One session every four weeks. She took one herbal mixture for 10 days, rested for a week, then took the other.
At a glance
Hot, painful, red and purple bulging veins cleared to normal-looking skin.
Presentation
A 72-year-old patient had red and purple bulging veins on her right leg, hot to the touch and painful on both the inner side and the back of the leg. She also had uterine prolapse.
Diagnosis
In TCM, blood stasis (Xue Yu, 血瘀) is the main pattern linked to varicose veins. Blood stasis describes a state where blood fails to flow smoothly and begins to pool or congest in the vessels. In the legs it often stems from underlying Qi deficiency, where vital energy lacks the strength to push blood back up from the lower limbs against gravity, or from dampness or phlegm weighing down the channels. This patient’s varicose veins were caused by blood stasis and Qi deficiency.
Treatment
- Acupuncture: SP-10 (Xuehai), plus local needles to improve circulation and healing in the affected areas
- Herbal medicine — two herbal mixtures to break up blood stasis and improve the flow of Qi and blood
- Home care — exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles for the uterine prolapse
Result
First the bulging veins stopped being hot and painful. Then the affected areas became smaller, flatter and less red and purple, and finally returned to normal-looking skin.
Her uterus also gradually lifted back into place.
Additional notes
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.