Acupuncture and Herbs for Stomach Pain

Chief Complaint: Epigastric pain
Medical History: Male, 29
At age 16 the patient realized he couldn’t eat fried, greasy or rich foods on the same day as playing soccer without experiencing a burning sensation from the stomach to the throat. Began taking pepsid with a little improvement. At age 21, while in Sri Lanka he ate some yogurt which made burning so bad that the pepsid did not work. Accompanying symptoms included slight fever, irritability, and profuse diarrhea with a fetid odor and a burning sensation. Upon return to the U.S. he was diagnosed with Giardia and Amoebas. Prescribed Flagal which stopped diarrhea. Prescribed Prilosec for reflux which helped. At age 22, he stopped Prilosec and began managing the reflux with Chinese herbs.
Questioning exam: Currently.
epigastric pain from stomach to bottom of throat. worse after eating rich, fried or greasy foods. worse with alcohol and stress. better with heat. no improvement with acupuncture.
sleep-good
urination-normal
bowel movements- loose
appetite- good, avoids irritating foods
Pulse exam: wiry, slippery
slow (55 bpm)
Tongue exam: TB: puffy, slightly purple,
TC: thin white,
OM Diagnosis: Liver invading Spleen w/ Stomach qi counterflow
Treatment Principle: calm liver, tonify relieve pain
Point Prescription: Lv 3, 13, 14
PC6
Ren 12
Sp 4
Herbal Formula: Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Lifestyle Prescription: avoid aggravating foods.
manage stress level.
avoid overeating raw foods
Results: after 3 acupuncture treatment and two weeks with the herbs the diarrhea stopped and the epigastric pain was significantly lower. patient left for vacation and upon return there was no pain.
Synopsis: this is a chronic disease and difficult to eliminate completely. perhaps the most important factors to prevent it’s re-occurrence are to make lifestyle and dietary changes.