Stomach reflux

1. A disease pattern characterized by distension and fullness after eating, by vomiting in the evening of food ingested in the morning or by vomiting in the morning of food ingested in the evening (i.e., vomiting a long time after eating), untransformed food in the vomitus, lassitude of spirit, and lack of bodily strength. Its principal cause is spleen-stomach vacuity cold, but it may also be due to debilitation of the life gate fire or to dual vacuity of qì and yīn.

Patterns

Spleen-stomach vacuity cold (脾胃虚寒 pí wèi xū hán): The principal signs of stomach reflux, i.e., distension and fullness after eating, vomiting in the morning of food ingested in the evening and vomiting in the evening of food ingested in the morning, untransformed food in the vomitus, and a feeling of comfort after vomiting indicate spleen-stomach vacuity cold preventing grain and water from being decomposed so that they remain in the stomach. Lassitude of spirit and lack of strength, as well as a lusterless complexion, indicate damage to qì by enduring vomiting and inability to produce essence from grain and water. A pale tongue with thin tongue fur and a forceless moderate fine pulse are further signs of spleen-stomach vacuity cold.

Medicinal therapy: Warm the center and fortify the spleen; downbear qì and harmonize the stomach. Use Clove and Aquilaria Diaphragm-Freeing Decoction (丁沉透膈汤 dīng chén tòu gé tāng).

Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, CV, and ST. Select BL-20 (Spleen Transport, 脾俞 pí shù), BL-21 (Stomach Transport, 胃俞 wèi shù), CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct, 中脘 zhōng wǎn), LR-13 (Camphorwood Gate, 章门 zhāng mén), CV-6 (Sea of Qì, 气海 qì hǎi), ST-36 (Leg Three Lǐ, 足三里 zú sān lǐ), and Central Eminence (中魁 zhōng kuí)^mx. The last point should only be moxaed, whereas the other points should be both needled to supplement and moxaed.

Debilitation of the life gate fire (命门火衰 mìng mén huǒ shuāi) patterns are marked by the addition of bright-white facial complexion, aversion to cold, lack of warmth in the extremities, a pale enlarged tongue, and a fine sunken pulse. Other signs may include dizziness, tinnitus, limp lumbus and knees, impotence, seminal efflux, and profuse urination at night or inhibited urination.

Medicinal therapy: Warm and supplement the life gate using Cinnamon Bark and Aconite Eight-Ingredient Pill (桂附八味丸 guì fù bā wèi wán).

Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, CV, and GV points. Select BL-23 (Kidney Transport, 肾俞 shèn shù), GV-4 (Life Gate, 命门 mìng mén), KI-3 (Great Ravine, 太溪 tài xī), BL-20 (Spleen Transport, 脾俞 pí shù), CV-4 (Pass Head, 关元 guān yuán), ST-25 (Celestial Pivot, 天枢 tiān shū), ST-36 (Leg Three Lǐ, 足三里 zú sān lǐ), and CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct, 中脘 zhōng wǎn); needle with supplementation and add moxa.

Dual vacuity of qì and yīn (气阴两虚 qì yīn liǎng xū) from febrile disease, from vomiting for long periods or from inappropriate use of harsh warm, hot, or drying medicinals causes stomach reflux with poor appetite, dry bound stool, heart palpitation, spontaneous sweating, scorching heat in the hands and feet, shortness of breath, fatigue, dry mouth and lips, red tongue without fur or with peeling tongue fur, and a rapid vacuous fine pulse.

Medicinal therapy: Boost qì and nourish yīn; downbear counterflow and check vomiting. Use Major Pinellia Decoction (大半夏汤 dà bàn xià tāng).

Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, ST, SP, PC, and KI. Select BL-20 (Spleen Transport, 脾俞 pí shù), BL-21 (Stomach Transport, 胃俞 wèi shù), PC-6 (Inner Pass, 内关 nèi guān), SP-6 (Three Yīn Intersection, 三阴交 sān yīn jiāo), ST-36 (Leg Three Lǐ, 足三里 zú sān lǐ), CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct, 中脘 zhōng wǎn), CV-6 (Sea of Qì, 气海 qì hǎi), KI-6 (Shining Sea, 照海 zhào hǎi), and KI-3 (Great Ravine, 太溪 tài xī); needle with supplementation.

2. Dysphagia-occlusion (噎膈 yē gé).