Many people take cold medicine when they catch a cold, but this can increase the resistance of cold viruses and bacteria to drugs. Therefore, it is better to use non-medicated methods for treatment, such as traditional Chinese medicine scraping or moxibustion therapy. So, which is better for scraping or moxibustion in the early stage of a cold?
Which is better for scraping or moxibustion in the early stage of a cold?
Generally, scraping is recommended.
Scraping is usually better in the early stage of a cold as it can quickly eliminate toxins, balance yin and yang, and accelerate recovery. In the later stage of a cold, the body becomes weaker due to a prolonged cold, and scraping can easily consume energy with a weak effect. It is recommended to use moxibustion at this stage, as it can warm and tonify the body, enhance the immune system, and promote recovery from a cold.
Alternatively, both methods can be used simultaneously, starting with moxibustion to replenish yang energy, activate qi and blood circulation, improve personal constitution, and then using scraping to detoxify and expel pathogenic factors.
Can scraping be used for colds in early pregnancy?
Scraping can be used for colds in early pregnancy.
During the early stages of pregnancy, it is best to avoid taking medicine to prevent any potential harm to the fetus. However, if a pregnant woman wants to receive scraping therapy, it is recommended to go to a professional Chinese medicine hospital. It is important to accurately locate the acupoints and be cautious with the intensity of scraping. Avoid scraping the abdomen, Sanyinjiao acupoint, Hegu acupoint, Zusanli acupoint, and other key areas.
Method for using scraping to treat colds
1. Scraping for colds caused by wind and cold
1. Acupoint selection
Fengchi, Dazhui, Zhongfu, and the anterior chest, as well as Zusanli. The bleeding points are Shaoshang and Dazhui.
Simplified acupoint selection method:
(1) Fengchi: The Fengchi acupoint is located below the occipital bone, level with the Fengfu acupoint, in the depression between the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles.
(2) Dazhui: Located in the middle of the back, in the depression below the 7th cervical vertebra prominence.
(3) Zhongfu: Stand with hands on hips, the depression at the outer end of the clavicle is Yunmen. From Yunmen, vertically push down along a rib (between the 1st intercostal space) to find this acupoint.
(4) Zusanli: Four horizontal fingers below the outer eye of the knee, one horizontal finger beside the anterior edge of the tibia.
(5) Shaoshang: Located on the radial side of the thumb, 0.1 cun from the root of the nail.
2. Scraping method
Use a scraping board made of wood or stone, and apply red flower oil as the medium. The scraping method is direct scraping, and the technique is downward scraping. Start by scraping Fengchi, then Dazhui on the neck, followed by Zhongfu and the anterior chest, and finally Zusanli.
Specific operating steps:
(1) Apply scraping medium (red flower oil) to the treatment area.
(2) Use the scraping board to directly contact the treatment area and repeatedly scrape and rub Fengchi, Dazhui, Zhongfu, the anterior chest, and Zusanli until petechiae appear on the skin.
(3) Bleeding: Strictly disinfect the Shaoshang acupoint and then use a small sterilized three-edged needle to quickly puncture the acupoint vertically, followed by squeezing the acupoint to release 3-5 drops of blood. Dazhui acupoint should also be strictly disinfected. Use a medium-sized three-edged needle to puncture and release 7-10 drops of blood.
3. Efficacy
Dispelling wind and dispersing cold.
Note: Choose a warm and wind-free place before the procedure, do more scraping during the procedure, drink a cup of warm water afterward, and rest for a while.
4. Symptoms of a cold caused by wind and cold
Wind-cold syndrome: Severe chills, mild fever, no sweating, clear nasal discharge, not thirsty, headache and body aches, thin and clear phlegm, thin white coating on the tongue.
Wind-heat syndrome: Severe fever, mild chills, sweating, turbid nasal discharge, thirsty, sore throat, headache and body aches, yellow phlegm, thin yellow coating on the tongue.
2. Scraping for colds caused by wind-heat
1. Acupoint selection
Quchi, Chize, Waiguan, Hegu, Fengchi, Dazhui.
Simplified acupoint selection method:
(1) Quchi: Bend the elbow and find the depression at the end of the elbow crease, which is the inner edge of the radial head.
(2) Chize: Located at the elbow of the arm, when the arm is raised, there is a thick tendon in the middle of the inner side of the arm, and this acupoint is located on the outer side of the tendon.
(3) Waiguan: Located on the back of the forearm, three finger-widths above the wrist crease, between the radius and ulna.
(4) Hegu: Place the joint of the thumb bone of one hand on the border between the thenar eminence and the hypothenar eminence of the other hand. The point under the tip of the thumb is Hegu.
(5) Fengchi: The Fengchi acupoint is located below the occipital bone, level with the Fengfu acupoint, in the depression between the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles.
(6) Dazhui: Sit upright and lower the head, this acupoint is located in the lower part of the neck, in the depression below the 7th cervical vertebra prominence.
2. Scraping method
Use a pinching technique for scraping and downward scraping technique. Apply sesame oil as the medium. Start by scraping Fengchi, then Dazhui on the neck, followed by Quchi and Chize on the inner side of the upper limb, and finally scrape Waiguan and Hegu.
Specific operating steps:
(1) Apply scraping medium (sesame oil) to the treatment area.
(2) The practitioner bends their fingers and aligns the second phalanx of the index and middle fingers with the treatment area. Pinch the skin and muscles, then slide and release with force.
(3) Pinch and release repeatedly, and make a "ba ba" sound.
(4) Repeat the procedure 6-7 times in the same area until petechiae appear on the skin.
3. Efficacy
Dispelling wind and clearing heat.
Note: Drink a small amount of water before the procedure, do more scraping during the procedure, and drink a small amount of warm water afterward.
4. Symptoms of a cold caused by wind-heat
Wind-heat syndrome: Severe fever, mild chills, sweating, turbid nasal discharge, thirsty, sore throat, headache and body aches, yellow phlegm, thin yellow coating on the tongue.
Precautions for scraping therapy
1. Precautions before scraping therapy
1. Scraping therapy requires exposing the skin and opening the sweat pores. If exposed to external wind and cold, the pathogenic factors can enter directly through the open pores, affecting the efficacy of scraping therapy and potentially causing new diseases. Therefore, it is important to choose a suitable treatment location with good ventilation and avoid drafts. Minimize skin exposure.
2. Choose a comfortable body position for scraping to facilitate the procedure and prevent dizziness from scraping.
3. Strictly disinfect the scraping tools to prevent cross-infection. Before scraping, carefully check the scraping tools to avoid injuring the skin.
4. The hands of the practitioner should also be disinfected.
5. Before scraping, explain the general knowledge of scraping to the patient to eliminate their fear and gain their cooperation to avoid dizziness from scraping.
6. Avoid performing scraping therapy on patients who are excessively hungry, full, or overly tense.
2. Precautions during scraping therapy
1. The scraping technique should be applied with even force, tolerable to the patient, and should achieve petechiae.
2. For infants, the elderly, and patients with weak constitutions, the scraping technique should be applied with lighter force.
3. Do not blindly pursue petechiae and use excessive force or prolong the scraping time. The amount of petechiae is influenced by various factors. In general, blood stasis syndrome produces more petechiae; excess syndrome and heat syndrome produce more petechiae; deficiency syndrome and cold syndrome produce fewer petechiae; taking too many medications, especially corticosteroids, makes it difficult to produce petechiae; obese individuals or those with well-developed muscles are less likely to produce petechiae; the yin meridians produce fewer petechiae than the yang meridians; petechiae are less likely to appear when the ambient temperature is low.
4. During the scraping procedure, frequently inquire about the patient's feelings. If dizziness occurs, such as fatigue, dizziness, pale complexion, nausea, cold sweats, palpitations, cold limbs, or a drop in blood pressure and loss of consciousness, immediately stop the scraping. Comfort the patient and help them lie down, keep them warm, offer a cup of warm water or sugar water, and if the symptoms persist, use the corner of the scraping board to press the Hegu acupoint lightly to relieve swelling and prevent edema. Apply moxibustion or scraping to the Baihui acupoint and Yongquan acupoint. After the patient's condition improves, continue to scrape Neiguan acupoint and Zusanli acupoint.
3. Precautions after scraping therapy
1. Scraping therapy opens the sweat pores, expels pathogenic factors, and consumes part of the body's fluid. Therefore, the patient should drink a cup of warm water and rest for a while after the procedure.
2. After scraping therapy, to avoid the invasion of external pathogenic factors, wait for the skin pores to close and return to their original state before taking a bath, usually about 3 hours.
3. For patients with complex and critical conditions, in addition to scraping therapy, other treatments, such as medication, should also be used to avoid delaying the treatment.
Contraindications for scraping therapy
Although scraping therapy can be used to treat various conditions, there are precautions and contraindications.
1. Patients with bleeding disorders should not or should be cautious when using scraping therapy. Conditions such as thrombocytopenia, allergic purpura, leukemia, etc., should not use purging scraping therapy but rather tonifying or balanced scraping therapy.
2. For critically ill patients, such as those with acute infectious diseases or severe heart disease, they should be immediately hospitalized for observation and treatment. If there are no other options, scraping therapy can be used temporarily for emergency treatment to buy time and opportunities for further treatment.
3. Newly fractured areas should not be scraped until the fracture has healed. Scraping should also be avoided on surgical scars for two months. Be cautious when scraping scars from malignant tumors.
4. Infectious skin diseases, such as boils, abscesses, scars, ulcers, sexually transmitted skin diseases, and unexplained lumps on the skin, should not be directly scraped.
5. Scraping on the abdomen of elderly or weak individuals, on an empty stomach, or during menstruation should be avoided. Large-scale purging scraping should not be used on the face of females.
6. Those who are fearful or allergic to scraping therapy should not use this method.
7. During pregnancy or menstruation, scraping should be avoided on the lower abdomen and acupoints such as Sanyinjiao, Hegu, and Zusanli. The scraping technique should be applied with lighter force using tonifying scraping therapy.
