Archive for the ‘Case Studies’ Category
Acupuncture Treatment of Low Back Pain
Chief Complaint: Pain in lumbar region and back for 10 months, aggravated by turning body and not relieved by lying down
Medical History: 45 years male teacher smoker well-built, generally well, weight 95 kg and height 170 cm, with truncal obesity and sedentary way of life,MRI for lumbar region normal,
Questioning exam: his pain is worse in rainy days
and is more severe at night. but better with medication (analgesics).
Pulse exam: on examination locally tender areas at the back at level of lumbar vertebrae 3,4,and 5 no swelling or discoloration in the skin
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · 
al · 
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Tags: Acupuncture, low back pain · Posted in: Musculo-Skeletal
Acupuncture Treatment of Allergenic Hives
Chief Complaint: Hives with itchiness
Western Diagnosis: Allergy
Medical History: 37 female, full-time mother of two children.
Developed the Hive condition all over the body in Oct 2004.
Approx 30 lbs overweight. Went to a dermatologist to check for allergies but found none. Indicated that she can only wear gold/silver jewelries. She likes to eat Cheese but does not drink Milk, nor smokes. Has a mild scoliosis. Taking over-the-counter allergy pills but needed to take more recently (every 12 hours or more). She feels stressed taking care of kids and not getting enough sleep. She also reported a nagging lower back ache.
She never had a acupuncture before.
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
Tags: Acupuncture, allergies, hives · Posted in: Allergic, Dermatological
The Acupuncture Treatment of Heartburn (GERD)
Chief Complaint: heartburn
Western Diagnosis: esophageal reflux
Medical History: stress related, burning like a hole in his stomach, ravenous hunger;
defensiveness, vulnerability
Questioning exam: heartburn ad epigastric pain, militant atheist.
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
Tags: Acupuncture, GERD, heartburn · Posted in: Digestive
The Oriental Medicine Treatment of Low Back Pain & Sciatica
Chief Complaint: lumbago (lower back pain) and sciatica on the left side
Western Diagnosis: lumbago, sciatica
Medical History: Patient is a 49 year old Caucasian female that has lumbago and occasional sciatica on the left side which is chronic (for 4-5 years) but can vary in intensity depending on various factors. Bloating and flatulence are an ongoing problem as is chronic sinus congestion, bad breath, vaginal discharge, depression, PMS and sore throats. Patient works for a legal firm as an a paralegal and has to work overtime weekly. She is Divorced with 2 younger children and 1 older child. Patient usually has only coffee and a bagel for breakfast, fast food for lunch and eats a late dinner past 8 o’clock in the evening. She lists chocolate as one of her favorite foods and she does light exercises (e.g walking) about 1 hour a week. Most of her free time is spent with her children and family events. She rarely has any “alone-time.”
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
Tags: Acupuncture, Herbs, low back pain, sciatica · Posted in: Musculo-Skeletal, Neurological
Chinese Medicine Treatment of Infertility
Chief Complaint: Infertility
Medical History: 28 y/o Female with a 2 year history of not being able to conceive. Very irregular menstrual cycle. Western lifestyle and diet. Poor exercise history.
Questioning exam: Pt. complained of irregular cycle since mid 20’s. before that, was relatively normal. Also complains of fatigue during the day, bad PMS symptoms – irritable, breast tenderness, bloating, light colored menstrual flow, inconsistent sleep patterns, normal hunger and thirst, no taste in the mouth, temperature was normal, no pain,
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
Tags: Acupuncture, Herbs, infertility · Posted in: Reproductive
Chinese Medicine Treatment of Uterine Fibroids and Cysts
Chief Complaint: severe lower abdominal pain, uterine hemorrhage
Western Diagnosis: uterine fibroids, ovarian cyst
Medical History: 47 y.o. female with a history of heavy menses with clots and cramping and increasing in frequency. Occasional hot flashes but after two 2-year courses of estrogen supplementation didn’t want to continue hormone replacement. Frequent bladder infections following intercourse. History of narcotic and alcohol addiction (past) and high blood pressure triggered by anxiety.
Pulse exam: Liver small and not descending to Kidney.
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
Tags: Acupuncture, uterine cysts, uterine fibroids · Posted in: Gynecological
Acupuncture and Herbs for Uterine Fibroids
Chief Complaint: Uterine pain
Western Diagnosis: Fibroids
Medical History: Asian female,age 40 presents with uterine fibroids for 14 years. Asthma since age 6, medicated with steroids for many years; during acute attacks her brother (physician) would intravenously inject her with a steroid cocktail; at age 25 she began daily use of ventolin spray; allergies to pollen, cats and coconut; whole family history of skin or lung problems (eczema, vitiligo, lung infections)
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
Tags: Acupuncture, allergies, asthma, uterine fibroids · Posted in: Gynecological
Traditional East Asian Medicine Treatment of Migraine Headaches
Chief Complaint: Headache 40 +years, adverse 12 years
Western Diagnosis: Daily tension headache, migraine
Medical History: A 57 year-old Female, got headache when she was 12 years old.At the beginning, the headache just occurred each week, and the time was not lasted very long–3-4 hours per time and the pain was not located a specific part.After took pain-killer drug,it could be relieved.12 years ago, the headache became more and more frequent, almost headache every day, and from the morning to evening, the patient had to take medicine everyday,about 3-4 pills a day.
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
Tags: Acupuncture, allergies, headache, Herbs, migraine · Posted in: EENT, Neurological
Acupuncture Treatment of Painful Period
Chief Complaint: painful distension,fullness in chest and abdomen; constipation or tenesmus; emotional disturbance
Western Diagnosis: Dysmenorrhea
Medical History: age 40, has spasmodic pain in the lower abdomen,painful distension radiating in both flanks, severe and persistent low back pain some times accompanied with premenstrual tension, nausea, vomiting, headache and emotional disturbance before menstrual period for about 18 years.
Questioning exam: painful distension,fullness in chest and abdomen; constipation and tenesmus; emotional disturbance; lower abdomen reluctant to pressure; menstrual blood is dark in color, purple and lumpy. yellow urine.
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
Tags: Acupuncture, dysmenorrhea, pms, tenesmus · Posted in: Gynecological
Acupuncture and Herbs for Muscle Spasms
Chief Complaint: muscle spasms
Medical History: Patient presents as 37 year old female. “Perfect health” until onset of current symptoms 5 months ago. Active lifestyle- feels best after exercise. Well balanced and moderate diet. Non-smoker, occasional wine, coffee daily.
Questioning exam: Onset of Symptoms: 5 months ago (symptoms started appearing shortly after giving birth). First symptom was closing of the eyelids. She was forced to hold her eyelids open with her fingers about 70% of the time. A few weeks later, her vocal cords tightened over the trachea and restricting breath. On her third trip to the ER, she was given a tracheostomy tube which she is still breathing through. Her vocal cords were then injected with botox in attempt to relax them. She then began suffering from dystonias in her neck, causing intense pain, rigidity, and a “bobble-head” appearance. She has seen 5 neurologists, who have prescribed a myriad of drugs from anti-anxiety to muscle relaxants to more botox. The drugs did not help her, but did cause unpleasant side-effects.
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
Tags: Acupuncture, Herbs, spasms · Posted in: Musculo-Skeletal
