MUSCLE MERIDIAN ACUPUNCTURE NEEDLING
I have rarely seen adverse effects from acupuncture treatments. However, several people have shown some signs of discomfort following treatment.
Needle Pinpoint Allergic Reaction
This condition occurs during the treatment session and immediately after needling. Patients did not complain or notice, but a small area surrounding the needlepoint turned red and became swollen. The red swelling usually disappeared within an hour or two. Type P patients have this condition more than other types. To prevent this condition, the hyperthermal method is to be used at the same time or prior to acupuncture needling. After treat-ment, a half-body bath is recommended with moxa soap at home.
Sore Muscles and a Heavy Feeling after Needling
Since the muscle meridian acupuncture technique focuses on the eccen-tric and conceneccen-tric muscles and surrounding tissue, muscle aches are to be expected. The eccentric muscle area, especially, will be sensitive and swol-len for two to three days after treatment.
This pain is similar to postexercise pain and may be accompanied by a warm sensation within the muscles.
Bruising
A bruise may be present one or two days after treatment in stretched muscle areas. The most common areas for bruising to occur are at the back of the arm, on the back, and on the upper chest, at the midline of the abdomen.
The bruising is not from a direct puncture of the vein, but is due to leak-age from the blood vessels in the eccentric contracted muscle. In my clinical
experiences, if bruising shows one to two days after needling, the healing process is faster than when there is no bruising present.
Tiredness, Fatigue, and Sleep
Type P patients are more likely to report fatigue after muscle meridian treatment.
Usually, type P tension patients live in a state of tension and stress and struggle to rest and relax. The body is then adapted to the extreme levels of continued strain, so the relaxed muscle or feeling of relaxation is seen as a sign of sickness, weakness, or fatigue. Nevertheless, they also mention that their sleep pattern is much improved after treatments.
GASTROINTESTINAL RESUSCITATION AND MOXA TREATMENT
Loose Stool and Gurgling Sound
During the gastrointestinal resuscitation (GIR) treatment with a moxa pad, patients feel relaxed and experience a loosening of the tension almost immediately. However, patients report a change in bowel move-ment on the night of the treatmove-ment ses-sion or the next day. It is usually a loose stool without any foul odor, or possibly an isolated incident of diarrhea symptoms accompanied by gurgling sounds. After the bowel movement, the abdominal area feels looser and patients report subjective emo-tional stability.
Hypochondriac Itchiness
Type M patients are treated with moxa oil instead of smoked moxa during GIR
sessions. While treating the skin attached to the hypochondriac muscle, some patients have experienced isolated allergic reactions, such as redness, skin swelling, and itchiness.
Most symptoms are gone within three to five days without any medication. A half-body bath can help reduce symptoms. This case often occurs in the area of protruding sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth ribs, where con-gested lymphatic fatty tissues are present.
Bloating and Nausea
Several type M3 and type S patients have reported bloating of the abdomen and nausea after GIR treatment sessions. This is more likely to happen when patients are treated several times using the same meth-ods. Smoked moxa is usually very hot on the abdomen, but these individuals do not feel the sensation of heat during several of the sessions. However, when they start feel-ing the skin sensations, they also become bloated and nauseous. Should this discom-fort occur, the treatment method is alter-nated and adjusted more often. It is relieved after several GIR sessions.
MOXA OIL AND GUA SHA Bruising
After applying moxa oil on the skin and scraping, a bruise may cover a wide area. It becomes visible within a day or two follow-ing treatment and fades two or three days later. In type M3 patients, the inner thigh is the common area for bruising to occur, and in type M1 patients, the medial side of the arm is a common site. This bruise con-dition occurs in most type M3 patients. The
patient experiences a hot or warm feeling on the skin immediately following treatment.
Allergic Reaction
Moxa oil rarely results in an allergic reac-tion on the skin. However, it may occur in individuals who suffer from atopic dermati-tis that is suppressed with medication.
The allergic reaction may occur when muscle weakness and atrophy are present in the problem area. In this case, muscle meridian therapy is needed.
CUPPING Petechia
Cupping on areas of peripheral blood con-gestion often displays a spotted, bleeding reaction under the skin known as petechia.
It is commonly found in an eccentric con-tracted muscle area with chronic swell-ing or congestion. The petechia disappears within three to five days of treatment. The red spots turn dark purple and yellow color before fading.
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