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omissions. The information in this section is presented as is, for
educational purposes only. As with any medical matter, always
consult your healthcare professional before acting on any health-related
information.
Parkinson's disease is a disease of the central
nervous system which is characterised by muscle rigidity
(stiffness) and involuntary movements (tremors, esp. of
hands). It is a progressive disease which is caused by
degeneration (wear and tear) of special nerve cells in
the brain. Symptoms usually start between 60 and 70
years of age and may lead to dementia (confusion,
disorientation, memory loss, personality changes and a
lessening of intellectual capacity). According to
current statistics, it strikes 1 in every 100 people
over the age of 60. Because of increased longevity, this
amounts to roughly 60,000 new cases diagnosed annually
in the United States alone.
(a) Patients often complain of "slowing up"; they
have trouble dressing, rising from a seated
position, climbing or descending stairs, writing and
turning over in bed.
(b) On examination, "rigidity", "hand tremors",
"bradykinesia" (slowness in initiating and executing
movement), "mask-like expressionless face" and
"festinant gait" (shuffling walk) are observed.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this
kind of disease is liver related. It also has to do with
"Wind" converse in the
muscles and ligaments system. Treatment of this using
herbal medicine is effective and it can adjust this
nervous system's condition through TCM theory.
Acupuncture and electroacupuncture intervention improves
muscle and ligament function in 50-70% of affected
people. Clinical observations have noted that
acupressure is effective in promoting qi in muscle and
joints, reducing tremors and relieving pain. Tuina
massage acupressure can improve muscle rigidity,
akinesia (lack of movement)
and neural system functions. In western medicine, the
cause for this disease is unclear, but it is believed to
be a degeneration of special nerve cells in the brain,
and long term care is very important.
This ailment,
according to TCM, has different syndromes. The treatment for
these syndromes using herbal medicine and acupuncture is shown
below.
Syndrome (a) Deficiency of Both Qi and Blood
According to the TCM known as "Yin less", whenever there
is a defect in Qi (energy) and Blood of the body, the
result is muscle spasms, tremors, restlessness,
insomnia, night sweats, festination and muscle numbness.
The tongue is pale and swollen and the pulse is weak.
To treat byHerbal
medicine Therapeutic principle: Herbal medicine restores
yin energy to the kidney and the liver. It may also stop
the higher wind of the yang energy.
Prescription/Formula: Modified decoction for
promoting Qi and blood Kidney and Liver channel.
Ginseng, Tuckahoe, Atractylodes white, Angelica,
Gastrodia tuber, Uncaria, Eucommia, Sichuan Achyranthes
at each 15g; White Peony Root, Haliotis, Loranthus,
Salvia at each 20g; Rehmannia, Leonurus at each 10g.
Simple Prescription: Eight treasure pill twice a
day.
To treat by Acupuncture and
Moxibustion Therapeutic principle: Acupuncture and
moxibustion can help by regulating the circulation of qi
and blood by using points mainly from the Ren and Du
meridian points, as well as the urine bladder meridian
and the Spleen meridian point.
Prescription/Formula: Pi-Shu (UB20), Zusanli
(St36), Sanyinjiao (Sp6), Bai-Hui (Du20), Qi-Hai (Ren6),
Ge-Shu (UB17). Acupuncture 20-30 minutes or with
Moxibustion at each point 10-15 minutes.
Syndrome (b)
Lower function
of the Yin of Kidney and the Liver
According to "Yin less", the impaired function of the
Yin of kidney and liver also results in muscle spasms,
tremors, restlessness, insomnia, night sweats, dry
mouth, festination and muscle numbness.
The
tongue is usually pale and swollen and the pulse is
weak.
To treat by Herbal
medicine Therapeutic principle:
Using Herbal Medicine to adjust Liver and Kidney for the
proper function of the nervous system and for the
solution of the "wind" in the body.
Prescription/Formula: Modified decoction for
adjusting neural system. Cornus, Phellodendron,
Rehmannia cocked, at each 10g; Fleece-flower root,
Scrophularia, Red peony peel, Anemarrhena, Uncaria,
Tuckahoe, at each 15g; Tortoise plastron, Rehmannia
root, White caltrop, crude Oyster shell, Dioscorea, at
each 20g;
Simple Prescription: Six gout Di-Huang Wan one
time a pill, twice a bag.
To treat by Acupuncture and
Moxibustion Therapeutic principle: Acupuncture can help
regulate the circulation of qi of the liver and restore
the kidney energy by using points mainly from Back side
Shu Points and Du meridian Points.
Syndrome (c) Weakness in Spleen and
Stomach body humid up
According to the TCM theory, when the spleen is
defective, the whole body becomes humid, indicating a
by-product of heat sputum of the "wind" move.
Clinically, this defect shows as muscle tremors and
spasms, decreased appetite, insomnia, a pale tongue with
a yellow coating and a rapid pulse.
To treat by Herbal
medicine Therapeutic principle:
Using TCM theory to restore body energy and blood by
restoring the function of the spleen and removing the
humid and the sputum from the body.
Prescription/Formula: Modified decoction for
restoring energy and blood in the body. Pinellia tuber,
Citrus, Tuckahoe, Immature Bitter Drange, Atractylodes
white, Gastrodia tuber, Alisma, Plantain Seed,
Scutellaria, Gardenia and Bamboo bud at each 15g;
Liquorice at 10g.
Simple Prescription: Monkey Chinese date scatter
powder each one bag, twice a day. Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi Tang at
each one bowl twice a day.
To treat by Acupuncture and
Moxibustion Therapeutic principle: Acupuncture can help
regulate the circulation of qi of the liver and restore
the stomach and spleen system functions by using points
mainly from Back side Shu Points and Du meridian Points.
Prescription/Formula: Yin-Lin-Quan (Sp9),
Feng-Long (St40), Zhong-Wan (Ren12), Feng-Chi (GB20),
Qu-Chi (LI11), He-Gu (LI4), Zusanli (St36), San-Yin-Jiao
(Sp6) and Tai-Chong (L3). Acupuncture 10-20 minutes or
with Moxibustion at each point 10-15 minutes.
(a) Qigong and other therapies 1.Qigong: Qigong is an effective method for a
Parkinson's disease patient. It is advised that the
patient leran from a Qigong master. Try to use the
self control exercise, the setting
or lie down exercise 10-30 minutes every day and try to
, relax and lead the Qi to centralize in abdomen area
twice a day.
Generally speaking, Qigong is good for healing effect of
this specific ailment, however individual results may
vary. It improves the flow of the qi and the circulation
of the blood, so you'll experience more energy, but, you
won't see/ feel any immediate effects, as with many
exercises and therapies, it takes a few weeks or even
months of practice before you'll see any significant
improvements.
For the information of different types of Qigong ,just
click a link above.
This information is for education purpose only. We
strongly advise you seek a licensed Qigong master to
learn the correct ways to conduct these exercises before
attempting them.
2.Tuina Massage: Using the TCM kind of
manual therapy massage twice a week.
3. Acupressure Shiatus:
Finger pressure helps to reduce the involuntary hand
tremors.
4.Caput skin acupuncture: Capu skin
acupuncture is found to be useful.
5. Injection: Using Vitamin B1/B12 with liquor
1ml acupoint inject once a day.
(b) Medicated diet Wheat conjee: Wheat 50-60g with water 1L cooked
1.5 hours then eat.
(c) Life style 1. Diet: Avoid fatty foods and stop smoking and
alcohol consumption. 2. Note in Life: Avoid too
much excitement and stimulation in life and try to
remain calm and in good mood. 3. Life habit: Keep the body warm and don't stay
in one position for long hours, often take some Rehab
exercise program and do have a good relaxation.
Acknowledgments:
Healthphone.com greatly acknowledges the support and
dedication of our
Healing Centre Panel, without whom this section
would not be possible.
We
also greatly acknowedge Ms. Najaf Munir, MBBS, for her
editorial support. Ms. Munir simplified the highly
technical medical documents into easy-to-read documents,
for the enjoyment and education of our numerous
visitors.