Edema

In Traditional Chinese Medicine the following organs are usually at the root cause for edema. Lung, Spleen, and/or Kidney lose transport and transformation functions of body fluids. This leads to water retention.

Yang Disorders

- Acute onset, starts at the head and face then moves downward.

Yin Disorders

- slow onset, starts at the feet and ankles, is more in the lower half of the body.

Western Medicine Treatment of Edema

- kidney disorders, endocrine, heart failure, malnutrition.

Chinese Medicine Pathology of Edema 

Wind Edema - wind invades the exterior of the body causing the Lung to lose its dispersing and descending functions,this leads to superficial edema.

Yang edema -  starts from the eyes, head, and face, may quickly spread to the whole body. Skin has luster, and the edema is not pitting.

Wind-Heat

Principle of Treatment – expel Wind, promote Lung function

Acupuncture points – Shu, Taiyin, Bladder 13 and Lung 5, SJ 5 and Large Intestine 4 (induce perspiration), Bladder 22, *SP 9, Du 26

Spleen deficiency Yang deficiency facial as well as ankle edema, chronic, worse in the afternoon when patient feels tired. This is a Yin edema. Shows Spleen deficiency symptoms.

Principle of Treatment – warm and strengthen Spleen

Acupuncture points – Ren, foot Taiyin, Bladder 20, 22, Ren 6, 9, Stomach 36, Spleen 6, and Moxa

Kidney Yang deficiency with  long term Spleen Yang deficiency or anything else that causes Kidney deficiency, Kidney can’t control the gates, causes whole body severe edema, abdominal edema, chest fullness, scanty urine, Kidney Yang deficiency symptoms, T- swollen pale with teeth marks and white coat, P- wiry or deep thin

Principle of Treatment – warm and tonify Kidney Yang, transform Qi

Acupuncture points – Ren, Shu, Bladder 23, Ren 4 (heavy Moxa), Bladder 22, Ren 9, Bladder 20, Stomach 36

Alternative Treatment Methods for Edema

Ear Acupuncture - Lung Spleen KI, BL, subcortex

3 edge needle Acupuncture - bleed Bladder 40, Spleen 9, Bladder 23 (chronic)

7 star needling Acupuncture - Bladder meridian