September 25, 2016
Acupuncture For Acute Stroke Case Study in Asia
Acupuncture in the west is mostly known for chronic pain. However, Scalp acupuncture can be applied in acute emergency situations as well.
What is Scalp Acupuncture?
Scalp acupuncture has been practiced for thousands of years, dating back to ancient China. In modern acupuncture today it is one the most common treatments used for post-stroke recovery and as the name suggests, involves inserting acupuncture needles into acupoints in the scalp. In fact, scalp acupuncture rather than regular body treatment appears to be much more effective at treating neurological conditions including stroke.
How can it assist stroke recovery?
Scalp acupuncture can be an effective way to improve neurological symptoms, including difficulty speaking/writing/reading, memory loss & reduction of motor skills, which can occur post-stroke.
The acupuncture needle insertion sites, being much closer to the affected areas of the brain, are believed to encourage the brains neuroplasticity by stimulating the cerebral cortex (region of the brain responsible for memory, perception, learning, cognition, awareness, language & motor function) (1). The needles are often stimulated slightly by the acupuncturist (this cannot be felt by the patient) and often left in for a number of hours afterwards.
M 90, family members woke up to find him unresponsive and rushed him to the ER. He was unable to speak and had scans done. Zhu scalp acupuncture was applied by Dr. Zhu and his team and the patient was able to speak again after 20 minutes. After 3 days of treatment this patient was able to be discharged and cleared to go home.
Patient brain scan
Not only is this efficient and cost effective, it also frees up doctors in the inpatient wards to attend to other life threatening diseases. Hopefully the hospitals in the west will start to integrate and use acupuncture in for these types of situations someday.
youtube video here
Research (2) has suggested that scalp acupuncture may be effective due to the influence it has on the following factors:
- reducing brain odema (swelling)
- promote repair of blood brain barrier to prevent further damage occurring from unwanted molecules crossing this essential barrier.
- reducing chronic inflammation to allow for brain tissue repair
- improving neuron function & communication allowing for faster recovery & return of normal functionality.
Stimulating the scalp may encourage the brains neuroplasticity by stimulating the cerebral cortex may help in stroke recovery.
One of the most important factors of treatment is TIME. The sooner treatment begins the better the outcome. However, this is not always the case, positive results may still be seen if treatment begins beyond the ‘3-6 month’ recommended recovery window. Even years later treatment may still be effective. It’s never too late to consider treatment.
For more information on Scalp Acupuncture training in Australia contact: soohian@gmail.com
- Not a paid endorsement but I really do believe this is next level acupuncture. Acupuncture that works in acute situations that can actually save lives and make the world a better place.
Bob Wong was raised in a traditional Chinese medicine family and moved to mainland China to study and train for almost a decade. During that time, he was able to learn from some of the top acupuncturists and Chinese Medicine practitioners in at the Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine. His mission is not bring that knowledge and experience to help his patients.
Bob Wong currently maintains an acupuncture practice in the Brisbane area and lectures at the Endeavour College of Natural Health. For more information you can read his full bio or schedule and appointment.
*The owner of this site is not liable for any misfortune that should befall a visitor to this site.This site does not offer personal advice & no information on it can be construed as personal advice. In the event that you may feel our therapies may be of benefit, we advise you to contact the clinic to make an appointment for diagnosis and treatment.
September 24, 2016
Master Tung’s Ling Gu Da Bai: lower back pain acupuncture points
lower back pain acupuncture points
Master Tung’s Ling Gu Da Bai (灵骨大白) 22.04 -22.05
Two really great points for immediate relief of lower back pain. I learned about these points from Dr. Tan’s balance method seminar a few years ago.
Located between the index and thumb between the first and second metacarpal bones. Ling Gu is more like a high LI4 & Da Bai is closer to Li3 in TCM.
Da Bai
Location: Lock fingers in a grip to locate the point in the depression 0.5 cun proximal to the junction between the 1st and 2nd metacarpal bones. (Young, 2008.)
Ling gu
Location: between the index and thumb, the 1st and 2nd metacarpal bones, 1.2 cun from Da Bai. (Young, 2008.)
This set of points definitely has great effects for sciatica, lower back, and variety of different diseases. Because these points are located on the Yang ming channel (yang ming is abundant in qi and blood,) they are able get quite immediate effective result for many patients.
The Chinese character “bai” in Da bai translates to “Big White” which relates to lung because in TCM white is the color representing the lung. Therefore Da Bai treats respiratory diseases.
Ling Gu in Chinese translates to “Adroit Bone,” which treats lower back pain and Kidney diseases since Bone pertains to Kidney in TCM.
There are two dozen more reasons why these work but all I know is that they work.
youtube vid HERE
Master Tung came from one of the most prestigous acupuncture familes in Taiwan. This style of acupuncture is renowned for having fast and instantaneous results. If you are an acupuncturist and getting crap results at best with TCM, you should really look into Master Tung points.
For full Master Tung Trainings check out either Brad Whisnant, Robert Chu, or Dr. Young. Def worth the investment as an acupuncturist.
Master Tung Acupuncture books by Dr. Young Here
- Not a paid endorsement. Just spreading the art.
References:
Young, Wei-Chieh, and Jingchang Dong. Lectures on Tung’s Acupuncture: Points Study. Rowland Heights, CA: American Chinese Medical Culture Center, 2008. Print.
Bob Wong is comes from a family background of Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture. When not practicing and teaching, he is usually taking photos of things and making videos.
Sign up for Free Art of Acupuncture photos HERE .
Follow on Facebook
September 24, 2016
Instant Heel Pain Relief Acupuncture points
Mu Guan and Gu Guan is a set of points on the heel of the palm. They are great points for plantar fasciitis and “bone swelling.”
I first learned about these points from Dr. Tan’s Book, Twelve and Twelve Acupuncture. It’s a great little book with just 12 points, mostly from the Master Tung Acupuncture system. It’s a great for anyone starting in the Tung system but not yet ready to get bombed with theory. The book includes very straight forward descriptions, pics of the points, and case studies to learn from. You can read the book and literally, start using it right away and it works!
Gu Guan
Location: in the depression (.05cun) distal to the prominence of the scaphoid bone. (or Ashi point will do) Needling depth: .02 -.05 cun (Tan,1991.)
Mu Guan
Location: in the depression (.05cun) distal to the prominence of the pisiform bone. (or Ashi point will do) Needling depth: .02 -.05 cun (Tan,1991.)
The Chinese Character for “mu” or “木” means wood & “guan” or “关” means gate. Wood in TCM pertains to the tendons and sinews which is why it is such a great point for heel pain. I’ve also heard from other practioners using these points for menses problems which makes sense because wood is associated with liver blood as well.
The character “Gu” or “骨” translates to bone which treats kidney and bone as well. (needling muscle treats muscle, tendon for tendon, bone for bone)
Lastly, the palm of the heel is just such a great image of the heel itself. You can layer the images as well with Du 20 (head treats foot) to get even better results (Thank you Brad Whisnant.)
I’ve also had great results for knee pain especially swollen joints since one of the indications is “bone swelling.”
Youtube Vid HERE
Master Tung came from one of the most prestigous acupuncture familes in Taiwan. This style of acupuncture is renowned for having fast and instantaneous results. If you are an acupuncturist and getting crap results, you should really look into Master Tung points.
For full Master Tung Trainings check out either Brad Whisnant, Robert Chu, or Dr. Young. Def worth the investment as an acupuncturist.
Bob Wong is comes from a family background of Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture. When not practicing and teaching, he is usually taking photos of things and making videos.
Sign up for Free Art of Acupuncture photos HERE .
Follow on Facebook
Instagram: @artofacupuncture
References:
Tan, Richard, and Stephen C. Rush. Twelve and Twelve in Acupuncture Unique Point Applications and Case Studies for Effective Pain Treatment. San Diego, CA: Tan, Richard, 1991. Print.
September 1, 2016
I Had the pleasure of visiting Dr. Elaine Cebuliak this past week to learn more about vetinary acupuncture and how it works. It was definately a breath of fresh air and got me out of the regular human acupuncture routine. Vid below:
Bob Wong is comes from a family background of Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture. When not practicing and teaching, he is usually taking photos of things and making videos.
Sign up for Free Art of Acupuncture photos HERE .
Follow on Facebook
Instagram: @artofacupuncture
