Acupuncture for Gallstones - Treatment Protocols

Below you will find some of the more common tcm diagnoses and acupuncture treatment protocols for gallstones. 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:
Differentiation:
- Stagnant LV Qi
  - Treatment Points:
    
    LV 3 - harmonize LV
    
    LV 14 - LV Mu
    
    GB 34 - harmonize LV/GB
    
    Dannang Xue - GB Point, acute or chronic issues
- LV/GB Damp Heat
  - Treatment Points:
    
    GB 24 - GB Mu
    
    GB 34 - harmonize LV/GB
    
    ST 19 - local
    
    GB 9 - level with UB 18, LV Shu
    
    SP 9 - resolve dampness
- Auxilliary Technique
  - ** Stones must be small enough (tested via ultrasound or similar mechanism) to pass through the bile duct (1-1.5cm), if they are larger you run the risk of trapping the stone in the duct and causing internal problems.
  - Treatment:
    
    Electrical stimulation on dense disperse from the GB Back Shu to the GB Front Mu (UB 19 to GB 24)

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 (2)

Conditions / Symptoms (1)

Gallstones (Cholelithiasis)

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Acupuncture for Gallstones - Treatment Protocols