The Treatment of Modern Western - Biblio.nhat-nam.ru

45LUMBAR DISK HERNIATIONLumbar disk herniation refers to degenerative changes, withor without trauma, resulting in protrusion or rupture of thenucleus of the intervertebral disks in the lumbar region. Thusthe nucleus moves either posterolaterally or posteriorly intothe extradural space. If the herniated nucleus compresses orirritates the nerve root, there may be either sudden, severe, orinsidious pain, paresthesias or numbness, and eventual muscularweakness and atrophy. Pain is aggravated by movementor anything else, such as coughing, laughing, or defecating,which puts increased pressure on the vertebral disk.This condition is diagnosed in Western medicine by x-rayswhich show narrowing of the space between the lumbar vertebrae.CT scan may also show disk protrusion, and myelographybest defines the size and location of the herniation.Western medical treatment consists of an initial two weeks ofstrict bed rest with analgesics and mild tranquilizers. If thecondition persists or worsen, decompressive laminectomymay be performed.CHINESE DISEASE CATEGORIZATION: This conditionis mainly categorized as yao tong, lumbar pain. However,it is also sometimes referred to as yao tui tong, low back andleg pain, and yao tong lian xi, lumbar pain linking with theknee.DISEASE CAUSES: Traumatic injury, invasion by externalwind, cold, damp, or heat evils, and/or habitual bodily vacuitydue to aging, taxation fatigue, excessive sexual activity, orenduring diseaseDISEASE MECHANISMS: Invasion by wind, cold,and/or damp evils may obstruct the channels and networkvessels traversing the low back. Likewise, obstruction mayoccur due to either externally invading or internally engendereddamp heat evils. If these evils inhibit the flow of qi andblood, there will be pain. If there is habitual bodily vacuitydue to either aging, enduring disease, overwork, or excessivesexual activity, the sinews and vessels of the low back may failto receive sufficient nourishment. In that case, the sinewswill become dry and contract, resulting in stiffness, while thevessels will become inhibited, resulting in pain. If there iskidney yang vacuity, vacuity cold may further lead to paindue to cold’s constricting and contracting nature. Becausethe low back is the mansion of the kidneys, kidney vacuity,whether yin, yang, or both, is the main vacuity leading tolumbar pain. If the flow of qi and blood are inhibited forsome time, this may give rise to blood stasis no matterwhether the inhibition was due to the presence of repleteevils or righteous vacuity. Blood stasis may also be the resultof traumatic injury severing the channels and vessels in theregion of the low back.TREATMENT BASED ON PATTERNDISCRIMINATION:1. COLD DAMP IMPEDIMENT PATTERNMAIN SYMPTOMS: Chilly pain in the lower and upper back,a heavy sensation in the low back or feeling as if one were sittingin cold water or carrying a heavy weight, chilled limbsand lack of strength, definite points tender to palpation,increased pain on exposure to cold, decreased pain onobtaint of warmth, long, clear urination, a pale tongue withthin, white or slimy fur, and a deep, tight pulseTREATMENT PRINCIPLES: Warm the channels and scattercold, dispel dampness and stop painRX: Wu Tou Ma Xin Gui Jiang Tang Jia Wei (Aconite,Ephedra, Asarum, Cinnamon & Ginger Decoction withAdded Flavors)