Disc and Pain

Mr. C, 63-year-old

1^st visit: 08-04-28

Visited me in March for the lower back pain. At that time, he could not sit for a little longer. Ct scan showed the disc problem on L5~S1. After 2 times of acupuncture treatments, the pain was completely gone. One week ago, after played table tennis, he got the pain on lower back and right hamstring. A chiropractor said it was pinched nerve. He could not sit down, even disturbed his sleep.

EX: lumbar pressing pain (-), tightness and pain on right hamstring. Deep strength less pulse and dark tongue.

TR: Massage lower back and leg; acupuncture right JuLiao and RouLi, both DaZhong and ShenShu, quick needle on right of L4~5.

2^nd visit: 08-05-07

There was still pain, but could lie face up or down, coulde not lie on the side. Better when was on the hard area. No pain on the lower back, pressing pain on right FuXi and YinMen area.

TR: massage the lower back; acupuncture on FuXi, FeiYang and L4~5 (all on the right side); cupping on the lower back.

3^rd visit: 08-05-14

Burning pain on the right hamstring, no problem when walking, running or standing, but painful when sitting and lying on the side. Tightness on right hamstring.

TR: massage the hamstring, and acupuncture on the two AShi points and cupping after.

4^th visit: 08-05-27

Same as before, burning pain, worse when driving.

TR: massage and 3 Cun needle on the Ashi point.

5^th visit: 08-06-02

A little better. Still burning pain.

TR: Massage and acupuncture on the head, middle, and tail pf hamstring, moxa on the middle one.

6^th visit: 08-06-09

Much better, nearly no pain.

TR: Massage; shallow needles on both ShenShu, 3 Cun needle on the middle of hamstring with moxa.

Cured.

Comment:

This is a simple case but took long time to recover. The reason is the wrong treatment.

First of all, wrong located the problem. Although there is a hernia of disc showed on CT scan, but the pain was on the hamstring and not caused by the lumbar disc. The symptoms are quite similar to the nerve pain, but there was no pressing pain on the lumbar spine.

Second, the moxa should be used earlier, but due to the burning feeling, wasted two treatment sessions.

After all, the lumbar-leg pain is not always caused by the protrusion of the disc, the acupuncture treatment must focus on the true reason to make effect.

An acute cervical spondylosiol case

Ms. Y, 45 2007-09-25

She has left hand tingling and numbness for two months, sharp burning pain for over 10 days.

The numbness appeared on the early August, tried western medicine but no effect. The pain started on the whole left arm on the early September, anti-inflammatory and painkiller didn’t work. She had X-ray at that time, reported degeneration on the C4, 5. Sept. 14 morning, the pain suddenly increased to unbearable, found nowhere to put the arm, and totally could not sleep. She been off work since last week, visited a chiropractor every day. After 3 days treatments, she felt a little better, and then it got even worse.

Now, there is burning pain on the ulnar side of left arm. No extension of the neck, hard to lie face down. No left triceps tendon reflex. The left ulnar skin is more sensitive. Pulse is thin and rapid, and tongue is reddish with peeled coating in the centre.

Treatment:

1) Electric therapy on lower cervical part 20’; acupuncture on right Leique, Wangu

2) Tuina on the shoulders (press Yunmen); acupuncture on left Yanglao (0.18*13mm, cold reducing); press Zhaohai

3) No spicy foods

2007-09-28

After last treatment, for half hour there was nearly no pain then came back but reduced. Now, there is sore pain on the left ulnar arm, numbness on the ulnar fingers. Neck still cannot move freely. Didn’t go chiropractor.

X-ray pictures:

C5 Luschka joint sharp (both); C4, C5 vertebra slight moved backwards, increased C6~7 rear space; Narrow right C4~5, C5~6, C7~T1 foramen, especially C4~5 reduced to half; narrow left C4~5, C5~6, C7~T1foramen, C7~T1 reduced to half.

Impression: C8 never is stimulated.

Treatment:

1) Electric therapy 25’; acupuncture on right Yanglao (0.25*25mm), Zhongzhu (0.18*13mm)

2) Tuina left shoulder and arm, Qian neck (slight crack on the middle cervical vertebrae

2007-10-01

Next day after last treatment, she went to the CT scan. After that the pain increased (posture related?). Numbness and pain on the left ulnar arm and hand, soreness on the elbow and shoulder. The lower nape is tight.

Treatment:

1) Electric therapy on both sides of C6~7; acupuncture on left Wangu, Zhongzhu, Shouwuli, right Yanglao; press Zhaohai

2) Press Quepen, Yunmen (both)

3) Tuina on neck and shoulders (face up), Qian and slight Yao (cracks on C5~6)

[No numbness on the hand, but still worrying]

2007-10-04

Pain was greatly reduced. Feels numb on the ulnar and back of left hand. The hand is easier feeling cold than the right one. There is soreness on the left elbow. Not completely comfortable during sleep. Motion is increased on the neck, but extension still causes tightness. She nearly finished her anti-inflammatory. Tight muscles on both of C7~T1, pain on lower left scapula.

Treatment:

1) Tuina on nape (face down); acupuncture on C7~T1 (both); Ganshu (both); left lower scapula

2) Electric therapy on C7~T1; acupuncture on left Yemen

3) Qian neck, Tuina on arms

[No numbness on palm, still numb on ring and little finger]

Result:

After this treatment, the pain and stiffness disappeared, she went back work later, but the numbness on the fingers remained. Got 4 more treatment, no change of numbness, others are normal.