Primidone, a drug used to treat seizures. The nasogastric tube was removed and he had no problem with talking or depression after his sixth treatment. A therapeutic course consists of 10 treatments. To relax contractures of the hand, thread a two-inch needle from He Gu (LI 4) under the palm toward Lao Gong (Per 8) and Hou Xi (SI 3). Julia was also in much better control of urination, now holding her urine for six hours at night. After inserting four more needles in her scalp, we encouraged Barbara to stand up. The chain of nerve cells that runs from the brain through the spinal cord out to the muscles is called the motor pathway. a Editor's note: The references in this article have been renumbered for continuity. While interviewing Tom, we were shocked to find that his right arm and hand had actually been paralyzed for 11 years. Patients may present dragging foot, unilateral muscle wasting in one or the other hand, or slurred speech. Scalp acupuncture distinguishes a yin somatotope at the front of the scalp and a yang somatotope at the back of the scalp. In many cases, a flexible spending account may be used to cover acupuncture treatments. When treating stroke from thrombosis or embolism, scalp acupuncture treatment should begin as soon as feasible. From a Western perspective, these zones correspond to the cortical areas of the cerebrum and cerebellum responsible for central nervous system functions such as motor activity, sensory input, vision, speech, hearing, and balance. At the end of 20 treatments his walking appeared almost normal. Infected by West Nile virus, she had immediately developed quadriplegia. They asked, How quickly could he notice any improvement? David decided to try the treatment but was still skeptical after being told that some patients had immediate improvement and others did not. She responded immediately after the needles were inserted, her voice sounding much clearer and stronger. Facial paralysis, according to Chinese medicine, involves both disregulation of qi and blood causing mal-nourishment of the channels in the facial region, as well as invasion by pathogenic wind-cold or phlegm. To treat facial muscle spasm the Chorea and Tremor Area and the lower 2/5 Motor Area should be stimulated. Signs and symptoms of Bell's palsy may include sudden onset of weakness or paralysis on one side of the face making it difficult to smile or close the eye on the affected side, and deviation and droop of the corner of the mouth making facial expressions difficult. This patient's experience has caused us to change the information we give students about whether treatment could be successful after a specific number of years. Many patients also have reported that their bladder and bowel control, fatigue, and overall sense of well-being significantly improved after treatment. A hospital physician recommended that Fred try acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture in the scalp is very safe when performed by a qualified professional. Propranolol, a beta blocker. When treating a hemorrhagic stroke, however, scalp acupuncture should not be performed until the patient's condition is stable, probably one month after a stroke. Clinical studies have demonstrated that acupuncture may be beneficial for PD . The symptoms of stroke depend on the type of stroke and the area of the brain affected. Indication: tinnitus, vertigo, diminished hearing, Menier's syndrome. The common denominators in most cases are external invasion or internal engenderment of damp heat, which damages qi and consumes yin and blood, thus giving rise to internal stirring of wind. Upon examination, her tongue was red with a thin white coating and her pulse was slippery and wiry. At a workshop conducted at Tri-State Acupuncture College in New York City in 1998, a patient named Tom volunteered for scalp acupuncture. Her neck was severely damaged at the level of C-5 and C-6. Two days later, Sherry arrived for her fourth session and reported very positive reactions to the last treatment. As stated previously, however, those who do not have such sensations could still have immediate, positive results. The actual site of obstruction is always at or below the level at which patients perceive the obstruction. We use sterile, single-use needles and always follow antiseptic protocols so there is limited risk of infection. Lisa, a 10-year-old girl in a wheelchair, was brought by her mother to our clinic in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1993. The disorder results from damage or trauma to one of a pair of facial nerves (Cranial Nerve VII) that controls the muscles of the face. Although scalp acupuncture areas may be chosen according to the patient's particular symptoms, primary areas for patients with motor problems such as paralysis, weakness of limbs, or abnormal sensations in limbs including tingling, numbness, or pain, are the Motor Area and the Sensory and Foot Motor Areas. Her slurred speech sometimes even her mother could not understand. During our lectures around the world, we are often asked why, if it is so effective in treating disorders of the central nervous system, has scalp acupuncture not spread to the whole world and been applied widely in practice? She had less mucous in her nose and throat and no nausea since the last visit. The scalp's unique neurological and endocrinal composition makes it an ideal external stimulating field for internal activities of the brain. David, a 52-year-old man, was vacationing with his wife in Santa Fe, NM, in 1993. For two minutes, rotate the needles at least 200 times per minute with the thumb and index finger, twirling them as gently as possible at the beginning of treatment and repeating stimulation every 10 minutes so that the patient can tolerate the sensations better. Scalp acupuncture, discovered by Dr. Jiao Shunfa in 1971, is a modern acupuncture technique combining traditional needling methods with Western medical knowledge of representative areas of the cerebral cortex, including anatomy, physiology, pathology and neurology. The insertion of two needles on the left side of her scalp did not seem to bother her at all. 5.3. Though the scalp is uniquely innervated and highly vascularized there is no risk of heavy bleeding. With children, select the thinnest needles that you can insert into the scalp. We were astonished and barely able to recognize her when she walked into the conference room by herself. By embracing newly developed knowledge and technology, the profession continues to create additional methods of treatment. Barbara reported that she had not received further acupuncture treatment after the last two scalp acupuncture treatments because neither her insurance nor her own money could cover further sessions. The points were Tai Chong (Liv 3), Tai Xi (Ki 3), Yang Ling Quan (GB 34), Feng Long (St 40), Wai Guan (TB 5), and Lian Quan (CV 23). During treatment, some patients experience sensations of heat, cold, tingling, numbness, heaviness, distention, or the sensation of water or electricity moving in the affected limbs. Early Findings Earlier research conducted by Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers His wife gave a brief medical history because of his aphasia. It has been proven to be a most effective technique for treating acute and chronic central nervous system disorders. We need to emphasize that this patient received only three scalp acupuncture treatments and had recovered completely. Soon after that, both of her arms began to move and lift. The principle of scalp acupuncture is very straightforward; the aim is to stimulate the diseased area of the brain in order to facilitate a return of function in that area. Sherry's fine motor movement showed some improvement such as turning on a light switch. Diseases such as progressive muscular atrophy, poliomyelitis, and ALS are categorized as wei zheng () or wilting conditions in Chinese medicine. There is no cure or standard treatment for motor neuron diseases and treatment focuses on reducing the symptoms of muscle spasm and pain while maintaining the highest practical level of overall health. Functional causes include achalasia, myasthenia gravis, and bulbar or pseudobulbar palsy. Monoplegia is impairment in the motor function of only one limb. Moxibustion can enhance the therapeutic results of scalp acupuncture, especially for older or weak patients. We feel confident that this book will meet these requirements. Some scientists believe the needles act to stimulate muscles and nerves, which is what causes the effects. Quadriplegia can be treated after any duration, but less than three months from the date of injury or illness shows the greatest improvement. Modern medicine has not yet found a cure for spinal cord injury. As soon as we inserted two needles in her scalp at the Chorea and Tremor Area, the tightness in all four limbs loosened up and the spasms were gone. Sherry, a 38-year-old female, came to our clinic in 2007. Indications: superficial edema, hypertension. He could neither utilize a normal gait from heel to toe nor walk backwards. Therefore, many practitioners in both the West and the East are only mildly aware of this new technique, and few apply it in their practices. However, those who do not have such sensations could still have immediate, positive results. By the fifth treatment, Fred wanted to add more foods and soon could eat and drink anything like a normal person. Scalp acupuncture is a modern acupuncture technique combining traditional needling method with western medicine knowledge of representative areas of the cerebral cortex. Acupuncture, especially Neurological Scalp Acupuncture, can dramatically reduce and manage essential tremor. official website and that any information you provide is encrypted Progressive muscular atrophies are a wide group of genetic disorders characterized by primary degeneration of the anterior horn cells of the spinal cord, resulting in progressive muscle weakness. I can walk solidly from heel to toe and walk backwards with no difficulty.. Scalp acupuncture, on the other hand, applies more of a Western medicine approach, where patients with the same diagnosis usually receive the same or very similar treatment. Barbara had very positive responses to scalp acupuncture treatment. Abboud H, Ahmed A, Fernandez HH. During each treatment, however, her right foot was getting stronger and she could pick it up more easily. Select the Balance Area or Vertigo and Hearing Area of the scalp, respectively, depending on the symptoms. Active and passive exercise during scalp acupuncture treatment is very important for improvement. In very serious cases, patients may need feeding tubes. Ren Scalp acupuncture can successfully treat many problems of the central nervous system such as paralysis and aphasia, for which Western medicine has little to offer. This helps to reduce fear and anxiety for both patient and parents. The practitioner has a wide amount of discretion on the use of points and techniques. His pulses were wiry and slippery. Scalp acupuncture has been found to have very a significant positive impact on hemiplegic aphasia due to various central nerve disorders, even during the initial few treatments. Her fatigue and bladder control were improved but she still had a lot of mucous and leg tremor. Location: Horizontal line 1.5 cm above and centered on the apex of ear, 4 cm in length. Select the Speech I Area or some local points in the neck accordingly if the patient has aphasia or difficulty swallowing. 3.3 Chorea-Tremor Control Area (CTCA) Location: Parallel to and 1.5 cm anterior to Motor Area (see Figs. With the increase in hand functions she was able to hold a knife with both hands and cut vegetables. Although other acupuncture techniques can be effective, scalp acupuncture seems to bring about quicker and often immediate improvement. For electrical stimulation in body acupuncture, fewer than four needles should be stimulated in each limb. He had suffered from multiple sclerosis since 1982 and had received many kinds of treatments with no positive results. The RA group was treated with needling at Lian Quan (CV 23), Tong Li (Ht 5) and Zhao Hai (Ki 6). Electrical acupuncture is very helpful for speeding up recovery and can be applied on the above points as well as at the Hua Tou Jia Ji points on the back. In another body of work examined in the meta-analysis, Huang Na et al. Liu Jian-hao and colleagues reported on the treatment of 60 cases of paralysis due to stroke using scalp acupuncture in 2010. Yin corresponds to nourishing muscles and tendons and points from yin channels have positive results for pronounced stiffness and contraction of the limbs. She continued to get better with each additional treatment and by the sixth treatment, Denise was able to enter our clinic with a walker instead of in a wheelchair. Having proven effective through clinical results recorded over the last 35 years, it can effectively stimulate the paralyzed area in order to restore the body's energy flow to a normal state so that the body can heal itself. With every treatment, Fred showed dramatic improvements in speech, eating and drinking, and movement of his right arm, hand, leg, and foot. Communicate with the patient and any relatives often in order to gain their confidence, to encourage them, and reduce their fear and anxiety. Scalp acupuncture treatments were given once a day and 10 treatments made a course. Her gait was wide-based and unsteady and she had to hold on to someone to walk in order to maintain her balance. Treatment is given two to three times per week and a therapeutic course consists of 10 treatments. Paralysis almost always causes a change in muscle tone. Jia Huai-yu reported on 1,800 cases of paralysis due to stroke treated on the Motor Area by scalp acupuncture in 1992. The majority of treatments available in Western medicine involve drugs or surgery and are often ineffective. Her walking was much more stable and she was able to lift both legs much higher. These cases demonstrate practical application of the principles of scalp acupuncture. During the break, Michael went outside for a bit more exercise. The 60 cases were randomly divided into a five-needle-in-nape (FNN) group and a routine acupuncture (RA) group, 30 cases in each group. There was a little twitching in the muscles of his arm but no movement at all in his right arm or hand and the hand appeared puffy and swollen. If the spinal cord injury is not total, it is possible for some people to recover all bodily functions including touch and pain sensations, bladder and bowel functions, and motor control. To treat loss of taste, the lower 2/5 Sensory Area in the scalp should be stimulated. In complementary and alternative medicine, it contributes new understanding to both theory and practice. The patient thrived on this program. In these case descriptions, we explain in practical detail how to apply the needling techniques in order to obtain optimal results. She had had a concussion on the left side of the brain in the internal capsule and initially was totally paralyzed on her right side and lost the ability to speak. This book contains many amazing case reports from our years of clinical practice and teaching as examples of what is possible using these techniques. For children less than two years old, an effective technique is to hide each needle from their sight while inserting and stimulating. Other symptoms included an inability to lift his feet or wiggle his toes. A swallowing disorder can occur in people of all age groups but it is more likely in the elderly, patients who have had strokes, and in patients who are admitted to acute care hospitals or chronic care facilities. Dysphagia may lead to malnutrition and dehydration and at the most severe stages can cause choking, aspiration, and airway obstruction. Treatment was given six times a week and 16 treatments made a course. Because sensation is usually impaired in affected areas, this can manifest as numbness, reduced sensation, or burning sensation and pain. During treatment, some patients feel heat, cold, tingling, numbness, heaviness, distention, and/or the sensation of water or electricity moving along their spine, legs, or arms. For patients such as Sherry who present with multiple symptoms and signs, it is, in our experience, more effective to treat major complaints first with a few needles. It is useful to pair the testing of each muscle group immediately with the testing of its contra-lateral counterpart to enhance detection of any asymmetries and record detailed information of any changes. Dysphagia is the medical term for the symptom of difficulty in swallowing. The best results are usually achieved by applying low frequency (for example, 3 hertz) with high intensity (for instance, when visible muscle contraction is observed). Many patients have a very quick and positive response in controlling urine and bowel functions when the Foot Motor and Sensory Area is stimulated. Her pulses remained unchanged. Other symptoms include pain behind or in front of the ear on the affected side, sounds that seem louder on the affected side, and changes in the amount of tears and saliva the body produces. Chinese medical pattern discrimination: Qi stagnation and blood stasis in the channels, kidney qi deficiency, Primary area: Upper 1/5 Motor Area and middle 2/5 Motor Area, Secondary area: Foot Motor and Sensory Area, Chorea and Tremor Area. The patient should get treatment as soon as possible as the earlier the treatment, the better the prognosis. 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