Sichuan Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Vol. 19(12), 2001, page 73-74



2.  Treatment Method

            The main points used are jia ji points from L₂ to L₅, UB 31 (shang liao), and UB 32 (ci liao).  According to the patients condition the following points can be used additionally; GB 30 (huan tiao), UB 40 (wei zhong), GB 34 (yang ling guan), and UB 60 (kun lun). When needling the jia ji points of L₂ to L₅ use a 3-cun needle, but take the size of the patient into account.  Start at L₂ pass by L₃ down to L₄ jia ji point, angle the needle at 30 degrees and go down two vertebra.  Use this technique for each lumbar jia ji point from L₂ to L₅.  For L_4-5 the needle will go down to the sacral vertebra.  Needle and after obtaining qi leave the needles in for 30 minutes.  Manipulate the needles every 10 minutes.  After removing the needles apply liquid paraffin wax (some sort of lubricant) to the lumbar and sacral regions.  Use #3 glass fire cups to do running cupping from the lumbar vertebra to the end of the sacrum on the Du channel (along the middle of the spine) moving the cup up and down.  Then move out the both sides, the tai yang urinary bladder channel, moving the cup up and down.  You want the skin to have a light degree of hyperemia, flushness like sand.  Do one time each day for one week, which will be one course of treatment.

4.  Typical Disease Case

Male, 38 years old

Feb 5, 2000

            Main complaint: A half a year ago the patient began to have a numb feeling in his right leg and low back, as well as his lumbar region felt achy and distended.  Three days ago he was moving a heavy container that suddenly caused severe pain in his low back and right leg.  He could not stand or walk and his lumbar region to right leg felt cold.  He had a CT scan done that showed he had a protrusion of his intervertebral disc at L_4-5.  The patient tried traction, massage, and physiotherapy, but three days later the symptoms were still the same.  His family put him on a board and brought him to the hospital.  Upon examining the patient’s lumbar region and right leg and foot is showed that his pain was severe and pulling with limited movement.  At L_4-5 with pressure the patient has obvious scurrying pain (severe shooting pain) in his lumbar region, buttocks, and right leg.  The points used were: jia ji points L₂ to L₅, GB 30 (huan tiao), UB 31 (shang liao), UB 32 (ci liao), GB 34 (yang ling guan), and UB 40 (kun lun).  Needle and after obtaining qi leave the needles in for 30 minutes.  Manipulate the needles every 10 minutes.  Then use running cupping from lumbar to sacrum. After the treatment the patient’s pain is reduced and his lumbar region and leg are relaxed. He was also able to sit up, stand up, and walk by himself.  After five treatments the patient’s pain and numbness symptoms dissipated and he could move freely.  The patient was advised to continue treatment for one week to consolidate the treatments.  After this the patient said he completely recovered.