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Trigeminal Neuralgia

Chapter 13.2.9 · Water Element

Description

Typical Yang dominant and wind pain, complicated by cold or heat. Treatment becomes complicated when patient is on high doses of pain medication (e.g., carbamazepine). Extremely successful but pain reappears each time medication is reduced.

Differential Diagnosis

Treatment

Common Points

Du 20 (tranquillization)GB 39 (Influential point for marrow — bone and nerve)GB 20 with appropriate wind-elimination technique (mostly heat)

First division — Gall Bladder Meridian

Local: GB 14 through mid-eyebrow, Ex point Tai Yang through TW 23Electrical stimulation 10 Hertz × 20 minAcute: Sedate GB 38/36, vibrate TW 6Sub-acute: Sedate GB 40, tonify Liv 5, GB 44 (tonifies Yin)Chronic: GB 24 (Mu-front), GB 44 (Metal point), Liv 1 (Own-element point) — all tonify Yin

Second division — Large Intestine Meridian

Local: St 3 through LI 20, St 7 through SI 18Electrical stimulation 10 Hertz × 20 minAcute: Sedate LI 2/7, vibrate St 44Sub-acute: Sedate LI 4, tonify Lu 7, LI 5 (tonifies Yin)Chronic: St 25 (Mu-front), LI 5 (Fire point), Lu 8 (Own-element point) — all tonify Yin

Third division — Stomach Meridian

Local: St 5 through Ren 24, St 7 through SI 18Electrical stimulation 10 Hertz × 20 minAcute: Sedate St 45/34, vibrate LI 4Sub-acute: Sedate St 42, tonify Sp 4, vibrate LI 4Chronic: Ren 12 (Mu-front), St 43 (Wood point), Sp 3 (Own-element point) — all tonify Yin

Treatment Schedule

2/weekly most of the time, increasing to 3/weekly when medication reduced. After pain settles with reduced dose, ~1 week interval before recommencing. After arriving at minimal painkillers: 1/fortnightly × 2 months, then 1/monthly × 3 months.

Point Prescription Builder

Select Organ

Energy State

Add Symptomatic Point (optional)

Suggested Prescription

K 7GB 25UB 23

Rationale

• Tonification (Mother) point — tonifies 90% house energy of Kidney.

• Mu-Front point — tonifies cooling/calming Yin of Kidney.

• Back-Shu point — tonifies functional Yang of Kidney.

• Influential point: GB 39 (Marrow/nerve) — treats related tissue group.

Educational use only. Point prescriptions should only be applied by licensed practitioners.