I Can Hear the Heart's Voice of Traditional Chinese Medicine-Chapter 118 - 61: His Silhouette Shines with Radiance
[The term "stroke" first appeared in the "Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet." Although the "Inner Canon" does not name stroke, it has provided a simple and straightforward description of its etiology, pathogenesis, and symptoms. As recorded in "Su Wen·Tiao Jing Lun": "When blood and qi both rush upward, it leads to great reversal, resulting in sudden death. If the qi returns, one lives; if not, one dies."
Furthermore, "Suwen Shengqi Tongtian Lun" states, "Yang Qi, when greatly angered, causes form and qi to be cut off, and blood stagnates above, making a person faint."
"Su Wen·Tongtian Xushi Lun" further points out, "Paralysis and hemiplegia... for those who are obese and wealthy, it is due to phlegm from rich food."
As for the affected area in a stroke, according to the theory of qi and blood reversing in "Su Wen·Tiao Jing Lun," combined with the statement in "Plain Questions: Jade True Viscera Chapter": "The pulse in spring is like a taut string... If qi is full and strong, it is considered excessive... Excess leads to forgetfulness (Wang Bing: ’Forget, here like a mistake for anger’).
The "Spiritual Pivot Scripture" states: "When liver qi is full, one becomes angry. Suddenly feeling dizzy and unsteady, with head ailments." This indicates that the primary affected area in a stroke is the head.
The causes and mechanisms of the disease lie in the chronic deficiency of qi and blood in the patient, with disharmony in the yin and yang of the heart, liver, and kidneys. Coupled with worry, anger, overindulgence in food and drink, sexual overactivity, or invasion by external pathogens, this leads to obstruction of qi and blood circulation and inadequate nourishing of muscles and meridians;
or deficiency of yin below, sudden surge of liver yang, yang transforming into wind, qi rising against blood with phlegm and fire, rushing through the channels, obscuring the clear apertures, resulting in a condition of upper excess and lower deficiency, where yin and yang are not maintained.
Stroke is a condition of root deficiency and branch excess: the root being liver and kidney deficiency with insufficient qi and blood, and the branch being the flaring of wind and fire, abundance of phlegm and dampness, and obstruction of qi and blood.
However, the causes can be deep or shallow, the condition can be mild or severe, and the priority between root deficiency and branch excess varies, so clinically, strokes are often categorized into two main types: channel stroke and organ stroke.
Channel stroke: The affected area is relatively shallow, the condition is milder, generally with no changes in consciousness, manifesting only as slanted mouth and eyes, impaired speech, and hemiplegia.
Organ stroke: The affected area is deeper, the condition is more severe, mainly presenting as confusion, impaired control of limbs, often with precursors and sequelae.
In summary, for those with organ stroke, the upward surge of blood and qi is the cause of the disease onset.
Emergency assistance should target Renzhong, Yongquan, and Baihui. These three acupuncture points clear the orifices and awaken the brain. Bleed Ten Xuan to regulate yin and yang and open the orifices to revive consciousness; use Anmian II and Hegu to calm the mind and awaken the spirit; use Guanyuan and Qihai to restore yang and stabilize collapse; use Zusanli and Yanglingquan to harmonize meridians, regulate qi and blood, and relieve muscle spasms. The combination of these points has a good effect on emergency treatment of stroke as a severe condition.
Because wind disease often resides in the yang meridians, and Yangming is the meridian with abundant qi and blood, choose yang meridian transport points like Jianyu, Quchi, Huantiao, and Waiguan to harmonize nutritive and defensive qi, ease muscles, and invigorate collaterals, along with stimulation acupuncture.
In this way, combining head acupuncture and body acupuncture, and coordinating the healthy side and the paralyzed side, can facilitate recovery. However, the severity of this person’s condition requires needle insertion and observing their reaction to determine the outcome.]
...
Upon hearing this, Lu Xuan couldn’t help but take a deep breath, showing a look of helplessness on his face.
Acupuncture, this was an area out of his expertise.
He knew about acupoints, which is essential knowledge for anyone learning traditional Chinese medicine. Knowing the exact location of each acupoint is also one of the exam requirements. Lu Xuan might not be able to recite them all perfectly from memory, but he was very familiar with them.
However, with acupuncture, he had only learned about moxibustion. As for needles, his mentor mentioned them in classes, but not often, and certainly never involved any hands-on practice.
Thankfully, the method and points for acupuncture had just been clearly explained.
Yet Lu Xuan was still troubled, he had the method but no tools!
He never considered acupuncture before, let alone carrying acupuncture tools with him.
Thinking of this, Lu Xuan couldn’t help but smile bitterly.
Meanwhile, a young doctor who was watching Lu Xuan intently saw the growing bitterness on Lu Xuan’s face, and couldn’t help but pat Lu Xuan’s shoulder: "Brother, don’t force it. This situation is beyond our capability. Just wait for the ambulance in peace."
After saying this, he glanced with the corner of his eye at the girl crying with red eyes, and whispered in Lu Xuan’s ear, "I hate to say it, but this person is probably not going to make it. Although I don’t know why you insist to take a look, I agree with what you just said, her mother’s condition is too severe to hold out until the ambulance arrives."
The girl, perhaps having overheard the young doctor’s words, looked up, tears streaming down like rain: "Doctor...my mom..."
The young doctor’s expression instantly became flustered, like a thief caught red-handed by the homeowner, unable to look the girl in the eye.
Watching the patient’s pulse grow weaker and weaker, Lu Xuan, who had a way to save the person yet lacked the tools, found himself somewhat entranced by the rooftop of the car.
Seeing a living person passing away right in front of him but being helpless made Lu Xuan feel a mixture of emotions.
At this moment, he couldn’t quite imagine how those emergency medical staff at tertiary hospitals cope, watching life after life slip away. The feeling of powerlessness is incredibly dreadful.
"I’m sorry."
Lu Xuan stood up, not sure to whom he was even saying it.
[Dr. Lu seemed very upset; with his skill he should be able to attempt to save the person, but unfortunately, he didn’t have acupuncture needles.]
[This is probably the hardest time for a doctor—to have the chance to save a life but be forced to watch the patient pass away.]
[I wonder if anyone on the vehicle has acupuncture needles.]
