Infantile Paralysis
Infantile paralysis is in the range of wei syndrome . What
is stated here is the sequel of poliomyelitis . The causative factor of this
disease is the invasion of epidemic pathogenic factors , which injure the
meridians . This disease is mainly due to invasion of pathogenic wind , dampness
and heat . These epidemic pathogenic factors invading the lung and stomach
through the mouth and nose , accumulate and turn into heat which gets into and
obstructs the meridians . Consequently qi and blood fail to circulate normally to
nourish tendons , vessels and muscles , hence there is paralysis of the limbs .
Long - lasting illness will lead to deficiency of essence and blood and affect the
liver and kidney , so the tendons and muscles are withered . This is the reason
why in the later stage of this disease there are flaccidity of tendons , atrophy
of muscules and deformity of bones .
Differentiation
Main manifestations : Paralysis may occur in any part of the body ,
especially in the lower limb with weakness of the muscles and cold skin .
Paralysis of the abdominal muscles is revealed by bulging of the abdomen
during crying . In a chronic case there is muscular atrophy of the affected
part with deformity of the trunk , and the paralysis is intractable .
Analysis : All the limbs and the skeleton of the human body rely on the
nourishment of qi and blood that circulate in the meridians and collaterals .
When the pathogenic factors attack the meridians and collaterals , ying
( nutrient qi ) and wei ( defensive qi ) , qi and blood lose their normal flow , and
tendons , vessels and muscles fail to be nourished . Therefore , the limb becomes
paralytic and the skin cold . Long standing of the disease not only leads to
muscular atrophy by impaired qi and blood supply , but also exhausts the
essence and blood , and affects the liver and kidney . The liver dominates
tendons while the kidney is in charge of bones , so the injury of the liver and
kidney causes poor nourishment of the tendons and bones . As the result , the
tendons become flaccid while the bones deformed , and the paralysis is
intractable .
Treatment
Method : Points of Hand and Foot Yangming Meridians are selected as the
principal points to regulate the circulation of qi in the meridians so as to
nourish the tendons and bones . The methods of reducing , reinforcing and even
movement can be adopted in different cases . Points of diseased side are
punctured usually , but in a long course of treatment , the healthy side and the
affected side of the body can be needled alternatively . Prescription :
Paralysis of the upper limb : Jianyu ( Li 15 ) , Quchi ( Li11 ) , Hegu ( Li4 ) , Waiguan
( S J 5 ) , Dazhui ( Du 14 ) , Tianzhu ( B 10 ) . Paralysis of the lower limb : Biguan
( S 31 ) , Zhusanii ( S 36 ) , Jiexi ( S 41 ) , Huantiao ( G 30 ) , Yanglingquan ( G 34 ) ,
Xuanzhong ( G 39 ) , Sanyinjiao ( Sp 6 ) , Kunlun ( B 60 ) , Huatuojiaji points at the
lumbar region ( 0 . 5 cun lateral to the lumbar vertebrae from the first to the
fifth ) . Paralysis of abdominal muscles : Liangmen ( S 21 ) , Tianshu ( S 25 ) ,
Dairnai ( G 26 ) , Guanyuan ( Ren 4 ) . Supplementary points : Contracted knee :
Yinshi ( S 33 ) . Reverse flexion of knee : Chengfu ( B 36 ) , Weizhong ( B 40 ) ,
Chengshan ( B 57 ) .
Inversion of foot : Fengshi ( G 31 ) , Shenmai ( B 62 ) , Qiuxu ( B 40 ) .
Eversion of foot : Zhaohai ( K 6 ) , Taixi ( Љ‡ ) .
Difficult intorsion and extorsion of hand : Yangchi ( S J 4 ) , Yangxi ( L 15 ) ,
Houxi ( S 13 ) , Sidu ( S J 9 ) , Shaohai ( H 3 ) .
Drop of wrist : Sidu ( S J 9 ) , Waiguan ( S J 5 ) .
Analysis : This prescription follows the principle in internal classic that
only select the points of Yangming Meridians for the treatment of
paralysis Yanglingquan ( G 34 ) , the Influential Point of tendons , and
Xuanzhong ( G 39 ) , the influential Point of bones , are used to enhance the
function of nourishing the tendons and bones . Other points such as Dazhui ( Du
14 ) , Tianzhu ( B 10 ) , Waiguan ( S J 5 ) , Huantiao ( G 30 ) , Liangmen ( S 21 ) ,
Tianshu ( S 25 ) , Dairnai ( G26 ) , Sanyinjiao ( Sp 9 ) , Kunlun ( B 60 ) , are all local
points to remove the obstruction of meridians for a smooth flow of qi .
Huatuojiaji points , the extra points with the action of adjusting the
functions of the zang - fu organs and removing the obstruction of meridians , are
also used as the local points .
Remarks
This disease should be treated as early as possible , in combination with the
functional exercises for strengthening the therapeutic effect .
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