Archive for the ‘Case Studies’ Category
Weight Loss with Chinese Medicine
Chief Complaint: obesity
Medical History: Patient “dieted” and exercised, but still could not lose weight.
Questioning exam: Fatigue after eating, gas and bloating, loose stools, feelings of heaviness (dampness)
Pulse exam: T: Pale, flabby, scalloped
P: slippery on right
OM Diagnosis: Spleen Qi Xu with Dampness
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · 
al · 
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Tags: weight loss · Posted in: Metabolic
Post-surgical Pain and Numbness treated by Chinese Medicine
Chief Complaint: Pain and numbness post-surgery.
Western Diagnosis: Benign brain tumor located superior to l. mastoid process.
Medical History: Patient is a 35-year old female with main complaints of: reovering from l. mastoid/benign brain tumor, right lower quadrant abdominal and l. eye surgery (wt. put in l. eye m. so upper/lower lids would be functional). Secondary complaints include emotional trauma related to family situation/ pending divorce.
Questioning exam: Questions mainly revolved around post-surgical sx/s. Including: loss of sleep, numbness l. side of face and behind l. mastoid process/ear at incision site. Left side of face muscles do not function: patient can smile and use mouth on the right side but not left side.
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
Tags: Acupuncture, Herbs, numbness, pain, post-surgical · Posted in: Iatrogenic, Neurological
Acupuncture and Herbs for Parkinson’s Disease
Chief Complaint: Severe tremors/restricted movement
Western Diagnosis: Parkinson’s Disease
Medical History: A 52-year-old male has been suffering from Parkinson’s disease for 5 years. He has experienced severe tremors in all extremities, difficulties in speech, loss of coordination, lapse of memory, etc. Despite western medications and continuous medial treatments, his conditions got worse to a point that his doctors suggest a brain surgery.
Questioning exam: Severe tremor attacks in a 15-min interval. His gait is non-focused and the patient occasionally lose speech functions. Extremely pale and low energy level. Hot in the upper torso, and cold hands and feet.
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
Tags: Acupuncture, Herbs, Parkinson's Disease · Posted in: Neurological
Acupuncture and Herbs for Calf Pain and Swelling
Chief Complaint: calf pain and swelling
Western Diagnosis: phlebitis
Medical History:
1.Recurrent phlebitis on left calf-had same exact symptom seven years ago. He took Chinese herbal medicine and the symptoms were completely gone. It took 6 weeks to cure it.
2. smoker
3. lost his right leg on auto accident
4. doesn’t drink alcohol but drinks a lot of water
5. He delivers auto parts-driving 8 hours per day. He used to work at a post office where he had to stand for 8 hours per day, again
6. His blood pressure and pulse rate is normal.
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
Tags: Acupuncture, Herbs, phlebitis · Posted in: Cardiovascular, Musculo-Skeletal
Acupuncture and Moxabustion used for Poison Oak Rash
Chief Complaint: persistent poison oak rash
Western Diagnosis: poison oak
Medical History: 45 year old male recently emerged from a nasty divorce. Presenting with a poison oak rash that would not go away despite western medical treatment. The patient had taken oral steroids to no avail and the next step was injected steroids. He was coming to acupuncture to avoid this step.
Questioning exam: Patient was tense and fearful, had a dark blue/black hue visible at his temples, smelled putrid and had a groan quality to his voice.
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
Tags: Acupuncture, moxabustion, poison oak · Posted in: Dermatological
Chinese Medicine for Obesity and Hypertension
Chief Complaint: Over Weight and High blood pressure
Western Diagnosis: Obesity, high blood pressure
Medical History: 45-year-female who has been overweight for nearly 30 years and has high blood pressure for nearly 12 years.
Questioning exam: Do you have a normal appetite?
No. Sometimes I can’t control myself even under the condition I don’t feel hungry I must eat.
Pulse exam: Heart and liver pulse are superficial.
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
Tags: Acupuncture, Herbs, hypertension, Obesity · Posted in: Cardiovascular, Metabolic
Acupuncture for Pain and Swelling in Ankles and Feet
Chief Complaint: pain and swelling in ankle and feet, alcohol abuse
Medical History: Patient: 53 year old female
Occupation: art student
History: family history of alcoholism, pain in legs since 1978
Current presentation: Patient has stiffness and swelling in her feet and ankles making ambulation difficult. The pain is 8-9 on a scale of 0-10 with deep, heavy, sharp quality that is worse at night. She can recall no injury or precipitating factors. Feet are cool to touch, soft, pale with non-pitting edema. The patient smokes and drinks six beers a night. She eats cold foods for lunch.
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
Tags: Acupuncture, ankles, feet, pain, swelling · Posted in: Musculo-Skeletal
Oriental Medicine for Prostatic Carcinoma
Chief Complaint: Pain in spine, knees, and legs from metastatic disease
Western Diagnosis: Prostatic Carcinoma
Medical History: Until onset of the pain six months before first acupuncture treatment, patient reports leading a healthy, active, and pain free life.
Questioning exam: Patient reported night sweats, some hearing loss in both ears, high blood pressure, urinary frequency with light flow, and pain in knee, back, and hip.
Pulse exam: Floating in upper and middle jiao, weak in lower jiao. Palpation revealed depressed and inactive area around Ren 3 through Ren 6; congestion at Ren 17; depressed and inactive at Ren 14
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
Posted in: Cancer, Urinary
Herbs and Acupuncture for Amenorrhea
Chief Complaint: sporadic menstrual cycles
Western Diagnosis: amenorrhea
Medical History: 27 year old female triathlete. Runs, bikes, skis. Menstrual cycles sporadic since age 16. Diet fairly balanced, except red meat and iron rich foods lower than needed. Until recently patient worked three jobs.
Questioning exam: 1-2 menstrual cycles a year presenting with low back cramping, onset with brown blood, duration 3-4 days, ending with brown blood. Flow remains light throughout cycle. Fatigue during cycle. especially. Low grade anxiety, cold hands and feet, slight constipation, occasional floaters, and sometimes hard to fall asleep, especially prior to onset of cycle. Patient also complains of “coming down with every cold that comes along”.
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
Tags: Acupuncture, amenorrhea, Herbs · Posted in: Gynecological
Herbs and Acupuncture for IBS Diarrhea
Chief Complaint: chronic diarrhea
Western Diagnosis: IBS
Medical History: 34 year old Caucasian female, bookkeeper. Presents with scoliosis, lower and upper back pain, irregular menses. Patient does not exercise and eats lots of fried foods.
Questioning exam: Patient sighs frequently, has breast tenderness, distention, bloating and gas. Chronic dawn diarrhea with undigested food and mucous. Symptoms increase with menses. Patient has a heavy flow with many, large clots and dark blood. She sees floaters and frequently feels hot. She has seasonal allergies.
Last modified: September 8, 2009 · al · No Comments
Tags: Acupuncture, diarrhea, Herbs, IBS · Posted in: Digestive
