-IBIS-1.5.0-
tx
eyes/ears/nose/throat
nasal polyps
acupuncture
patterns and combinations
after assessing the person and palpating, consider these patterns:
Xue Yu (Blood Stasis); Lung Heat
» therapeutic note:
Nasal polyps may be a part of a general pattern of glandular/lymphatic exhaustion that is often often rooted in or at least exacerbated by a chronic, often subclinical, infection in the sinuses and irritation in the oropharyngeal mucous membranes. This area is a common site of primary focal infection from which secondary infections derive. Palpation at reflex sites in proximity of TW-16 ("East Wind") and LI-10.5 and above and below the eyes will confirm this hypothesis. If tender and/or painful points are found, consider needling Lu-7 and the reactive points in the areas of "LI-10.5", "St-2.5", yu yao, east wind/TW-16, and "St-43". Sinus irrigation with saline solution is usually also helpful - see "patient handout: sinus wash". (Matsumoto) See also "sinusitis".
» prognosis: With polyps of recent appearance seven treatments are usually adequate. With polyps that have been present for months or years up to thirty treatments may be required to achieve complete reduction of the polyps. In recalcitrant cases surgery may be required; here acupuncture can be effective in prevention recurrence, which is otherwise quite common. (So, 1987, p. 155)
» illustrative combinations:
LI-20 and LI-19; GV-28, GV-26, GV-25, GV-24, GV-14, GV-15 and GV-16; Kd-3 and Lu-7 for nasal polyps (Mann, p. 142)
for nasal polyps: (1) LI-4 and LI-11 with needle; (2) GB-20, GV-16, UB-12, GV-26, LI-20, bi yan and GV-25; (3) GV-22 and GV-23 (five cones of direct moxa, green bean size, to each); (4) indirect moxa with ginger over the entire nose (So, 1987, p. 155)
"yu yao", "St-2.5", "east wind", "LI-10.5", Lu-7, and "St-43", with other points sensitive to palpation, for sinusitis and glandular/lymphatic exhaustion, esp. with a primary focal infection in the sinuses and oropharyngeal mucous membranes (Matsumoto)
GV-23 and LI-20 for nasal congestion with an inability to smell (Ellis, et al, 1988, p. 386)
GV-23, LI-4 and Lv-3 for rhinitis (Shanghai, p. 142)
GV-23, yin tang, bi tong and LI-4 for chronic rhinitis (Shanghai, p. 155)
bi tong, UB-2 and Lu-7 for nasosinusitis (Shanghai, p. 213)
LI-11 and LI-4 for disease of the head, face, ears, eyes, mouth and nose (Ellis, et al, 1988, p. 100)
point analysis
» palpate and consider:
GV-16 (-): opens the nose; eliminates Yang Shi (Excess) from upper body; Window of the Sky point; Wei (Protective) Qi concentrates at this point
GV-15 (-): dispels Wind and Wind-Heat; opens the nose; frees the channels; removes Obstruction from the collateral vessels
GV-14 (-): dissipates Wind and Cold; stimulates the immune system, increases white blood cell count, and prevents or slows inflammation; regulates and stimulates the flow of Qi; regulates the Xue (Blood); opens the Lung, transforms Phlegm, and clears Lung Heat; Jiao Hui Intersecting point of the Yang channels on the Du Mai (Governing Vessel); Entry point of the Sea of Qi, with GV-13
GB-20 (-): disperses Wind-Heat and Wind-Cold; relieves Heat; opens the nose; subdues Liver Yang and Fire to calm and regulate the Liver; harmonizes Qi and Xue (Blood); frees the channels and invigorates the collateral vessels
UB-12 (-): disperses and eliminates Wind; disperses Yang Shi (Excess) in all Yang channels without draining body fluids; transforms Phlegm; opens and volatilizes the Lung; regulates and spreads Lung Qi; strengthens the dispersing function of Lung; clears the nose; regulates Qi circulation; Gate for entrance and departure of Feng Qi (Wind Qi)
GV-22 (- or d. D): resolves headache; clears the sinuses
GV-23 (- or d. D): clears the nasal cavity, esp. with anosmia
GV-24 (-): calms the Liver; dissipates Wind; resolves headache; clears the sinuses, esp. "deep source nasal congestion" (Ellis, et al, 1988, p. 386)
GV-25 (-): ventilates the Lung; opens the nose; dissipates Heat; resolves Stagnation
GV-26 (-): dispels Wind and Wind-Phlegm; clears the nose; frees the channels and invigorates the Qi circulation
GV-28 (-): ventilates the Lung; opens the nose; clears Heat and drains Fire; resolves Stagnation; esp. with nasal polyp inhibiting respiration (Ellis, et al, 1988, p. 386)
ca. yu yao (-): clears Heat; dispels focal infection in the sinus cavities; removes Obstructions from the channel; treats glandular/lymphatic exhaustion (Matsumoto); locate tender abdominal point (s), palpate most tender or painful point over each eye and needle, usually superiorly, so that tenderness at abdominal reflex point decreases upon palpation (Matsumoto)
yin tang (-): eliminates Wind-Heat; promotes relaxation; clears the nose
UB-1 (-): opens the channels, clears the vision, and invigorates circulation; esp. with polyp(s) extending into the eye; Bladder Entry point
bi tong (-): clears the nose
bi yan (-): clears nasal obstruction, drains sinuses, alleviates sinus headache; disperses Stagnation of Qi and Xue (Blood); resolves masses
ca. St-2 (-): dissipates Heat and expels Wind; resolves focal infection in the sinus cavities; treats glandular/lymphatic exhaustion (Matsumoto); frees the channels and invigorates the collateral vessels; locate tender abdominal point (s), palpate most tender or painful point over each eye and needle, usually inferiorly, so that tenderness at abdominal reflex point decreases upon palpation (Matsumoto)
LI-20 (=): dispels Wind-Heat of Yang Ming (Stomach and Large Intestine) and Lung; benefits the nose; opens nasal passages; invigorates Xue (Blood) circulation; Large Intestine Exit point
LI-19 (-): dissipates Wind and clears Heat; diffuses Lung Qi; clears Lung Heat; opens the nose
TW-16 and/or "east wind" (-): moves Stagnation in sinuses and cervical lymphatics; palpate lateral aspects of neck for ashi (tender) points (Matsumoto)
LI-11 (-): clears Heat and eliminates Wind; regulates and harmonizes Qi, Ying and Xue (Blood); regulates Qi circulation of Lung; improves immune function (Finkelstein, p. 9); tonifies Metal to cool inflammatory processes; frees the channels; Large Intestine Upper He Sea Uniting, Earth and Tonification point
"LI-10.5" (-): moves Stagnation in sinuses and cervical lymphatics; locate tender most tender point on each side of the neck, usually "east wind", near TW-16, then palpate for the most tender or painful point, distal to the elbow crease, between the Large Intestine and Triple Warmer channels; needle each arm to resolve focal infection in the sinuses and oropharyngeal mucous membranes and relieve glandular/lymphatic exhaustion; verify location and angle of needle by diminishing of cervical tenderness (Matsumoto)
LI-4 (-): dispels Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat; regulates Qi and Xue (Blood); descends Stagnant Qi from sinuses; clears the nose; stimulates dispersing function of Lung; activates Wei (Protective) Qi and stimulates the immune system; tonifies Lung Qi; tonifies Metal to cool inflammatory processes; elevates Clear Qi and descends Turbid Qi; clears Toxins; Lung Yuan Source and Entry point; Command point of the face and mouth
Lu-7 (=): opens the nose; treats Shi (Excess) patterns; circulates the Wei (Protective) Qi; opens the Lung and spreads Lung Qi by stimulating the descending and dispersing of Lung Qi; opens and regulates the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel); tonifies Yang Ming (Stomach and Large Intestine); invigorates the collateral vessels; Lung Luo Connecting and Exit point; Master point of the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel); Couple point of the Yin Qiao Mai (Yin Motility Vessel); command point of the head and neck
St-40 (-): dispels Wind; transforms and eliminates Phlegm and Dampness; strengthens the Spleen, harmonizes the Stomach, and opens up the Middle Warmer; circulates Qi of the Stomach and Spleen; descends the Turbid; strengthens Kidney Yin and drains Liver Yang; Stomach Luo Connecting point
St-43 (-): dispels Wind; clears and drains Heat from Yang Ming (Stomach and Large Intestine); transforms Dampness; Stomach Wood point
ca. St-43 (-): palpate for tender or painful point, on the Stomach channel or between the third and fourth metatarsals; needle to resolve focal infection in the sinuses and oropharyngeal mucous membranes, and relieve glandular/lymphatic exhaustion (Matsumoto)
Kd-3 (+): tonifies the Kidney, Yuan (Original) Qi, Xue (Blood) and Jing (Essence); nourishes and enriches Kidney Yin, supplies Liver Yin, and tonifies Yin of the entire body; cools and descends Heat; pacifies Xu (Deficiency) Fire; clears Lung Heat; nourishes the Yin to moisten the Lung, calm wheezing, and sedate cough; regulates the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) and Ren Mai (Conception Vessel); Kidney Yuan Source and Earth point
ear: internal nose, diaphragm, lungs
footnotes