Mumps, also known as epidemic parotitis, is a disease that is particularly common in spring. Do you know what methods can be used to treat mumps? In fact, traditional Chinese acupuncture can effectively treat mumps. Today, I will introduce you to acupuncture therapy and tell you about the precautions for acupuncture.
Treatment of Mumps
Mumps, also known as epidemic parotitis, is caused by the invasion of wind and heat pathogens. It is a disease characterized by diffuse swelling and soreness of the parotid gland. It is more common in winter and spring, and is most commonly seen in children aged 5 to 15. This disease is also known as "zhi fa" or "han sui fa yi" in Chinese medicine. Modern medicine treats mumps with moxibustion therapy.
Causes of Mumps
1. Source of infection
Mumps is contagious and can be transmitted by early-stage patients and carriers. The virus can be isolated from the patient's saliva for a long time. It is highly contagious during the two weeks from 6 days before the onset of parotid swelling to 9 days after the onset. After infection with the mumps virus, some individuals may not show symptoms of mumps, but may exhibit symptoms in other organs such as the brain or testicles. The virus can also be detected in saliva and urine. During a large-scale outbreak, about 30-40% of patients may only have subclinical infections of the upper respiratory tract, which is an important source of transmission.
2. Transmission routes
The virus can be transmitted through droplets in saliva (contaminated clothing can also transmit the virus). Its infectivity is weaker than that of measles and chickenpox. Pregnant women infected with the virus can transmit it to the fetus through the placenta, leading to fetal deformities or death, and the incidence of miscarriage also increases.
3. Susceptibility
Mumps is generally susceptible, and susceptibility decreases with age. Males are more likely to develop the disease after puberty. After recovery from the disease, individuals may have long-lasting immunity.
The disease is mainly caused by external invasion of wind and heat pathogens, combined with excessive stomach heat rising to the lesser yang and yangming channels. This leads to disharmony of the meridians and stagnation of qi and blood, resulting in swelling in the parotid region. The lesser yang meridian and jueyin meridian are mutually related, and the pathogenic factors can spread from the lesser yang meridian to the jueyin meridian, causing testicular swelling and pain in male patients.
Pattern Identification
The main symptoms of mumps include fever, chills, diffuse swelling and soreness in the parotid region, and difficulty chewing. In severe cases, there may be testicular swelling and pain. The tongue coating is yellow, and the pulse is floating and rapid.
Treatment
The main acupuncture points used are the lesser yang and yangming meridian points on the hands.
Treatment principles: Expel wind and resolve stagnation, clear heat and detoxify.
Prescription: Yifeng, Jiaosun, Quchi, Hegu, Jiache.
Explanation: Yifeng is the meeting point of the lesser yang meridian of the hand and foot, which can promote the circulation of stagnant qi and blood in the local area. The lesser yang meridians on the hands and feet also run along the cheeks, so Hegu and Jiache are selected to disperse the pathogenic heat and detoxify. Quchi and Jiaosun are selected to promote the circulation of qi and blood in the lesser yang and yangming meridians, achieving the effects of expelling wind, clearing heat, detoxifying, and reducing swelling. If there is high fever, Dazhui can be added to the prescription. If orchitis occurs, Xuehai and Ququan can be added to the prescription.
