-IBIS-1.5.0-
tx
digestive system
constipation
acupuncture

patterns and combinations

after assessing the person and palpating, consider these patterns:
Full Heat; Stomach Fire Blazing; Liver Fire Blazing upward; Lung insulted by Liver Fire; Lung invaded by Wind-Heat; Liver Qi Stagnation leading to Liver Invading Spleen and Intestines; Wind; overeating (food); Food Obstruction; Small Intestine Qi Tied; Large Intestine Dry; Large Intestine Heat; Large Intestine Obstructed by Heat; Large Intestine Qi Stagnation; Large Intestine Qi Xu (Deficiency); Yang Xu (Deficiency) causing Cold in Lower Warmer; Yin Xu (Deficiency); Xue Xu (Blood Deficiency); Kidney Yin Xu (Deficiency); Heart collapses into Pericardium; dysfunction of the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel)

» illustrative combinations:
• TW-6 and Kd-6 for constipation (Shanghai, p. 236; Ellis, et al, 1988, p. 251)
• Lv-13, Sp-3 and Kd-6 to treat constipation (Shanghai, p. 181)
• Lv-13, Sp-6 and Kd-6 for constipation (Shanghai, p. 181)
• Lv-13, Lv-3, Sp-3 and CV-12; UB-57 and Kd-6; UB-23, UB-24, Kd-15 and Kd-16 for constipation (Mann, p. 106)
• UB-25, TW-6, St-25, St-36, St-40, GB-34 and Lv-1 to treat constipation (Flaws, 1989, p. 96)
• Sp-15 joined to St-25, with TW-6 to treat habitual constipation (Shanghai, p. 236)
• TW-7, GB-34, Kd-17, Kd-26 and UB-46/51 for habitual constipation (S. de Morant as per Mann, p. 106)
• Sp-15 and GB-34 for habitual constipation (Shanghai, p. 184)
• TW-6, St-36 and Sp-15 joined to St-25 for habitual constipation (Shanghai, p. 236)
• UB-20, UB-21, St-36, TW-6 and St-37 for constipation due to Xue (Blood) and Qi Xu (Deficiency) (Jirui and Wang, p. 36)
• TW-6 (+) and St-36 (-) for constipation due to Xu (Deficiency) (Ellis, et al, 1988, p. 283)
• TW-6 and St-36 for Yin constipation (A. Chamfrault as per Mann, p. 106)
• GV-1, Lv-1 and GB-34 for Yang constipation (A. Chamfrault as per Mann, p. 106)
• TW-5, TW-6 and PC-7 for abdominal pain with constipation (Ellis, et al, 1988, p. 273)
• Sp-6, UB-57, CV-6 and UB-31 for "unable to pass motion" (S. de Morant as per Mann, p. 106)
• LI-11 and GV-14 (-): clear Heat and Toxins; cool Xue (Blood); esp. with fever and perspiration
• LI-20 and Sp-15: eliminate parasites and eases constipation (Finkelstein, p. 11)
• Sp-4 and PC-6: open the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) for which gastrointestinal disorders are a symptom of dysfunction
• GB-34 and GB-31: resolve Damp-Heat; facilitate Qi circulation, esp. Liver and Gall Bladder Qi; move intestines; disperse Cold
• UB-25, TW-6: promote bowel movements (Finkelstein, p. 45)
• UB-25 and Sp-15: remove Obstruction of the Intestines and excrete the waste (Finkelstein, p. 45)
• navel treatment a la Matsumoto for weak connective tissue and/or Xu (Deficiency) of the Kidney and/or Spleen due to birth trauma induced by improper severing of the umbilical cord causing damage to the ligamentum teres hepatis (Matsumoto)

note: Palpitation of the patient's abdominal area usually reveals collection of fecal matter in the area of the sigmoid colon and rectum, that is at left Sp-13. Insertion should be perpendicular and aimed into this ball. If the needle is inserted 10 - 30 mm. the patient will experience a sensation from the hypochondriac to the anus.

Next perform pecking techniques at the left special "defecation" point in the lumbar area. This point is located on the uppermost point of the superior ridge of the iliac. Insertion at this point should be perpendicular, directed in a slightly medial and downward direction to a depth of 50 mm. Sensation is felt in the hypogastrium. Insertion at the point alone is often enough to stimulate a bowel movement.

In cases of senile "energy deficiency type" constipation simple insertion or vibration techniques should be performed at St-25, CV-6, UB-23 and UB-25. Treatment of both right and left Sp-13 is recommended.
(Finkelstein)


point analysis

»
palpate and consider:
• GV-14 (-): drains Heat; spreads and facilitates Yang; regulates and stimulates the flow of Qi; Jiao Hui Intersecting point of the Yang channels
• UB-38/43 (+): tonifies Qi and Xue (Blood); treats all chronic disease; clears Empty Heat; fortifies the Spleen; releases unresolved emotions; tonifies the Kidney and warms the Yang; restores Yuan (Original) Qi; Pericardium psychospiritual associated point
• UB-17 (+): clears Heat from the Xue (Blood); nourishes Dry Xue (Blood); enriches Yin; generates Fluids; strengthens Xu (Deficient) conditions; Hui Reunion point of the Xue (Blood)
UB-18 (+): benefits the Liver and Gall Bladder; moves stagnant Qi; nourishes Liver Xue (Blood) and Yin; clears Liver Fire and Heat; Liver Shu Associated point
UB-20 (+): regulates Spleen Qi; tonifies Spleen and Stomach; facilitates digestive transportation and transformation; benefits the Ying (Constructive) Qi; nourishes the Xue (Blood); Spleen Shu Associated point
• UB-21 (+): regulates the Stomach, esp. Stomach Qi; strengthens the Spleen; warms and reinforces the Middle Warmer (D); transforms Dampness; dissolves and eliminates Stagnation, Obstructions and congestions; Stomach Shu Associated point
• UB-23 (+): strengthens Kidney Yang; strengthens Qi Hai; nourishes Yin, Xue (Blood) and Kidney Jing (Essence); counterbalances Liver Fire; drains Heat from the Lower Warmer; resolves Dampness; Kidney Shu Associated point
UB-25 (+): regulates the Qi of the Fu (Yang organs); regulates the Intestines; transforms Stagnation; "initiates bowel movement for extruding the impurities" (Finkelstein, p. 45); Large Intestine Shu Associated point
• UB-26 (+): regulates and tonifies the Lower Warmer; regulates and moistens the Intestines; transforms Damp Stagnation; resolves Dampness and Damp-Heat; warms Cold and dries Damp-Cold; "relates to Kidney Yin" (Finkelstein, p. 45)
• UB-28 (+): regulates the Water Pathways; promotes diuresis; clears Heat from Lower Warmer; reinforces Yuan (Original) Qi; esp. with distended abdomen (Mann, p. 106); Bladder Shu Associated point
• UB-30 (+): consolidates Jing (Essence); regulates Qi of the anal sphincter; transforms Damp-Heat; brings Yang into pelvic region which mobilizes Yin in the pelvis (Finkelstein, p. 46); Extra Associated point of the anal sphincter (Mann, p. 36)
• UB-32 (+): regulates the Lower Warmer; transforms Damp-Heat; consolidates Jing (Essence); invigorates the Xue (Blood) and Kidney Qi
UB-57: regulates Large Intestine and Qi in Yang organs; dispels Wind and clears Heat; transforms Damp-Heat; regulates the Large Intestine; benefits hemorrhoids
LI-20 (+): dispels Wind-Heat of Yang Ming (Stomach and Large Intestine) and Lung; clears Qi Fire; regulates Large Intestine and promotes bowel movement; invigorates Xue (Blood) circulation; Large Intestine Exit point
LI-11 (= or +): clears Heat and Toxins; cools the Xue (Blood); regulates Qi and Xue (Blood); frees the channels; regulates the Intestines; eliminates Dampness through the Intestines; Large Intestine Earth and Tonification point
• LI-4 (-): regulates Qi and disperses Heat of the Intestines; moves the bowels; elevates Clear Qi and descends Turbid Qi; clears Toxins; relaxes sinews and tendons; eliminates Damp-Heat; clears Food Obstruction; Large Intestine Yuan Source point
• LI-3 (-): dissipates Heat; affects the Intestines; resolves constipation due to Shi (Excess) Heat; Large Intestine Wood point
• Lu-5 (-): cools and clears Upper Warmer Heat; sedates Lung Shi (Excess); regulates the digestive system; moves intestines; relaxes the sinews and muscles; Lung Water and Dispersion point
TW-6 (-): generates Fluids; regulates and moistens the Large Intestine; moves the flanks; clears Fire and Heat; facilitates Qi flow and spreads the Qi; relieves pain; regulates the Triple Warmer; disperses Obstruction; esp. with Food Stagnation; Triple Warmer Fire and Horary point
• TW-5 (-): clears Heat; moves Liver Qi and intestines; opens the Orifices (ears and anus); dissolves Toxins; relaxes the sinews and muscles; alleviates pain; esp. with constipation due to Qi Obstruction; Triple Warmer Luo Connecting point
• TW-4 (=): clears Fire and Heat; moistens Dryness; promotes function of Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) and Ren Mai (Conception Vessel); Triple Warmer Yuan Source point
Lv-13 (-): spreads and promotes smooth flow of Liver Qi; invigorates the Stomach and Spleen; relieves Food Stagnation; Spleen Mu Alarm point
St-25 (+): opens Qi of hollow organs; moves and regulates Large Intestine; supports Earth; Large Intestine Mu Alarm point
• Sp-13 (+): regulates Qi flow; relieves pain; soothes the Liver; removes stagnancy of Liver Qi; esp. when weak abdominal muscles contribute to constipation (Mann, p. 106)
Sp-15 (+): promotes the flow of Qi; regulates the Spleen (especially Qi); regulates and moistens the intestines; reduces Food Stagnation; may move intestines more effectively than St-25
• CV-12 (+): moves intestines and eliminates Food Stagnation; benefits Spleen; facilitates ascension of the Clear and descension of the Turbid; warms the Middle Warmer; Stomach and the Middle Warmer Mu Alarm point
• CV-6 (+ and D): tonifies Kidney Yang and Yuan (Original) Qi; regulates the Qi functions; warms the Lower and Middle Warmers; cools Heat in the Xue (Blood)
• CV-4 (+ and D): separates the Clear and Turbid; benefits Yuan (Original) Qi; nourishes Xue (Blood) and Yin; tonifies Kidney Yang; tones up the abdominal muscles; Small Intestine Mu Alarm point
• GV-1 (+): opens Qi of lower Intestines; clears Heat; opens the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) and Du Mai (Governing Vessel); cools Heat in the Xue (Blood); Luo Connecting point of the Du Mai (Governing Vessel)
• GB-31 (-): disperses Wind and Cold; clears Heat; transforms Damp; detoxifies Liver and clears mind of toxic thoughts (Finkelstein, p. 68)
GB-34 (-): benefits Liver and Gall Bladder; subdues Liver Yang; tonifies Spleen; clears and cools Dampness and Heat; eliminates Phlegm Fire in Stomach; Gall Bladder He Sea Uniting and Earth point
St-36 (+): tonifies Stomach, Spleen and intestines; builds Xue (Blood) and Qi; reinforces Yuan (Original) Qi; tonifies Kidney Yang; Stomach He Sea Lower Uniting and Earth point; Sea of Nourishment point
• St-37 (-): clears Heat, eliminates Accumulations and Stagnations of Stomach, Small Intestine and Large Intestine; Large Intestine He Sea Lower Uniting point
St-40 (-): regulates Stomach and Intestines; circulates Qi of the Stomach and Spleen; descends Heat of Stomach and Small Intestine; descends the Turbid; Stomach Luo Connecting point
• St-44 (-): cools Heat and drains Dampness from the Stomach and Intestines; harmonizes Stomach; moves intestines; facilitates bowel movements; descends the Turbid; Stomach Water point
• Sp-6 (+): clears Heat; nourishes Yin; moistens intestines; reinforces Spleen Qi; builds Xue (Blood); tonifies Kidney Yang; frees Qi Stagnation; Jiao Hui Intersecting point of the three Foot Yin channels
Lv-8 (=): moves Liver Qi and intestines; nourishes Liver Xue (Blood); clears and cools Damp-Heat; frees and facilitates the Lower Warmer; Liver Water and Tonification point
• Lv-3 (-): promotes smooth flow of Qi and Xue (Blood); tonifies Liver Xue (Blood); harmonizes and drains Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gall Bladder; discharges Damp-Heat in the Lower Warmer; Liver Yuan Source and Earth point
Lv-1 (-): opens Liver Stagnation; moves intestines; regulates Liver, esp. with Qi Obstruction; may bleed if big toe red and swollen; regulates the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) and Ren Mai (Conception Vessel); Liver Jing Well and Wood point
Kd-6 (+): opens Ren Mai (Conception Vessel); pacifies the Shen; cools and clears Heat; clears Xu (Deficiency) Fire; tonifies Kidney (especially Yin); moistens dryness; regulates the Lower Warmer; promotes bowel movement; frees the channels and invigorates the collateral vessels; sedates pain; Master point and Entry point of the Yin Qiao Mai (Yin Motility Vessel); Couple point of Ren Mai (Conception Vessel)
• Kd-3 (+): nourishes Yin; tonifies Kidney; regulates the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) and Ren Mai (Conception Vessel); Kidney Yuan Source and Earth point

ear: large intestine, lower rectum, sympathetic, dermis/subcortex, constipation

note: Palpation of the patient's abdominal area usually reveals collection of fecal matter in the area of the sigmoid colon and rectum, that is at left Sp-13. Insertion should be perpendicular and aimed into this ball. If the needle is inserted 10 - 30 mm. the patient will experience a sensation from the hypochondriac to the anus.

Next perform pecking techniques at the left special "defecation" point in the lumbar area. This point is located on the uppermost point of the superior ridge of the iliac. Insertion at this point should be perpendicular, directed in a slightly medial and downward direction to a depth of 50 mm. Sensation is felt in the hypogastrium. Insertion at the point alone is often enough to stimulate a bowel movement.

In cases of senile "energy deficiency type" constipation simple insertion or vibration techniques should be performed at St-25, CV-6, UB-23 and UB-25. Treatment of both right and left Sp-13 is recommended.
(Finkelstein)


footnotes