Chief complaint:

No child after operation of ectopic pregnancy six years earlier.

History

8 years ago, because of an accident, she experienced abortion in the second moth of her pregnancy. She and been pregnant again 2 years later. When she had been pregnant for more than 40 days, she had severe abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. Ultrasonic examination revealed evidence of ectopic pregnancy. She received operation on cutting left uterine tube. In the next 6 years, she has not been pregnant. Special examination revealed that the right Fallopian tube obstruction. Menstruation is regular with decreasing amount of bleeding. 

Tongue and pulse

The patient’s tongue is pale with white and greasy coating, her pulse is deep. 

Diagnosis:

TCM diagnosis : Sterility

Western medicine diagnosis: Secondary sterility (uterine tube factor)

Syndrome differentiation

Phlegm blended with blood stasis

Principle of treatment

Resolving stasis and dredging collaterals. Warming meridians and resolving phlegm. 

Prescription 

Main points: Shuidao (ST28), Sanyinjiao(SP6), Neiguan(PC6)

Additional points: Hegu(LI4), Xuehai(SP10), Fenglong(ST40)

Manipulation

Applying filiform needles with reducing by lifting and thrusting needle to Shuidao(ST28). the patient has sensation, such as distending around the abdomen. 

Applying warm needle moxibustion to Shuidao(ST28). Uniform reinforcing and reducing manipulation is applied to the other points. 

Cupping is given on Shuidoa(ST28) for ten minutes after removing needles. 

Differentiation of the syndrome or disease

The 33-year-old female patient presented with no child as her chief complaint. She experienced abortion and operation on cutting left uterine tube, and her menstruation was regular with scanty bleeding. These signs and symptoms are classified as “sterility” in TCM. The Golden Mirror of Medicine says: ”sterility due to injury of Thoroughfare and Conception vessels, it is caused by retention of the blood stasis and phlegm of uterus.” According to eight principle syndrome differentiation, it was cold and interior syndrome. She experienced abortion and operation of ectopic pregnancy, which injured Thoroughfare and Conception vessels. The patient had pale tongue with white and greasy coating and her pulse was deep, it indicates that the syndrome differentiation is phlegm retention due to spleen deficiency and blood stasis due to injury of collaterals. 

Explanation of the points

Shuidao(ST28) dredges collaterals, Sanyinjiao(SP6) activates blood to resolve stasis. Neiguan(PC6) regulated Qi to relieve depression. 

Shuidao(ST28), water passage, it is located below the umbilicus 3 cun, outside of center the line2 cun, it regulates Qi of the lower abdomen, and usually be used in gynaecological complaint. A supplement to invaluable prescriptions says:”applying moxibustion to Shuidao(ST28) in sterility and and threatened labour.” where is female genitals organs inside the Shuidao(ST 28), it promote the peristalsis of fallopian tube. Hegu(LI4) and Xuehai(SP10) enhance to activate blood to resolve stasis. Fenglong(ST40) resolves phlegm. 

Course and effects

3 times a week, 10 times a course. After treating with acupuncture for 5 courses, she has been pregnant and produced a baby.

Experience

International acupuncture education