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Acupuncture for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) - Treatment Protocols

Acupuncture for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) - Treatment Protocols

Below you will find some of the more common tcm diagnoses and acupuncture treatment protocols for multiple sclerosis (MS) and related issues. 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.

Acupuncture treatments for multiple sclerosis are performed according to each patients signs and symptoms. Multiple Sclerosis follows a loosely defined progression in most cases with periods of remission which vary greatly in duration. The stages Multiple Sclerosis may follow are as follows:

Stage I: MS symptoms usually begin with visual disturbances a/or a period of muscle weakness, this may clear up on its own or with treatment and the patient may not experience any more symptoms for an indeterminate duration.
Stage II: If MS is to progress to the next step it may cause obstruction in the channels of dampness, possibly with heat. A patient may experience this as stronger symptoms of muscular weakness, pain a/or numbness, urinary issues a/or further developments of visual disturbances.
Stage III: The Qi and Blood of the body begin to be effected at this level leading to more systemic issues such as fatigue, listlessness, poor appetite, muscle cramping a/or spasticity.
Stage IV: At this level the foundation of Yin and Yang in the body is greatly depleted. A patient may experience significant fatigue, more extreme urinary issues such as incontinence a/or increased severity of muscular issues possibly leading to atrophy.
- Etiology & Pathology:
  - Differentiation:
    
    Stage I
    
    Local treatment depending on area of symptoms.
    
    Stage II
    
    Phlegm Damp Obstruction
    
    Damp Heat Obstruction
    
    Stage III
    
    SP Qi Deficiency
    
    LV Blood Deficiency
    
    Stage IV
    
    KD Deficiency
  - Phlegm Damp Obstruction - Stage II
    
    Signs & Symptoms:
    
    Heaviness, weakness a/or numbness of the limbs, visual disturbances such as blurred or double vision.
    
    Tongue: Greasy white coat
    
    Pulse: Slippery, possibly thin or empty
    
    Treatment Points:
    
    St. John Treatment Points:
    
    SP 6 - tonify ST/SP
    
    SP 9 - clear damp
    
    ST 36 - tonify ST/SP
    
    ST 40 - resolve phlegm
    
    CV 12 - ST Mu
    
    UB 20 - SP Shu
    
    GV 20 - benefit the brain
    
    ST 8 - clear the head, benefit the eyes
    
    Consider local points and the huatuojiaji points which relate to the symptoms a/or effected areas
  - Damp Heat Obstruction - Stage II
    
    Signs & Symptoms:
    
    Heaviness, weakness a/or numbness of the limbs, limbs a/or feet feel hot, painful joints, prefer cooler weather/environments, frequent and urgent urination, chest oppression.
    
    Tongue: Greasy yellow coat
    
    Pulse: Slippery, rapid
    
    Treatment Points:
    
    St. John Treatment Points:
    
    GV 14 - clear heat
    
    LI 4 - release the exterior
    
    LI 11 - clear heat
    
    SP 3 - tonify ST/SP
    
    SP 6 - tonify ST/SP
    
    SP 9 - resolve dampness
    
    ST 36 - tonify Qi
    
    UB 20 - SP Shu
    
    GV 20 - benefit the brain
    
    Consider local points and the huatuojiaji points which relate to the symptoms a/or effected areas
  - SP Qi Deficiency - Stage III
    
    Signs & Symptoms:
    
    Fatigue, muscle flaccidity, pale complexion, poor appetite, loose stools.
    
    Tongue: Swollen, teethmarks
    
    Pulse: Empty, thin, weak
    
    Treatment Points:
    
    St. John Treatment Points:
    
    ST 36 - tonify ST/SP
    
    CV 12 - ST Mu
    
    SP 3 - tonify ST/SP
    
    SP 6 - tonify ST/SP
    
    SP 9 - clear damp
    
    LV 13 - SP Mu
    
    UB 20 - SP Shu
    
    UB 21 - ST Shu
    
    GV 20 - benefit the brain
    
    Consider local points and the huatuojiaji points which relate to the symptoms a/or effected areas
  - LV Blood Deficiency - Stage III
    
    Signs & Symptoms:
    
    Fatigue, muscle stiffness a/or cramping, dull, pale complexion, tremors, visual disturbances.
    
    Tongue: Pale, dry
    
    Pulse: Thin, choppy
    
    Treatment Points:
    
    St. John Treatment Points:
    
    SP 6 - tonify ST/SP
    
    ST 36 - tonify ST/SP
    
    LV 8 - clear damp-heat from the lower warmer
    
    CV 4 - tonify Yin and Blood
    
    UB 17 - hui meeting of the Blood
    
    UB 18 - LV Shu
    
    UB 20 - SP Shu
    
    GV 20 - benefit the brain
    
    Consider local points and the huatuojiaji points which relate to the symptoms a/or effected areas
  - KD Deficiency - Stage IV
    
    Severe weakness, chronic fatigue, pale complexion, muscle stiffness a/or atrophy, tremors, low back pain, urinary disturbances such as urgency, incontinence a/or retention.
    
    Tongue: Red w/little coat, pale, wet
    
    Pulse: Deep, thin
  - Treatment Points:
    
    St. John Treatment Points (with modifications):
    
    CV 4 - tonify KD
    
    KD 3 - tonify KD
    
    KD 6 - tonify Yin (if more Yin def)
    
    GV 4 - tonify Yang (if more Yang def)
    
    GB 39 - hui meeting of the marrow
    
    UB 32 - urinary issues
    
    UB 23 - KD Shu

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 (5)

Conditions / Symptoms (1)

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

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Acupuncture for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) - Treatment Protocols