Acupuncture for Diarrhea - Treatment Protocols

Below you will find some of the more common tcm diagnoses and acupuncture treatment protocols for diarrhea. There are many ways to approach the treatment of this condition within TCM. Our presentation describes foundational approaches that would need to be further tailored in most cases to be effective for a given individual.

Etiology & Pathology:
- 2 Major Factors:
  1. Cold - generally a direct strike or from Yang Deficiency.
  2. Damp - effecting the ST/SP fluid transformation/ascension leading to loose stools (damp-heat is also common).
- 2 Major Organ Deficiencies Involved:
  - SP Deficiency (can arise from LV Excess overacting on SP) - transforms and transports body fluids, raises and ascends the Qi.
  - KD Deficiency - controls the lower orifices, role in transforming body fluids and as the pilot light to the SP.
- Etiology:
  - Cold Diarrhea - exogenous cold w/direct strike on the intestines.
  - Hot (Damp-heat) Diarrhea - exogenous heat enters the middle jiao, possibly combining w/damp - possible in warmer climates/months with humidity.
  - Damp Diarrhea - Can be acute or chronic, due to overexposure to a damp environment a/or excessive consumption of damp foods.
  - SP Deficiency Diarrhea
  - KD Deficiency Diarrhea
  - LV/SP Diarrhea
- Differentiation:
  - Cold Diarrhea
    
    Signs & Symptoms:
    
    Abdominal pain that improves with the application of heat, loose or watery stools, possibly w/undigested food, clear urine, no thirst.
    
    Tongue: Pale, white coat
    
    Pulse: Slow, tight
    
    Treatment Points:
    
    Valaskatagis Point Selection:
    
    ST 36 - tonify ST/SP
    
    CV 6 - tonify Qi
    
    CV 12 - ST Mu
    
    ST 25 - LI Mu, diarrhea
    
    UB 25 - LI Shu
    
    Xinnong (CAM) Point Selection:
    
    ST 25 - LI Mu, diarrhea
    
    ST 36 - tonify ST/SP
    
    CV 6 - tonify Qi
    
    CV 12 - ST Mu
  - Hot (Damp-Heat) Diarrhea
    
    Signs & Symptoms:
    
    Abdominal pain w/urge to defecate, burning sensation in the anus, hot yellow stools w/foul odor, scanty dark urine, aversion to heat, thrist w/desire for cold drinks, irritability, fever possible.
    
    Tongue: Yellow coat, greasy (if damp)
    
    Pulse: Fast, slippery (if damp)
    
    Treatment Points:
    
    Valaskatagis Point Selection:
    
    ST 25 - LI Mu
    
    ST 37 - w/ST 25 to clear heat/regulate intestines
    
    LI 4 - clear heat in LI
    
    ST 44 - clear heat
    
    SP 9 - resolve dampness
    
    UB 25 - LI Shu
    
    Maciocia Point Selection:
    
    CV 12 - ST Mu
    
    UB 22 - TH Shu - transform body fluids
    
    SP 6 - resolve dampness
    
    SP 9 - resolve dampness
    
    ST 25 - LI Mu, regulate stools
    
    UB 25 - LI Shu
  - Damp Diarrhea
    
    Signs & Symptoms:
    
    Watery stools, abdominal distention, boborygmus, stuffy chest, no thirst, scanty urine, sallow complexion, lack of appetite, heaviness of the body.
    
    Tongue: Greasy, white coat or very wet
    
    Pulse: Slippery, soft
    
    Treatment Points:
    
    Valaskatagis Point Selection:
    
    UB 20 - SP Shu
    
    CV 9 - resolve dampness
    
    SP 9 - resolve dampness
    
    ST 28 - damp heat in the lower warmer, esp. with urinary tract involvement
    
    Maciocia Point Selection: (he differentiates this as cold-damp)
    
    UB 12 - expel wind
    
    UB 22 - TH Shu
    
    SP 6 - tonify SP, transform damp
    
    SP 9 - transform damp
    
    CV 6 - tonify Qi
    
    ST 25 - LI Mu
  - Spleen Deficiency Diarrhea
    
    Signs & Symptoms:
    
    Thin, watery stools w/undigested food, abdominal distention, lack of appetite, fatigue.
    
    Tongue: Pale, swollen w/teeth marks
    
    Pulse: Empty, thin
    
    Treatment Points:
    
    Valaskatagis Point Selection:
    
    ST 36 - tonify ST/SP
    
    UB 25 - LI Shu
    
    ST 25 - LI Mu
    
    SP 3 - tonify SP
    
    UB 20 - SP Shu
    
    LV 13 - SP Mu
    
    CV 12 - ST Mu
    
    Xinnong (CAM) Point Selection:
    
    ST 36 - tonify ST/SP
    
    SP 3 - tonify SP
    
    CV 12 - ST Mu
    
    UB 20 - SP Shu
    
    LV 13 - SP Mu
  - KD Deficiency Diarrhea
    
    Signs & Symptoms:
    
    Very watery stool, diarhea at dawn, cold abdomen a/or lower extremeties, abdominal pain, low back pain.
    
    Tongue: Pale, puffy body, white coat
    
    Pulse: Deep, empty, slow
    
    Treatment Points:
    
    Valaskatagis Point Selection:
    
    ST 36 - tonify ST/SP
    
    UB 25 - LI Shu
    
    ST 25 - LI Mu
    
    GV 4 - tonify KD
    
    CV 4 - tonify KD
    
    UB 23 - KD Shu
    
    GV 20 - raise Yang, diarrhea
  - LV/SP Diarrhea
    
    Signs & Symptoms:
    
    Sudden diarrhea, abdominal pain, borborygmus, undigested stools, urgency related to emotional states esp. anger, frustration, feeling stressed a/or overwhelmed.
    
    Tongue: Normal or slightly purplish.
    
    Pulse: Wiry
    
    Treatment Points:
    
    Valaskatagis Point Selection:
    
    ST 36 - tonify ST/SP
    
    UB 25 - LI Shu
    
    ST 25 - LI Mu
    
    LV 3 - harmonize LV
    
    GB 34 - harmonize LV/GB
    
    UB 18 - LV Shu
    
    UB 20 - SP Shu
    
    SP 6 - tonify SP

The information on our site is drawn from our own lecture notes and clinical experience. The following lecture notes were consulted within this section:

St. John, Meredith: New England School of Acupuncture, Etiology and Pathology Lecture Notes
Valaskatgis, Peter: New England School of Acupuncture, Etiology and Pathology Lecture Notes

Relationships

TCM Patterns (4)

Conditions / Symptoms (1)

Diarrhea

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Acupuncture for Diarrhea - Treatment Protocols