At a glance
Early flu caught and cleared in days — heading off the months-long illness this patient usually suffered.
Presentation
A 58-year-old patient came to the clinic at the first signs of the flu — a stuffy nose and sinuses and a scratchy throat. For her this was a worrying moment, because every time she caught a cold or flu she usually went on to be severely ill for several months. She was hoping to head it off before it took hold.
Diagnosis
The pattern was an external pathogen invading the body — the TCM description of the early stage of a cold or flu, when an outside influence has breached the body's surface defences but hasn't yet penetrated deeply. Caught early, the strategy is to expel the pathogen quickly while supporting the body, before it has a chance to settle in.
Treatment
Treatment aimed to open the nose and sinuses, moisten the throat, strengthen immunity, and expel the pathogen:
- Yintang — the point between the eyebrows, used to open the nose and sinuses
- LU-10 (Yuji) and KD-6 (Zhaohai) — paired points to moisten and soothe the throat
- [PC-6 (Neiguan), ST-36 (Zusanli), SP-6 (Sanyinjiao)] — a combination to increase white blood cell count and improve immunity
- LI-4 (Hegu) — to release the exterior
- [GB-41 (Zulinqi), TW-5 (Waiguan)] — a combination to build a defensive wall between the exterior and interior, so that the pathogen does not penetrate deeper into the body
Result
The symptoms at her nose, sinuses, and throat cleared, and her energy level returned to normal. Most importantly, she did not go on to develop any of the further flu symptoms that usually kept her ill for months — the early treatment stopped the illness in its tracks.
This reflects an individual patient experience, not clinical trial data.
Results vary from person to person depending on the condition, its severity, and how an individual responds to treatment. TCM and acupuncture are not a substitute for care from your physician or another regulated health professional. If you’re dealing with a serious or urgent symptom, please see a doctor first.