Principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine ia a multi-part article written for those that would like to have a better understanding of the concepts behind Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). We will cover basic terminology, briefly describe the differences from Western medicine, describe how TCM treats illness and give examples in the form of case histories to help improve your understanding of TCM.

Part 1  Part 2  Part 3  Part 4 Part 5  Part 6  Part 7

Case 1 Case 2 Case 3 

Period Pain*

The following is an example of one case and its treatment by TCM. It is given here as a example of the way that TCM sees a condition as it presents in each individual, and to provide a guide as to how treatment is then fitted to the case at hand.

*The case study is an illustration of how TCM treatment helped one individual, individual results may vary.

Presentation

A 31 yr old woman, presented with severe pain on menstruation.

Examination

She complained of experiencing severe pain in low abdomen one day before the period and for one or two days after it began. There would often be an ache in the low back at the same time. And tenderness of the inner thighs.

The pain was worse for pressure but better for warmth. The breasts may also become tender before the period but be better once it started.

These problems had been going on for several years and had started after a severe illness. Prior to the illness her periods had caused only mild discomfort and the cycle was typically 30 days. After the illness the cycle lengthened to 34 - 36 days between periods.

She complained of severe mood changes and depression prior to the period. The bowels were loose, urination was normal, she suffered occasional headaches, frequent irritability or teariness and her complexion was pale.

Examination of the tongue indicated deficiency of Qi and Blood, while the Pulse indicated Liver Qi stagnation and Blood deficiency.

Diagnosis

Spleen Qi deficiency leading to Liver Blood deficiency and Liver Qi stagnation.

Signs and Symptoms Analysis

Pain before the period indicated blockage of Qi and Blood.

Tenderness in the breasts and in the thighs indicate Liver meridian blockage. The lengthened cycle indicated Liver disharmony.

The loose bowel actions indicated Spleen weakness. The pain to the low back may indicate a mild weakness in the Kidneys.

Tongue and Pulse indications confirm the picture of Spleen Qi deficient and Liver Qi stagnation with Blood deficiency.

Treatment

The treatment principle was to regulate Liver Qi and Tonify Spleen to increase blood production. Acupuncture and Herbs were both used.

Two acupuncture points were chosen to assist the Liver in its Qi regulating functions. Another two points were chosen to strengthen the spleen and one to increase its action in producing Blood.

Herbs were chosen to support the acupuncture by strengthening the Spleen, tonifying Qi and Nourishing the Blood.

The Kidneys were not treated directly as they would benefit from the increase in blood production.

Results

Treatments were given twice a week for two weeks before the period. The first period after beginning treatment caused only mild discomfort. Acupuncture was given weekly for Two more weeks. Herbs were given between treatments.

After the third week the bowels were normal, there was no irritability nor headaches. The period cycle became 28 days and she reported that she felt no mood changes and no discomfort at all. The cycle remained 28 days and there has been no recurrence of period pain in three years.