溫氏現代針灸 溫崇凱中醫診所-耳針眼針頭皮針舌針權威-跟診日誌

Conditions of Hypoxic Encephalopathy Reversed by Acupuncture Therapy

Since I started observing and receiving training at the Chinese medicine clinic of my master, I have seen a few patients who had suffered from encephalopathic illness; some were infants only a few days old and some were elderly people. For some, the illnesses were acquired later on in their lives and for others they were congenital. Illnesses are really a complex matter. The patient who has left the biggest impression on me was a little child suffering from acquired hypoxic encephalopathy. Hypoxic encephalopathy can easily cause impairment to the cerebral cortex and brain stem, with the former being more prone to impairment than the latter. The cerebral cortex, also called the "cerebral mantle", or simply shortened to the "cortex" or "mantle", is an anatomical component of the brain. The cortex is divided into four parts by the three grooves on the surface of the cerebral hemisphere, i.e. the frontal lobe, the parietal lobe, the occipital lobe and the temporal lobe.

The cortex is the sophisticated part of the brain and is responsible for many higher-order brain functions. The cortex is like a map of the brain. All the body movements, senses, and the visual, auditory, and verbal functions are defined in this map. Prior to the 1960s, it was claimed in medical circles that cranial nerves could not be restored once they were damaged. It was not until the theory of neuroplasticity had been proven to be true that the chances of improvement in health conditions such as brain injuries started to materialize. According to research conducted by neuroplasticians, after some of the brain cells have been dead for a certain period of time, the functions of these dead cells can be substituted. Some of the brain circuits that were originally regarded as fixed can also be changed.

The revolution in neuroplasticity enables us to understand that it is possible to make changes in the brain. Therefore, patients who suffer from stroke, paralysis, and encephalopathy have the chance to make the nerves grow again and to make new connections by changing the mapping of the brain. Western medicine focuses on stem cells. Although there is general optimism about this approach, at present the road to triggering a successful mechanism is still beset with difficulties.

Acupuncture is the most promising approach to reshaping the neurons. With the innovation created by my master, acupuncture therapy has cut its own way through thistles and thorns and opened up a broad path ahead.

There was a little patient aged just one year and four months. Originally, he had been able to walk and talk. His development had been normal. Five months ago – five months prior to his visit –, a choking accident had led to his developing hypoxic encephalopathy, which affected his visual and auditory functions and the muscle tone of his limbs, additionally resulting in paralysis and atrophy across his entire body, delayed development, the inability to swallow, severe panting and phlegm. His hospital suggested he undergo a tracheotomy but this idea had been opposed by his family. A nasogastric tube has been inserted through his nose. He has been taken home for rehabilitation.

After only one month of acupuncture treatment, this cute little baby has made a rapid improvement. His thick phlegm has now been reduced to only a small amount. His eyes, which used to roll upward, have gradually returned to their normal position and he can look into other people’s eyes. His cervical vertebrae, which had not been able to stay upright and had to be padded with many towels, can now stay upright.

He was a clever boy. Back then he was not able to see things, but as soon as he entered the clinic room and heard the voice of the doctor, he started to cry. I once saw all the medical staff holding his hands gently and comforting him by saying, "do you know that Dr. Wen has helped you improve your condition a lot, that he loves you very much and hopes you can even make much more progress, and that's why he is inserting needles in you? There will be a little piercing pain, but it will only last for one second, won't it? Let's endure it for a little while, okay? You also know that you have been making progress. You know it, right? You are such a brave and excellent boy! You know that you will get better, so do not cry, okay?" I didn't know if it's because the staff's comments were so heartfelt, but he started to endure the pain. His eyes were moist but he did not cry.

I admired very much the courageous response of this baby boy who was just one year and four months old. What I have learnt from my clinical observation is that patients in their infancy or early childhood years who are particularly intelligent usually make much better progress. I am very confident that, with the helping hands of my master, Dr. Chong-Kai Wen, this patient will definitely continue to make progress. I noticed that my master had applied the thread embedding technique at a very unique acupuncture point. He embedded threads at the brain stem acupuncture points for this little patient. According to the mother of the patient, the effects of this technique have been very noticeable. Both his mental and physical states will improve