Archive for the ‘Neurological’ Category

The treatment of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME, CFS) with Acupuncture

Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS):
Symptoms:
Frequently tired with low energy
Achy limbs and joints
Has to sleep in afternoon
Frequent frontal headaches
Dry skin
Floaters in vision
Dizzy on standing
Normally feels cold
Achy lower back
All symptoms worse for stress

January 12, 2010  Tags:   Posted in: Metabolic, Neurological  No Comments

The Case of Insomnia Addressed by Acupuncture

Chief-complaint: Insomnia

Western-diagnosis: Insomnia

Medical-history: Patient was a male in his mid 30’s who had been having trouble falling asleep for the past 2 years. Patient had tried many drugs and supplements, but with not much success. Taking Ambien helped the patient fall asleep, but the quality of sleep from an Ambien induced sleep was poor. Patient also tried melatonin, with very limited success. No other major medical problems besides the insomnia were reported.

December 4, 2009   Posted in: Neurological  No Comments

The Oriental Medicine Treatment of Tension Headaches

Chief-complaint: Chronic Headaches

Western-diagnosis:

Medical-history: 54 year old female. Daily Headaches mainly tension-type occasional migraines with nausea.

Symptoms: tight neck and shoulders, tight-band sensation around the head, constipation, nightsweats, hot flashes, low libido

Pulse: thin/thready

Tongue: textbook yin-deficiency presentation: red body with no coating

October 8, 2009   Posted in: Neurological  No Comments

RSD Treated with Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs

Chief Complaint: Pain, constipation

Western Diagnosis: Total Body Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy

Medical History: 46 year old, very active and successful, sportive white male, developed RSD after a de Quervain’s tendonitis from overusing his hand, doing repetitive movements. 4 weeks later his whole right hand was hurting, burning, sensitive to touch and AC, and turning blue. A stellate ganglion block revealed that he had developed RSD. Two month later he developed mirror image symptoms in his left hand, later in his feet. 1 years later he had total body RSD. Causing him excruciating pain, muscle twitches, difficulty in urination, constipation, depression, insomnia, poor memory, nightly hiccups, spontaneous localized sweating in the effected extremities, lethargy, skin sensitivity, hot flashes, migraines. The patient received during a period of 2 years 150 nerve blocks, and is on many medications (analgesics, anti-spasmodics, anti-depressants, tranquilizers, etc.) He still tries to stay active, since inactivity increases his symptoms. he can not use his hands very often, but can walk and swim. Good dietary habits, since red meet, alcohol and sugar make his pain worse. Patient is disabled.

September 8, 2009  Tags: ,   Posted in: Neurological  No Comments

The Use of Acupuncture and Herbs for Meniere’s Disease

Chief Complaint: Dizziness

Western Diagnosis: Meniere’s Disease

Medical History: 54 yo male with 15 year history of Meniere’s disease. Vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss, vomiting when severe. Tried diuretics, salt restriction, conventional medications, all without benefit.

Questioning exam: Had not tried alternative methods. Has had recurrent severe episodes with increased severity. (Always has the basic symptoms, however).The frequency of severe attacks has steadily increased, from 1 per year to 6 this summer.Heat exacerbates the symptoms. He also has a feeling of fullness in his ears.

September 8, 2009  Tags: , , ,   Posted in: EENT, Neurological  No Comments

The Acupuncture Treatment of Bell’s Palsy

Chief Complaint: Facial Paralysis

Western Diagnosis: Bell’s Palsy

Medical History: This 46 yr old female patient came to me with a recent case of Bell’s Palsy.(2 days). Complained of chronic low back pain, headaches, and a feeling of weakness for the last 3 months. Tried to eat conscientiousness but often had little to no appetite. too tired to work out because work schedule was too intense.Complained of being cold easily.

Questioning exam: Upon further questioning we discerned that she had much stress with her job. When asked if she felt that she had “support” in her life she admitted that that was precisely her personal complaint. (Low back pain can sometimes be an indication that the patient feels that he/she is unsupported).

September 8, 2009  Tags: ,   Posted in: Neurological  No Comments

The Treatment of Headaches with Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine

Chief Complaint: Headache

Medical History: Patient is a 56 years old male with general normal appearance, obesity: weight: 213 Lbs, height: 5′4″, red face and strong voice.

Chief Complaint: headache on and off for about 5 months, the pain is mostly “behind the eyes” and on parietal side of head, sometimes accompanied with nauseous and vertigo, usually he has from 5 to 6 attacks/week. Blood tests are unremarkable, blood pressure in the range of 140 to 145/80 to 85 mmHg. MRI and X ray shown no abnormal. He recently eating a lot of “fast food” due to lack of time for meals at work. He drinks from 2 to 5 cups of coffee/day and 1 to 2 drinks (red wine) after diner. Lack of exercise and physical activities due to very tired and heaviness sensation in body. Taking medications for pain with temporary relief but having a lot of side effects (especially stomach problems).

September 8, 2009  Tags: , ,   Posted in: Neurological  No Comments

The Treatment of Polyneuropathy with Acupuncture

Chief Complaint: headache, finger & feet numbness, asthma

Western Diagnosis: degenerated inflammatory polyneuropathy

Medical History: hepatitis, allergy, asthma, high blood pressure,liver removal surgery, in-born one kidney, vegetable diet with dairy products, little exercise, obesity

Questioning exam: -How long you have these symptoms?
-Asthma since a little child. Hepatitis since surgery. Headache for about 10 years.

September 8, 2009  Tags: ,   Posted in: Neurological  No Comments

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.

September 8, 2009  Tags: , ,   Posted in: Neurological  No Comments

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.

September 8, 2009  Tags: ,   Posted in: Neurological  No Comments