Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs as Treatments for Dystonia
By Support Group Member Pat Price
The article original from: Washington DC Support Group Newsletter http://www.dystoniadc.com/newsletters
Many of us are always searching for alternative ways to treat dystonia. Last spring (2008), Dr. Arthur Fan, the head of the McLean Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, in Vienna, Virginia, spoke to our support group about the use of acupuncture and Chinese herbology as treatments for a variety of disorders, including dystonia. In China, herbs are the primary treatment for dystonia; acupuncture is a secondary treatment.
Dr. Fan, a credentialed acupuncturist and herbologist, told the group that the aim of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is to activate the body’s own healing abilities. This is in contrast to western medical theory, which targets a specific pathogen. Dr. Fan explained that the two main TCM treatments for dystonia are herbs and acupuncture. The herbs are specifically selected based on the patient’s condition and symptoms.
Fan treats dystonia patients with muscle spasm reducing herbs such as peony root, papaya, and Tian Ma.
Acupuncture, used in China for the past 2500 years, involves stimulating specific points in the body with thin needles. Dr. Fan told the group that in TCM, the body is seen as a delicate balance of two opposing and in-separable forces: yin and yang. Yin represents the cold, slow, or passive principle, while yang represents the hot, excited, or active principle. Dr. Fan explained that a healthy person’s yin and yang is in a “balanced state.” Diseases and disorders are due to an internal imbalance of yin and yang, leading to blockage in the flow the body’s vital energy or qi (pronounced “chee”) along pathways known as meridians.
One type of acupuncture involves using acupuncture at certain points on the body that connect with these meridians, so as to unblock the qi. Another type of acupuncture focuses on the scalp or skull. Needles are placed in specific areas of the skin of the skull which control tremors or different parts of the body. This type of acupuncture is generally used for neurological disorders, such as dystonia and Parkinson’s. Dr. Fan believes that acupuncture in the skull or scalp areas is generally more effective for dystonia than acupuncture along the meridian pathways.
At the meeting we also had the privilege of hearing from one of Dr. Fan’s patients, Mr. Webster. Mr. Webster recently developed oromandibular dystonia, which causes spasms around the mouth making it difficult to talk, and spoke to the group about his own experiences with acupuncture and herbs. Since Jan. 2008, a neurologist has been treating Webster with Botox injections around his mouth, and Dr. Fan has been concurrently treating him with acupuncture and herbal treatments. He has had acupuncture treatments twice a week; which involve about 25 needles, mostly in the face and skull. The acupuncture treatments lasted about 40 minutes. He was also drinking Dr. Fan’s special blend of herbal tea three times a day, but switched to herbal pills when he had to travel a lot and could not prepare the tea. The herbal pills are a blend of six herbs and have been approved by the Chinese equivalent of the FDA. Mr. Webster told the group that he believes the acupuncture and herbal treatments, as well as the botox, have significantly improved his condition.
If you wish to learn more about the use of acupuncture and Chinese herbs, you may visit Dr. Fan’s web site, www.chinesemedicinedoctor.us.
There is more information on acupuncture on many web sites including the National Institutes of Health: http://nccam.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/nih.gov.
Two articles on acupuncture can be found at: http://www.chiroweb.com/archives/14/10/16.html; and
http://www.medicalacupuncture.org/aama_marf/journal/vol14_3/article4.html.
More information about natural medicine concerning Dystonia can be found at the Alternative Treatment blog.
Kind regards,
Peter
hi, i was recently diagnosed with oromandibular dystonia, after visiting a wide range of doctors for the last 2 years,whom didnt know what was wrong with me, i would like to try organic treatment, such as accupunture, kindly refer me to onewithin my country of residence that is kenya
Daer dalip,
Thanks for your comments. I feel you should look for a provider who has the background in both Chinese medicine and neurology. However, I could not know exactly who is that person in your area. Sorry about that. If you could have your diagnosis from a Chinese medicine doctor, I could e-mail you the herbal formula and mail you the capsule Liu Jun San.
Arthur Fan
I know a young girl 19 or 20 that has been recently diagnosed with generalized dystonia. She is undergoing all sorts of testing, has been in and out of the hospital and now they are taking copious amounts of blood samples. Do you think that you would be able to help her become whole again before they do something that may be irreversible? Traditional medicine does have its place but it scares me when Dr.’s seem to be experimenting…I’m worried for her she is so young.
How far away?
Hi,
thanks for your reply unfortunately in my country of residence its difficult to get a doctor with both backgrounds, thats being a neurologist & at the sametime having knowledge in chinese medicine, maybe if i forward you my medical report confidentially to you, you may be able to diagnose my condion from the chinese herbal medicine perspective & likewise send me the prescription via email, as communicated in your previous message, which i may take to one of the few chinese herbal doctors we have
kindly advice
I have spasmodic dysphonia and spasmodic torticollis. I did several rounds of botox and my condition kept deteriorating. I went to an acupuncture doctor and after two years of speaking with a strangled voice, I walked out speaking. It only lasted one day. I went back and the acupuncture doctor kept studying my case. He got me up to a week, then two weeks and finally our longest time sustaining a voice was 6 months. Usually my voice last 3 months to 4 months and then I go back. It last longer depending upon my stress level and long hours worked. The doctor gave me two herbs, acupuncture for approximately 40-45 minutes and I walk out talking in a normal voice. Recently my acupuncture doctor passed away. I have recently been searching for another acupuncture doctor, but I cannot find one that will listen to where I need the needles placed or about the herbs. I saw this article and it caught my attention. Acupuncture does work. I have adductor dysphonia.
Could you give me the acupuncturist’s stimulating points(area, or name)?
Thanks!
Arthur
More and more girls are using acupuncture for getting pregnant
My 8 year old has developed dystonia about 6 montha ago and am looking to see if there is a accupuncture cure for his symptoms. I would really appreciate if you can reply to this email.
Dr Fan, my 21 year old adopted daughter is diagnosed as having severe generalised dystonia for the last 10 years, n has sought western n traditional Chinese treatment everywhere, with little success. I just got to read about your acupuncture and herbal treatment with great hopes of getting some help from you. We live in Malaysia. Can you please help? Thank you. HS Tan
If you get chance, and we could see each other. You may also consider the distance consulting–e-mail me the detail information and then we may mail you the herbs.
How far away from DC area? if close to DC, you could come.
Hi, My name is Penny. I live in Northern Ireland. I have recently been diagnosed with oromandibular ( focal ) dystonia and am awaiting botox treatment – the diagnosis took almost three years. I am very interested to know more about ‘ natural , remedies/treatments. Would anyone know of a Chinese herbalist/acupuncturist in my country?
many thanks
penny
Penny,
Acupuncture and herbal therapy are options. You may find someone help you in your area. I am not familiar with doctor in your country.
Recently been diagnosed with dsytonia in my neck been havering injections not working for me thanks if recommend any remedies?
If close to DC, you may think of seeing me.
I have had spasms in my face ,neck, arms, chest on the right side since a right side mastectomy. One neurologist says I have dystonia while others say its thoracic outlet syndrome & myofacial pain syndrome. The spasm can be in my right side of face and I can feel it travel through my chest into my right arm and hand and then my arm and hand curl up and spasm severly. All of which is very painful. Currently I am in physical therapy, massage therapy, and seeing a chiropractor. I am on 2 medications that don’t really seem to be making a difference. I have been like this for almost 5 years now. Any ideas?
when you get time, see me.
I don’t have a full and comprehensive understanding of acupuncture but it absolutely amazes me. My grandpa went through holistic treatments for cancer and one of those treatments is acupuncture. After one session, he raved about how he felt better than ever.
I really wish that eastern and western medicine would come together so we could treat the entire spectrum. I have ms and using both has helped me so much more than my counterparts whom have used only one. I did have an eastern and western doctor in mind but alas she was not covered under my insurance.
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Interested in your treatment protocols for acupuncture & herbs. I have my 2nd client with torticollis (in 29 years of acupuncture practice), and though first tx has been helpful, there’s always more to learn, especially about a condition I rarely see. I’m near Boston, MA. Thanks.
Suffering from Cervical Dystonia from past 6 months can you cure. Age 37 India
You may book appointment and see me in your convenient time
Is any clinic of your in India
HI, My son A.S.is a chorea patient and recently admitted in hospital for 77 days for involuntary movements and he had a deep brain stimulator mplant sugery. his involuntary movements stopped, but the neurologist were giving him unwanted medicine as his experiment and it is overdosed too.
my son is now had dystinia(oromandibular) on his jaws, he keeps it open, or open it widely fequently. we had a had time, doctor put him on Ativan 2ml per every 4 hours. and asking us to do botox injection , but i don’t want to do it. looking for any natural medicine. we are in Houston/TX. please have me some information.
regards.
LAL
How far from Washington DC? My office is at 8214A Old Courthouse Road, Vienna, VA 22182.
Dr.Arthur Fan
Hi Dr. Fan,
How many treatments would it take to cure me of my Oromandibular Dystonia? I live all the way in California. I am currently getting Botox for the Dystonia. But I don’t see it working these days, especially when I have been having choking episodes due to the Botox Injections.
Any help you could possibly give me would be much appreciated.
Dear Kayla,
Your condition is a difficult to treat, at least need three to half year treatment. In most situation, we can manage it very well, and some cases can be clinically cured. I did not see you, so I can’t say how many sessions-acupuncture will be works for you. But on the average, you may think take 20-30 sessions to get a significant improvement.
Yesterday, I have a patient report she got “cure” after our 20 sessions treatments for her Oromandibular Dystonia.
Dr Arthur Fan
Hello,
I am a drummer and have developed focal dystopia in my right foot/leg. It’s almost impossible for me to use that limb now when I play; and that limb controls the bass drum, which is key for playing a drum set. What would you suggest for me?
If your home is not too far from our office, you may come to see us.
Dr. Arthur Fan
Unfortunately, I’m in northern Ohio. Do you know of anyone in your field who operates out of this area.
Hi Everyone reading this.
I was diagnosed with cervical dystonia in 2014. It was so rapid and so intense that I lost my job to it. It took me 2 years to be able to regain control of my neck.
One thing which might motivate you all is that I never used botox or any other medicine.
I got treated via homeopathy.
Now I am working since an year and my neck is perfectly fine. I still have some issues in my shoulder but I am positive that I will get over it as well 🙂
I would be glad to help anyone if I can.
You can write to me at mohd_uzair_khan@yahoo.co.in
Sir please help my husband who is the patient of dystonia