Shoulder Pain
A man 54 years old, came into clinic with extreme shoulder pain and inability to lift the arm. This was an acute pain condition resulting from a car accident approximately 4 months ago. He has tried physiotherapy without any marked improvement and had decided to try acupuncture.
After a thorough diagnosis and physical examination the problem showed to be blockage (through stagnation of qi and blood) along the small intestine meridian.
Treatment consisted of massage along the meridian, coupled with moxa to help move the stagnation, needles were then inserted and left in for 20 minutes, while more moxa was used on the area. After the first treatment the patient was able to lift his arm and after four treatments the pain had gone.
Fertility (Endometriosis)
A woman was referred from an acupuncture colleague for Chinese Herbs to compliment the acupuncture she was receiving for severe Endometriosis.
She had very painful periods and infertility linked to endometriosis. At the age of 34 years she had tried IVF unsuccessfully and wanted to try acupuncture. Chinese Herbs were recommended alongside acupuncture as this greatly accelerates the healing process.
The diagnosis was spleen deficiency manifesting as cold and dampness in the uterus. This was backed up by pulses that were slippery and wiry and the tongue was white with teeth marks.
The herbs used were Spleen tonics to warm and disperse the qi. After the first month she noticed a 50% improvement in her painful periods and after the third month her periods were virtually pain free. After 4 months she became pregnant naturally.
ME
A young girl (18 years), came for ME symptoms of extreme tiredness, palpitations and nausea. Her treatment included both TCM treatment and Five Element Acupuncture to treat her constitutionally on Fire.
CF diagnosis is through subtle differences in colour of skin, tone of voice, and odour alongside predominant emotions displayed. Although this sounds simple its a very slight changes and often major imbalances may show through however in this young ladies case, it was her vulnerability alongside other diagnostic clues that proved to be the most significant indicators.
From a TCM perspective her main patterns included heart blood deficiency, spleen qi deficiency and dampness.
Her treatment included gentle herbs but mainly acupuncture to strengthen her Fire constitution and nourish the blood. After a month of treatment she had noticed a marked general improvement and continues to improve as she comes for treatment.
Stress and Depression
A man, 43, came for treatment for severe stress and depression. His main stress was work related and he felt close to nervous breakdown.
From his diagnosis it showed that he clearly had a constitutional imbalance in his water element, shown by subtle colour on his skin, tone of voice, subtle odour distinction and emotional need to try and control what was happening to him - even though he had indeed lost that control.
In addition to this from a TCM perspective he needed treatment for his Fire; the kidney-heart axis being of great importance.
This correlates very well with his Water Constitution and after just one treatment this gentleman had great relief from his nervous stress condition and with regular ongoing treatment he has overcome the stress which was effecting him so badly.
Insomnia
A woman now in her 50's came for treatment for general stress, including insomnia - she had not slept through the night for over 16 years since her children were young.
She was diagnosed with a Metal CF but also had many other complex patterns going on which complicated her diagnosis. These included liver qi rising, dampness - but also included severe deficiency of kidneys and heart.
The deficiency had to be treated first and CF treatment combined with tonification of kidneys and heart resumed her sleep after a few treatments and improved her other symptoms greatly.
Migraines
A woman came for Migraine headaches which she had been getting for the last few years, since the birth of her daughter.
The main pattern showed to be Liver blood deficiency and dampness, both conditions which can get worse after giving birth and from the exhaustion of having young children.
Her treatment was mainly acupuncture, TCM style and herbs to tonify the blood, subdue the liv qi rising to the head, tonify kidneys, and expel dampness.
Her symptoms improved greatly after the first few sessions and after 3 months had disappeared. Although they came back once treatment had stopped, this is mainly due to lack of sleep (again associated with having a young baby), depleting kidney qi and allowing liver qi to rise - she came back for treatment and the headaches went again - she now comes for treatment every 4-6 weeks.