Digestive Issues
Through its effect on the ‘fight or flight’ reaction of the central nervous system, Traditional Chinese medicine directly addresses organ function. Modern medical science shows a direct link between the autonomic nervous system (fight or flight, rest and relax) and gut health. People with chronic imbalances are more likely to suffer from issues like gastritis and other gut health problems. Furthermore, the autonomic nervous system also determines someone’s sensitivity to outside influences, like diet.
🢗 Case Study: Inflammatory Bowel Disease
HISTORY
Patient is a 73 year old woman who suffers from inflammatory bowel disease which has persisted for many years. It presents as severe abdominal cramping and diarrhea. No reports of bleeding or burning. Secondary symptoms are fatigue, insomnia, and palpitations which intensify when she is about to have a gastric episode. These episodes occurred almost daily.
Adherence to a low FODMAP diet helped to reduce incidents of gastric pain and intensity. The issue still persisted at a level which severely impacted her quality of life. Patient came hoping for relief with her primary complaint of pain from inflammatory bowel syndrome.
TREATMENT
Initial therapy focused solely on acupuncture. Treatments were performed once weekly, each session lasting no longer than one hour. Progress was measured by subjective reporting. A ‘good day’ described a day without pain or palpitations. An ‘ok day’ meant some palpitations and discomfort during bowel movements. A ‘bad day’ described intense cramping, exhaustion and concerning palpitations.
After the first treatment she began to see improvement in her quality of sleep. After two weeks gastric episodes were less painful. She had one ‘good day’ a week. For the next two weeks the patient experienced a reduction in the intensity of her symptoms. She reported one ‘good day’ each week where she experienced no gastric symptoms. Secondary concerns of insomnia and fatigue continued to improve.
One month into treatment (5 visits) we introduced an herbal formula into her protocol. Two weeks after beginning herbal medicine she began to experience further improvement: two ‘good days’, 3 ‘bad days,’ and 2 ‘ok days’ a week on average.
Over the following month her symptoms rapidly improved, with only one bad day on average. At present the patient rarely feels discomfort and has begun to reintroduce triggering foods into her diet. With her primary complaint resolved, treatments transition into improving sleep.
FOR PRACTITIONERS: PROTOCOL
Diagnosis: Spleen deficiency cold of the middle jiao complicated by external cold (raw diet) and liver blood deficiency.
Treatment: Warm the middle jiao; nourish spleen and kidney yang; tonify liver blood Point prescription: si shen cong, LI4, LI11, ST25, ST36, ST39, KD14 threaded to RN 6, SP4, SP6, SP9
Explanation: Si Shen Cong was employed for its lifting action and to help settle the shen. LI4, sometimes paired with LV3, was employed to control cramps and reestablish appropriate flow of qi. ST25 and ST36 were used to warm and support the middle jiao. ST39 activated the large intestine to control cramps. KD14 threaded to RN6 reestablished appropriate fluid dynamic and supported the qi of the middle jiao. The spleen points nourished the spleen and cleared dampness.
Herbal RX: Zhen Ren Yang Zang Tang Jia Wei
Explanation: In order to combat coldness in the middle jiao I selected herbs that support the spleen and stomach. ZRYZT also nourishes blood and astringes diarrhea. Fu Zi was added for additional benefit to the yang. Yan Hu Suo was added for epigastric pain and to support sleep. Da Zao and Ji Xue Teng were also added to strengthen blood nourishing actions.