ABSTRACT
A 29 year-old female patient with excessive cold sensitivity (“hiesho”) was regularly treated with acupuncture therapy. She complained of symptoms from autumn to winter, and her symptoms were also susceptible to changes in temperature. From the oriental medical diagnosis, we found that she exhibited “oketsu” and “suitai”. The effects of acupuncture therapy were comprehensively assessed by the Oketsu score, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) thermograms, etc. We also examined the influence of temperature and menstrual periods on cold sensitivity.<BR>After five months of this therapy (eight times), the Oketsu score and VAS showed a decrease. In addition, this therapy held to elevate the skin temperatures of extremities. It was noted that the temperarure, rather than the menstrual periods, had a stronger influence on VAS. These results were that the acupuncture therapy was effective against the cold sensitivity.
ABSTRACT
The relationship between coldness of the hands and feet (“Hiesho”) and Blood Stagnation (“Oketsu”), a disorder description unique to Oriental Medicine, was examined using the Oketsu score of five Hiesho cases based on the Terasawa Oketsu Diagnostic Criteria. The effects of acupuncture treatment were studied by evaluating Oketsu symptoms and accompanying complaints, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and subjective evaluation of coldness of the hands and feet.<br>The results were as follows:<br>1) 100% of the five females with Hiesho were also positive for the Oketsu factor.<br>2) The Oketsu score showed a significant decrease (P<0.05) upon treatment with acupuncture.<br>3) An improvement in subjective Hiesho symptoms (VAS) was seen in three of the five cases upon acupuncture treatment.<br>4) It was suggested that the subjective improvement in Hiesho symptoms, i. e., coldness of the hands and feet, was related to the disappearance of the resistance and pain upon pressure in the ileocecal region that is characteristic of Oketsu, and the improvement in menstrual disorders.