How You Treat Hemorrhoids with Acupuncture and/or Chinese Herbs,in Your Practice

AURICULOTHERAPY

The anatomical location of the auricular projection of the anus has been specified by Dr. P. Nogier. According to Dr. Nogier, this projection is located along the internal border where the inferior crus of the triangular fossa intersects with the ascending helix, as illustrated in Figure 1. ¹ This allowed for the detection and treatment of hemorrhoids by using Auriculotherapy. The auricular acupuncture point of inflamed hemorrhoids was identified using an increase in bio-impedance, observed in the auricular region corresponding to the anus. The diagnostics was performed using the vascular autonomic signal (VAS) and with electronic pen-detector “Suko”, (China). The detector confirmed the VAS evaluation of bio-impedance and the subsequent treatment of hemorrhoids in the designated auricular area of the anus.

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FIG. 1.

Auricular anatomical structures. 1. Triangular fossa; 2. Inferior crus of the triangular fossa; 3. Ascending helix; 4. Virtual projection of the intersection of the inferior crus of the triangular fossa with the ascending helix.

ICBA

Since hemorrhoids was the Chief Complaint (CC), the condition was addressed with a focus on local rather than global imbalance. ² Consequently, the I Ching Balance method of Acupuncture (ICBA) treatment was administered in alignment with the Local Balance principle.^2,3 The above concept of ICBA, was used for utilizing periumbilical acupuncture points as the therapeutic site as depicted in Figure 2. ³ The rationale for selecting the umbilicus as a treatment site was grounded in its anatomical similarities to the anus, i.e., the affected area. ³ Moreover, the umbilical cord provides the fetus with both nutritional and excretory functions. The first occurs through the maternal arterial, and the second through the maternal venous blood. Thus, the anus, umbilicus and mouth possess also a functional similarity.^3,4 The above provides an additional strong justification for using the umbilicus as a treatment site for hemorrhoids reinforcing the validity of the treatment approach.

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FIG. 2.

Similarity of anatomical structures. Left to right: anus, umbilicus, mouth.

CLINICAL EXAMPLE

A 37-year-old Caucasian female attended acupuncture treatment for the CC of for about a month inflamed and bleeding hemorrhoids. The patient started to suffer from hemorrhoids since adolescence.

First, following the appropriate diagnostic standard operation procedure (SOP), a dominant side right auricular point of anus was punctured using titanium auricular semi-permanent needle (ASPt) (Fig. 1.).

Thereafter, periumbilical points sore on palpation were detected at about 15:00–16:00 o’clock. The above were punctured obliquely and subcutaneously using 0.22 × 3.0 cm silicon coated needles, for 45 min (Fig. 3). Hemorrhoid bleeding stopped after the first combined acupuncture session.

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FIG. 3.

Periumbilical ICBA treatment site. Post fourth Acupuncture session, the inflamed swollen hemorrhoids gradually flattened and the patient completed the treatment.

Thereafter, 3 more ICBA sessions took place: one in the same week, and 2 more ICBA sessions in the following week.