Cirrhosis

About cirrhosis

Cirrhosis occurs when the liver is scarred. The liver is unable to function properly due to long-term damage. The disease presents slowly after months or even years and is classified as irreversible in the Western Medicine paradigm. Cirrhosis can even be fatal in certain cases, if it results in liver failure. It is also known to be one of the biggest risk factors for liver cancer.

What causes cirrhosis?

Excessive alcohol consumption over years and infections of Hepatitis C are common causes of cirrhosis. An excess of fat build-up in the liver that is caused by non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is another cause of cirrhosis, although other causes such as Hepatitis B and haemochromatosis also exist.

Symptoms of cirrhosis

Signs and symptoms of cirrhosis vary from person to person. Initially symptoms include a loss of appetite, nausea and itchy skin. In later stages, the disease may present with jaundice, vomiting blood, and dark, tarry-looking stools. There may be oedema, which is a build-up of fluid in the legs, or ascites, a build-up of fluid in the abdomen.

During the early stages, cirrhosis may seem asymptomatic. Consequently, it is often diagnosed during tests for other unrelated illnesses. It is important to see your GP if you present with symptoms such as fever and shivering, bloating, black tarry stools or vomiting blood.

Treatment of cirrhosis according to Western Medicine

According to the Western Medicine paradigm, there is no cure for cirrhosis; however, it is possible to manage the symptoms and complications, as well as slow its progression. Depending on your health and lifestyle, you may be advised to cease drinking alcohol, or lose weight if you are overweight. In further stages of the disease, the scarring of cirrhosis may cause your liver to stop functioning. At this stage, you might be advised to undergo a liver transplant.

TCM perspective of cirrhosis

According to TCM, the causes of cirrhosis include an invasion of exogenous pathogens, excessive drinking, and emotional upset or contaminated food. These factors may result in damage of the liver and spleen, as well as stagnation of blood and Qi. In chronic cases, the kidney is also involved, which results in failure of Qi to discharge water, as well as retention of water in the interior.

When treating cirrhosis with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), two courses of action are pursued. First, the underlying cause is treated. Second, further damage is prevented from occurring.

How TCM can help treat cirrhosis

According to Chinese Medicine, it is essential to differentiate excess and deficient types of cirrhosis. Excess types can be due to liver Qi stagnation, accumulation of damp-heat and obstruction of the meridians by blood stasis, or blood stagnation in the liver and spleen. While deficient types mainly present with spleen and kidney deficiency.

Cirrhosis can be successfully treated with the use of acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. TCM also entails dietary therapy to assist with the condition.

Helped at our clinic

One male suffered a fever in late 2015 that lasted for four days. He then had bloating sensations in early 2016 after drinking alcohol and consuming too much meat. This was accompanied by jaundice in his eyes. He was hospitalized, and a full blood test, ultrasound and CT scan led to the diagnosis of biliary cirrhosis, with multiple dilated and beaded ducts on the liver. A further ultrasound revealed multiple unusual lesions throughout the liver. He presented at the clinic with fatigue, dull complexion, as well as bloating and abdominal pain after meals.

Over the next few months, with consistent acupuncture and herbal treatment, the patient felt better in general. He feels less tired, has less bloating and less pain in his abdomen. His liver condition also saw a noticeable improvement, confirmed by ultrasounds, CT scans and blood tests.

I have developed a great interest in treating this condition, and have travelled to China on several occasions to visit a well-known traditional Chinese professor in Sichuan province, who specialises in treating diseases relating to the liver and kidneys. Through studying with and keeping in contact with Professor Zhou, I have been able to broaden my knowledge on this condition, and as a result, have seen a great level of improvement and success in my clients’ treatment.

Zhang Zhongjing’s Influence on Chinese Medicine

Zhang Zhongjing was a Chinese physician from the Han Dynasty. He was known for many things such as establishing some of the earliest Chinese medical ideologies, thus having a great impact on the development and evolution of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He is considered to be one of the finest Chinese physicians in history,

 

Whilst Zhang Zhongjing has left a historic impact on TCM, not much is known about his life. This is predominantly due to the fact that he lived over 1500 years ago. According to later sources, Zhang Zhongjing was born in Nanyang, a city located in the south western region of Henan province in China and lived from approximately 150 to 219 AD. During this time, he held the position as an official in Changsha. As he was exposed to the aspects of the ongoing war at the time, he soon discovered that there were infectious diseases affecting many people who were fighting for their territories, including his own family.

 

This motivated him to learn medicine from Zhang Bozu, his town’s fellow and later teacher. He collected many prescriptions and studied from texts of medicinal literature, such as “Huangdi Neijing” 《黄帝内经》, which is translated as “Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic.”

 

After many years of studying, he wrote the famous medical masterpiece “Shanghan Zabing Lun” 《伤寒杂病论》, which is translated as “Treatise on Cold Pathogenic and Miscellaneous Diseases.” The book was lost during the war period of the Three Kingdoms; however it was collected and reorganised by later physicians from the Jin and Song Dynasties, including Wang Shuhe （王叔和）.

 

The original text was organised two separate books, known as the “Shanghan Lun” 《伤寒论》, which is translated as “Treatise on Exogenous Febrile Disease”, and the “Jingui Yaolue” 《金匮要略》, which is translated as “Synopsis of Golden Chamber” The first of the two books had a focus on treating epidemic infectious diseases prevalent during his era. The second of the two books was a compilation of various clinical experiences, focusing mainly on internal diseases.

 

To this day, Zhang Zhongjing is still widely recognised in the TCM world as the most influential Chinese doctor and physician, and is often referred to as one of the founder of TCM.

The History of Acupuncture and Acupuncture Today

Acupuncture is believed to have originated in China. Documents date back to a few hundred years leading up to the Common Era. Many artifacts such as sharpened stones and bones (also known as ‘bian’) that date from about 6000 years ago have been identified as possible instruments used in acupuncture.

The earliest documented records found, which are written on acupuncture have been found in the <Huang Di Nei Jing> dating from approximately 2000 years ago. The first official text found, is known as the <Nei Ching Su Wen>. There have been documents found in the Ma-Wang-Dui tomb in China, and although they do not refer to acupuncture, they do mention meridians (although very different to the diagram used today).

Acupuncture slowly expanded into other areas such as Japan, Korea, Vietnam and Taiwan, which came with many altercations to the initial methods; however, there were many events prior to this that helped to shape acupuncture as it is today both on a socially and technically.

Acupuncture was very popular during the periods between the Han and Song Dynasties; however, there came a period after this, where the interest in and status of acupuncture started to go downhill, and people took a keener interest in herbalism. Many people came to believe that acupuncture was a less prestigious practice, which commonly became associated with other practices such as alchemy, moxibustion and midwifery. From the beginning of the 19th century, acupuncture was mostly only practiced by Asian immigrants living in Chinatowns.

In the years following the Chinese Civil War, the communist party leaders would mock and ridicule Chinese medicine (which included acupuncture), claiming it to be superstitious, illogical and recessive, as it contradicted the initial ‘scientific’ approach to the new society.

The leader of the communist party (Chairman Mao) later took back the idea, claiming that "Chinese medicine and pharmacology are a great treasure house and efforts should be made to explore them and raise them to a higher level.” Acupuncture continued to grow and develop into what it is today.

Since then, acupuncture has developed in many Western countries as well as Asian. With aspiring practitioners and many more generations to come, it is important to reflect upon how acupuncture came to be as it is today.

Pulse Palpation (Pulse Diagnosis) In TCM

In Western Medicine, pulse diagnosis is only used as an analysis of heart rate and regularity; however, in Chinese Medicine, pulse diagnosis is also used for many other things such as examining internal organs and detecting if any abnormalities exist, and in turn indicating various conditions within a patient’s body.
 

There are a total of 28 common pulses, for example: the Fu Mai (floating, superficial), Dong Mai (moving, throbbing, and stirring) and Wei Mai (minute, faint, and indistinct). Pulse and tongue diagnosis are two of the fundamental TCM methods of diagnosis. Both are used to analyse the patient’s condition so that the doctor can accordingly prescribe suitable treatment.
 

Although tongue diagnosis can help practitioners obtain valuable medical information, diagnosis through pulse palpation can supplement this by providing doctors with information that is otherwise unobtainable through tongue diagnosis, giving them a better picture of the patient’s condition. Even basic levels of pulse palpation can provide accurate, immediate and specific information on clarification of a patient’s conditions and circumstances.
 

Pulse palpation stems from early practitioners of TCM, who at the time didn’t have access to modern technology such as X-rays and ultrasounds. It was found to be very effective in gaining information and diagnosing individual patients. There existed, and continue to exist many different methods of pulse palpation.
 

In my consultations, I use the pulse palpation method of diagnosis and analysis with every patient. I have found it to be very effective, as it presents a lot of information about the patient’s condition. I have participated in various seminars and workshops both in Australia and internationally, to help improve my pulse palpation skills over time. In all, I have found pulse palpation to be extremely useful in diagnosing and helping treat patients.

Acupuncture & Herbs Raise IVF Live Birth Rate

In vitro fertilization (IVF) live birth success rates increase with traditional Chinese medicine adjuvant care, including both acupuncture and herbal medicine. Researchers investigated 1,231 IVF patient records and compared live birth outcomes for patients receiving IVF only and patients receiving IVF plus Chinese medicine. Acupuncture combined with herbal medicines plus Chinese medicine dietetics, lifestyle, and nutritional recommendations resulted in significant increases in live birth rates. The research team used the term whole-systems traditional Chinese medicine (WS - TCM) for the integrated protocol.

The Chinese medicine live birth rate increases were for both fresh donor and non-donor embryo transfers. Patients receiving integrated Chinese medicine adjuvant care had an 85.7% live birth rate. Patients receiving only IVF standard biomedicine care had a 62.5% live birth rate. All integrated Chinese medicine treatments were individualized to each patient.

The researchers note that Chinese medicine focuses on regulating the menstrual cycle in four phases for the treatment of reproductive concerns: menses, follicular, ovulation, luteal. During the menstrual cycle, treatment focuses on regulating the menses and alleviating dysmenorrhea. The follicular phase focuses on regulating reproductive hormones plus endometrial and follicular development. The ovulation phase focuses on ovulation induction and the luteal phase involves regulating hormones.

The integrated Chinese medicine care included differential diagnostics and recommendations made by licensed acupuncturists. Acupuncture included both body style and auricular acupuncture. Needles ranged from 0.18 mm - 0.25 mm in diameter and 30 - 40 mm in length for all body style acupuncture points. Several brands of needles were used in the study: Vinco, Sierin, DBC. Electroacupuncture devices were the ES-2 (Heliomed, China) and the Electrostimulator 4c (Pantheon Research, Venice, CA). Tuina massage, moxibustion and far infrared TDP heat lamps were also used. Herbal medicines were distributed to patients in granular or tablet form. Recommendations for supplements included prenatal vitamins, antioxidants, probiotics, and essential fatty acids. 

The Oregon College of Oriental Medicine Institutional Review Board approved this study and reproductive outcome data was obtained by the Northwest Center for Reproductive Sciences (Kirkland, Washington). Acupuncture was applied by licensed acupuncturists certified by the National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM®). 

Patients receiving fresh donor and non-donor embryos were included in the study. Also, pre-implantation genetic screening testing or intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycle patients were included. The researchers note that “all biomedical diagnoses were included” to reduce selection bias. This included FSH issues related to diminished ovarian reserve, antral follicle count concerns and anti-Müllerian hormone concerns. Frozen embryo or embryos from frozen oocyte patients were excluded from the study.

- From http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1437-acupuncture-herbs-raise-ivf-live-birth-rate#sthash.nMfF8i86.dpuf

Irregular Menstruation

Most women go through a menstrual cycle once every month. However, some women may experience more or less than the normal amount. This is very common in the first few years of menstruation as well as the last few before menopause occurs, because the hormones in the female body take some time to adapt to the change.

Another reason for missed periods is pregnancy. The menstrual cycle will stop for the time period in which a woman is pregnant but it will usually recommence after completing breastfeeding. If you think that there is a possibility of you being pregnant, it is important that you treat yourself as though you are pregnant, regardless of whether or not you are certain.

There are many other reasons for irregular or missed periods including:

- Excessive weight loss/dieting

- Mental illness (stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar, etc.)

- Eating disorders (bulimia, anorexia, etc.)

- Travel

- Use of medications (birth control, antibiotics, antidepressants, etc.)

- Diseases (irritable bowel syndrome, tuberculosis, diabetes, etc.)

After the period of menstruation, women will go through menopause, usually after the age of 45. Premature ovarian failure is when a woman goes through menopause before the age of 40. This can be due to various factors such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

TCM Approach to Irregular Menstruation

Traditional Chinese doctors see irregular menstruation as being a result of blocked chi (vital energy) and blood deficiency from the reasons mentioned above, in particular mental disorders. Factors such as depression, anxiety, excessive anger, frustration, etc. can result in the constriction of chi circulation in the pelvic region. TCM treatment options include acupuncture, which targets the constricted chi affected meridian points; and herbal medicine, which allows blood flow to the pelvic organs.

In order for these treatment options to be fully effective, you must ensure that you have healthy diet which does not include foods that are spicy, too cold or raw. You must also avoid excessive physical exercise and emotional stress.

My Clinic

At my clinic, I have treated many patients suffering from irregular menstruation over the years with a high degree of success. If you have any queries or would like to book an appointment, please do not hesitate to contact us or visit our website.

TCM Treatment for Multiple sclerosis (MS)

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, recurrent and typically progressive disease which manifests itself as the demyelination of the central nervous system (CNS) - the damage to the sheaths of nerve cells in different regions of the brain and/or spinal cord. Depending on the domain of the CNS which is affected, MS can cause different symptoms including: numbness; motor, sensory, or visual impairment; speech impairment; degeneration of muscular coordination; fatigue; bowel, bladder, and sexual dysfunction; cognitive impairment; and depression. Moreover, MS patients also face severely reduced quality of life.

At this stage, MS is an incurable disease, and treatment typically centres around the use of drugs and medications designed to provide relief from the manifestations of symptoms. Such medication includes immunotherapy and corticosteroids. However, such drugs and medications are not fully efficient and can result in many adverse effects. Depending on the type of medication taken, side effects may include: drowsiness; gastrointestinal upsets; fluid retention; swelling; flu-like symptoms; skin irritation at the site of injection; and mood-altering effects.

Today there is an increasing trend of MS patients seeking complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments - including TCM - to help with their condition. Diagnosis based on TCM theory holds that MS is the result of Dampness affecting the muscles and Spleen and/or a deficiency in the Kidney and Liver Zang affecting bones and tendons. According to such TCM theory, the early stages of MS are often caused by Dampness, but chronic MS can generally be the result of Kidney and Liver Zang deficiency in the body causing the Liver Yang to rise, and symptoms like tremor, dizziness, stiffness or paralysis to occur. TCM treatment, including acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine combine with lifestyle therapy can help subside some of the symptoms associated with MS and could improve the quality of life in these patients.

MS is a condition which I have treated numerous times in my practice. Generally speaking, the results are quite impressive, with the treatment facilitating substantial improvements in the quality of life for patients.