Acupuncture therapy for acute enteritis 1

Composition: Tianshu (ST 25), Hegu (LI 4), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Shangjuxu
(ST 37), and Xiajuxu (ST 39). Add Neiting (ST 44), Shangyang (LI 1) and
Shaoze (SI 1) for high fever; add Shenque (CV S) for cold extremities and
hidden pulse.
Action: Regulate the function of the stomach and intestine.
Elucidation: In TCM acute enteritis is mainly caused by the invasion of the
stomach and intestine by exopathogenic cold dampness and damp heat
leading to their dysfunction. The treatment with acumox is to regulate the
activities of the gastrointestinal qi, so the acupoints are mainly selected from
the yangming meridians of both hand and foot. Tianshu (ST 25), the Frontmu acupoint of the large intestine, has the function of regulating the stomach
and intestine and ascending and descending qi activity and is the commonly
used acupoint for treating gastrointestinal diseases with acumox clinically.
According to what is said in Lingshu that the twelve Yuan-source acupoints
are indicated in the disorders of the five zang and six fu organs, Hegu (LI 1),
the Yuan-source acupoint of the large intestine meridian of hand yangming is
selected. Yinlingquan (SP 9), pertaining to the spleen meridian of foot taiyin,
is characterized by the function of strengthening the spleen and eliminating
dampness, is here used to remove cold dampness and damp heat. It is
recorded in Neijing that He-sea acupoints treat the disorders of the fus.
Shangjuxu (ST 37) from the foot yangming meridian, the lower He-Sea
acupoint of the large intestine, is selected to regulate the intestinal qi activity
and restore its transportation function. Xiajuxu (ST 39), the lower He-sea
acupoint of the small intestine, is also selected to regulate the intestinal qi
activity and restore its function of separating essence from turbidity. It says
in Nanjing that the Ying-Spring acupoints are indicated in fever. That is why
Neiting (ST 44), the Ying-Spring acupoint of the foot yangming meridian is
added if fever is severe. Shangyang (LI 1), the Jing-Well acupoint of the hand
yangming meridian and Shaoze (SI 1), the Jing-Well acupoint of the hand
taiyang meridian are also added to eliminate pathogenic heat. If cold
extremities and hidden pulse are found due to too much diarrhea resulting in
yin impairment involving yang, Shenque (CV 8) of the conception vessel is
added and moxibusted with moxa rolls to warm yang for
resucitation.
Indication: Acute enteritis. This disease manifests as a sudden onset,
increased bowel movements and scanty urine. In the case of cold dampness
there are loose stools with undigested food, abdominal pain and borborygmi,
absence of thirst or thirst with preference for warm drinks, white greasy
tongue coating and soft slow pulse. In the serious cases there is continuous
diarrhea, cold limbs with a sunken small or hidden pulse. In the case of damp
heat there are loose yellow stools containing mucus, burning sensation
around the anus, scanty dark urine, general fever, thirst with a desire for cold
drinks, restlessness, yellow greasy or yellow dry tongue coating and soft
rapid pulse.
Indirect moxibustion is performed to Shenque (CV 8) with ginger and
approximately 10 large moxa cones till the limbs are warmed up and the
pulse rises.

TCMOO traditional

acupuncture therapy for acute enteritis 2

Performance: Tianshu (ST 25) is needled 1-1.5 cun perpendicularly with the
lifting and thrusting techniques combined with rotating manipulative for
reducing purpose. Strong stimulation is required to generate acuesthesia in
the local area.
Hegu (LI 4) is needled 1 cun perpendicularly with the lifting and thrusting
techniques combined with rotating manipulative technique for reducing
purpose. Strong stimulation is required to enable the acuesthesia to radiate
upward and downward from the local area.
Yinlingquan (SP 9) is needled 1-2 cun perpendicularly with the lifting and
thrusting techniques combined with rotating manipulative technique for
reducing purpose. Strong stimulation is required to enable the acuesthesia to
radiate downward.
Shangjuxu (ST 37) is needled 1-2 cun perpendicularly with the lifting and
thrusting techniques combined with rotating manipulative technique for
reducing purpose. Strong stimulation is required to enable the acuesthesia to
radiate upward and downward. Xiajuxu (ST 39) is needled 1-1.5 cun
perpendicularly with the lifting and thrusting techniques combined with
rotating manipulative technique for reducing purpose. Strong stimulation is
required to enable the acuesthesia to radiate upwards and downwards,
Neiting (ST 44) is needled 0.5 cun obliquely slightly upward with the rotating
manipulative technique for reducing purpose to generate striking
acuesthesia.
The needles are retained at all the above acupoints for 2030 minutes,
during which time they are manipulated 13 times. The treatment is given
once a day. but twice for severe cases. For the cases of cold dampness,
moxibustion with moxa roll may be applied to Tianshu (ST 25) or other
acupoints.
Shangyang (LI 1) and Shaoze (SI 1) are pricked with a three-edged needle
or a 1-cun filiform needle to cause bloodletting a couple of drops, If no blood,
press the skin around the needle hole till blood comes out.
Indirect moxibustion is performed to Shenque (CV 8) with ginger and
approximately 10 large moxa cones till the limbs are warmed up and the
pulse rises.
Typical case: Cao was a 42-year-old male cadre patient, He complained of
abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea for 2 hours, Two hours after the
patient had eaten his stale lunch, yesterday's leftover, colic pain appeared in
the intestine, accompanied by more than ten times of vomiting, pain with an
urgent desire for diarrhea and two bowel movements with fetid yellow watery
stools. Since his abdominal pain and vomiting did not stop, he was
hospitalized at 4:30 in the afternoon. Physical examinations showed that the
patient had distressing facial expression, flat soft abdomen, unpalpable liver
and spleen, diffuse pain around the umbilicus, dislike of pressure, marked

tenderness with no rebound tenderness, weak sounds of borborygmi, reddish

tongue with dry white coating and small rapid stringy pulse. Impression:
acute enterogastritis. Principle of treatment: clearing away heat, removing
turbidity and resolving dampness. Selection of acupoints: Zhongwan (CV 12),
Shangjuxu (ST 37), Neiguan (PC 6), Dazhui (GY 14), Yinlingquan (SP 9) and
Neiting (ST 44). Process of treatment. After one treatment the abdominal
pain was relieved but the patient was still vomiting with diarrhea. His pain
was greatly relieved after two treatments. After the third day's treatment his
abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea were gone and he was able to take
food and sleep well. No relapse occurred after two days' observation. He was
then discharged from the hospital.
TCMOO traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture training online