Jueyinshu, Ren-9 Shuifen, SP-6 Sanyinjiao, Ren-12 Zhongwan and
BL-20 Pishu. All the points were needled with even method except the
last two which were reinforced to tonify the Spleen to resolve Phlegm.After these 10 sessions, attention was diverted to tonifying Spleen- and
Kidney-Yang. The main signs to look for before changing the aim of
treatment from resolving Phlegm to tonifying would be a reduction in
the size of her swollen tongue and a marked decrease in the feeling of
oppression and pain in the chest. The main points used to tonify Spleen-
and Kidney-Yang were:BL-20 Pishu, BL-23 Shenshu, Ren-12 Zhongwan, ST-36 Zusanli, KI-7
Fuliu, and KI-3 Taixi. Reinforcing method and moxa were used. This
lady was completely cured after another 10 sessions although she still
comes for treatment every 3 months to prevent any recurrence.Case History 13.3
Chest Painful Obstruction Syndrome: Turbid Phlegm-Male, Age 66
A 66-year-old man complained of a feeling of oppression, tightness and mild ache in the chest.
This had started over 20 years previously with recurring, sudden panic attacks characterized by
breathlessness and an intense feeling of oppression in the chest like a "band around the chest".
He also had the feeling he wanted to sigh but could not. Two years before the consultation he
had also suffered a mild heart infarction. He felt occasionally dizzy and had recurrent bouts of a
stabbing hypochondrial pain on the right side. His face was pale and his tongue was
Bluish-Purple on the edges and Pale elsewhere. It was Swollen and had a very sticky tongue
coating. His pulse was Slippery.
Diagnosis This man's condition is characterized by Turbid Phlegm obstructing the
chest (feeling of oppression and tightness of the chest, breathlessness,
dizziness, Swollen tongue with sticky coating and Slippery pulse).
Besides this central condition there is also some stagnation of Liver-Qi
(feeling of needing to sigh) and Liver-Blood (stabbing hypochondrial
pain and Bluish-Purple colour of the tongue's edges). Finally, the
condition is characterized by Cold (Pale tongue and pale face).
Treatment principle In spite of the very long duration of this problem, the condition was still
primarily one of Excess as evidenced by the pulse. Attention was
therefore paid to resolving Phlegm, moving Qi and Blood and expelling
Cold. The herbal prescription chosen was aimed at resolving Phlegm as
a primary objective, whilst with acupuncture some points were
reinforced to tonify the body's Qi. Both acupuncture and herbs were
used.
Acupuncture With acupuncture some points were needled with even method: