Clipping Board » Disease & Prevention ─ Understanding diseases, prevention is better than cure.
【2005/12/19 Min Sheng Daily】
Guo Xiaotian, Director of Tailai Hall Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic
Acupuncture has been recognized by physicians since ancient times for its rapid, broad, and safe therapeutic effects. Ancient texts describe its effects as immediate and as effective as a drumbeat... all illustrating the efficacy of acupuncture. Based on my over forty years of experience in diagnosis and treatment, acupuncture has an effectiveness rate of over 99.8% across various medical fields, with immediate effects upon needle insertion.
External syndromes include all symptoms caused by external infections, such as urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, skin infections, etc. Focusing on respiratory infections, this article briefly discusses the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture.
**Rapid Efficacy with Few Recurrences**
The efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture on external syndromes is rapid and definitive, with few recurrences and rare instances of recurrent fever. Here are a few clinical examples:
1. Mr. Wang, 32 years old, had been suffering from an external syndrome for two days with a sore throat that made swallowing difficult. His pulse was floating and large, with a slightly thick white tongue coating. He also had a headache, stiff neck, dry eyes, slight nasal discharge, occasional cough, and a fever of 38.9°C. After prescribing 3 grams of Ge Gen Tang (Kudzu Decoction) in scientific Chinese medicine form, he felt relief in his throat pain even before taking the medicine. He immediately asked what the medicine was and if it contained Western drugs. After explaining that the aromatic properties of the medicine could be absorbed through the nasal mucosa and quickly reach the brain due to its proximity, he was reassured and took the medicine.
2. Ms. Lü, 48 years old, had been suffering from an external syndrome for four to five days with symptoms including headache, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, swollen tonsils, and fever. She was weak, thin, and pale. After acupuncture on the Hegu (LI4) points on both hands, her symptoms improved immediately. The Hegu point is versatile, capable of both attacking and defending, tonifying and purging, warming and cooling, and addressing both internal and external issues. It is a key point for external syndromes and is often used for diagnostic purposes. After the acupuncture, her body felt warm, and she was given a three-day course of Shen Su Yin to consolidate the treatment. After one session, her external syndrome was cured.
3. Little Lin, 10 years old, had a fever of 39.4°C and was too tired to sleep. In addition to medication, he was prescribed a small cabbage and tofu soup (made with traditional tofu, water, and small cabbage, with a little ginger added in winter and a little salt if dehydrated). Twenty minutes later, his father called to report that the fever had subsided, and the child was able to sleep peacefully. The next day, the child was diagnosed with enterovirus and was prescribed a five-day course of Jing Fang Bai Du San, Scutellaria, and Agastache. He recovered a few days later.
**Diagnosing by Prescription, Prescribing by Diagnosis**
"Prescription" refers to methods, directions, and formulas. Therefore, diagnosing by prescription or prescribing by diagnosis can compensate for the limitations of traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis. This method has been highly valued in China since before the "Treatise on Cold Damage." My father often prescribed after acupuncture and would say, "Diagnosis should be cautious. It is common for the condition to differ after acupuncture from before." Therefore, before prescribing, a packet of medicine is often used for diagnostic purposes, revealing increasingly complex patient conditions that were not fully understood before.
1. Ms. Huang, 38 years old, was tall and thin with a floating and slippery pulse, a thin and greasy tongue coating, and a cough with wheezing. She had caught a cold in the cold weather. After prescribing 3 grams of Ma Xing Gan Shi Tang (Ephedra, Apricot Kernel, Licorice, and Gypsum Decoction), her phlegm disappeared within a minute, but she felt as if she had choked. After acupuncture on the Taichong (LR3) points on both feet, her cough stopped immediately. However, ten minutes later, she felt a cold sensation in her stomach. Since the medicine should reduce phlegm but not eliminate it entirely, it was suspected that the dose was too strong. The prescription was adjusted to 2 grams of Ma Xing Gan Shi Tang, and her cough was cured within three days. She was then given a five-day course of Xiao Jian Zhong Tang for further recovery.
2. Mr. Tang, 33 years old, was pale, weak, and outwardly strong but internally fragile. He sought treatment for swollen and painful throat, cough, chest tightness, phlegm, and nasal congestion. After taking one packet (3 grams) of Shen Su Yin, his condition gradually improved within two minutes, but he still felt slight chest tightness and a tighter cough. This indicated a transformation from dampness to dryness rather than fire-induced dryness. After acupuncture on the left Neiguan (PC6) point, he felt immediate relief. The previous prescription was slightly insufficient, so he was prescribed a new formula: 2 grams of Shen Su Yin, 0.5 grams of Fritillaria, and 0.5 grams of Trichosanthes root, one packet four times a day for seven days. At the follow-up, his cough had stopped, and he was given another seven-day course of the same prescription to complete the treatment.Mr. Chen sought medical attention due to a fever above 38.5℃, nasal congestion, and coughing. The patient has a history of chronic rhinitis and sinusitis, which have persisted for a long time. Due to a recurrence of nasal issues and the ongoing dengue fever epidemic, he was prescribed 1.5 grams of Chuanxiong Chatiao San and 1.5 grams of Longdan Xiegan Tang. Acupuncture was also applied to the Hegu and Yangfu points, providing immediate relief. He was then given a five-day course of 2 grams of Chuanxiong Chatiao San and 1 gram of Longdan Xiegan Tang, four times a day, after which no further nasal issues were reported.
Currently, there is widespread fear of avian influenza. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in treating external pathogens, there is no need for excessive alarm. Western medicine's understanding of viruses is only about a century old, while TCM's knowledge of avian influenza (known as "chicken plague") dates back over two thousand years. Moreover, TCM does not rely solely on vaccines for disease prevention. Vaccines are not suitable for young individuals, as conditions like chickenpox are meant to help the immune system mature. Overuse of vaccines can lead to the occurrence of chickenpox, which typically happens only once in a lifetime. However, many young people now experience it more than once, indicating an immature immune system. In the past, people would recover from the flu within three to four hours by simply drinking more water, thanks to a more mature immune system. For this avian influenza, it is sufficient to use aromatic herbs to dispel dampness, such as coriander, star anise, celery, garlic, leeks, ginger, and scallions. Regular acupressure on points like Hegu, Yingxiang, Quchi, and Zusanli can also help in self-protection. Practicing qigong regularly can further enhance immunity and prevent illness. Panic only destabilizes the immune system, which is a major taboo in dealing with external pathogens.
The above is a brief introduction, and I welcome any corrections or suggestions.
TCM and Acupuncture Combat Acute External Infections
路人甲
2005/12/19 15:18
Guo Xiaotian, Director of Tailai Hall Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic
Acupuncture has been recognized by physicians since ancient times for its rapid, broad, and safe therapeutic effects. Ancient texts describe its effects as immediate and as effective as a drumbeat... all illustrating the efficacy of acupuncture. Based on my over forty years of experience in diagnosis and treatment, acupuncture has an effectiveness rate of over 99.8% across various medical fields, with immediate effects upon needle insertion.
External syndromes include all symptoms caused by external infections, such as urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, skin infections, etc. Focusing on respiratory infections, this article briefly discusses the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture.
**Rapid Efficacy with Few Recurrences**
The efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture on external syndromes is rapid and definitive, with few recurrences and rare instances of recurrent fever. Here are a few clinical examples:
1. Mr. Wang, 32 years old, had been suffering from an external syndrome for two days with a sore throat that made swallowing difficult. His pulse was floating and large, with a slightly thick white tongue coating. He also had a headache, stiff neck, dry eyes, slight nasal discharge, occasional cough, and a fever of 38.9°C. After prescribing 3 grams of Ge Gen Tang (Kudzu Decoction) in scientific Chinese medicine form, he felt relief in his throat pain even before taking the medicine. He immediately asked what the medicine was and if it contained Western drugs. After explaining that the aromatic properties of the medicine could be absorbed through the nasal mucosa and quickly reach the brain due to its proximity, he was reassured and took the medicine.
2. Ms. Lü, 48 years old, had been suffering from an external syndrome for four to five days with symptoms including headache, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, swollen tonsils, and fever. She was weak, thin, and pale. After acupuncture on the Hegu (LI4) points on both hands, her symptoms improved immediately. The Hegu point is versatile, capable of both attacking and defending, tonifying and purging, warming and cooling, and addressing both internal and external issues. It is a key point for external syndromes and is often used for diagnostic purposes. After the acupuncture, her body felt warm, and she was given a three-day course of Shen Su Yin to consolidate the treatment. After one session, her external syndrome was cured.
3. Little Lin, 10 years old, had a fever of 39.4°C and was too tired to sleep. In addition to medication, he was prescribed a small cabbage and tofu soup (made with traditional tofu, water, and small cabbage, with a little ginger added in winter and a little salt if dehydrated). Twenty minutes later, his father called to report that the fever had subsided, and the child was able to sleep peacefully. The next day, the child was diagnosed with enterovirus and was prescribed a five-day course of Jing Fang Bai Du San, Scutellaria, and Agastache. He recovered a few days later.
**Diagnosing by Prescription, Prescribing by Diagnosis**
"Prescription" refers to methods, directions, and formulas. Therefore, diagnosing by prescription or prescribing by diagnosis can compensate for the limitations of traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis. This method has been highly valued in China since before the "Treatise on Cold Damage." My father often prescribed after acupuncture and would say, "Diagnosis should be cautious. It is common for the condition to differ after acupuncture from before." Therefore, before prescribing, a packet of medicine is often used for diagnostic purposes, revealing increasingly complex patient conditions that were not fully understood before.
1. Ms. Huang, 38 years old, was tall and thin with a floating and slippery pulse, a thin and greasy tongue coating, and a cough with wheezing. She had caught a cold in the cold weather. After prescribing 3 grams of Ma Xing Gan Shi Tang (Ephedra, Apricot Kernel, Licorice, and Gypsum Decoction), her phlegm disappeared within a minute, but she felt as if she had choked. After acupuncture on the Taichong (LR3) points on both feet, her cough stopped immediately. However, ten minutes later, she felt a cold sensation in her stomach. Since the medicine should reduce phlegm but not eliminate it entirely, it was suspected that the dose was too strong. The prescription was adjusted to 2 grams of Ma Xing Gan Shi Tang, and her cough was cured within three days. She was then given a five-day course of Xiao Jian Zhong Tang for further recovery.
2. Mr. Tang, 33 years old, was pale, weak, and outwardly strong but internally fragile. He sought treatment for swollen and painful throat, cough, chest tightness, phlegm, and nasal congestion. After taking one packet (3 grams) of Shen Su Yin, his condition gradually improved within two minutes, but he still felt slight chest tightness and a tighter cough. This indicated a transformation from dampness to dryness rather than fire-induced dryness. After acupuncture on the left Neiguan (PC6) point, he felt immediate relief. The previous prescription was slightly insufficient, so he was prescribed a new formula: 2 grams of Shen Su Yin, 0.5 grams of Fritillaria, and 0.5 grams of Trichosanthes root, one packet four times a day for seven days. At the follow-up, his cough had stopped, and he was given another seven-day course of the same prescription to complete the treatment.Mr. Chen sought medical attention due to a fever above 38.5℃, nasal congestion, and coughing. The patient has a history of chronic rhinitis and sinusitis, which have persisted for a long time. Due to a recurrence of nasal issues and the ongoing dengue fever epidemic, he was prescribed 1.5 grams of Chuanxiong Chatiao San and 1.5 grams of Longdan Xiegan Tang. Acupuncture was also applied to the Hegu and Yangfu points, providing immediate relief. He was then given a five-day course of 2 grams of Chuanxiong Chatiao San and 1 gram of Longdan Xiegan Tang, four times a day, after which no further nasal issues were reported.
Currently, there is widespread fear of avian influenza. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in treating external pathogens, there is no need for excessive alarm. Western medicine's understanding of viruses is only about a century old, while TCM's knowledge of avian influenza (known as "chicken plague") dates back over two thousand years. Moreover, TCM does not rely solely on vaccines for disease prevention. Vaccines are not suitable for young individuals, as conditions like chickenpox are meant to help the immune system mature. Overuse of vaccines can lead to the occurrence of chickenpox, which typically happens only once in a lifetime. However, many young people now experience it more than once, indicating an immature immune system. In the past, people would recover from the flu within three to four hours by simply drinking more water, thanks to a more mature immune system. For this avian influenza, it is sufficient to use aromatic herbs to dispel dampness, such as coriander, star anise, celery, garlic, leeks, ginger, and scallions. Regular acupressure on points like Hegu, Yingxiang, Quchi, and Zusanli can also help in self-protection. Practicing qigong regularly can further enhance immunity and prevent illness. Panic only destabilizes the immune system, which is a major taboo in dealing with external pathogens.
The above is a brief introduction, and I welcome any corrections or suggestions.