Peptic ulcers and TCM

[Guest guest]

I've been reading The Web That Has No Weaver by Ted J. Kaptchuk, OMD. I

recommend this book, especially to people new to TCM.

 

There's a very interesting study given early in the book. It concerns the

relationship between what is known in the West as peptic ulcers and TCM

syndromes.

 

Remember that TCM syndromes rarely correspond to Western medical conditions.

For example, asthma can have several different Roots in TCM. The same

applies to peptic ulcers.

 

In a study 65 patients were each identified by Western-trained physicians

using Western methods as having peptic ulcers. They then were examined by

TCM healers. The 65 patients fit the profile for 1 of 6 TCM syndromes. One

group suffered from Damp Heat Affecting Spleen, another from Deficient Yin

Affecting Stomach, another from Exhausted Fire of the Middle Burner

(Deficient Cold Affecting Spleen), another from Excess Cold Dampness of

Spleen and Stomach, a 5th. group from Liver Invading Spleen, and the 6th

from Congealed Blood in the Stomach.

 

The 65 patients were then treated using just TCM. There were no Western

treatments for peptic ulcer and no dietary restrictions. The average time

of treatment was 2 months. They were then examined by Western physicians

using Western techniques. The results were as follows:

 

53 patients (81.5%) complete recovery

7 patients (10.8%) significant improvement

2 patients (3.1%) some improvement

2 patients (3.1%) no improvement

1 patient - worsening of condition due to complications unrelated to

treatment.

 

I don't know what the breakdowns on the treatment of peptic ulcer is in the

West using Western techniques. It may be as good or better as the results

using TCM. But I do want to point out some things about using the TCM

diagnoses and treatments for treating peptic ulcers.

 

1). TCM herbs (with the exception of ginseng and a few others) are

considerably cheaper than most prescription drugs. They also tend to have

far fewer side effects than prescription drugs when used correctly. When

there are possible side effects, a TCM healer knows how to modify a formula

in order to prevent side effects.

 

2). TCM syndromes don't have one and only one possible manifestation (i.e.,

peptic ulcer). For example, Damp Heat of the Spleen also can manifest as

hepatitis, as heavy and labored breathing, lack of appetite, diarrhea or

irregular bowel movements, nausea, possible vomiting, pain, ponderous and

sluggish movement, and fatigue. If the Spleen Damp Heat is left untreated,

it can result in Phlegm which results in Turbid Phlegm Disturbing Upper

Regions. Some of the possible manifestations of this are rotatory-type

vertigo, difficulty maintaining balance, Meniere's disease, confused

thinking patterns, inability to remember facts and to reason, and poor

ability to " orient oneself in space " . (Wicke, vol. 1, pp. 107- 108)

 

In other words, if one just treats manifestations/ symptoms using

prescription drugs or even using herbs (a common misuse of herbs in the

West), you can clear up a symptom, but the underlying imbalance is still

there and will be manifesting as other problems.

 

What about the 18.5% that didn't experience complete recovery. These are

the people to consider other alternative treatments and even Western

treatments on. No one system of medicine has all the answers for every

medical condidition for each individual. This includes TCM.

 

Victoria

 

 

 

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