Blood stagnation amenorrhea

Amenorrhea (absence of menses) attributable to qì depression and blood stagnation obstructing the thoroughfare (chōng) and controlling (rèn) vessels and preventing blood from reaching the uterus. Blood stagnation amenorrhea often stems from constrained emotions. Attending signs include purple somber facial complexion, smaller abdominal pain exacerbated by pressure, with pain sometimes reaching to the rib-sides.

Medicinal therapy: Resolve depression and move qì; quicken the blood and free the channels. Use Stasis-Freeing Brew (通瘀煎 tōng yū jiān) or Amber Powder (琥珀散 hǔ pò sǎn).

Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment on CV, SP, and LR; select CV-3 (Central Pole, 中极 zhōng jí), SP-8 (Earth’s Crux, 地机 dì jī), SP-10 (Sea of Blood, 血海 xuè hǎi), LI-4 (Union Valley, 合谷 hé gǔ), LR-3 (Supreme Surge, 太冲 tài chōng), and SP-6 (Three Yīn Intersection, 三阴交 sān yīn jiāo); needle with drainage and add moxa.

Point selection according to signs: For smaller abdominal pain and distension, add CV-6 (Sea of Qì, 气海 qì hǎi) and KI-14 (Fourfold Fullness, 四满 sì mǎn). For pain in both rib-sides, add LR-14 (Cycle Gate, 期门 qī mén) and TB-6 (Branch Ditch, 支沟 zhī gōu).