Prof Xiao Shao-qin

October 25, 2005

The following article was published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese

Medicine. Two years ago, when I left Nanjing, Prof Xiao Shao-qin was still

teaching and seeing patients at the age of 83. He has authored several books

on acupuncture and commonly uses extra points. He uses a lot of needles as

you can read in the article. When he saw a new patient, he would take the

time to listen and diagnose, write down a treatment plan (often two sets of

points to be used alternately) and answer all thbe questions his 4-5

students might have. He treated patients and saw his students all in the

same bedroom (often there would be ten people in the small room.) When we

had a question, he would write down EVERYTHING related to the problem on a

sheet of paper. Although Parkinson's Disease would make his characters look

a bit shaky, you could see that he was a trained calligrapher.

It was a pleasure to study with Xiao Laoshi and I hope to see him again when

I go to Nanjing.

Three case studies: post-stroke aphasia, asthma and sinusitis, and a

stubborn hiccup case. Note the long treatment courses (up to 40 treatments

for the hippuc case, cured afterwards).

Prof. Xiao Shaoqin's Experience in Acupuncture

Treatment

Xu Guojie ???

Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Jiangsu Provincial Hospital of

Communications, Nanjing 210029

Having been engaged in TCM for 50 years,

Prof. Xiao Shaoqin has got rich experience in

acupuncture. The author has pursued advanced

studies for 3 years under his guidance, and has

learned a lot from him. The following is a report of

Prof. Xiao Shaoqin’s experience for treating 3 typical

eases.

Aphasia Due to Wind-Stroke

Mr. Zhang, aged 70 years, paid his first visit on

July 14, 1999, with the chief complaint of hemiplegia

and dysphasia due to wind-stroke for more than one

month. The patient had a history of hypertension. In

the afternoon of June 11, 1999, he suddenly had

difficulty in speech, with forceless sensation in the

left upper and lower limbs. Th following day he was

sent to Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital for

treatment. The computer-aided tomography indicated

right cerebral infarction. He was then hospitalized

and treated for one month, with no obvious

improvement. At the moment, the patient's main

symptoms and signs were sallow complexion,

dysphasia, numbness and stiffness of the left cheek,

right-side deviation of the mouth angle with drooping

of salivation, paralysis of the left upper limb with

motor impairment, numbness and inability of the five

fingers and swelling of the wrist, and forcelessness of

the left lower limb with unsteady walking and

inability to squat down or stand up after squatting.

His appetite, urination and defecation were all normal.

The tongue proper was red with white-sticky tongue

coating, and the pulse wiry and slippery. The TCM

differentiation was hyperactivity of the liver-yang

mixed with phlegm, which obstructed the throat. The

treating principles were calming down the liver to

resolve phlegm and clarify the speech, and promoting

blood circulation by removing obstructions from the

collaterals.

The points selected as Group 1 were Dazhui

(GV 14), Fengchi (GB 20), Yamen (GV 15),

Lianquan (CV 23), Tiantu (CV 12), the left upper

three points of Jianyu (LI 15), Quchi (LI 11), and

Hegu (LI 4), the left lower three points of Huantiao

(GB 30), Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Xuanzhong (GB

39), Taichong (LR 3), Shenshu (BL 23), and

Yaoyangguan (GV 3). The points selected as Group 2

were Baihui (GV 20), Jianneiling ( ???the

midpoint on the connecting line of anterior axillary

line and Jianyu point), Jianliao (TE 14), and Naoshu

(SI 10), Shousanli (LI 10), Bizhong (EX), Baxie (EXUE9),

Biguan (ST 31), Futu (ST 32), Yinshi (ST 33),

Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Fenglong (ST 40),

and Taixi (KI 3). The treatment was given once daily

by the uniform reinforcing-reducing method, with the

above two groups of points alternately used. Except

for Yamen (GV 15), Lianquan (CV 23), and Tiantu

(CV 22) which were needled with quick insertion and

quick withdrawal of the needles, the other points

were all punctured with needles retained for 30 min,

one-month treatment constituting a therapeutic

course.

After one course of treatment, the patient's

speech became clearer, the numb and stiff sensation

of the left cheek improved a lot, the deviation of the

mouth angle also improved without drooping of

salivation, the left upper limb was gaining force and

could raise to the chest level, the numb sensation of

the five fingers was much relieved, and the lower

limb became forceful than before, and he could move

about more steadily and could squat down and stand

up. After two courses of treatment, the patient's

speech became more clear; the numb and stiff

sensation of the left cheek disappeared with no

deviation of the mouth angle; the numb sensation of

the five fingers also disappeared so that he could

grasp things with hands and raise the arm to the top

of the head; and he could raise up his left lower limb,

squat down and stand up freely, and walk steadily.

Comment: This patient had a history of

hypertension. Since he got wind-stroke (resulting in

right cerebral infarction ) one month before, his blood

pressure had been high (BP 20-21/12-12.5 kPa). So

the treatment was given first for calming down the

liver as an emergent measure. So, Dazhui (GV 14),

Fengchi (GB 20), Baihui (GV 20), Sanyinjiao (SP 6),

Taixi (KI 3), and Taichong (LR 3) were punctured by

the reducing method for calming down the liver to

stop the wind, and nourishing yin and suppressing the

hyperactive yang. Yamen (GV 15), Tiantu (CV 22),

Lianquan (CV 23) penetrating the three points of

Haiquan (EX-HN11), Jinjin (EX-HN12) and Yuye

(EX-HN13), and Fenglong (ST 40) were punctured

by the uniform reinforcing-reducing method for

resuscitating the brain and refreshing the mind, and

regaining mental clarity to restore the speech. The

three upper points of Jianyu (LI 15), Quchi (LI 11)

and Hegu (LI 4), the three lower points of Huantiao

(GB 30), Yanglingquan (GB 34), and Xuanzhong

(GB 39), the three shoulder points Jianneiling,

Jianliao (TE 14), and Naoshu (SI 10) as well as

Biguan (ST 31), Futu (ST 32) and Zusanli (ST 36)

were punctured by the uniform reinforcing-reducing

method for promoting the blood circulation and

relaxing the muscles and tendons, and removing

obstruction from the channels and collaterals to

promote circulation of qi and blood. As a result,

perfect therapeutic effect was obtained.\

Asthma Due to Nasal Sinusitis

Feng, a girl aged 5 years, paid her first visit on

March 6, 1999, with the chief complaint of nasal

obstruction, rhinorrhea, and asthma for more than

four years. Due to the delayed treatment for her

pneumonia four years before, the patient was

susceptible to common cold, which resulted in

secondary bronchitis, leading to asthma. At the

moment, she had cough with white foamy sputum

and rales in the throat. The attack often became

severer after midnight with cough and profuse

sputum in the early morning. She was liable to

sweating, and had a poor appetite, and thus had a

slim figure. She had nasal obstruction and rhinorrhea,

with frequent sneezing in the early morning, and

easily caught cold. The patient presented with a pale

tongue proper with thin-white coating, and a threadyslippery

pulse. The diagnosis was nasal sinusitis and

bronchial asthma. The TCM differentiation of

syndrome was insufficiency of the spleen-qi and

lung-qi due to the congenital insufficiency, thus when

attacked by seasonal pathogens, the patient easily got

nasal obstruction and rhinorrhea, and had repeated

occurrence of asthma; and the dysfunction of the

spleen in transformation and transportation resulted

in indigestion and anorexia. The principles of

treatment adopted were ventilating the lung to resolve

phlegm, clearing the nasal passage to relieve asthma,

strengthening the spleen in its function of

transformation and transportation, and strengthening

the body resistance.

The points selected as Group 1 were Dazhui

(GV 14), Fengchi (GB 20), Tiantu (CV 22),

Shanzhong (CV 17), Neiguan (PC 6), Dingchuan

(EX-B1), Fengmen (BL 12), Feishu (BL 13), and

Zusanli (ST 36). The points selected as group 2 were

Shenzhu (GV 12), Gaohuang (BL 43), Shenshu (BL

23), Shangxing (GV 23), Yingxiang (LI 20), Hegu

(LI 4), Chize (LU 5), Zhongwan (CV 12), Qihai (CV

6) penetrating Guanyuan (CV 4), and Sifeng (EX-UE

10 to be needled once every 5 days). The treatment

was given by the reinforcing method once daily, with

the above two groups of points punctured alternately,

and without retention of the needles, one-month

treatment constituting a therapeutic course.

After one course of the treatment, nasal

obstruction was removed, rhinorrhea and morning

sneezing stopped, and breathing smoothed. She could

distinguish smells, and her appetite improved with no

anorexia any more; and the asthma was cured. In

order to consolidate the therapeutic effects, another

course of treatment was given once every other day.

Comment:

In the prescription, acupuncture at Dazhui (GV

14), combined with moxibustion can invigorate qi in

all the yang channels so to protect the superficial

surface of the body from being invaded by

exopathogens. Fengchi (GB 20) can clear away both

the endogenous and exogenous pathogenic wind, and

is good for treating diseases of the head, face, and the

five sense organs. Acupuncture added with

moxibustion was adopted on Feishu (BL 13)

Fengmen (BL 12), Gaohuang (BL 43) and Chize (LU

5) for ventilating the lung to resolve phlegm.

Acupuncture and moxibustion at Shanzhong (CV 17),

and Dingchuan (EX-B1) may activate and regulate qi

to relive asthma. Shangxing (GV 23), Yingxiang (LI

20), and Hegu (LI 4) were selected for removing

obstruction from the nasal passage to ventilate the

lung and eliminate the pathogens. Acupuncture with

moxibustion at Shenzhu (GV 12), Shenshu (BL 23),

and Qihai (CV 6) penetrating Guanyuan (CV 4) was

adopted for activating the yang qi, nourishing the

kidney, and enriching qi to consolidate the

constitution. Acupuncture and moxibustion at

Zhongwan (CV 12) and Zusanli (ST 36), combined

with pricking of Sifeng (EX-UE10) to squeeze out

mucus, were given for activating the function of the

spleen in transformation and transportation. The

combined use of the above methods give a complete

recovery for the patient.

Stubborn Hiccup

Zhou, a male patient of 41 years old, paid her

first visit on July 12, 1998, with the chief complaint

of hiccup for over 8 years. The patient stated that she

got frequent hiccup in 1990 with cause unknown. The

gastroscopy did not show any abnormal findings.

After taking 40 doses of Chinese herbal medicine for

soothing the liver, regulating the circulation of qi and

regulating the stomach to check hiccup, the patient

experienced no improvement. Later, she sought

treatment in a western medical hospital and was

diagnosed as having phrenospasm. The

administration of both western medicine and Chinese

herbal medicine did not show any effect. At the

moment, the patient had frequent hiccup with a loud

sound. She stated that she would get a serious attack

of hiccup when she got nervous or excited. Her

appetite, urination and defecation were all normal.

She presented with a pale tongue proper with thinwhite

coating, and wiry- thready pulse. The TCM

differentiation was disorder of the liver-qi, which

gave transverse attack to the stomach, making the

stomach-qi fail to descend. The principles of

treatment were soothing the liver, regulating the

circulation of qi, checking the adverse flow of the

stomach-qi.

The points selected as Group 1 were Ganshu

(BL 18), Qimen (LR 14), Neiguan (PC 6), Zhongwan

(CV 12), Zusanli (ST 36), and Taichong (LR 3). The

points selected as Group 2 were Geshu (BL 17),

Shuitu (ST 10), Tiantu (CV 22), Shanzhong (CV 17),

Zhigou (TE 6), and Yanglingquan (GB 34). The

treatment was given once daily, with the above two

group of points used alternately. The uniform

reinforcing-reducing method was adopted and the

needles were retained for 10 min each time, 10

sessions of treatment constituting a therapeutic

course. The pushing-pressing massage was also given

once daily at the point Yexiao located 2 cun below

Jiquan (HT 1) to help relieve the patient’s anxiety so

as to promote the recovery.

Herbal prescription: Chai Hu (??Radix

Bupleuri) 10g, Bai Shao (??Radix Paeoniae Alba)

10g, Zhi Gan Cao (???Radix Glycyrrhizae

Praeparata) 8g, Dang Shen (??Radix Codonopsis

Pilosulae) 10g, Mu Xiang (??Radix Aucklandiae)

9g, Hou Po (??Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis) 9g,

Lu E Mei (???Flos Mume Albus) 6g, Wu Zhu Yu

(???Fructus Evodiae) 5g, Ding Xiang (??Flos

Caryophylli) 6g, Shi Di (??Calyx Kaki) 7 pieces,

Yi Yi Ren (???Semen Coicis) 5g, Sha Ren (??

Fructus Amomi, ground) 4g, Kou Ren (??Fructus

Amomi Rotundus, ground) 4g, Chen Xiang Pian (?

??Lignum Aaquilanlae Resinatum) 3g, Fo Shou

Pian (???Fructus Citri Sarcodactylis) 9g, and

Jiang Xiang (??Lignum Dalbergiae Odoriferae) 6g.

The above herbs were decocted and taken one dose

daily, which were divided into 3 portions to be taken

each in the morning, afternoon and evening.

The patient had the problem for 8 years, with

onsets 50 times a day. After receiving 40 acupuncture

treatments and taking 28 doses of the above herbal

decoction, she had gradual improvement of the

hiccup till its complete disappearance. A follow-up

for one year showed no recurrence.

Comment:

Acupuncture by the reducing method at

Ganshu (BL 18), and Qimen (LR 14) was employed

for soothing the chest, and promoting the circulation

of qi and blood. Zhongwan (CV 12) combined with

Zusanli (ST 36) is effective for regulating the

stomach and descending the adverse flow of the

stomach-qi. And the needling by the uniform

reinforcing-reducing method at Shuitu (ST 10) and

Tiantu (CV 22) can ease the throat, descend the

adverse flow of qi, and soothe the chest. Thus, the

patient was finally cured.

(The author would like to express his heart-felt

thanks to Prof. Xiao Shaoqin, for his careful reading

of the article and guidance).

Reference

1 ?.??. ????. ??: ???????, 1999.

(Translated by Wang Xinzhong ???)

????

October 25, 2005

Hi Tom,

Very interesting articles. I followed a well known post stroke acupuncturist

whilst I was in Beijing. She was the only acupuncturist I met in China that

used alot of needles, usually numbering 40 +. Generally, acupuncturists used

no more than a dozen needles. All the patients had suffered from stroke with

the inability to talk, walk or consciousness awareness (lack of Shen).

Patients were treated everyday using GuaSha, electric acupuncture on the

scalp, general acupuncture and abdominal acupuncture. I saw quite a few

amazing results.

I've only ever seen alot of needles used with stroke patients. What say

everyone else? It seems to be a general taboo about using alot of needles in

the UK, shame really.

Warm regards,

Attilio D'Alberto

Doctor of (Beijing, China)

B.Sc. (Hons) T.C.M., M.A.T.C.M.

Company Director

The Earth Health Clinic

0208 367 8378

enquiries

<http://www.theearthhealthclinic.com/> www.theearthhealthclinic.com

Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medicine On Behalf Of Tom

Verhaeghe

25 October 2005 09:26