Acupuncture Treatment for Diabetes:
Diabetes is a global health issue, gradually impacting patients’ quality of life. Diabetes is a common endocrine and metabolic disease with a complex pathogenesis, often involving multiple factors, including genetics, environment, and lifestyle. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), diabetes is classified as “diabetes mellitus,” with its causes often linked to dietary restrictions, emotional imbalances, and kidney essence deficiency. Acupuncture, as an integral component of TCM, can play an effective role in the treatment of diabetes.
1. Theoretical Basis of Acupuncture Treatment for Diabetes
The theoretical basis for acupuncture treatment of diabetes stems primarily from Traditional Chinese Medicine’s theory of internal organs and meridians. Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that the internal organs of the human body are interconnected through meridians, forming an organic whole. The development of diabetes is closely linked to dysfunction of multiple internal organs, such as lung dryness, stomach heat, and kidney deficiency. Acupuncture stimulation of the corresponding acupoints can regulate the patient’s qi and blood, balancing yin and yang, and ultimately achieving the goal of treating diabetes.
2. Commonly used acupuncture treatment methods
Acupuncture points: Acupuncture stimulation at specific acupuncture points can regulate the circulation of qi and blood in the human body and improve the patient’s metabolic function. Commonly used acupuncture points include Zusanli, Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian, etc.
Electroacupuncture: Introducing electric current into acupuncture points can enhance the therapeutic effect of acupuncture. Electroacupuncture can promote insulin secretion and improve insulin resistance.
Auricular acupuncture therapy: By stimulating specific acupoints on the ear, insulin secretion can be regulated, and the symptoms of diabetes can be effectively alleviated. Commonly used auricular acupuncture points in clinical practice include the pancreas, adrenal glands, Shenmen, etc.
Moxibustion: Moxibustion is a method of fumigating moxa sticks or moxa cones to provide heat therapy stimulation to specific acupoints, which can regulate the circulation of qi and blood and warm the meridians. Commonly used acupoints in clinical practice include Zusanli, Guanyuan, etc.
3. Research on the Mechanism of Acupuncture in Treating Diabetes
Modern medical research shows that acupuncture can regulate insulin receptor activity, improve insulin sensitivity, and effectively alleviate insulin resistance. Acupuncture can regulate multiple endocrine hormones, such as glucagon, insulin, and adrenaline, and balance glucose metabolism. Diabetes is often accompanied by chronic inflammation, and acupuncture can not only inhibit the release of inflammatory factors but also alleviate inflammatory responses. Acupuncture can regulate the function of the autonomic nervous system, improve sympathetic nerve excitability, and improve glucose metabolism. Acupuncture can regulate the function of the immune system, improve immune imbalance, and alleviate the occurrence of diabetic complications.
4. Clinical Research on Acupuncture Treatment of Diabetes
Numerous clinical studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of acupuncture on the treatment of diabetes. Clinical trials have shown that acupuncture can effectively lower blood sugar levels, improve clinical symptoms, and enhance quality of life in diabetic patients. Acupuncture can also reduce the incidence of diabetic complications, such as common retinopathy and nephropathy. Research by scholars has also shown that acupuncture can improve the mental health of diabetic patients, alleviating anxiety, depression, and other emotional issues.
5. Precautions for acupuncture treatment of diabetes
Although acupuncture has significant advantages and effects in treating diabetes, the following points should be noted in its actual application:
Indications and contraindications: Acupuncture treatment of diabetes can be suitable for patients with mild to moderate diabetes or patients with a short course of illness. If the patient is severe diabetic, or patients with a long course of illness or accompanied by serious complications, drug treatment should be the main treatment, and acupuncture can be used as an auxiliary treatment method. Acupuncture treatment should be used with caution or prohibited when treating special groups such as pregnant women and those with severe bleeding tendencies.
Acupoint Selection and Procedure Standards: Correct acupoint selection and standardized acupuncture procedures are crucial for effective treatment. Acupuncture should be performed by a qualified practitioner to avoid misplaced or overstimulated acupoints. Acupuncture for diabetes should be combined with other treatments, such as diet, exercise, and medication. Patients should follow their doctor’s instructions to adjust and optimize their treatment plan.
Regular Monitoring and Follow-up: Patients should regularly monitor their blood sugar levels and related indicators during acupuncture treatment. Treatment plans can be adjusted promptly based on the patient’s condition, and follow-up observations should be implemented. Diabetic patients often experience emotional issues such as anxiety and depression. While receiving acupuncture treatment, patients should receive necessary psychological support.
Acupuncture for diabetes is generally used as an adjunct therapy and should not replace conventional medication or lifestyle management. Before receiving acupuncture treatment, you should closely monitor your blood sugar levels and maintain communication with your doctor to ensure the effectiveness of comprehensive treatment.
Chinese Medicine for Diabetes:
Diabetes isn’t caused by too much sugar, but too little “water”. A few simple herbs can replenish body fluids and stabilize blood sugar.
The topic of “replenishing body fluids and stabilizing blood sugar” is getting more and more popular these days. Recently, many patients with high blood sugar have come to see me, complaining of worsening dry mouth and thirst. This is a sign of a lack of body fluids. With less water in the blood, there’s less water to dilute blood sugar, which drives the concentration higher. If you don’t replenish it promptly, the dry mouth and thirst will become even more pronounced, creating a vicious cycle.
Case in point:
This patient who came in a while ago guzzled two glasses of water upon entering the clinic, complaining of being incredibly thirsty. I saw she wasn’t sweating much, so I figured internal heat was probably the cause of her dry mouth and thirst.
She said she’s had diabetes for two or three years and has been taking Western medicine to lower her blood sugar, but the results haven’t been satisfactory. As soon as summer arrived this year, she began to feel unwell all over. “My mouth’s been super dry lately, and drinking water doesn’t seem to help. I’m also really irritable. My kids say I’m like a firecracker, catching fire at the drop of a hat. I’ve been strictly controlling my sugar intake, refusing to eat anything even remotely sugary. Why is it getting worse?” After our conversation, I discovered that her symptoms had completely impacted her daily life, and Western medicine hadn’t been effective, so she decided to try a different approach: traditional Chinese medicine decoctions. She also had soreness in her lower back and knees, and weakness in her limbs. I examined her tongue, which was red with a thin coating, and her pulse was thin and smooth.
This is a formula for diabetes with both Qi and Yin deficiency and liver and lung heat accumulation
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Astragalus , Chinese yam , Polygonatum sibiricum , Dendrobium candidum, Radix Trichosanthis, Rehmannia root , Lycium bark , Bamboo leaf , Gardenia jasminoides , Morus alba , Achyranthes bidentata , etc. What was the result? After taking the medicine for a week, the patient felt dry mouth and frequent urination at night was alleviated. Then I made some additions and subtractions to the original prescription. After taking the medicine for more than a month, the symptoms such as soreness of waist and knees, irritability, and fatigue were greatly improved. The original prescription was slightly added and subtracted, and the dosage of western medicine was gradually reduced. The patient took the medicine for another two months, and all symptoms subsided, and blood sugar returned to normal. In order to consolidate the therapeutic effect, the patient continued to take the medicine for half a month. No recurrence was found during follow-up. The idea of prescribing the medicine: The patient felt very uncomfortable with dry mouth, which corresponds to her Qi and Yin damage. Yin damage means insufficient body fluid, so I would start from here and use Dendrobium, Rehmannia root, and Gardenia jasminoides. The three-pronged approach is to clear away heat, nourish Yin and promote body fluid. Just like a faucet, it continuously injects water into her body to replenish the body fluid. The blood sugar is diluted by water, and the concentration naturally drops, and the problem of dry mouth is solved. The patient’s temper often erupts, like a small firecracker. This corresponds to liver heat. I used Radix Trichosanthis, Radix Lycii, and Bamboo Leaves, three powerful “fire extinguishers” to nourish the liver and clear the lungs, reduce internal heat, and cool the blood. In one fell swoop, they completely extinguished both liver and lung heat. As the young people say, “In minutes, the flames are extinguished.” Once the fire is extinguished, the body feels relaxed, and the mood naturally improves. With the main issue dealt with, the remaining “remnants” are powerless. Their base is nearly destroyed, and they have no choice but to disappear. Lowering blood sugar with Traditional Chinese Medicine is simpler and more professional than you might think. Traditional Chinese Medicine emphasizes the harmony of internal and external factors. If you only lower blood sugar without addressing the underlying condition, you’ll end up in the same predicament as this patient, who took medication for years but still couldn’t lead a normal life. Therefore, we must trust that Traditional Chinese Medicine, with its millennia of experience, has been developed piecemeal based on the Chinese people’s constitutions. Western medicine, on the other hand, has only a century of history. I believe everyone understands which is more suitable for us. I have worked hard for more than 40 years to promote our own traditional Chinese medicine. As long as I can make a friend who reads my articles have some change of mind, I will feel that my efforts are not in vain.