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Acupuncture
Chinese Herbs Treatment for M.E
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M.E is a chronic fatigue syndrome characterised by general tiredness,
muscle pain, poor concentration, etc. Patients quite often have
to give up their jobs because of the illness. Although the pathology
of M.E is still not clearly known, doctors generally believe that
virus infection is normally the initial trigger of this long term
illness.
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TCM approach to M.E
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| The understanding of the pathology of M.E in TCM has some
similarity to a condition called 'Wei Syndrome'. The root cause
of M.E in terms of TCM is a deficient Spleen and Kidney, which
bring about accumulation of dampness in the body. Dampness is
heavy and turbid in nature. Thus the symptoms of a dampness
related illness are usually marked by heavy feeling in the body
and aching muscles. The dampness can also block the energy channels
to cause tiredness. |
| Some factors should be blamed to generate internal dampness.
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| 1. Too much dairy products can weaken the function
of Spleen and stomach, resulting in accumulation of dampness. |
| 2. Over use of antibiotics for virus infection can also give
body more dampness because antibiotics are generally cold in
nature, which can disturb the function of spleen and Stomach
and generate dampness. |
| 3. Bad life style is also liable to the problem: over work,
less exercise, less sleep, smoking, drinking, unhealthy eating,
etc. All these will damage the normal function of Kidney, Spleen
and Liver, weakening the immune system and accumulating more
dampness. |
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TCM Treatment
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| The treatment of M.E by TCM is normally conducted in two lines: |
| 1. To resolve the deficiency by tonifying Kidney
and Spleen and strengthen the immune system accordingly. This
will strengthen the body and improve the energy flow, and let
the patient feel more energetic and positive. |
| 2. To clear the dampness directly although stronger function
of Kidney and Spleen will improve the circulation of body fluids
to reduce the accumulation of dampness. |
| Other symptoms may also be looked after depend on the cases.
Both acupuncture and herbs are used to treat M.E. Sometimes
we also use Guasha therapy(scraping with oil) to boost Yang
energy and strengthen the immune system. |
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Case history
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| 1.A middle-aged lady in Southampton came to our clinic a few
years ago. She suffered from chronic M.E with all the symptoms
like tiredness, achy limbs, poor concentration and indigestion.
She could not carry out her daily work We initially gave her
herbal tablets then dry herbs. After a few months she felt much
better: more energy, no pains, better concentration and digestion
and returned to her job. She was very happy with the treatment
and recommended us to other patients. |
| 2. A lady from Winchester suffered from M.E and sinus problem.
She was poorly at that time and was unable to do her creative
work as an artist. We treated her initially with acupuncture
, herbal tablets and Guasha. After her M.E symptoms were improved,
we gave her dry herbs .to treat both M.E and sinus problems.
After a few months, she felt so much better that she could do
her creative work again. She had herbal treatment for another
two months before she felt like a normal person and stopped
the treatment. She was very active in the next year, creating
a lot of pictures and doing quite a few exhibition as well.
To express her thanks for our help, she sent us one of her works
- a very nice picture. |
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To Qing and John Zhang
I have been coming to the Centre of Chinese Medicine since April
2002. I have been treated very ably by Qing and John for ME, which
I have had for 16 years. During the period 3 months ( before I came),
I had been getting repeated ,virus attacks with accompanying secondary
infections which included serous problems with headaches, cystitis
and digesting problems. Antibiotics were not working, my immune
system was very weakened and concentration impossible.
I am now keeping treated successfully with herbs and have gradually
improved. My concentration has been restored and I am able to lead
a much more normal life.
I wished I had known about Chinese medicine sooner as it is an excellent
complimentary system to the NHS .
Thank you so much !
Isabel
March 2003
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