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Tetany (jìng) characterized by stiffness of the nape, convulsions of the limbs, clenched jaw, and arched-back rigidity, occurring suddenly after childbirth. Postpartum tetany arises when wind exploits the vacuity created by major postpartum yīn-blood depletion to invade and stir liver wind, or when excessive sweating causes damage to liquid and blood collapse, which deprives the sinews of nourishment and causes tetany through extreme vacuity engendering wind. Wind patterns are marked by clenched jaw and straight rigid back or arched-back rigidity. These signs come in bouts after short intervals with apparent cessation of breathing; blood collapse patterns are marked by spontaneous sweating, dim vision, and clouded spirit.

Medicinal therapy: For wind patterns, the mouth should be quickly pried open to allow Minor Life-Prolonging Decoction (小续命汤 xiǎo xù mìng tāng) or Tetany-Relieving Powder (止痉散 zhǐ jìng sǎn) plus silkworm (Bombyx Batryticatus, 白僵蚕 bái jiāng cán), and mistletoe (Taxilli Herba, 桑寄生 sāng jì shēng) to be poured in. See also lockjaw. For blood patterns, enrich humor and extinguish wind using Major Wind-Stabilizing Pill (大定风珠 dà dìng fēng zhū). Postpartum tetany is a critical condition. If convulsions become feeble, and pearly sweat appears on the skin, while the eyes stare upward, the patient should be quickly given Center-Supplementing Qì-Boosting Decoction (补中益气汤 bǔ zhōng yì qì tāng) with double the amount of ginseng (Ginseng Radix, 人参 rén shēn), and with the addition of dried ginger (Zingiberis Rhizoma, 干姜 gān jiāng) and aconite (Aconiti Radix Lateralis Praeparata, 附子 fù zǐ).

Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, GV, SP, ST, GB and LR. Select GV-20 (Hundred Convergences, 百会 bǎi huì), GB-20 (Wind Pool, 风池 fēng chí), LR-3 (Supreme Surge, 太冲 tài chōng), BL-17 (Diaphragm Transport, 膈俞 gé shù), BL-20 (Spleen Transport, 脾俞 pí shù), ST-36 (Leg Three Lǐ, 足三里 zú sān lǐ), SP-6 (Three Yīn Intersection, 三阴交 sān yīn jiāo), BL-57 (Mountain Support, 承山 chéng shān), GB-34 (Yáng Mound Spring, 阳陵泉 yáng líng quán), and GV-8 (Sinew Contraction, 筋缩 jīn suō); needle with supplementation and moxa if appropriate.

Point selection according to cause: For contraction of wind evil stirring liver wind, needle with drainage at GV-16 (Wind Mansion, 风府 fēng fǔ), TB-5 (Outer Pass, 外关 wài guān), LI-4 (Union Valley, 合谷 hé gǔ), and KI-1 (Gushing Spring, 湧泉 yǒng quán). For blood collapse damaging fluids and extreme vacuity engendering wind, add KI-6 (Shining Sea, 照海 zhào hǎi) and LR-8 (Spring at the Bend, 曲泉 qū quán).

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