fell out in clumps and then regrew each time. In the past, she had suffered from severe
depression.
Her pulse was Wiry and her tongue was slightly Red, dry, rather peeled in the centre, with cracks
in the central area.
Diagnosis The present condition is one of Liver-Fire rising causing the migraine.
This is evidenced by the Red and dry tongue, Wiry pulse and the feeling
of heat, thirst and bitter taste. Had the tongue not been dry and Red and
had there been no thirst and bitter taste, the diagnosis would have been
Liver-Yang rising. In this case, the Liver-Fire was beginning to injure
the Yin of the Stomach as evidenced by the centre of the tongue being
slightly peeled and cracked.
She must have been suffering from Liver-Qi stagnation as well
preceding the development of Liver-Fire as shown by the previous
period of depression and pre-menstrual tension.The alopecia was due to Liver-Wind (which develops from Liver-Fire).
When the hair falls out suddenly and in clumps, it indicates Liver-Wind.
It is interesting that the alopecia occurred regularly at 7-year intervals
(7, 14 and 21), coinciding exactly with a girl's development cycles
described in the first chapter of the "Simple Questions". The fact that
the migraine improved during pregnancy and worsened after childbirth
indicates a Kidney deficiency, but this is the only sign of it in this case.Treatment principle Clear Liver-Fire, subdue Liver-Wind, nourish Stomach and Kidney-Yin,
calm the Mind and settle the Ethereal Soul.
Treatment This patient was treated with acupuncture only and the main points used
were: T.B.-5 Waiguan, P-6 Neiguan, ST-36 Zusanli, SP-6 Sanyinjiao,
KI-3 Taixi, LIV-2 Xingjian. Other points used at other times included:
Ren-12 Zhongwan, LU-7 Lieque and KI-6 Zhaohai in combination,
G.B.-43 Xiaxi, KI-9 Zhubin, G.B.-20 Fengchi, Yuyao and G.B.-1
Tongziliao.
Explanation T.B.-5 was used on the right side as a distal point to affect the
Lesser-Yang channels where the headaches manifested.
P-6 was used on the left side (to balance T.B.-5) to regulate the Liver
(by virtue of the connection between Pericardium and Liver within the
Terminal Yin) and to calm the Mind and settle the Ethereal Soul. The
combination of these two points for chronic headaches on the Lesser
Yang channels from either Liver-Yang or Liver-Fire rising, is very
effective to affect the area of the headache, regulate the Liver and calm
the Mind. In addition, T.B.-5 will regulate the Gall-Bladder and P-6 will