point Taichong.
10. Yanglingquan (GB-34), "wood element"
This point is one of the Five Shu points of the Foot-Shao Yang Dan (Gall Bladder) meridian. It is also one of Eight Influential points, which affects tendon and muscle symptoms.
Location: It is 2 cun below the knee in the depression anterior and inferior to the small head of the fibula.
Indication: Hemiplegia, diseases of the gall bladder, lumbago, leg pain, dizziness, vertigo, acid regurgitation, sciatica, asthma.
Technique: Size 28-gauge needles, three inches long, are inserted straight into the point, 2 cun deep. Stimulation of the needles by twisting and indirect moxibustion is given as above.
11. Huantiao (GB-30), "wood element"
This point belongs to the Foot-Shao Yang Dan (Gall Bladder) meridian.
Location: On the posterior-superior side of the greater trochanter, one third the distance, posteriorly, from the great trochanter to the sacral hiatus. Locate the point with patient in recumbent position.
Indications: Sciatica, paralysis of lower extremities, lumbago, leg pain, disorders of the hip joint and its surrounding soft tissue.
Technique: Size 28-gauge needles, four inches long, are inserted perpendicular 2 to 4 cun deep (depending on the patient's size). The needles are manipulated in the same manner as previously described to provide stimulation, and moxibustion is added to every treatment for five minutes.
12. Tongli (H-5), "fire element"
This is a Luo point and belongs to the Hand-Shao Yin Tam (Heart) meridian.
Location: On the ulnar side of the wrist, on the radial side of the tendon of m. flexor carpi ulnaris, located one cun above the point Shenmen (H-7).
Indications: Hysteric aphasia, cardialgia, painful arm and wrist, neurasthenia, hoarseness, stiffness of the tongue, insomnia.
Technique: One-inch needles, size 30-gauge, are inserted perpendicular to the surface 0.5 cun.
It should be emphasized here that the above "Twelve Points" are mainly used to treat paralyzed patients, but are never used all at the same time during a session (because of where the points are located).
There are four points located in the anterior lower extremities. In order to use these points the patient must lie down on his back. These points can also be used in combination:
While accidents during acupuncture treatment are rare, it is important to point out that when the wrong size needles are used the chances of damage being done is increased. For instance, it is not advisable to use the longer needles in the lower abdominal area. Needles should be inserted at an angle of about 12 degrees in order to avoid any internal complications. With points Yamen (GV-15) and Fengfu (GV-16), needles should be inserted no more than 1.5 cun deep with the patient's neck bent no electrostimulation or finger manipulation is recommended.
Moxibustion is not advised for paralyzed patients because, due to their decreased sensitivity, their skin can be easily burnt. To avoid this, indirect warming of the needles is applied rather than directly heating of the points.
When treating stroke patients, their blood pressure should be monitored before and after treatment. If the blood pressure begins to rise for any reason, acupuncture therapy should be stopped at once.
Electrostimulation is not recommended for older patients - especially in cases where there is heart failure.
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Fig. 1 -- Case Report 1. Condition of patient before acupuncture treatments. |
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Fig. 2 -- Case Report 1. Condition of patient after acupuncture treatments. |
S.D., a 59 year-old Caucasian female suffering from hemiplegia on her left side due to a stroke (CVA) two months prior to her first visit to the clinic. She has had diabetes for one year and high blood pressure for over 30 years. She was confined to a wheelchair and had severe insomnia.
Acupuncture therapy was applied every other day using the following techniques:
Case Report 2.
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Fig. 3 -- Case Report 2. Condition of patient before acupuncture treatments. |
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Fig. 4 -- Case Report 2. Condition of patient after acupuncture treatments. |
L.V.C., a 74 year-old Oriental male came to the clinic after suffering a stroke that had left him paralyzed on the left side. He had been hospitalized for two months but under Western medical care he had shown no improvement. He was confined to a wheelchair and experienced muscle spasms in his left extremities, insomnia, high blood pressure, hearing loss, and speech problems as secondary complications post CVA.
The following acupuncture therapy was applied:
Case Report 3.
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Fig. 5 -- Case Report 3. Condition of patient before acupuncture treatments. |
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Fig. 6 -- Case Report 3. Condition of patient after acupuncture treatments. |
B.S.P., a 53 year-old Caucasian female had been suffering from multiple sclerosis for 15 years. She was confined to a wheelchair because of paresthesias on both legs, loss of balance and weakness. She had various neurological trouble such as optic neuritis, insomnia, bladder control difficulties, low back pain, muscle spasms and nervousness. The following acupuncture therapy was applied:
The patient was able to walk with and sometimes without a cane after 10 treatments. Her general health improved as well as her vision and sleep. The muscle spasms disappeared and her bladder control became normal again.
Case Report 4.
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Fig. 7 -- Case Report 4. Condition of patient before acupuncture treatments. |
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Fig. 8 -- Case Report 4. Condition of patient after acupuncture treatments. |
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Note: Notarized Patient Statements attesting to these treatment results have been submitted for the publisher's files but are not reproduced here. |
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M.B., a 42 year-old Caucasian male, had suffered from multiple sclerosis for the past 15 years. He had to use a cane to walk because of paresthesias on the left side of his body. He had many secondary neurological complications due to multiple sclerosis such as optic neuritis, double vision, poor equilibrium, low back pain, trouble with choking on foods and had been sexually impotent for the last nine years. He also experienced problems with bladder control.
The following acupuncture therapy was applied:
Sometimes the treatment resulted in an extremely rapid recovery which surprised the doctor as well as the patient. The recovery rate for acupuncture patients is a very individual process - just as it is with all medical treatments, but it seems the sooner the patient is treated with acupuncture after the onset of the disease state, the faster will be the recovery.
Patients who had suffered a stroke within six months of seeking treatment at the clinic showed a marked improvement after only 15 to 20 treatments, and multiple sclerosis patients that had been suffering for a lesser number of years improved even before the completion of 10 acupuncture treatments.
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