Convulsions and Chinese Medicine  

Convulsion Diagnosis:

Convulsions encompass any limb spasms, spinal rigor, facial paralysis, twitching, ....  Generaly these conditions may be diagnosed as tetanus, epilepsy, infant convulsions, meningitis, epileptic siezures,  .... Convulsions can be considered anything which makes the body's muscles contract and relax quickly and repeatedly creating a shaking or vibrating sensation of the body.  

Chinese Medicine:

Chinese medicine has treated convusions for centuries with great success.  It is recommended to recieve a western diagnosis to make sure there is not something more serious going on before attempting natural therapies.  

Wind occuring with Heat and Fluid Insufficiency: 

This type of consulsion wll ocur against a fever and a general sense of heat by the patient. There will also be scanty aounts of urine, dry skin, dry stool with constipation, dry sore eyes and a deisre to drink cool or cold liquids.  

Acupuncture points

- Du, foot jueyin, Du 14, Du16 , LI 4 , LR 2, 3 , GB 34

Herbal Formula: Yin Qiao San + Shi Jue Ming, Gou Teng, Jiang Can

Blood Heat

Very High fever which gets worse at night, scanty amounts of uring, consulsions, insomnia, skin rash or eruptions, dry skin, irritability,possibly bleeding nose, blood in urine or excessive uterine bleeding or heavy periods.

Acupuncture points - jueyin, PC 7, 8, LR 2, 3, and Du 14 , GB 34

Herbal Formula: Qing Wen Bai Du Yin + Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang

Blood Deficiency

Generally this occurs as convulsions during a late stage or chronic illness. There is general fatigue, dizziness, blurred vision, easily sweating, skiny, limb spasms, facial spasms,dry stools and constipation.

Acupuncture points - LI 4, 10, ST 36, SP 6 , SP 10, BL 18, Bl 20

Herbal Formula: Ke Bao Li Su Tang

Spleen Qi Deficiency with Liver Wind:

Convulsions occuring during a late stage febrile disease.  There will also be facial tics or twitching, fatigue, dry eyes, loose stool, PMS, irritability, breast tenderness, ....

Herbal Formula: Da Ding Feng Zhu

Kidney Essence Deficiency

A general convulsion occuring with many deficiency signs and symptoms.  Low back pain, weak knees, incontinence or dribbling of urine, poor memory, weak bones, possible osteoporosis and fatigue.  

Herbal Formula: Di Huang Yin Zi

Alternative Treatment Methods for Convulsions:

Auricular Acupuncture - Liver, subcortex, brainstem, Shenmen, sympathetic, *strong stimulation, 30-60 min.

Electro Acupuncture - LI 4, 10, 11, GB 34, LR 3, consistent rapid frequency.

Acute Infantile Convulsions

convulsions occuring in children.   

External Heat

Commonly following or during the attack of a cold or flu which has a high fever which lead to convulsions.  The tongue will be very red with a possible yellow coat and a rapid strong pulse.

Acupuncture points

- Du, hand Yangming, foot Jueyin, Du 14, LI 11, 12 Jing-well points (bleed)

Phlegm and Heat Accumulation

These convulsions will occur with a poor diet.  A diet high in sugar, refined foods, spicy foods or oily foods wll lead to phlegm and heat.  The child will also experience comon bouts of nausea and constipation.

Acupuncture points - Du, foot Yangming, Du 26, Ren 12, ST 40, HT 7, LR 3, Si Feng

Alternative Treatment Methods for Childhood Convulsions

Auricular Acupuncture- sympathetic, Shenmen, brain, HT, subcortex. Stimulate every 10 minutes. Treatments should be long in duration.