lying on the opposite side. The needling sensation should preferably radiate all the way
down to the ankle. If it does, one does not need to use any other local point. If the
needling sensation radiates only as far as the knee, then one can use G.B.-34
Yanglingquan to extend the sensation further to the foot. Moxa on the needle on G.B.-30
is very beneficial.- G.B.-31 Fengshi is an important local point for sciatica along the Gall-Bladder channel.
Moxa on the needle is very effective. - G.B.-34 Yanglingquan is selected if the pain occurs in the lower leg. Apart from its
function as a local point, it benefits the sinews and would therefore help to relax the
tendons.
Unless there is Damp-Heat in the Bladder or Gall-Bladder channel, moxa is extremely beneficial
in sciatica. This is best done with a moxa stick gently heating the area around each needle and
especially Tunzhong, BL-36 and BL-37. A good method is also to gently heat the Bladder
channel all the way from BL-36 to BL-40 until a red line appears.
Herbal Treatment
As mentioned above, the herbal treatment must be based on the patterns. The main patterns are:
- Damp-Cold invading the back channels
- Damp-Heat invading the back channels
- Stagnation of Qi and Blood in the back
- Kidney deficiency.
The first three patterns can occur in both acute and chronic cases while the fourth one can only
occur in chronic conditions. In chronic cases, the formulae for the first three patterns will need to
be modified by the introduction of herbs to tonify the Spleen, Liver and Kidneys, depending on
the condition of the patient.
Likewise, since patterns are often combined in practice, it is quite common, indeed prevalent, to
see conditions characterized by both Fullness and Emptiness. For example, the combination of
the pattern of Kidney deficiency with either Damp-Cold or Stagnation of Qi and Blood or even
both is very common. In these cases, one must decide whether the condition is predominantly
Full or Empty, select a formula accordingly, and modify it according to actual clinical
manifestations.
Damp-Cold Invading the Back Channels