Re:Lumbar herniations-scarring moxibustion!

[Guest guest]

Thanks Tatiana for bringing up this topic. I am not at the level of

scholarship and genius of a lot of people in this group, but I remember reading

in a translation of 'the treatise on the stomach and spleen', or something about

the 'school of nourishing the middle', that a continous purious scarring

moxibustion on st36, is strongly indicated as protection and benefit during the

winter months against the invasion of cold that shows in many complicated

presentations, sometimes subtly throughout the year, and the life.

Ive done scarring moxibustion and strong needle and massage techniques and

found its right on for some and too much for others. Sometimes showing the

needle to the point, or thinking about a point/function, or operating mentally

while you feel the pulse, or rubbing and stretching your friends calves, back or

neck are clinically effective. There are intimate/private levels of this stuff,

right? Kind of it's strength. To some its like a tatoo that reminds them of a

higher aspiration, like a tatoo of the heart sutra or something.

But please, I may have read that in a translation of one of your books, Bob,

and I don't want to misquote, or have you smack me on the head, pls correct me

if so, or elucidate. Please if one of you guys can find the reference, bring it

up.

There are few people who would, and only so many conditions that may require

this but, it seems there is an emotional component that this addresses, and a

connection between the treatment and the hopes, the reflection looking at the

scar, the operation, the kiss.

Beauty is so strong feeling, all cultures, adorn in their own way.

A spot just below yer knee that lasts for 15 years, wow.

Tatiana Gaidarenko <tvgaid wrote:

Interesting if anyone used scarring moxibustion to treat disc

herniation/pain.

 

" The Clinical Use of Suppurative Moxibustion " by Li Ming-zhi, *Shang Hai

Zhen Jiu Za Zhi (Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture & Moxibustion)*, #3, 1992,

p. 33-34

 

Suppurative moxibustion is an ancient moxibustion technique, the

administration of which is quite painful and leaves a permanent scar. Under

normal conditions, patients are generally unwilling to submit to this

technique. However, since suppurative moxibustion at local acupoints

enhances and prolongs the positive (therapeutic) stimulus within the body,

it can, therefore, have an unusual effect on (the treatment of) recalcitrant

diseases. Following administration of suppurative moxibustion, one may often

observe the immediate resolution of lingering illness. The *Zi Sheng Jing

(The Classic of Nourishing Life)* states that, " All moxa should must produce

a sore in order for the patient to recover. " As a result of this, it would

seem that suppurative moxibustion has a distinctive therapeutic effect. The

following selection of case histories illustrates its clinical value

 

*Herniation of a lumbar disc*

 

Tian, a 35 year old male carpenter, was first diagnosed on August 20, 1987.

He complained of left-sided lumbar and leg pain that had lasted for half a

year. The pain radiated from his lumbar region along his urinary bladder

channel (with pain) shooting into his foot such that he was unable to walk.

It was also difficult for him to turn over.

 

Examination revealed a severely laterally rotated torso and lateral

prominence (of the bulging disc) on the affected side. The patient had a

positive straight leg raise test (*i.e.*, a Cram test. This is accomplished

by the examiner raising the straight leg. This will cause pain. The knee is

then slightly flexed while the thigh remains in the same position. This

causes the pain to disappear. Next, thumb or finger pressure is then applied

to the popliteal area to reestablish the painful radicular symptoms.) He

also had a positive bowstring test and a positive Kernig test (*i.e.*,

Kernig-Brudzinski test. In order to perform this test, the patient lies

supine with their hands cupped behind their head. They are then instructed

to flex their head to their chest. Next, the extended leg is actively raised

by flexing the hip. The test is positive if pain is felt.) There was (also)

pressure pain in the L4-5 intervertebral space, and percussion produced a

shooting pain. And there was obvious pressure pain at *Cheng Fu* (Bl 38) and

*Wei Zhong* (Bl 40). Radiology reported herniation of the lumbar disc at the

L4-5 level.

 

The patient had undergone a combination of massage, acupuncture, and Chinese

medicinal therapies and, over the past two months, his symptoms had improved

somewhat in that he was now able to walk approximately 30 meters.

Nevertheless, the lateral rotation remained severe, lumbar flexion was still

difficult, and the straight leg raise test remained positive. (Conventional)

moxibustion was added to the therapy for one month but produced no major

progress.

 

Finally, suppurative moxibustion was administered. The selection of points

included: *a shi* points (*i.e.*, painful points lateral to the spine), *Cheng

Fu* (Bl 38, left), *Wei Zhong* (Bl 40, left). A major moxa burn was induced

with the radius of the base area being raised approximately onecm. This was

accomplished with four cones of moxa to produce a second degree burn.

Self-composed *Jiu Cang Gao* (Moxa Sore Ointment) was applied topically to

the moxa burn. After four days, the moxa sore opened and suppurated for a

period of 34 days. On the 15th day of suppuration, the patient returned to

our clinic for a follow up visit. The patient's back had become perfectly

straight and he was so overjoyed that he was nearly delirious. After one

month, the straight leg raise test was negative, the bowstring test was

negative, the Kernig test was negative, and he walked normally. In a

follow‑up visit three years later, he reported no recurrence of the

symptoms.This is from BluePoppy.

 

I have treated my wrist pain (due to RA) with scarring moxibustion. After

one treatment and a good blister (8 years ago) pain was gone completely.

 

Tatiana Gaidarenko, LAc