First, many
thanks and great respect should go to our patient Mr. Giacomo
from Italy, who is so kind and graceful to agree that we could
list his complete record of Chinese medicine treatment on our
website. His treatment record in our TCM center for 36 days from
January 20 to Feb. 25, 2004 is as follows.
------------------
January 20, 2004, the first day
to start treatment.
Giacomo, male, 40 years old,
Italy. 1.80 meter tall, 85 kilos in weight.
Major complaint:
Severe headache,
frequent and serious sinus problems every two weeks with much
nasal discharge, heart stabbing pains, shortness of breath,
occasional breath stops during sleep, shrinking cold pains of
the stomach, pains of the two kidney areas, painful and weak
back, groin twitching, leg muscle spasms, loss of hair, severe
fatigue, for 15 years. Treated by western medicine
intermittently in Italy, USA and other countries for 15 years,
encouraging improvement was not found. On January 18, 2004, he
came to our TCM center which is located in Huaihua city, China
via Hong Kong and Guangzhou from Italy.
Interrogation and
checking made by TCM physician Dr. Ming and acupuncturist Dr.
Peng:
15 years ago, quite healthy and
strong. One day about 15 years ago, driving motorcycle for ten
hours. The weather is very hot and it is above 45¡æ, without any
drinks. After that day, he gradually felt difficult breathing,
shortness of breath, cannot bend tendons, legs. Arms no problem
to stretch. Also sexual problem, local pains, ejaculation pains.
Acupuncture and massage helped. Reduced sex ability appeared two
weeks later. Not married now. Chest oppression. If bending
chest, front chest pains. There were five times before 4 years
ago he experienced stopping of breath in sleep when waking up
suddenly. Recent 4 years, no such breath stop experience, only
shortness of breath.
Palpitations exist only in the
daytime, stabbing heart pains. Sometimes fearful, easily angry,
easy to lose temper. He could not inhale and exhale completely,
about one third of the normal breath depth. No fluids retention
sense in the chest, not cough. Sometimes, spitting yellow
phlegm. Very easy to catch nasal inflammation; during the first
two days when nasal attack comes, general body weak, only ten
percent energy of a healthy state; pains around nose, eyes, even
ears, strong headache. Yellowish and profuse nasal discharge
then begins to come out after two days. Nasal blockade happens
with loss of smelling sense, dizziness. At the back of the eyes,
heavy pains. Also blockaded ear, but no voice in the ears. Loss
of hair 10 years, the scalp dislikes pressure, has the tight
feeling when touching it.
The stomach shrinks, sometime
strongly, sometimes mildly. Both overeating and hunger could
worsen the pains. The stomach likes warmth, likes pressure.
Appetite sometimes good, sometimes bad. Like hot drinks. Do not
drink often daily now, no much thirsty.
After the shower, feeling total
body needling. No diarrhea, sometime constipation to loose
stool. If using power to defecate, semen could come out. Every
week 2 to 3 times for defecation of stool which is relatively
hard or normal sometimes.
Double kidney pains in a deep
location, aching pains there all the time. The right kidney is
more painful than the left. The spine is not able to be
straightened. The outside part of the spine is painful.
Urine is slightly yellowish.
Morning urine is relatively darkish. At night, no necessity to
get up for urination. On average, at daytime urinate 6 times per
day. Urinary urgency, dripping after urinations, shrinking and
dragging pains at right lower abdomen and groins. Testicles have
no hard masses, while right testicle is painful. Recently no
seminal emission. Sexual ability is generally good. Premature
ejaculation happens when penetrating. The erection is good, but
the testicle is painful. The backs and body feel uncomfortable.
No sense of anus dropping,
In general, the body likes
warmth, dislikes cold.
Always feeling fatigued and
dispirited. Do not drink alcohol, alcohol could make him very
sick always.
Liver pains. Legs pains with
muscle spasms. Leg tendons are tight, painful. Knees are
painful and soft. The sleep is not so good, seven to eight hours
sleep daily.
The right wrist pulse is
floating and empty and feeble. The left wrist pulse is deep,
thin and feeble.
The tongue body is slightly
pale, moist. The tongue coating is thick and yellowish and with
tongue teeth pressure on the two edges of the tongue.
The nail is pale and bluish.
The coffee and tea, even though
liking it, could make him nervous.
Also met emotional frustration
before the accident.
Diagnosis: Double deficiency
of the liver and kidney, qi deficiency of the heart and the
lungs, spleen yang deficiency, qi stagnation and blood stasis,
coexistence of cold and heat, mixture of excess and deficiency.
Treatment strategy: Tonifying
the liver and kidneys, warm the spleen yang, quickening blood
circulation, adjust the cold and heat.
The first formula is made by Dr.
Ming. 4 dosages, a dosage a day, twice per day. Every time
drinking herbal tea 200 milliliters. The herbal tea will be
decocted by Giacomo himself after being told the way to make the
decoction. So he decocted his herbal decoction in his dormitory
in our TCM college. No acupuncture and massage are used since
tomorrow (January 21) will be China's New Year Eve.
fresh
rehmannia root 15g
cinnamon twig 10g
Chinese yam 10g
tangkuei root 10g
moutan bark 6g
ligusticum root 10g
poria 10g
white
peony root 15g
millettia stem and thorn 10g
cornus fruit 15g
achyranthes root 10g
astragalus root 15g
eucommia bark 10g
lycium berry 10g
licorice root 8g
Jan. 25. The three
dosages started to make him feel the spirit was improved a
little. Less frequent urination. All the tendons' nervousness is
slightly relaxed. Less darkish urine. The shallow breath is the
same as before. The testicle twitching is relaxed.
But yesterday, facing cold
again, so the right nasal orifice is blockaded, with nasal
discharge, headache, but less fatigue. The stomach painful with
shrinking sense. Still back pains.
Today, it is the third day of
China's Spring Festival. Acupuncture and massage starts,
practiced by Dr. Peng. Try to expel coldness and open the nasal
orifices. Acupuncture points are Yang Bai, Ying Xiang, Tai Yang,
He Gu, Lie Que, San Ying Jiao, Yang Ling Quan, Zusanli, and
general body massage starts in a comprehensive way. Herbal
package warming is used on the head and nose too.
So it is very important to
prevent the attack of the nasal problem. These two new dosages
will be for expelling wind cold, opening nasal orifices, warming
stomach to stop pains. Prescribed by Dr. Ming.
astragalus root 15g
codonopsis root 10g
ovate
atractylodes rhizome 10g
dried
ginger 3g
ledebouriella root 10g
xanthium seed 10g
cinnamon twig 10g
magnolia flower 7g
jujube 3 pieces
houttuynia 15g
cornus fruit 15g
angelica dahurian 8g
white
peony root 15g
platycodon root 6g
poria 10g
ligusticum root 10g
tangkuei root 10g
Jan. 27. After two days
of acupuncture by needling Yang Bai, Ying Xiang, Tai Yang, He
Gu, Lie Que, San Ying Jiao, Yang Ling Quan, Zusanli, and general
body massage, herbal package warming, so today (also taking two
dosages of herbal decoction for expelling wind, opening nasal
orifice and warming the stomach), Giacoma is now feeling the
sinus pains is leaving, very little nasal excretion, no nasal
blockade sense, improved spirit, improved and good sleep, good
appetite, very relaxed tendons of the general body. Stomach is
of less shrinking sense, but still heavy head, abdominal
distention. At daytime very clear urine, no night urination.
Back pains much better, can squat without pains (in the past
very painful), but bending the back still difficult and painful.
The tongue coating is less yellowish.
So the current emphasis is still
the nose and stomach, also tonify the kidney and qi in the
meantime. Two dosages were prescribed by Dr. Ming.
astragalus root 15g
codonopsis root 10g
ovate
atractylodes rhizome 10g
xanthium seed 10g
ledebourialla root 10g
magnolia flower 6g
cinnamon twig 10g
houttuynia 15g
jujube 3 pieces
platycodon root 6g
cornus fruit 15g
ligusticum root 10g
white
peony root 15g
tangkuei root 10g
poria 10g
fresh
rehmannia root 10g
lycium berry 10g
Jan. 29, 2004. Nasal
problem is almost disappearing. Spirit and appetite improved,
stomach pain relieved. Still right kidney area pains, when
bending the back. The tendons of the legs still tight and
painful. Acupuncture, massage are being used and today cupping
method is added for expelling cold and opening the channels.
Two dosages were offered by Dr.
Ming.
astragalus root 15g
codonopsis root 10g
ovate
atractylodes rhizome 10g
xanthium seed 10g
ledebourialla root 10g
magnolia flower 6g
cinnamon twig 10g
houttuynia 15g
jujube 3 pieces
platycodon root 6g
cornus fruit 15g
ligusticum root 10g
white
peony root 20g
tangkuei root 10g
poria 10g
fresh
rehmannia root 10g
Chinese yam 10g
lycium berry 10g
eucommia bark 10g
Jan. 31. So the nasal
problem is almost fine. Deeper breath, relaxed tendons, better
sleep and better appetite. But right kidney point pains, left
kidney area pains. So we turn our attention to kidney and
stomach now.
Two dosages by Dr. Ming as
follows.
astragalus root 15g
Chinese yam 10g
ovate
atractylodes rhizome 10g
codonopsis root 10g
ledebourialla root 10g
platycodon root 6g
cinnamon twig 10g
ligusticum root 10g
jujube 3 pieces
tangkuei root 10g
cornus fruit 15g
fresh
rehmannia root 10g
white
peony root 20g
lycium berry 10g
poria 10g
eucommia bark 10g
achyranthes root 10g
mistletoe 10g
Feb. 2, 2004. Today,
the stomach shrinking sense disappeared. Nose almost no problem,
tendons relaxed. Kidney area pains, but relaxed a little bit,
about twenty percent kidney pain reduction. The tongue coating
is slightly yellowish. The left pulse is becoming stronger.
Generally improved, spirit
improved, appetite good.
A special good change today is
that there is the desire to move the body, do exercise, which is
rare in the past years. The right side of the body is tighter
compared to the left one. Little bit deeper breath. Sleep good.
So two dosages prescribed by Dr.
Ming.
astragalus root 15g
achyranthes root 10g
ovate
atractylodes rhizome 10g
tangkuei root 10g
cinnamon twig 10g
ligusticum root 10g
jujube 3 pieces
milletia root and stem 10g
cornus fruit 15g
eucommia bark 10g
white
peony root 20g
mistletoe 10g
poria 10g
moutan bark 6g
alisma tuber 10g
Feb. 4. Try to warm the
stomach, move qi, stop pains, tonify the kidneys.
astragalus root 10g
achyranthes root 10g
ovate
atractylodes rhizome 10g
peach
kernel 10g
cinnamon twig 10g
carthamus flower 10g
jujube 3 pieces
lindera 10g
cornus fruit 15g
toosendan 10g
white
peony root 20g
frankincense 10g
poria 10g
eucommia bark 10g
moutan bark 8g
Feb. 6, 2004. The major
change of these two days is reduction of pains of the two
kidneys. The major problem is the tightness of the right side of
the body, the same as a few days ago, but generally reduced. The
old painful points below the right shoulder occurred again. The
testicle also stretched. Stomach and intestines no pain, but
full of gas. Tongue yellowish. The therapeutic bleeding method
is used on the upper right back, where the pains are very
strong. This pain area exsited there for quite a few years. The
bleeding materials are black and sticky.
achyranthes root 15g
myrrh 10g
peach
kernal 10g
jujube 3 pieces
carthamus flower 10g
cornus fruit 15g
lindera 10g
white
peony root 20g
toosendan 10g
poria 10g
frankincense 10g
moutan bark 10g
eucommia bark 10g
alisma tuber 10g
saussurian 10g
mistletoe 10g
dipsacus 10g
fresh rehmannia root 15g
Feb. 8, 2004. Giacoma
said that in the Feb. 6 afternoon, very deep 3 hours sleep, then
got up, feeling the body is very relaxed, tightness disappear,
and deep breath, no pains. This is the first time during recent
5 years that he had such a good change. That morning, it was the
first time that three-edged-needle was used to bleed on the
right shoulder tender point. The bleeding materials are some
dark blood with mucus. Feb. 7, there was a slight abdominal
spasm and go to toilet for quite a while. After massage in the
morning, when sitting up, sparks before eyes for 15 seconds.
Today, also the second time for
bleeding, less dark blood with mucus.
So blood quickening dosage is
reduced a little bit. Offered by Dr. Ming.
codonopsis root 10g
achyranthes root 10g
ovate
atractylodes rhozome 10g
peach
kernel 10g
jujube 3 pieces
carthamus flower 10g
cornus fruit 15g
lindara 10g
white
peony root 20g
toosendan 10g
poria 10g
frankincense 10g
moutan bark 8g
eucommia bark 10g
alisma tuber 10g
Feb. 11, 2004. Now,
there are no following problems such as nose attack, stomach
upset. Very slight kidney pains. Lower back spine is painful,
when moving like cracks. But in the past, when lying, the lower
back and kidneys very painful, now only a little bit. Bending
the body, more natural without pains. Sleep normal, appetite
good.
So right now, tonify the kidney
and liver and quick blood circulation.
Chinese yam 10g
achyranthes root 10g
cooked rehmannia root 15g
peach
kernel 10g
moutan bark 10g
carthamus flower 10g
alisma tuber 10g
lindara 10g
cornus fruit 15g
toosendan 10g
poria 10g
eucommia bark 10g
mistletoe 10g
amomum 10g
Feb. 12. This morning,
the nasal problem tends to make another small attack. So left
side nasal congestion appeared, slight pains under the left eye
socket. The good changes are that the tendon tightness, body
pains, painful back points are being improved greatly. The
tongue coating is thinner, not so yellowish and greasy at the
end part of the tongue root.
The former
formula adds ledebourialla 10 grams and xanthium seed 10 grams
and magnolia flower 10 grams.
Feb. 14, 2004.
Emotional state quite relaxed and good. All the conditions are
being improved in a stable way. Good sleep, good appetite, good
spirit, stomach no problems, no kidney pains. Today, slight nose
congestion and yellowish excretion. Pulse is stronger, tongue
coating not so yellowish and greasy.
Chinese yam 10g
baijiang 10g
cooked rehmannia root 10g
achyranthes root 10g
Chinese yam 12g
peach
kernel 10g
moutan bark 8g
carthamus flower 10g
alisma tuber 10g
toosendan 10g
cornus fruit 15g
eucommia bark 10g
poria
10g
amomum 10g
mistletoe 10g
xanthium seed 10g
magnolia flower 10g
Feb. 16, 2004. All the
conditions stable. No stomach, kidney problems; tendons relaxed,
generally stronger against wind with no fear. Going to windy
environment yesterday, no problem for the nose. Still a little
nasal congestions with some discharge. So continue with the
Feb.14 Formula for another two days.
Feb. 18, 2004. Only right side
of the body a little bit tight. So try to strengthen the kidneys
and liver to improve the right qi.
Chinese yam 10g
mistletoe 10g
cooked rehmannia root 10g
achyranthes root 10g
white
peony root 20g
peach
kernel 10g
moutan bark 8g
carthamus flower 10g
alisma tuber 10g
eucommia bark 10g
cornus fruit 15g
ovate
atractylodes rhizome 10g
poria 10g
ligustrum 15g
black
seseme 10g
codonopsis 10g
Feb. 20, 2004. The
right side of the body is not tight. Sleep good, appetite good,
almost no kidney pain, tension at the groins and lower abdomen
relaxed quite a lot.
The hair on the top of the head
begins to grow. Pulse is powerful and steady. The tongue coating
is thin, very slightly yellowish. The root of the tongue coating
is almost disappearing.
Chinese yam 10g
mistletoe 10g
cooked rehmannia root 10g
achyranthes root 10g
white
peony root 20g
peach
kernel 10g
moutan bark 8g
carthamus flower 10g
alismas tuber 10g
eucommia bark 10g
cornus fruit 15g
ovate
atractylodes rhizome 10g
poria 10g
ligustrum 15g
eclipta 10g
codonopsis root 10g
Feb. 23. Generally
stable, sleep and appetite good. Digestion stronger, right side
of the body completely relaxed, no muscle spasms of the legs,
almost no twitching sense of the groins, the kidney area is much
stronger, no pains sense radiating to the legs. Open nasal
orifice, clear and no discharge. The pulse of the left side and
the right side are more balanced and with power. Not so shallow
at the right side and not so deep and thin at the left side. The
tongue coating is thin and very slightly yellowish. No thirst,
no dry lips.
Chinese yam 10g
platycodon root 10g
cooked rehmannia root 10g
trichosanthes fruit 10g
white
peony root 20g
mistletoe 10g
moutan bark 8g
achyranthes root 10g
alisma tuber 10g
perch
kernel 10g
cornus fruit 15g
carthamus flower 10g
poria 10g
eucommia bark 10g
ovate
atractylodes rhizome 10g
codonopsis root 10g
So,
after 36 days comprehensive treatment by herbal decoction,
acupuncture, massage, cupping, moxa, the chronic and complex
conditions of Mr. Giacomo have been greatly improved. The body
is much stronger and could fight against the external wind
efficiently. No headache, no nasal problem re-occurrence, no
heart pains, no stomach shrinking pains, no kidney pains, no
groin twitching, obviously increased ability of deep breath,
even the hair begins to grow, sleep good, appetite good,
spiritedness. So the general recovery is unexpectedly stable and
satisfactory.
Feb. 25, 2004,
Giacoma successfully finished the total treatment course here
and happily left our TCM center for his own country Italy via
Singapore.
Dr. Ming and Dr. Peng advised him to take care of good rest,
regular daily life, relaxed mind, happy mood; avoid spicy foods,
alcohol and beer; avoid the wind and cold and take part in
proper physical exercise so that his health will be well kept
permanently.
Grateful, happy, healthy and spirited Mr. Giacomo was leaving
Huaihua, Feb. 26, 2004. |