Acupuncture training: a typical case of furuncle treated by sparrow-pecking moxibustion
Typical case:
Mr. Li, 48years, a chief visited firstly on Dec. 09，2005. One day ago，a red swollen mass was presented on the back of the neck and it became bigger on that visited day，associated with local pain and burning sensation.
The patient had suffered such problems for several times and had been treated before. Examination showed two pieces of red on the back of the neck being 2cm ×2cm，without pus，but with burning sensation on the surface and touching pain，yellow and sticky tongue coating and tense-rapid pulse. The sparrow-pecking moxibustion was applied to the center of furuncle，moving up and down，5 minutes on each one. On the second day of return visit，the swelling and pain was alleviated by 50% and the same therapy was applied again. On the third day, the pain disappeared and the redness and swelling had been removed. Another furuncle reoccurred on the back of the neck1month later and it was cured with three time sparrow-pecking moxibustion. The patient was advised to take less spicy food and more vegetables. The case never reoccurred by follow-up visit till now.
Discussions:
This disease is commonly caused by the invasion of fire toxin and the retention of heat toxin, and it is commonly presented on the head, face，neck, buttocks，etc., The disease is easily recurred and persistent. Based on “elimination of heat by heating method” , the sparrow-pecking moxibustion was adopted in the affected area，with the ignited moxa stick facing the center and moved up and down. The heat from the moxa
May penetrate deeply into the muscular 1ayerandreachtha focus，by which，the wind，heat and fire toxin pathogens were eliminated from the interior to the exterior of the body. As a result the qi and blood circulation were promoted and ameliorated the swelling was relieved and the pain stopped. Such method was worth to be populated because of its simple operation，significant therapeutic effects and absence of side effect.
By Lu Huixin, Tao Qun
TCMOO acupuncture training
