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The Treatment of Hepatitis with Acupuncture & Qi Gong. Chad J. Dupuis, M.Ac., L.Ac. Yin Yang House Acupuncture & Wellness Center 512 Tremont Street, Chattanooga. Acupuncture in Brief. Medicine is used worldwide both as a complementary and as a primary mode of treatment.
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The Treatment of Hepatitis with Acupuncture & Qi Gong Chad J. Dupuis, M.Ac., L.Ac. Yin Yang House Acupuncture & Wellness Center 512 Tremont Street, Chattanooga
Acupuncture in Brief • Medicine is used worldwide both as a complementary and as a primary mode of treatment. • Natural Medicine with many branches, styles, and theories. • Theories and Techniques drawn from long-term observation and testing. • Written texts date back as far as 168 AD.
Acupuncture Training in the US • The majority of practitioners graduate from 3-4 year post-graduate level programs with clinical rotations. • Some states also allow MD’s and/or Chiropractors to practice with minimal or no additional training. • National Certification is required in most states and licensure from the states Board of Medicine is required.
Acupuncture Diagnoses • Conditions are not treated, people and their unique set of signs and symptoms are. • This adaptability is a large part of the effectiveness of acupuncture. • Treatments are based on Chinese Medicine diagnoses which are arrived at from many sources, including your symptoms, pulse, tongue, pressure pain, emotional state, etc.
Treatment Methods • Acupuncture is not just needles… many practitioners include massage (tuina), energy work (qigong), and other techniques such as cupping and moxibustion. • Herbal Medicine is also an important branch of Chinese Medicine – which includes dietary adjustments and recommendations. • Lifestyle changes and exercise are an important part of the healing process. Exercises such as Tai Chi, for example, are well known for their effects on the immune system.
A Science and an Art • Traditionally acupuncture was taught in a teacher/student model instead of formal schooling as it often is now. • While many conditions can be treated well with acupuncture with established protocols, it is still an art form requiring good instruction and techniques. • You are likely to get different results from different practitioners as well as from different styles of acupuncture.
Hepatitis Introduction • Autoimmune Hepatitis • Jaundice, Unresolved Acute Hepatitis, etc. • Corticosteroids/Prednisolone • Calcium Absorbtion/Bone Formation • Hypertension, Fatigue, Weight Gain, Depression • 50% 5 Year Survival Rate w/o Tx. • Pre Cirrhosis / 90% 5 Year Survival Rate w/Tx.
Chronic Hepatitis B • 5% Acute HBV to Chronic Liver Disease. • Interferon • Fatigue, malaise, diarrhea • Lowered immunity via bone marrow interruption • 3-5% w/o Treatment Resolve • 50% w/Interferon Treatment Resolve
Hepatitis C • May be asymptomatic, chronic liver disease leading to cirrhosis. • Interferon • 80% Chronic Carriers and develop cirrhosis over 20+ years.
Chinese Medicine Ideas • Hepatitis effects the Liver, Gall Bladder and Spleen Systems of the Body • Liver in Chinese Medicine: • Stores the Blood, Circulates Qi/Energy, Controls the Tendons, Manifests in the Nails, Opens into the Eyes, Houses the Ethereal Soul (spirit). • Five Element Associations – Eyes, Tendons, Sour Taste, Green Color, Shouting, Emotions of Anger and Frustration, Spring Time, Wind
Gall Bladder in TCM • Yin/Yang Pair with the Liver. • Stores and Excretes Bile (digestion) • Ability to make decisions • Controls the Tendons – energy for strength, whereas Liver supplies Blood for nourishment.
Spleen in TCM • Controls the Blood, Produces energy from proper digestion and assimilation, Controls the muscles and limbs, controls the raising of energy, houses the “Yi” (intellect).
Functions of Acupuncture • Strengthen Immunity • Resolve Auto-Immune Activity • Control Pain and Side Effects of Complementary Treatments (Endorphin Effect) • Stress Reduction/Improved Healing Potential • Improve Nerve Function/Energy Circulation
Example TCM Diagnosis • Damp Heat in the Liver and GallBladder • Signs: Chest a/or hypochondriac pain/distention, jaundice, fever, bitter taste in the mouth, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, swelling a/or itching of the genitals. • Tongue Dx: Red w/yellow Sticky Coat • Pulse Dx: Slippery, Wiry Rapid • Treatment Points – LV 14 (LV Mu), GB 24 (GB Mu), UB 18 (LV Shu – T9), UB 19 (GB Shu – T10), SP 9, LV 2, LI 11
UB 18 Liver Shu Point • Main point for all Liver related conditions: hepatitis, jaundice, cirrhosis, Blood stagnation, Qi stagnation, etc. • Main point for eye problems, pain, itching, dryness, redness, blurred vision, visual dizziness, twitching. • Main point for LV related emotional issues such as anger, depression, irritability, frustration, stress a/or PMS. • Useful for hypochondriac a/or sub costal pain/distention.
Tam Healing System • Developed by Tom Tam, acupuncturist, healer, and tai chi master, for the treatment of complicated medical conditions. • A unique composition of western and eastern medical ideas along with strong clinical experiences over 30 years. • Based on pressure pain as a primary diagnostic tool. • Primarily involves acupuncture, massage and energy work – very little herbal medicine.
Hepatitis Treatment Areas • Primary T9 (Right Side) • T1, T2, T3, T4, GB 34, LV 3 + • Why? • Nerve function/communication with Liver. • T1 effects bone marrow – Immune system strengthening/regulation • T2 effects thymus gland – Produce T Cells • T3 effects Lung system and Lymph – removal of toxic heat, pimples on back • T4 regulates sweat glands, dissipate internal heat
Treatment Progression • As with western medicine, acupuncture treatments and results should be seen as a longer-term investment. • Symptomatic improvement, particularly with side effects of medicines, are often experienced within the first 3-7 treatments. • Treatments are generally weekly until symptoms improve and then bi-weekly/monthly/quarterly as each person requires.
Clinical Results • The majority of people will have a favorable reaction to acupuncture and at the very least will have symptomatic improvement and improved well-being. • With the Tam Healing system we experience higher resolution rates than general acupuncture as it is more targeted.
Yin Yang House Center • Located at 512 Tremont Street, Suite A in the North Shore. • Website – http://clinic.yinyanghouse.com/ • Email – clinic@yinyanghouse.com • Acupuncture treatments are $60/session. • General Info – http://www.yinyanghouse.com/