What is trigeminal neuralgia?

Trigeminal neuralgia is the sudden episodes of facial pain related with nerve activities. It is also called “tic douloureux”.

What is the characteristic of trigeminal neuralgia?

The facial pain usually starts near one side of the mouth, then shoots toward the ear, eye, or nostril on the same side of face. The pain episodes may be on and off, or even months in between the pain. As the disorder progresses, the pain episodes may become more frequent, with less and shorter remission periods. A dull ache will then remain between the episodes of stabbing pain.

How can the pain of trigeminal neuralgia be triggered?

Pain may be triggered by touch, movement, eating, or even air-draft, which increases the discomfort of those suffering from this disorder.

Who are more susceptible to this nerve disorder?

Trigeminal neuralgia may occur to anyone, but has been more commonly affecting the middle-aged people or elderly. It is also possible to affect younger people with history of multiple sclerosis. Women seem to have a higher ratio comparing to men.

What is the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine to trigeminal neuralgia?

According to TCM, this condition is caused by the attack of exterior pathogenic factors, especially of Wind and Heat, which block and obstruct the free flow of Qi (energy) and blood circulation within the body channels. Alternatively, it may be arise from internal reasons such as excessive emotional stress or the imbalance of the state of Yin and Yang, which in result, block the body channels as well.

How can acupuncture treat trigeminal neuralgia?

Acupuncture treatment is directed at spreading the Qi and blood stagnation through the channels in the affected area. If the efficacy of acupuncture is not apparent, herbal therapy may be combined to enhance the desired achievement.

FACIAL PARALYSIS

What is facial paralysis?

This is a disorder also known as “Bell’s Palsy”. The facial muscles of one side become weak or paralyzed usually suddenly, most often, overnight. The facial nerves of one side are damaged and are unable to function properly.

What is the cause of facial paralysis?

The exact cause of facial paralysis is unknown, but in most cases, the nerves of the affected area are damaged by inflammation.

What is the function(s) of these facial nerves and why are they important?

These facial nerves control the facial movements and expressions, such as smiling, chewing, etc. They carry the taste sensation from the tongue to the brain and perhaps is the reason why food taste bland for those suffering from this disorder. They also control the production of tears and saliva.

Who are more susceptible to facial paralysis?

Men and women of any age group, especially of weak immunity and diabetic may develop this disorder.

What is the Traditional Chinese Medicine’s perspective on facial paralysis?

According to TCM, this disorder is ascribed to the obstructions caused by pathogens invading the channels traversing the face and disrupting the flow of circulation. These obstructions prevent the vessels and muscles from receiving the necessary moistening and nourishment.

How can acupuncture treat facial paralysis?

Acupuncture is relatively effective in treating this disease. More efficient results may be obtained when acupuncture is combined with manipulation, hot compresses, or herbal therapy. Early treatment is important to avoid permanent damage to the nerves.

PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY

What is peripheral neuropathy?

This is a general term used to describe common neurological disorder resulting from damage to the peripheral nerves.

What may cause the nerve damage leading to peripheral neuropathy?

In most cases of peripheral neuropathy, damaged is caused by diseases of nerves or the result of systemic illnesses, such as diabetes, uremia, or nutritional deficiency. Other causes include compression or entrapment (carpal tunnel syndrome), direct trauma, penetrated injuries, fractures or dislocated bones, pressure involving superficial nerves (ulna or radial) which can result from prolonged use of crutches or staying in same position, tumor, intraneural hemorrhage, exposure to cold or radiation, artherosclerosis, systemic lupus, scleroderma, or rheumatoid arthritis.

What are the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy?

General symptoms reveal weakness, numbness, paresthesia (abnormal sensation such as burning, tickling, pricking, or tingling) and pain in arms, hands, legs, and/or feet.

What is the conventional prognosis on peripheral neuropathy?

Depending on the type of peripheral neuropathy, patient may either fully recover without residual effects, or may only partially recover and have sensory, motor, and vasomotor deficits. In severe cases, chronic muscular atrophy may develop. However, the recovery is usually slow.

How can acupuncture treat peripheral neuropathy?

Acupuncture is effective in treating this condition by promoting and inducing the Qi (energy) and blood circulation to the extremities. By improving the circulation, the nerve tissues of the affected area can be nourished to repair the nerve functions and reduce pain. Other methods such as electro-stimulation, herbal or physical therapy may be combined with acupuncture to achieve faster results.

PARALYSIS CAUSED BY POLIOMYELITIS

What is poliomyelitis?

Poliomyelitis is an acute and contagious viral disease that attacks the central nervous system (CNS), injuring or destroying the nerve cells that control the muscles that can lead to paralysis. It usually attacks children.

What are the symptoms of poliomyelitis?

Early stage symptoms reveal similarly to flu, which includes fever, headache, vomiting, sore throat, pain and stiffness in the back and neck, and drowsiness. After the onset of these symptoms, the weakness and paralysis of legs or arms begins sometime within a week.

Which area is mostly affected by the paralysis caused by poliomyelitis?

Paralysis most often affects the legs but can involve any muscle groups.

What is the conventional treatment of poliomyelitis?

Poliomyelitis is currently not curable. Management to this disorder is directed to ease discomfort with supportive care and symptomatic treatment. Vaccination during childhood reduces the development of the disorder.

How can acupuncture treat the paralysis caused by poliomyelitis?

Acupuncture treatment is based on the principle of expanding and regulating the affected body channels to correct the malnourished muscles and tendons. The injured muscles and tendons usually become soft and shortened, while smaller connective tissues become flaccid and elongated. Electro-stimulation method and herbal therapy may be used in conjunction to acupuncture to achieve better result and prevent further muscular damage. Early treatment and timely manner is definitely important in regards to acupuncture treatment.

MENIERE’S SYNDROME

What is the Meniere’s Syndrome?

Meniere’s Syndrome is the abnormality of the inner ear causing severe dizziness or vertigo, tinnitus or a roaring sound in ears, fluctuating hearing loss, and the sensation of pressure or pain in the affected ear. It usually affects only one ear and is a common cause of hearing loss.

What are the symptoms of Meniere’s Syndrome?

The symptoms of this disorder varies from sudden onset that arises daily to appearing once a year. Vertigo is the most debilitating symptom, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sweating, and the patient must lie down. Less forceful than vertigo, tinnutis is also a bothersome ear ringing, or a feeling of pressure in the ear that can affect hearing ability. Other common symptoms include headache, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and the feeling of being unsteady. Symptoms are usually unpredictable.

What is the conventional treatment on Meniere’s Syndrome?

Complete cure is currently not possible yet but medical therapies are helpful in managing symptoms. Surgical procedures such as insertion of shunt, a tiny silicone tube to drain off excessive ear fluid, or vestibular neurectomy, severing of vestibular nerve for balance so it stops sending distorted messages to the brain are available according to the severity of symptoms. These therapies, however, risk damage to the ear tissues that can result in hearing loss.

How can acupuncture treatment help to manage Meniere’s Syndrome?

Acupuncture treatment has been helpful and effective in treating the aural vertigo (Meniere’s Disease). Traditional Chinese Medicine attributes aural vertigo to either dampness obstruction of the affected channels suppressing the clear Qi (energy) to travel to the ear area, or the depletion of the Kidney Qi (energy) causing deficiency of the body’s supplement to the affected area. Treatment is directed at the root cause of the problem to prevent future reoccurrence.

What are other helpful tips to manage Meniere’s Syndrome?

Dietary change can help control this disorder besides natural acupuncture treatment. Eliminate the intake of caffeine, alcohol, salt, and tobacco might reduce the severity of attack. Stress alleviation and immunity enhancement are also important. Be aware of the medication that may cause fluid retention during the attack of Meniere’s Syndrome.

NEUROGENIC BLADDER DYSFUNCTION

What is neurogenic bladder dysfunction?

This is a disorder characterized by the dysfunction of urinary bladder caused by lesion of central or peripheral nervous system. It can be overwhelming and embarrassing for most people who suffer from such bladder disorder.

What are the symptoms of neurogenic bladder dysfunction?

Common symptoms of this disorder include urinary urgency, urinary incontinence, nocturia, or urinary hesitancy.

What is the cause of neurogenic bladder dysfunction?

This disorder is mainly caused by the dysfunction of the nervous system sending mistakened signals from the brain to the muscles of the bladder, causing the disruption of urinary pattern.

How can acupuncture treat such disorder?

The acupuncture treatment is targeted to improve the communication between the nervous system and the bladder muscles, and reduce the mistakened signals between them. Acupuncture is relatively effective in treating this condition. Besides treating the underlying cause of this disorder, acupuncture can also reduce the nervousness and emotional stress brought upon the patients by this disorder. Herbal therapy may be used in combination to better treat the bladder dysfunction.

NOCTURNAL ENURESIS

What is the definition of nocturnal enuresis?

Nocturnal enuresis is a disorder marked by bed wetting at night for more than three consecutive months. This disorder is most commonly in children.

What is the symptom of nocturnal enuresis?

Symptom is revealed by continuous bed wetting at nighttime for more than three months in a row. Accidental or occasional wetting of bed is here, not a concern according to the medical definition.

What might be the cause to nocturnal enuresis?

The main cause of nocturnal enuresis is due to the lack of bladder control caused by the miscommunication between nervous system and the muscles of the bladder (see neurogenic bladder dysfunction). If a child begins nocturnal enuresis after being dry for a long period of time, (or as in adult), it is considered to be secondary nocturnal enuresis. In such a case, emotional stress or other medical conditions might be blamed.

How can acupuncture treat nocturnal enuresis?

The acupuncture treatment is targeted to improve the communication between the nervous system and the bladder muscles, and reduce the mistakened signals between them. Acupuncture is relatively effective in treating this condition. Besides treating the underlying cause of this disorder, acupuncture can also reduce the nervousness and emotional stress brought upon the patients by this disorder. Herbal therapy may be used in combination to better treat the bladder dysfunction.

What else can be done to manage nocturnal enuresis?

Parents or caregivers should provide praise and encouragement to the patients of nocturnal enuresis, rather than blame or punishment. Moisture alarm, behavioral therapy, or medication might be helpful, according to each individual case.

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