Introduction: Regarding moxibustion therapy, in the impression of most patients and even doctors, it is often used for health maintenance and treating chronic diseases. The two medical cases presented in this article are from the renowned acupuncture master Lu Shouyan, treating vomiting, a condition requiring urgent intervention. Master Lu once said, "In critical conditions, only moxibustion can swiftly reverse the crisis," highlighting a significant misconception in our current understanding of moxibustion therapy. Notably, Master Lu employed "rice grain moxibustion" rather than suspended moxibustion. Although both are forms of moxibustion, they differ substantially.

Profile: Lu Shouyan (1909–1969), a native of Kunshan County, Jiangsu Province, was a distinguished modern Chinese acupuncturist and educator. Born into a family of acupuncture practitioners, he studied medicine under his father from a young age, inheriting the family's authentic techniques. At the age of 18, he began practicing medicine in Shanghai, where his acupuncture treatments for severe and chronic illnesses often achieved remarkable results, attracting a continuous stream of patients seeking his care.

Ten Cases of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Treatment: Regurgitation and Dysphagia

Chief Physician: Lu Shouyan; Compiled by: Zhu Rugong, Lu Yanyao

Regurgitation

Patient: Chen, male, 68 years old. Senior Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner at Huanglu Commune Health Center, Nanhui County.

In June of last year, the patient experienced epigastric pain, poor appetite, vomiting with acid reflux, pain immediately after eating, and severe pain leading to vomiting. After treatment with both Chinese and Western medicine, the efficacy was not significant, vomiting worsened, and the patient became mentally and physically exhausted. Consequently, in February of this year, the patient was admitted to the central hospital for supportive therapy. After 7 days of treatment, the overall condition improved, and the patient was discharged home to recuperate. Two months later, the patient was able to return to work.

Twenty days later, the old illness recurred, with fatigue, aversion to cold, and more severe vomiting, making it impossible to eat. Despite repeated treatments with both Chinese and Western medicine without effect, the patient lost confidence and instructed the family to prepare for the aftermath.

At noon that day, I went for a consultation. The diagnosis was spleen-kidney yang deficiency, decline of the life-gate fire, and lack of fuel in the cauldron, leading to inability to digest food. The treatment plan was to warm and tonify the spleen and kidneys by applying moxibustion.

Prescription: Zhongkui (EX-UE4) and Zusanli (ST-36) (both with moxibustion).

Moxibustion method: Apply eleven moxa cones of grain-sized moxibustion to each acupoint, alternating between the two points.

After moxibustion treatment, vomiting ceased immediately. The following day, Zusanli (ST 36) was moxibusted again. The epigastric and abdominal regions felt warm and comfortable, the patient was able to consume thin porridge, and epigastric pain was significantly reduced. Subsequently, treatment with Chinese herbal medicine was administered, appetite gradually increased, the patient was able to get out of bed and walk within ten days, and returned to work after one month.

Note:

(1) This condition is often caused by improper diet, excessive consumption of raw and cold foods damaging spleen yang, or excessive contemplation injuring the spleen, leading to deficiency-cold of the spleen and stomach, inability to digest food and fluids, retention of food and drink, and ultimately resulting in complete vomiting.

This case of chronic regurgitation has led to spleen-kidney yang deficiency and decline of fire in the lower jiao, akin to a cauldron without firewood beneath it. The condition is critical and cannot be urgently reversed without moxibustion.

(2) Moxibustion has the effects of warming the meridians to dispel cold, supporting yang to prevent collapse, and promoting the circulation of qi and blood. In this case, the aim is to revive primordial yang and warm yang to secure against collapse. "Zhongkui" is an extraordinary point located at the tip of the middle phalanx on the dorsal side of the middle finger. It is an empirical point used by ancient practitioners for treating dysphagia and regurgitation, with relatively rapid therapeutic effects.

Dysphagia

Patient Wu, female, 73 years old. Outpatient number at Huanglu Commune Health Center, Nanhui County: 6387.

According to the family's account: The patient suddenly experienced dizziness, numbness in the limbs, inability to consume any liquids, and vomiting immediately after eating, with episodes occurring dozens of times over a day and night. The patient also reported chest tightness, fatigue, and a reluctance to speak, with eyes closed, for two days. The pulse was wiry and large, with faint and thin pulses at both chi positions. The tongue was pale with a thin, greasy coating. Palpation of Shenque and Zhongwan revealed palpable pulsations.

The condition is due to insufficient middle qi, with liver wood attacking the stomach, preventing stomach qi from descending, leading to vomiting immediately after eating. The symptoms are classified as dysphagia and obstruction. Following the experience of previous practitioners, Zhongkui was selected for moxibustion.

Prescription: Zhongkui (moxibustion).

Moxibustion method: Apply grain-sized moxa cones, seven cones on each side.

After moxibustion, the patient reported no abnormalities in the chest and epigastrium. A follow-up the next day revealed that the dizziness had subsided, vomiting had ceased, and the patient was able to eat several spoonfuls of thin porridge.

Note: Dysphagia refers to difficulty swallowing, while obstruction refers to blockage in the chest and diaphragm, preventing food from passing. Clinically, these two conditions are often referred to together as dysphagia-obstruction. The *Suwen: Tongping Xushi Lun Pian* states, "When the diaphragm is obstructed and blocked, and the upper and lower parts fail to communicate, it is due to sudden worry." Dr. Lu applied moxibustion to the ancient empirical point "Zhongkui" and achieved a cure.