Archive for the ‘Case Studies’ Category
Acupuncture and Herbs used for Shoulder Pain
Chief Complaint: Right shoulder pain in LI-15 area
Western Diagnosis: X ray confirms calcium deposit on anterior aspect of humerus, between heads of biceps brachii tendons.
Medical History: 41 y.o. female, attorney. First noticed the pain about two years ago while in a stressful court trial. Multiple Sclerosis diagnosed at age 19. Auto accident five years ago with subsequent back pain. Smokes cigarettes, drinks alcohol moderately, and acknowledges that she is overweight and doesn’t exercise enough. Diet consisted of a lot of business lunches eaten hurriedly while reading stacks of legal briefs. At present,the pain is a constant dull ache which occasional sharp stabbing sensations which make her feel nauseous. She has tried massage and chiropractic and is trying acupuncture as a last resort to surgery to remove the calcium deposit.
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · 
al · 
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Tags: Acupuncture, shoulder pain · Posted in: Musculo-Skeletal
Acupuncture and Herbs for Palpitations, Insomnia, Irregular Erratic Heartbeat
Chief Complaint: palpitations, insomnia, irregular erratic heartbeat
Western Diagnosis: arrhythmia, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Medical History: Pt. is 37 yr. old male with history of extreme sports career (cycling) with exposure to extreme heat and cold while racing. Childhood history of multiple traumatic events. For the past 20 years Pt. has noticed gradually worsening irregular heartbeat. Has been hospitalized 2 times for acute attacks. Pt. cannot sleep well. Very difficult falling asleep, dream-disturbances, night sweats, some low back pain. Still exercises but only light to moderate because of heart condition. Endurance and stamina, energy level throughout the day very low. Risk of arrhythmia acting up.
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
Tags: Acupuncture, insomnia, irregular heartbeat, palpitations · Posted in: Cardiovascular
The Treatment of Chinese Medicine for Scleroderma
Chief Complaint: Joints pain for over three years
Western Diagnosis: Mixed connective tissue disease, pulmonary hypertension, scleroderma.
Medical History: A 23-year-old woman was admitted to clinic on May 5, 1997, because of joints pain around all body for over three years, skin and eyes dry, thirst and wants to drink cooled water, almost joints sour and tip of fingers’ color change to purple and whit when the weather become to cold, loss hair. Her skin on arms are dry and peeled off. She used to treat by acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, the symptoms were reduced but that never goes away. Recent years, she has had sense of oppress in her chest, and difficult to breath, asthma attack when she walk or go up stairs, those symptoms are gradually getting worse, but nothing could help. During 12/03-12/18/1996, she had had a high fever and went to Johns Hopkins Hospital was diagnosed as mixed connective tissue disease, pulmonary hypertension, scleroderma.
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
Tags: Acupuncture, asthma, scleroderma · Posted in: Auto-Immune
The Treatment of Occipital Neuralgia with Chinese Medicine
Chief Complaint: Shooting pains in (L) occipital and parietal regions of the head, radiates to top of the head.
Western Diagnosis: Occipital neuralgia
Medical History: 73 yr old status post surgery for throat cancer. Developed tingling and pressure sensation in occipital region which developed into severe shooting pains over a period of about 8 months. Shooting pains are rated at 9/10 level and occur 3-4 times/day. Patient has had 7 nerve blocks and surgery none of which helped to reduce symptoms.
Pertinent Medical History: Throat cancer 1997 treated with chemo therapy and radiation for 13 weeks. Developed inability to swallow due to scarring from radiation which required placement of gastric tube for feeding. Surgery to reduce scarring in the throat was unsuccessful.
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
Tags: Acupuncture, anger, Occipital Neuralgia · Posted in: Neurological
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs for Constipation
Chief Complaint: constipation
Medical History: 32 yr. old male
works out 3x week
drinks- smokes on occasion.
Eats all the time
Fairly good diet..a fair amount of dairy
Questioning exam: Doesn’t evacuate for several days.
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
Tags: Acupuncture, constipation, Herbs · Posted in: Digestive
Chinese Medicine used for Hypertension
Chief Complaint: Abdominal problems and hypertension for about 3 years, due to stress.
Medical History: The patient claims that she has been under a tremendous amount of stress in the past three years, which have lead to her development of hypertension and dysrhythmias. She has been on anti-hypertensive medications, but these tend to make her feel tired and weak. She states that her stress level is high which prevents her from having a good night sleep.
She complains that she has gained weight, her facial muscle tone has decreased and has generally not felt “like herself” in almost a year now. She asserts that her appetite has increased, she is always cold and her energy level is vastly decreased. She has never sought the attention of an acupuncturist, and is open to new ideas and treatments at this point.
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
Tags: Acupuncture, acupuncturist, hypertension · Posted in: Metabolic
Chinese Medicine for Post Partum Constipation
Chief Complaint: Constipation after childbirth 31 years ago!
Western Diagnosis: Constipation
Medical History: 58 yo female,born in Switzerland; came to America with husband (business assignment)5 years ago. Upper/lower GI endoscopy revealed negative. Hysterectomy 6/01 due to uterus prolapse. Organic food, vitamins, and perform yoga exercise daily.
Questioning exam: BM once a day in the morning; however had to wait for at least 45 minutes before defecation and required great effort to empty the bowels with complete relief. Stool is formed,in the soft side, brown color with no abnormal odor. She also complains of spontaneous sweating, and low energy (fatigue); a sensation of fullness in the stomach and lower abdomen.
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
Tags: Acupuncture, constipation, Herbs · Posted in: Digestive, Reproductive
Chinese Medicine for Fatigue
Chief Complaint: Candida
Western Diagnosis: Candida and fatigue
Medical History: 26 year old female Caucasian of A Blood type and high simple carbo diet and recent prolonged use of antibiotics for both URTI and bladder infections. Very noticeable “Geographic Tongue” with thick white coating in the areas that were not peeled. Patients pulse showed a locked and “Slippery” pattern only in the middle jiao both left and right.
OM Diagnosis: A: Damp Heat affecting the spleen organ due to diet, stress and antibiotics. B: Secondarily, Liver heat because of sensitive nature and highly intellectual nature and liver type voice.
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
Tags: Acupuncture, candida, fatigue, Herbs · Posted in: Metabolic
Acupuncture used for Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
Chief Complaint: Pain in left lower extremity, unable to walk or bear weight on that extremity
Western Diagnosis: Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
Medical History: The patient had been very active in running, jogging activities. He sustained a mild injury to his left lower leg and foot. This developed into severe pain with swelling, discoloration. The pain was so severe that he sought the attentions of a renown orthopedic surgeon in the area. He was diagnosed with reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Despite regular Western treatment, the disability continued with the patient being less able to weight bear. He needed crutches to walk, and even with the crutches had continual pain. The orthopedic specialist recommended acupuncture for pain control and sent him to our clinic. Within five treatments the pain was relieved, and the patient was walking without the crutches or any assistive devices. He restarted jogging activities without pain within about a month.
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
Tags: Acupuncture, RSD · Posted in: Neurological
Herbs and Acupuncture used for Cough with Fever
Chief Complaint: severe cough with high fever
Medical History: He does not have any immunizations at 30 months. Chronic chest infections, and sinus infections. Diet is rather good, no dairy products. He drinks soy milk and eats organic foods only. He does consume a quite a bit of high sugar fruit juice. For a 2 1/2 year old child, he gets plenty of exercise daily. Generally has a good appetite, no apparent allergies, has a strong thirst, mucus and cough occasionally, generally has loose stools. He also has a full body rash which is red patches for 2 days.
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
Tags: cough, fever · Posted in: Infectious, Respiratory
