Archive for the ‘Case Studies’ Category
The Acupuncture Treatment of Migraine Headaches
Chief Complaint: Migraine headaches
Medical History: The patient had a history of migraine headaches from the age of ten. The frequency of occurrence had steadily been increasing for several years.
Questioning exam: The pt complained of three to four migraine headaches a week. She reported that although she often got them in the morning, it was not always the case. The pt also described the pain as pounding and on the side of the head, although the migraines were not always on the same side. She stated that she had a very stressful job as a secretary, which affected her mood. She almost always suffered from migraines on Mondays. The pt ran warm and was often thirsty. In addition, she suffered from chronic low back ache.
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · 
al · 
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Tags: Acupuncture, headache, migraine · Posted in: EENT, Neurological
Traditional Asian Medicine for Back and Neck Pain
Chief Complaint: back and neck pain
Western Diagnosis: myofascial pain syndrome, “herniated and bulging discs”
Medical History: The patient came for treatment in 2001.
The patient is female, 25yrs old.
5′ 6″ 160lbs
2 children ages 3 and 6
Employed in Customer service fora Medical Clinic
Severe pain began following MVA in 1987. Subsequent MVAs in 97, 98, 99, 00, and 01. Surgery on RS knee 3X.
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
Tags: Acupuncture, allergies, back pain, neck, pain · Posted in: Musculo-Skeletal
Acupuncture Treatment of Ankle Pain
Chief Complaint: Decreased ROM and pain in ankle
Medical History: Patient had sprained her right ankle 6 months previous to first appointment. She had been to physiotherapy for 5 months without much improvement. ROM was limited to only 20% of normal ROM in both plantar flexion and dorsiflexion. Inversion was limited to about 30% of normal ROM. Pain was rated with testing movements at a grading of 4-5 out of 10. Pain increased with movement and this was particularly difficult as she is a swimming coach and a soccer player. Some swelling was also obvious around the external malleolus.
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
Tags: Acupuncture, ankles, pain · Posted in: Musculo-Skeletal
Acupuncture and Herbs for Excessive Menstrual Flow
Chief Complaint: 1- Excessive menstrual flow
Western Diagnosis: The patient was diagnosed with fibroids by a M.D
Medical History: Female, 46 years old
Secondary complaint, recurrent sinus infections
Questioning exam: 1-Her symptoms consist of a lack of a menses for 2-3 months, followed by a heavy flow for 2-3 weeks. The flow is dark and has clots. She feels her abdomen is tight while menstruating, and finds that moving and stretching relieves it.
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
Tags: Acupuncture, fibroids, Herbs · Posted in: Gynecological
Acupuncture and Herbs for Migraines
Chief Complaint: temporal headaches for 2 years
Western Diagnosis: chronic migraines
Medical History: Anorexia as a teen, GB and appendix removed in 1987. Job is high pressure management position. He is forced to lay-off a large group due to economics. He is social drinker and smoker. Diet still poor. Frequently he eats very little and when he does its cold cereal, salads or a bagel.
Questioning exam: He is constantly hot and sweaty. He sweat easily and spontaneously. Shoulders and occiput are sore and aching. Chronic nasal congestion, occasional tinnitus, sometimes dizzy and light-headed. frequent palpitations. No gas or bloating. frequent thirst<
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
Tags: Acupuncture, headaches, migraines · Posted in: EENT, Neurological
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs for PMS & Irregular Cycles
Chief Complaint: sinus headaches, PMS, irregular cycles
Medical History: Airline flight attendant, ie. irregular sleep and dietary habits
Questioning exam: eyes-itchy,runny,red,-wind and heat
H/A- temples, worse w/ stress and pms–liver related
H/A- sinus allergies,worse w/ odors and pollution- damp and phlegm
cycle- irregular, short- heat
cycle-starts dark w/ clots- blood stagnation—-by end 6 days looks pale and ashen- blood deficiency
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
Tags: Acupuncture, pms · Posted in: Gynecological
Acupuncture Treatment of Chest Tightness and Palpitations
Chief Complaint: Chest tightness and palpitations chronic for eight years with an acute presentation for 2 weeks.
Medical History: The patient has been tested by a medical doctor for heart problems. The tests including an EKG, Stress Test, and blood values of cardiac enzymes show that the patient is within normal range. Her symptoms generally include tightness in the chest that is always present and palpitations while resting that can last as long as 20 minutes. On several occasions she experienced pain radiating down her left arm. The problem began 8 years ago after her fiance died. Prior to this incident she did not experience any of the signs and symptoms described above.
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
Tags: Acupuncture, asthma, palpitations · Posted in: Cardiovascular, Neurological, Respiratory
Acupuncture Treatment of Hot Flashes
Chief Complaint: Hot flashes
Western Diagnosis: Menopause
Medical History: A forty-nine year old patient, experiencing menopausal symptoms, was on Hormone Replacement Therapy for eight months. She felt great, had no hot flashes, but developed an ovarian cyst. The entire ovary had to be surgically removed. She’d been off of HRT for 11 months when she came in for acupuncture. Hot flashes were getting more frequent and more intense, moving from the groin up to her head. She did not want to take any medications or herbs. Her mother died of ovarian cancer. She had been on HRT since the age of 50.
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
Tags: Acupuncture, hot flashes, menopause · Posted in: Gynecological
Acupuncture and Herbs for Bladder Infections
Chief Complaint: Recurring urinary tract infections
Western Diagnosis: chronic UTI’s
Medical History: 21 year old female experiencing UTI’s every 3 months. UTI’s seemed to be brought on by the implantation of an IUD. No other medical history.
Questioning exam: Painful and frequent urination, cloudy and bloody urine when experiencing UTI with difficulty emptying bladder. Always fatigued and feeling cold.
Pulse exam: thin, wiry, and rapid pulse overall.
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
Tags: Acupuncture, bladder infection, Herbs, UTI · Posted in: Urinary
Herbs and Acupuncture for Hip Cramps
Chief Complaint: Right hip/side cramps. Secondary complaints: low immunity, left tooth abscess (upper molar #16).
Medical History: Patient involved in MVA at age 14. She was a pedestrian hit by car. Multiple surgeries to repair fractured left femur and pelvis. Removal of left kidney and spleen. Currently, patient takes Chinese herbal supplements only.
Questioning exam: Patient is friendly and always smiles. Her voice sounds apologetic and she seems not comfortable in her body. When asked to show her tongue, patient always coughs, apologizes and says “ah”. Coping style is focused on removing herself from situation with girlish laugh and voice, and apologies.
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
Tags: Acupuncture, cramps, Herbs, hip · Posted in: Musculo-Skeletal
