Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders with Acupuncture

January 4, 2008 – 10:59 am

According to the theories of Oriental Medicine, the spirit (shen) resides within the heart and the brain. The spirit is affected by the overall mental and physical health of a person. If the spirit is damaged, both the mental and the physical functions of a person would be greatly compromised. Deterioration in mental functions may result in delirium and dementia with the decline in physical functions resembling complications of stroke. Therefore, the treatment for neurodegenerative disorders should focus on awakening up the spirit (shen), opening up the sensory orifices and stimulating the brain.ÿ Dr. Zhang’s treatment of neurodegenerative disorders and stroke involves awakening the spirit (shen), opening up sensory orifices and stimulating the brain. He focuses his treatment by selecting acupuncture points from the Yin channels. The selection of points are as follows:
Selection of Main Points: neiguan (P6), renzhong (Du 26) & sanyinjiao (Sp6).
Neiguan (P6) has the function to nourish the heart, calm the spirit, and promote smooth circulation of Qi and blood. Renzhong (Du 26) opens up sensory orifices, stimulates the brain and awakens the spirit. The combination of Neiguan (P6) and Renzhong (Du 26) has been found to increase the contractile strength of the heart and the cardiac output of blood circulation to the brain. Sanyinjiao (Sp 6) is the meeting point of the three yin channels of foot. Sanyinjiao (Sp 6) nourishes the kidney as well as tonifies the essence and the marrow to improve the function of the brain.

Selection of Local points:
Jiquan (H 1), chize (Lu 5), weizhong (UB 40), and hegu (LI 4) are local points which open up the channels and collaterals and improve the circulation of Qi and blood. Jiquan (H 1), chize (Lu 5), and hegu (LI 4) are used for paralysis and tremor of the arms and the hands; and weizhong (UB 40) is used for paralysis of the legs. Fengchi (GB 20), yifeng (SJ 17), wangu (GB 12) and tianzhu (UB 10) are four excellent points which help patients who may have speech impairment or frequent aspiration of food particles leading to respiratory infections.

Shanshangdien (upper thunder point) and xiashangdien (lower thunder point) are two extraordinary points which were discovered through clinical trial and experience. These two acupuncture points are very potent and should be reserved for those patients who have partial to complete paralysis. Shanshangdien (upper thunder point) is located on the lateral side of the neck, on the same level with Adam’s apple, and between the sternal head and clavicular head of m. sternocleidomastoideus. Its is three cun posterior to the Adam’s apple and one cun posterior-inferior. It is located slighted inferior to Neck-Futu (L.I.18). Its indications include frozen shoulder, shoulder pain, paralysis of the arm, stiff and rigid muscle of the arm, and tremor of the hand. Xiashangdien (lower thunder point) is located in the buttock region. Xiashangdien (lower thunder point) is the posterior tip of an equalateral triangle with greater trochanter and the iliac crest as the anterior two points. It is located slightly superior to Huantiao (G.B. 30). Its indications include pain in the lower back and hip region, muscular atrophy, sciatica, pain, weakness and muscular atrophy of the lower extremities, and hemiplegia.
Needling Technique: Dr. Zhang has proposed that stroke is an excess condition and sedation is warranted. This is because stroke is characterized by the spirit trapped inside with the head with the complete or partial closure of the sensory orifices. Therefore, the overall treatment focus should be to open up the sensory orifices, release the spirit, and awaken the brain.
To achieve the maximum benefit from acupuncture, Dr. Zhang recommends slightly different location for some of the acupuncture points and their corresponding needling techniques. Both neiguan (P6) should be needled first. Insert the needle 1 to 1.5 cun, then stimulate the point for at least one minute by slightly turning the needle and moving it up and down. The healthy side should be tonified while the diseased side should be sedated. Next, needle renzhong (Du 26). Aim slightly upwards toward the top of head and stimulate strongly until the patient shows tears in his or her eyes. Stimulation should be done with quick rapid movements, a motion similar to a woodpecker drilling on trees. The third point is sangyinjiao (Sp 6). The point of insertion for sangyinjiao (Sp 6) should be moved 0.5 cun toward the dorsal side of the body (or towards kidney channel) for greater stimulation. Tonify sangyinjiao (Sp 6) by moving the needle up and down until the patient shows a “jerking motion” of the lower leg three times.

Jiquan (H1) should be needled with the patient raising his or her arm upward in the air. The point of insertion is moved 0.5 cun toward the fingers and away from the body. Jiquan H1 should be sedated by moving the needle up and down until the patient shows “jerking motion” of the arm three times. Weizhong (UB 40) may be needled with the patient lying on the back or on the stomach. Point of insertion should be moved 0.5 cun higher toward the buttocks along the UB channel. The needle should be inserted for 1 to 1.5 cun, and the point should be sedated until the leg shows “jerking motion” three times. Hegu (LI 4) should be needled obliquely with the tip of the needle pointing toward sangjian (LI 3). This point should be sedated until the index finger jerks three times. Shanshangdien (upper thunder point) should be needled perpendicularly 1 cun deep, and stimulated until there is an “electric sensation” that runs through the entire length of the arm. The needle is then withdrawn at that time. Shanshangdien (upper thunder point) should never be needled downward toward the lung as it may puncture the lung and cause pneumothorax. Lastly, xiashangdien (lower thunder point) should be needled perpendicularly 1.5-3.0 cun deep, and stimulated until there is an “electric sensation” that runs through the entire length of the leg. The needle is then withdrawn at that time.

source: www.tcmadvisory.com

Tags: Acupuncture, neurodegenerative, Shen, spirit

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