Traditional Chinese acupuncture is a long-standing therapy that combines needle and moxibustion techniques. It is mainly used for body regulation and treatment of diseases, with common methods including application of moxibustion and acupuncture. Below, we will introduce several methods of traditional Chinese acupuncture for treating diarrhea.
【Moxibustion Method 1】
Acupoints: Zusanli, Yinbai, Tianshu, Zhongwan, and Shénqu.
Moxibustion Technique: Shenqu acupoint uses the salt-separation moxibustion method, with each session lasting 5-7 minutes. Other acupoints use direct moxibustion with moxa sticks, applying a small amount of petroleum jelly to the acupoint area before placing a grain-sized moxa stick and igniting it for moxibustion. When the patient feels unbearable heat and pain, the moxa stick is replaced. Each acupoint is moxibusted for 5-7 minutes, once a day, with 10 sessions as one course of treatment.
【Moxibustion Method 2】
Acupoints: Tianshu, Zhongwan, Qihai, and Shangjuxu.
Additional acupoints: For patients with severe cold, add Shenqu and Guanyuan acupoints; for patients with severe dampness, add Yinlingquan acupoint; for patients with nausea and vomiting, add Neiguan acupoint; for patients with severe urgency and tenesmus, add Zhonglüyu acupoint.
Moxibustion Technique: Shenqu acupoint uses salt-separation or ginger-separation moxibustion method, with each session lasting 5-8 minutes. Other acupoints use mild moxibustion with moxa sticks, with each acupoint being moxibusted for 5 minutes, once a day. This method is commonly used for cold and dampness type of diarrhea.
【Moxibustion Method 3】
Acupoints: Tianshu, Neiguan, and Sanyinjiao.
Moxibustion Technique: Both sides are used, with supplementing method, and the needles are left in for 30 minutes. After removing the needles, moxibustion is applied with the rolling and pecking method until the skin in the acupuncture area turns red. Once a day, twice for severe cases.
【Moxibustion Method 4】
Acupoints: Zhongwan, Shenqu, Tianshu, and Zusanli.
Additional acupoints: For chronic diarrhea, add Piyu, Weiyu, and Dachangyu acupoints; for diarrhea at 5 a.m., add Guanyuan, Qihai, and Mingmen acupoints.
Moxibustion Technique: Use mild moxibustion with moxa sticks, with each acupoint being moxibusted for 5 minutes; moxibustion with grain-sized moxa sticks can also be used, with each acupoint being moxibusted for 3-5 minutes.
These are the four methods of traditional Chinese acupuncture for treating diarrhea. Due to the long-standing history of traditional Chinese acupuncture and its effective treatment of various difficult and complicated diseases, it should be promoted and utilized as part of our cultural heritage.
