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Acupuncture for Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infections)

Acupuncture for Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infections)

Below you will find some of the more common tcm diagnoses and acupuncture treatment protocols for otitis media (middle ear infections). 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:
- Excess (more common esp. in children):
  - Damp-heat in the LV/GB rising to disturb the ear
- Deficiency
  - LV & KD Yin Deficiency with some LV Yang rising effecting the ear
Differentiation:
- Damp-heat in the LV/GB
  - Signs & Symptoms:
    
    Severe burning pain, fever, yellow sticky discharge from ear
    
    Tongue: yellow greasy coat
    
    Pulse: rapid, wiry
  - Treatment: (see below)
- LV & KD Yin Deficiency
  - Signs & Symptoms:
    
    Deficiency signs
    
    Dizziness, tinnitus, hearing loss
    
    Watery clear discharge, if any
    
    Tongue: thin yellow coat
    
    Pulse: thin, wiry
  - Treatment: (see below)
Treatment Points
- GB 2, TH 17 - local points
- GB 40 - damp heat in GB
- ST 36 - w/damp signs, tonify SP and Qi
- If Fever - add LI 11
- If Excess Pattern - add TH 21 - another local point
- If Deficiency Pattern - add KD 3 - tonify KD Yin

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 (3)

Conditions / Symptoms (2)

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Acupuncture for Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infections)