Abdominal Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs for the Treatment of Uterine Fibroids in an Adult Female: A Case ReportUterine fibroids are one of the most common type of gynecological tumors and can be highly detrimental to women’s general health. (Chabbert-Buffet et al.,2014).Medical options include pharmaceutical and surgical intervention, which usually effects fertility. Hysterectomy is usually the chosen method which renders the patient unable to bear any future children. There is a high morbidity with surgery, requiring hospital admission. There is also the risk of complications involving fever and infection in wound site. (Singh & Belland, 2015). If there is excessive bleeding gonotrophic releasing hormones are used to help control bleeding, evidence shows they can reduce bleeding up to fifty percent, once stopped the tumors or myomas proliferate rapidly, so is not helpful in the long term. More women with troublesome periods and excessive bleeding from uterine fibroids are seeking alternative methods and treatments to deal with uterine fibroids. Acupuncture, diet and herbal medicine have been found to have significant improvement in symptoms with fewer side effects than surgical or pharmacologic interventions. (Jacoby, 2014). This case study utilizing Abdominal Acupuncture (Magnificent Turtle Technique) is hoped to provide insight and evidence that acupuncture and Chinese Herbal medicine may offer a treatment option for patients with symptoms related to uterine fibroids. (Shipsey, 2015)
The patient is a 39-year-old female with a history of excessive bleeding due to uterine fibroids. I had not seen this patient since 2014, at which time I treated her for low back pain and sciatica. It had been three years. She presents today very pale and weak. Her husband accompanied her because he was very concerned. On the intake and exam, she stated she had her menstrual cycle all the time for the past year with only 3-4 days of not bleeding. The gynecologist has suggested a hysterectomy which she did not want to have done.
She presents, today with palpitations, pain from low back, and ribs all the way into her hips. She has brought recent blood work which shows she is anemic. Her abdomen is tender and uncomfortable, the uterus is enlarged with the fibroids, and pressing on her bladder. Recently she is complaining of a strange discharge about 2 weeks ago, that is greenish brown in color, with a strong odor. She also was running a temperature of 100 degrees.
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I treated her the first day, then referred to the gynecologist for a pelvic exam. She returned the following week to report the gynecologist had to remove an old infected tampon, which was causing her the discharge and strong odor. He also gave her a course of antibiotics. She is still having problems with excessive bleeding from fibroids and would like to try acupuncture and herbs to stop the bleeding. She says the back pain with her cycle is an 8-10, with the weakness and dizziness from the anemia interfering with her everyday life. Pulse 68, Temp:98.2, B/P :115/70. Pulse: thin, sm vib, and choppy in PLB position. Tongue: Pale, swollen, damp heat in lower burner.
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Date |
Intervention |
Result |
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4/5/17 |
1st treatment, MYMOP, referral. Abdominal Acupuncture to calm and nourish. |
Patient did feel calmer and slight relief in back pain with AA. |
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4/12/17 |
Abdominal Acupuncture Ren 12,10,6,4. Small nodules in area of sacrum and low back, started Restrain the Flow and Nourish Yin Fx (Maccioca) |
Patient felt better after treatment. Could feel pressure relief in low back. |
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4/19/17 |
Abdominal Acupuncture Ren 12,10,6,4, St25, Nodules over tight areas corresponding to the low back. |
Patient is feeling better, less pain 5-6. She started cycle today, less cramps, mild, and not heavy. |
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4/27/17 |
Abdominal acupuncture AMS, Ren12,10,6,4 w/Kd3, Kd6 Yintang |
Patient had some clots, but bleeding was much improved. Back pain diminished. |
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5/24/17 |
Abdominal Acupuncture Ren12,10,6,4, St 25, 24,26 Bil Sp6, Kd6, Sp1 |
Started cycle last Tuesday, now stopped normal 5-7 days, did have some clots. Was only heavy for two days. Feeling much better. |
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5/31/17 |
Abdominal Acupuncture Ren 12,10,6,4 St25, Nodules in the sacral and pelvic corresponding areas. |
She feels she is getting stronger, but still has some dizziness once in a while, her pain from the fibroids is greatly diminished. 3-4 |
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6/7/17 |
Abdominal Acupuncture Ren12,10,6,4, St 25 ,24,26 |
Pain has greatly improved, pressure from back and bladder is almost gone. |
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6/21/17 |
Abdominal AcupunctureRen12,10,6,4 |
Started cycle, couple days early, first 2 days heavy then leveled off, almost no cramps, but small clots. Overall the patient feels much stronger and is feeling better with no palpitations. |
Diagnostic Focus and Assessment:
Since recent studies and reviews have shown that acupuncture and TCM may help with uterine fibroids and the symptoms that accompany it, I feel that Abdominal Acupuncture help regulate this patient. I focused on strengthening her overall and upright qi with Ren12, 10, 6, 4. This is called “Bringing Home the Qi” and is believed to put nutrient Qi into the kidneys, thus improving the essence and keeps the body healthy. (Shipsey, 2015) I also incorporated an herbal formula Womens Treasures- Restrain the Flow and Nourish the Yin. (Maciocia,1998)
Follow up and Outcomes:
After the last treatment I did not see the patient again till 11/8/17. It was shortly before Thanksgiving. She came to the office for pain in her jaw after dental treatment. I asked about the fibroids, and how her cycle was. She stated, she no longer had heavy bleeding and it just stopped. Just regulated. There is no back pain, and no flare ups.
Discussion:
Abdominal Acupuncture has an amazing ability to regulate all body systems. From digestive, to endocrine, to musculoskeletal and even on an emotional level. I feel with this patient it was the best treatment I could have done for her at the time. I feel that the superficial needling in the abdomen helped release myofascial restrictions also that were affecting the underlying internal structures. Since the treatments were nourishing and the Abdominal Acupuncture helped send nourishment, it aided the herbs getting to the system where they could provide the needed help. I also feel that the abdominal four gates St 24, 26, helped calm her nervous system until the needed liver blood (which nourishes the nerves) was rebuilt from the anemia. This is a different approach to addressing uterine fibroids and warrants more investigation, it is a simple and easy technique that encompasses the entire body in a microcosm of the abdomen. Microcosms in Traditional Chinese Medicine such as the ear, hand, feet, and scalp have proven to have a strong influence on body systems. I was impressed with the results of this patient and feel it was a beneficial treatment for her. Studies have shown that Acupuncture can last for weeks after the initial treating. Since I did not see her from June till November I feel this technique surpassed itself in benefiting her for months following treatment.
References
1.Chabbert-Buffett N, Esber N, Bouchard, P, Fibroid growth and medical options for treatment. Fertil Steril 2014; 102:630-9.
http://doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2014.07.1238
2. Jacoby, V. Use of medical, surgical and complementary treatments among women with fibroids. European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, Reproductive Biology2014; 182:220-5. http://doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2014.07.1238
2. Jacoby, V. Use of medical, surgical and complementary treatments among women with fibroids. European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, Reproductive Biology2014; 182:220-5. http://doi: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2014.09.004
3. Maciocia, G. (1998) Obstetrics & Genecology in Chinese Medicine.Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier.
4. Singh SS, Belland L. Contemporary management of uterine fibroids: focus on emerging medical treatments. Current Medical Research and Opinions 2015; 31:1-12. http:////informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.1185/03007995.2014.982246
5. Shipsey, D. (2015) Mastering the Art of Abdominal Acupuncture, A concise guide to treating numerous painful conditions. Gemini International Publications, Dublin.
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