Acupuncture Therapy in China

Author: Wang Zhao Pu
Editor-in-Chief: Hu Kai Min
Publisher:
Publishing Time: 1999-01-01
Features: Acupressure therapy has evolved from dianxue, which is a traditional Chinese martial art technique of hitting an opponent at a selected acupoint on the body, so as to momentarily block the flow of blood and energy and cause unconsciousness. Based on the same theory, an acupressure therapist skillfully presses the same acupoint to promote the flow of blood and energy and heal injury. The therapy is administered by percussing, pressing, and/or massaging selected acupoints and stimulation-lines of the body. It is effective for treating common illnesses and complicated diseases such as cerebral palsy and polio. In clinical application, the therapy requires no drugs or instruments. It is safe, easy to learn, and can be practiced almost anywhere.
Section V: Indications and Contraindications of Acupressure Therapy
A. Indications
1. Diseases of the nervous system: Sequelae of cerebral birth injury and brain diseases, trauma, partial paralysis caused by injury of the spinal column, sequelae of poliomyelitis, multiple neuritis, arachnoidal adhesion, cerebral paralysis, facial paralysis, partial paralysis of brachial plexus nerve, partial injury of median nerve, ulnar nerve, radial nerve, sciatic nerve, and common peroneal nerve.
2. Diseases of the spine: Cervical vertebra syndrome, stiff neck, torticollis, disorder of posterior lumbar joints, herniation of the third lumbar bone syndrome, herniation of lumbar intervertebral disc, derangement of intervertebral articulation.
3. Diseases of the joints of the arms and legs.
4. Other symptoms: headache, toothache, hiccup, infantile indigestion, common cold, bed-wetting, hypochondriasis, drooling, foot and wrist ptosis.
B. Contraindications
The following conditions should not be treated with acupressure therapy.
1. Acute diseases, infectious diseases, acute stomachache, suppurative arthritis.
2. Severe heart diseases, tuberculosis, malignant tumors.
3. Hemorrhagic diseases such as hemophilia and purpura.
4. Severe skin diseases.
Section VI: Preparations Prior to Treatment
Prior to treatment, besides preparing the case history, making necessary physical and laboratory examinations, and giving a correct diagnosis, the doctor should indicate to the patient the relatively long process of treatment and the prospects for recovery so as to enhance his understanding, patience, and confidence and win his cooperation in the course of treatment. The clinic room should be spacious, well-ventilated, and illuminated. The examination table should be adjusted to an appropriate height. Necessary instruments including stethoscope, angle square, percussion hammer, tape measure, otoscope, ophthalmoscope, sphygmomanometer, tuning fork, and electric torch should be laid out. The manipulators should frequently trim fingernails but without overdoing it, so as not to hurt finger-tips or nail grooves, which can be protected by adhesive plaster if necessary.
Section VII: Points of Attention in Clinical Practice
1. Based on case history and lab reports such as EMGs, cardiograms, somatosensory evoked potential charts, make an overall analysis of the illness and the patient's condition before deciding on the acupoints and stimulation-lines for each individual patient. This is especially important in the following cases: debilitated children, starving or overfed people, patients on their first visit, and women during menstruation. Therapy should not be practiced on patients under the influence of liquor or in a state of physical exhaustion. Deformities should be treated with great patience.
2. Start the manipulations lightly, gradually increase in intensity, and wind up with light movements. Special care should be taken to avoid injuring joint capsules, tendons, and bones.
3. The patients usually have such sensations as soreness, numbness, warmth, spasm, and distension in the area of manipulation. Skin flush may occur; sometimes the patients may sweat or experience fever. Subcutaneous bleeding may occur in the beginning, but will gradually disappear in a week. None of these reactions require any special treatment. In case of severe reactions such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting, loss of color or shock, the manipulations should be stopped and relaxation techniques applied immediately, such as clapping the patient on the head, back, or