• Bafeng extra points. These are located on the dorsum of the foot, proximal to the margins
  of the webs. They expel Cold and Dampness from the foot.


• ST-41 Jiexi is an useful adjacent point to use. It affects all the toes and the needling
  sensation should radiate downwards towards the toes.


• SP-3 Taibai is an important point to use particularly for Damp Painful Obstruction
  Syndrome as it expels Dampness.

In old people, Painful Obstruction Syndrome of the toes often occurs against a background of
Yin deficiency. In this case, the patient would have a feeling of heat in the feet, especially at
night in bed, sometimes having to hold his or her feet out of the bedcovers. In these cases, it is
important to add points which simultaneously nourish Yin and act as adjacent points such as:

• KI-3 Taixi and SP-6 Sanyinjiao. For both these points (and particularly for KI-3) the
  needling sensation should radiate to the toes.

Prognosis and Prevention

Both acupuncture and Chinese herbs are extremely effective in treating Painful Obstruction
Syndrome. Acupuncture, in particular, is the treatment of choice in this condition giving
excellent results in both acute and chronic cases. Acute cases, in fact, can usually be resolved in
a few treatments. However, the majority of patients we see with this problem present very
chronic conditions. These cases can be treated successfully too, but the more long-standing the
condition, the longer it will take to clear.

Osteoarthritis is easier to treat than rheumathoid arthritis but this can also be helped, sometimes
even when bone deformities have already set in. In such cases, the treatment may take a very
long time and even years.

As for the relative importance of acupuncture and herbs, in general, the more chronic the
condition, the more herbs (or patent remedies) are applicable. Herbs are particularly good in
chronic cases to resolve Phlegm (and bone deformities), move Blood and nourish Liver and
Kidneys.

As for prevention, Painful Obstruction Syndrome is probably the most common afflication of
mankind and it affects the elderly in particular as the decline of Qi and Blood and the weakening
of Liver and Kidneys makes them prone to invasion of external pathogenic factors. Painful
Obstruction Syndrome, however, is not an inevitable consequence of old age and it is possible to
take steps to minimize it or prevent it altogether. The two most important areas in life to take