222
8 Further Indications
8.3.7 Meteorism
Description
■ Accumulation of air or gas in the intestines or the abdominal cavity, possibly accompa-
nied by diffuse abdominal pain
■ Often occurs together with functional dyspepsia or other nervous disorders such as
aerophagia
■ Trigger: foods that cause bloating (e.g. cabbage), food intolerances, stress, candidiasis
Patients with severe gastrointestinal disorders such as tumours (e.g. colon carcinoma)
have to be referred to a consultant for a thorough diagnosis and possibly undergo surgery
before starting treatment with acupuncture.
Point Prescription
Regardless of the cause the following points should be treated based on RAC-palpation
(
›
3.1.4):
French points
■ Local points:
Rectum
(
›
6.4.1) on the anterior ear;
Point Zero Retro
(
›
6.11.4) on the
posterior ear
■ Stabilising points:
Point Zero
(
›
6.10.3),
Laterality Point
(
›
6.8.6)
■ Psychological points:
Barbiturate
(
›
6.7.1),
Haldol
(
›
6.8.6),
Diazepam
(
›
6.7.3)
Chinese points
■ Local points:
Colon (91)
(
›
6.4.1), maybe
Stomach (87)
(
›
6.4.1)
■ Stabilising point:
ANS I (51)
(
›
6.6.5)
Auricular acupuncture may resolve candidiasis without the requirement for systemic
treatment (such as nystatin). Assumed mechanism: strengthening the immune system al-
lows the intestinal flora to regenerate so that candida overgrowth will subside.
Treatment Intervals
■ Daily meteorism: 2–3 times weekly until symptoms improve, then once weekly until
symptoms have disappeared
■ Sporadic meteorism: once weekly until symptoms have disappeared
Treatment Course and Prognosis
■ Recent onset
acute meteorism:
usually about 3–4 weeks for a sustained relieve from
symptoms
■
Chronic meteorism
(> 4 weeks): approximately 3 months for a sustained relieve from
symptoms
Learning relaxation techniques such as
Qi
Gong, Yoga, or autogenic training can accelerate
the treatment results.
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