Epilepsy

50 cases of epilepsy were treated with catgut embedding therapy. The following points were selected for treatment: Da Zhui (Du 14), Xin Shu (UB 15), Jiu Wei (Ren 15), and Feng Long (St 40). After needling sensation was obtained, a segment of surgical catgut was embedded in the subcutaneous tissue at the selected acupoints, and the needled points were covered with adhesive plaster afterwards. The treatment was performed once a month for 3 months. The results: 16 patients were cured, 17 greatly improved, 11 improved, and the remaining 6 did not respond to the treatment.(7)

Another study treated 100 cases of epilepsy with catgut embedding therapy. The acupoints selected for treatment were Jiu Wei (Ren 15), Nei Guan (P 6), Xin Shu (UB 15), and Da Zhui (Du 14). There was a one month interval between the first and second treatments, 2 months between second and third, and 3 months between third and the forth. 7 treatments comprised one course of treatment. After 21 months of treatment, 67 patients significantly improved, 20 improved, and the remaining 13 cases did not respond to the treatment, with a total effective rate of 87%.(8)

Combined herbal and acupoint catgut embedding therapy

Yu treated 76 cases of epilepsy by herbal and acupoint catgue embedding therapy. The treatment treated the patients with different herbal formulas based on their TCM diagnoses. In addition, the following acupoints were treated by catgut embedding therary: Zhui (Du 14), Xin Shu (UB 15), Jiu Wei (Ren 15), and Yao Qi (Extra 19). The embedding was performed twice a month, and 6 sessions constituted one course of treatment. After 6-12 months of treatment, 17 cases were resolved, 12 greatly improved, 16 improved, and the remaining 11 did not respond to the treatment, with a total effective rate of 85.5%.(9)

Another study treated 139 cases of epilepsy by applying acupuncture on acupoints Fu Ya Men (about 1.7 cm directly below the midpoint of the posterior hairline and between the 2nd and 3rd cervical spinous processes) and Yao Qi (Extra 19). Fu Ya Men was punctured deeply (about 6.7-10 cm), and the needle was withdrawn after the patient's extremities twitched or the patient cried. Yao Qi (Extra 19) was punctured perpendicularly for a depth of 1 cm, and the needle was twisted to send the needling sensation to the head. The needle was retained for 20 min. The treatment was given once a day, and 7 days constituted one course of treatment. The results: after 3 courses of treatment, 93 cases significantly improved, 37 improved, 4 responded to the treatment, and the remaining 5 cases did not respond to the treatment, with a total effective rate of 96.4%.(11)

Combined herbal and acupuncture treatment

19 cases were treated with acupuncture combined with oral administration of Ding Xian San. The acupoints treated were Bai Hui (Du 20), Feng Fu (Du 16), Feng Chi (G 20), Da Zhui (Du 14), Tao Dao (Du 13), Chang Qiang (Du 1), Jiu Wei (Ren 15), Tai Chong (Liv 3), Zhao Hai (K 6) and Shen Mai (UB 62). The herbal formula consisted of Qi Ye Yi Zhi Hua (Rhizoma Paridis), Shi Chang Pu (Rhizoma Acori Graminei), Bai Jiang Can (Thlaspi), Bi Hu (Gecko), Di Long (Earthworm), Quan Xie (Scorpion), She Tui (Snake Slough). The formula was taken 5g each time, 3 times a day. The results: all cases were drastically improved.(12)

50 cases were treated with acupuncture and the single herb Bi Ba (Fructus Piperis Longi). The acupoint Yong Quan (K 1) was needled perpendicularly and quickly for 3 min, twisting clockwise with strong stimulation if an epilepsy attack is in progress and slight stimulation if the epilepsy is in remission. The needles were retained for 30 min. The procedure was repeated once daily, and 14 days comprised one course of treatment. In addition, the single herb Bi Ba (in powder) was administered 5 grams a time, twice a day, for a duration of 30 days. The results: 25 patients greatly improved, 24 improved, and 1 did not respond to the treatment, with a total effective rate of 98%.(13)