alleviating its symptoms and slowing down its progress. Acupuncture helps considerably in
eliminating the feeling of heaviness and tingling of the limbs and in facilitating walking.

The earlier the treatment is started the better the results. If the patient is still walking one can
expect some results, but if he or she is permanently in a wheelchair then results will be very poor
or non-existent. If treatment is started at the very early stages, the symptoms can be eliminated
completely and the progression of the disease halted indefinitely. This is all the more likely to
happen if the patient cooperates in changing life style by taking more rest, adjusting the diet, and
reducing sexual activity.

Initially, treatment should be carried out 2-3 times a week. After a few weeks it can be spaced
out to once a week and then once a fortnight. If a good improvement is obtained, the patient
should be seen about once a month thereafter.

This chapter will discuss first the causes and patterns of bleeding and the general approach to
treatment, and then the specific treatment of bleeding from various parts of the body.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are extremely effective in stopping bleeding both in
acute and chronic conditions.

Aetiology

External Pathogenic Factors

Wind-Heat, when particularly intense, may injure the Lung's Blood Connecting channels and
cause bleeding either from the nose or with coughing.

External Damp-Heat may invade the Intestines or Bladder and injure the Blood Connecting
channels there leading to bleeding in the stools or urine.