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Sciatica #186

By david | Published March 7, 2019

 

male, age 60, TV producer

Complaints: Chronic left sciatica with pain in buttock and leg due to lumbar arthritis since 1983. The pain was worse with sitting and prolonged standing, occurring almost daily for the last 3 years. He played tennis despite the pain because it was one of his favorite hobby. But he stopped recently because the pain was becoming severe.

Acupuncture: Left-side yang horary points in Metal-Order of LI1, UB66, GB41, SI5, and ST36.

Treatment process: He had 11 acupuncture treatments so far at twice a week visit. The improvement was immediate and linear with less intensity, less frequency, and shorter in duration. He played tennis after the 9th visit, with minimal aggravation and quicker recovery than the ever before.

Discussion: Exercising and working with minimal distraction indicate a higher quality of living.

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Neck & Knee Pain, Depression, and Migraine. #188

By david | Published March 7, 2019

 

Neck & Knee Pain. Depression & Migraine. 

Bisoma& Tetrasoma Acupuncture, Case 188

female, age 45, human resources

Complaints: Constant left neck and shoulder pain for 2 years after a vehicular accident. Left shoulder range of motion was limited and worsening. She fell with her right knee onto a hard floor a few years ago, resulting in persistent inflammation and fluid retention. Finally, she had chronic 20-year anxiety and depression, which had worsened after a miscarriage 5 months ago. Moderate to severe migraine occurred at least once a month.

Acupuncture: Left-side yang horary points in Metal-Order of LI1, UB66, GB41, SI5, and ST36 with fire points LI5, GB38, and UB60, which are central element points for this constitution with Lesser Yin and Greater Yang combination (aka Kapha-Vata in Ayurveda, Phlegmatic in Unani, Soeumin in Sasang, and LinGang in Tetrasoma). Sasang herbal formula Xiang Fu Ba Wu Tang (Xiang Fu, Dang Gui, Bai Shao Yao, Bai Zhu, He Shou Wu, Chuan Xiong, Chen Pi, and Zhi Gan Cao).

Treatment process: She had 14 treatments at twice a week in the initial 4 weeks and once a week thereafter. Each treatment was helpful for the pains. The weekly improvement rate was significant with less intensity, less frequency, and shorter in duration. In addition, the Asian herbs were instrumental in improving her mental state and mood. From the 6th visit, she was able to taper down and get off Wellbutrin for depression with only withdrawal symptoms. In addition, she has mostly eliminated the usage of NSAIDs. She currently has almost no complaint.

Discussion: In addition to reduction of pain, Asian medicine is great at helping the body to self-heal by promoting recovery, which chemistry-language medicine cannot do.

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Dr. Lee’s Case Study #31: Back Pain

By david | Published May 17, 2016
back pain woman working with computer. Healthcare and medical concept

Patient: Female, age 32 
Complaint: Back pain. Since 5 years ago, the patient was experiencing progressive pain in the upper, middle, and low back. The pain was intensifying and becoming constant. MRI shows minor arthritis in the spine indicating that most of the pain is from musculo-tendino tension and knots.

Treatment Process: The patient had a total of 6 acupuncture sessions. In the first two weeks, the patient came in twice and once a week thereafter. From the first treatment, the patient noticed progressive relief. However, the patient was advised to rest every hour at work, which was an intensive physical labor all day with only 30 minute break for lunch.

Discussion: Although acupuncture may be helpful, acupuncture treatments cannot be used as a crutch because the body can only take up to what it is built to withstand and recover. Since she is young, a full recovery is expected. But it is not a good idea to push the body over the limit where the problem cannot be resolved and quality of life is affected.

Disclaimer: Acupuncture results may vary since each individual case is different.

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Dr. Lee’s Case Study #30: Leg, Foot, and Toe Pain

By david | Published May 11, 2016

Patient: Female, age 44

Complaint: Left leg, foot, and toes pain. For 6 months, the patient has been suffering from tendino-muscular pain radiating from the left lateral hip to the foot. The pain is constant and worse at the end of work day. Cause is unidentified.

Treatment Process: The patient reported immediate relief of the leg/foot pain by 50% after the first treatment. There was a gradual reduction of 90% relief by the second visit 5 days later. Since the second visit, she did not need to take a 6-month long anti-inflammatory medication, which was causing stomach pain. By the sixth visit, the patient was very happy to be able to wear high heels without aggravating low back and foot pain.

Discussion: When the pains are from strain or sprain, then the recovery can be fast and dramatic.

 

Disclaimer: Acupuncture results may vary since each individual case is different.

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Dr. Lee’s Case Study #29: Menopause and Spasms

By david | Published April 27, 2016

Patient: Female, age 51, artistLady with Hot Flashes
Complaints: Menopausal symptoms and spasms in the left side of body. Since the full hysterectomy 3 months ago, after removal of fibroid cysts of 2.5 pounds, she developed unpleasant psychological and physical symptoms. She bursts into tears just with the thought of her child. She has not undergone a hormone replacement therapy. Hot flashes are four times during the day. She wakes up every morning at 6am with a hot flash and mild dampness on skin. She has a gurgling/fluttering sensation in the upper left chest. She has painful muscle contraction in the left arm and left leg.  

Treatment process: After the first treatment, the uncontrollable tearing of the eyes immediately ceased. On the second visit, the patient reported no more tearing. The left side chest gurgling, arm pain, leg pains were less by 50%.  After 7 acupuncture sessions in 4 weeks, the patient reported overall improvement of 90%.

Discussion: Acupuncture treats subjective and undiagnosed conditions even when the patient’s reports are difficult to objectively verify.

Disclaimer: Acupuncture results may vary since each individual case is different.

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Dr. Lee’s Case Study #28: Low Back Pain and Sciatica

By david | Published April 20, 2016

Patient: Male, age 56, civil engineer

Complaints: The patient had chronic low back pain and constant nerve pain down the left leg. He had 3 epidurals and surgery without significant relief.

Treatment Process: Within the first couple of months of treatment at twice per week five years ago, most of the pain was eliminated. Thereafter, he comes in for acupuncture treatment every one or two months when he notices tightness in the left calf.

Discussion: Post-surgical acupuncture is very helpful after removing structural impingement on the sciatic nerve.

Disclaimer: Acupuncture results may vary since each individual case is different.

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FREE Acupuncture Q & A Workshop

By david | Published April 14, 2016

People QuestionsHave you benefited from acupuncture treatments but still aren’t sure how it works? Are you interested in Oriental medicine but want more information before getting treatment?

Whether you are a self-taught expert or inquisitive novice, Dr. Lee invites you to the Q & A Workshop. Speak directly with Dr. David Lee and associate Dr. Cheol Kim as they answer your questions about acupuncture and Oriental medicine. Light refreshments will be provided. Sign up today at the clinic, call 805-497-6200, or send an email to contact@davidleeacupuncture.com. Bring your friends!

Date and Time: Every Thursday 6:00 – 6:40pmTetrasoma Logo
Clinic Location: 166 North Moorpark Road, #201
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

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Dr. Lee’s Case Study #27: Foot and Pelvic Pain

By david | Published April 13, 2016

Patient: Female, age 33Pelvic Pain

Complaints: As an avid athlete and trainer, she broke her right pelvis and right foot on two separate occasions. There was also tearing of the right upper leg sartorius and rectus femoris muscles 4 years ago.

Treatment process: The patient came in twice a week for acupuncture treatments. The patient left for an international trip after 4 treatments within a 10-day period. On the 4th visit, the patient reported no pain in the leg and foot even with long airplane flights and much walking. But as soon as she arrived back home, she developed a pelvic floor inflammation. Same acupuncture treatments on the 5th and 6th visits did not relieve the pain but worsened. But the leg and foot pain were still better. On the 7th visit, a different acupuncture point combination was administered. Within 30 minutes, the patient noticed a significant reduction of 50% of pain.

Discussion: It is important to keep an open mind to other options that may have even better result. We should not be satisfied by the initial relief alone. An assessment of its efficacy over time should be observed to ensure the most optimal treatment.

Disclaimer: Acupuncture results may vary since each individual case is different.

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Dr. Lee’s Case Study #26: Shoulder Adhesive Capsulitis

By david | Published April 13, 2016

Patient: Female, age 47shutterstock_129509480

Complaints: Adhesive capsulitis in the right shoulder. The pain began 2½ months ago. She cannot sleep on her right side. Therapy helped to increase the range of motion but the pain was persistent.

Treatment Process: There was no significant improvement with the first two visits although some pain was temporarily relieved. Since the third visit, using a different acupuncture point combination, the patient began to notice dramatic improvement in intensity, frequency, and duration. The recovery was clearly noticeable on a weekly basis. The patient was able to sleep on her right side after the third visit.

Discussion: She is an artist by trade, using her arms most of the day. Without interrupting her daily work schedule with rest, her pain gradually lessened and the range of motion further increased.

Disclaimer: Acupuncture results may vary since each individual case is different.

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Dr. Lee’s Case Study #25: Cervicalgia with Radiculitis

By david | Published March 31, 2016

shutterstock_128576078Patient: Female, age 65, retired

Complaints: X-ray showed bone spurs impinging on a nerve at cervical vertebrae C6 causing neck stiffness and radiating nerve pain down the left arm into the hand. The symptoms began 5 months ago after waking up with a stiff neck. Prescriptions, over-the-counter medications and therapy temporarily helped but the symptoms were increasingly persistent and frequent.

Treatment Process: The patient came in twice a week for acupuncture treatment. On the second visit, three days later, the patient reported immediate and significant reduction of left arm nerve pain. The improved state was maintained but the pain had significantly increased after the third visit. A different acupuncture point combination was administered. The patient had incremental and consistent improvement in the next 6 visits with 97% improvement overall in frequency, duration, and intensity of the symptoms.

Discussion: Some patients notice significant improvement compared to prescription medications even with less optimal acupuncture points. It is a healthcare provider’s job to continually look for better treatments, especially when the pain comes back prematurely. In this case, the second option was better than the first, allowing the patient to achieve a level of improvement where she can complete her normal daily activities.

 

Disclaimer: Acupuncture results may vary since each individual case is different.

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