Clinical experiences of RUAN shao-nan’s application of the governor vessel theory

ZHU Xiao-ying

The clinical experiences of Prof. RUAN are reported as follows:

1.   In treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation (LIDH): For those with acute LIDH, philtrum, SI3, GV4, GV3, Xiajishu, BL25 were needled on the Governor Vessel, If manifested as pain and discomforts in the lower limbs, for example, BL40, BL57, BL60 were needled for those with discomforts in the posterior lower limbs; GB34, Juegu (lower end of fibula) for discomforts of the lateral lower limbs. If the disease is protracted, it is mostly induced by renal deficiency and may be treated by needling at BL23 and KI3 to invigorate the kidney and strengthen the waist.

      The recipe of Chinese material medica, parched red peony root, glabrous greenbrier rhizome, Chinese  

      angelica root, corydalis tuber, cyanthula root, Clematis chinensis Osbeck, wild grade root. For

      treatment of renal deficiency: pubescent angelica root, Chinese taxillus herb, wildginger herb, Chinese

      angelica root, parched white and red peony root, Himalayan teasel root, cibot rhizome.

2.   In treatment of children attention deficit accompanied with minimal brain dysfunction: GV20, EX-HN3, EX-HN1, GV16. The manipulation: Even reinforcing and reducing manipulation was conducted at GV20, EX-HN3, EX-HN1, GV16, with needle-retained time 25 min, once manipulation every other day, 10 times as one therapeutic course, a 2-month treatment. The efficacy of acupuncture is closely associated to the age of the patient, the younger the better efficacy. Besides, the therapeutic course is closely associated to the therapeutic course of acupuncture, the longer the therapeutic course, the better significant efficacy.

3.   In treatment of vascular dementia: Needling at EX-HN3, GV20, GV14, GV16, GB20, SI3, BL23, KI3. The manipulation: Needling at GV20 with reducing method and at BL23 and KI3 with reinforcing method. Even reinforcing and reducing manipulation was conducted at the rest acupoints, with needle-retained time 25 min, once manipulation every other day, 10 times as one therapeutic course. Needling at the primary point on the kidney channel, KI3 and BL23 to invigorate the kidney and supplement the essence. Needling at GV20, GV16, GV14 on the Governor Vessel, and EX-HN3 along the Governor Vessel to supplement the brain and enhance the intelligence; at DU16, GB20 to calm the liver-fire and stop the wind; SI3 connects to the Governor Vessel. These points are combined together to enhance the connection of Governor Vessel and benefit the brain.

4.   In treatment of climactic syndrome: Point selection: GV20, EX-HN1, EX-HN3, Anmian, BL15, BL23, PC6, Shenmen, SP6, BL62. The manipulation: Needling at BL15 with reducing method, no retention of needle; at GV20, BL23, SP6 with reinforcing method; even reinforcing and reducing manipulation was conducted at the rest acupoints, with needle-retained time 25 min, once manipulation every other day. GV20, EX-HN1, EX-HN3 all have action of tranquilizing the mind, can increase the cerebral blood circulation. Shenmen, as the primary point of the heart, is the origin of diseases of zang-organs, PC6 connects Yin Link Vessel, and communicates with the upper-, the middle-, and the lower-jiao, can tranquilize the mind, regulate qi, and harmonize the spleen and stomach; BL 15 and BL23 for regulating yin and yang, communicating the heart and the kidney. SP6 can benefit the liver, invigorate the spleen, and supplement the kidney, thus to nourish the mind and the heart. Needling at BL62 may purge the exuberance of Yang Heel Vessel.