the Deep pulse, while the Spleen-Yang deficiency is indicated by the tiredness, the cold feeling,
the weak pulse and the Pale tongue. The constipation is due to deficient Kidney-Yang unable to
move the stools: this is confirmed by the fact that the stools were not dry and that they were
indeed sometimes loose.
It is interesting that the headaches should start after a fast. She had obviously suffered from
Dampness for a long time as evidenced by the chronic catarrh and rhinitis. Being on a fast
weakened the Spleen which became even more unable to transform and transport and therefore
led to more Dampness. A person with Spleen deficiency should only fast under very controlled
conditions and lead up to the fast by very gradually reducing the quantity of food eaten.
Similarly, one should break the fast very gradually. Only if done under these conditions, can a
fast be beneficial. The treatment was based on both acupuncture and herbal therapy.
Treatment principle Tonify Spleen- and Kidney-Yang and resolve Dampness.
Acupuncture The main points used were: LU-7 Lieque, L.I.-4 Hegu, Ren-12
Zhongwan, ST-36 Zusanli, SP-3 Taibai and KI-7 Fuliu. LU-7, L.I.-4
and SP-3 were needled with even method while the others were needled
with reinforcing method. Moxa was used on ST-36 and KI-7.
Other points used included: Ren-9 Shuifen, SP-6 Sanyinjiao, BL-20
Pishu, BL-23 Shenshu, ST-8 Touwei.Explanation LU-7 and L.I.-4 were used to open the channels of the head and face
and remove obstructions. They would also stimulate the rising of clear
Yang to the head.
Ren-12, ST-36, and BL-20 were used to tonify the Spleen.BL-23 and KI-7 were used to tonify the Kidneys.SP-3, SP-6 and Ren-9 were used to resolve Dampness.ST-8 was used as a local point. It is the best local point to resolve
Dampness in the head.Herbal treatment The prescription was based on a variation of Qiang Huo Sheng Shi
Tang with the addition of:
Huo Xiang Herba Agastachis 3 g
Pei Lan Herba Eupatorii fortunei 3 g
Chen Pi Pericarpium Citri reticulatae 3 g
Bai Zhu Rhizoma Atractylodis macrocephalae 6 g
Du Zhong Cortex Eucommiae ulmoidis 6 g
Cang Zhu Rhizoma Atractylodis lanceae 3 g