ABSTRACT 

100 cases of insomnia of the type of heart and spleen deficiency were treated by acupuncture. Results indicated that 95 cases were cured, accounting for  95%; 3 cases were markedly effective, accounting for 3% and the rest 2 cases were ineffective, accounting for 2%.The total effective rate was 98%.

KEY WORDS 

Insomnia   Acupuncture therapy   Deficiency of the heart and spleen

Since 1991,the author has treated 100 cases of insomnia of the type of  heart and spleen deficiency using acupuncture, with more satisfactory therapeutic effects, which are reported in the following.

GENERAL DATA

Of the 100 cases in the series,55 were male and 45 female; the youngest was 21  years old and the oldest 65 years; the shortest duration of disease was half a month and the longest 5 years.

THERAPEUTIC METHODS

1. Acupoints selected: Sishencong(EX-HN1), Fengchi(GB 30), Xinshu(BL15), Pishu(BL20). From-Lingdao(HT4)-to-Shenmen(HT7), and Zusanli(ST36) at both sides.

2. Manipulation methods: For needling Sishencong point, 4 needles were inserted  from the 4  points 1 cun away from Baihui(GV20) point on anterior, posterior, left and right sides along  the  skin to Baihui point, with the needling sensation conducting towards the surroundings, and after the sensation was attained uniform reinforcing-reducing method  was used. For needling Fengchi point, the needle was perpendicularly forward inserted into a depth of 1-1.3 cun, with the needle sensation conducting towards the  forehead or the occiput, after the sensation was obtained uniform reinforcing-reducing method was applied. For needling Xinshu and Pishu points, the needles were  obliquely inserted from the upper to the lower into a depth of 0.5-0.8  cun, with  the needling sensation conducting downwards, and after the sensation was got twirling reinforcing method was applied. For needling from-Lingdao-to-Shenmen point, the needle was inserted from slightly upper part of Lingdao point along  the skin to  Shenmen point, with the needling sensation conducting downwards or up- and down-wards, after the sensation was obtained twirling reinforcing method was applied. For needling Zusanli point,the needle was perpendicularly inserted into a depth  of 1-1.5 cun, with the needling sensation conducting up-and down-wards  or downwards, and after the sensation was attained twirling reinforcing method  was applied. For acupuncture of Fengmen, Xinshu and Pishu points the needle was retained for 5 minutes, and for acupuncture of other points, it was retained for 10-15 minutes. At the initial stage, the treatment was given once a day, and after 3 sessions it was given once every other day, for 3-15 sessions.

CRITERIA OF THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS

Cured: Able to fall asleep at the beginning, and wake at midnight but can rapidly fall asleep again, great reduction of dreams, sleep soundly 6-8 hours each night and other symptoms disappear.

Markedly effective: After treatment for 8-15 sessions, sleep soundly 5-6 hours, reduction of dreams, other symptoms relieved obviously.

Ineffective: After treatment for 8 sessions, the symptoms do no t obviously relieve.  

THERAPEUTIC RESULTS

Among the 100 cases, 95 cases were cured, accounting for 95%; 3 markedly effective, accounting for 3%; and 2 ineffctive, accounting for 2%.The total effective rate  was 98%.

A TYPICAL CASE

Ms Liu,35 years old, a teacher, presented herself for treatment at the hospital  on June 18,1995.She had had insomnia for over 3 years, at the initial stage of sleep, hard to fall asleep, dreaminess, easily waking, dizziness, palpitation, hypomnesis, anorexia, weakness  of extremities. In recent 3 months insomnia had exacerbated, sometimes she could  not fall asleep all night long. After talking Chinese drugs and diazepam had no  effect, then she requested acupuncture treatment. She had sallow complexion, pale tongue proper with thin and white fur, fine and weak pulse, blood pressure 17.33/10.66 5 kPa(130/80mmHg). Electrocardiogram examination and fluoroscopy of chest showed  that the heart, lung and diaphragm were normal. She was diagnosed to have insomnia of the type of heart and spleen deficiency and then was treated by the present method. After the treatment, dizziness and palpitation disappeared immediately, she felt full of vigor. On the next day, she said that after the treatment  the last day, and  she could fall asleep rapidly,  dreams reduced, sleep soundly  about more than 5 hours, appetite increased, vigor improved obviously. After  treatment for 5 sessions, she could sleep soundly 7-8 hours each night, times of dream reduced greatly, appetite increased largely, and other symptoms disappeared. After treatment for a total of 8 sessions, she was cured. Recurrence was not found  within one year.

EXPERIENCE

Insomnia of the type of heart and spleen deficiency is more caused by anxiety and overwork, damaging the heart and spleen. Injury of the heart consumes yin-blood, unable to store spirit; when  the spleen injures, refined nutritious substances can not be transported to nourish the heart, leading to mental derangement, so as to induce insomnia. The author adopted the therapeutic principle of strengthening the spleen and stomach to transform and transport nutrients, nourishing the heart and invigorating the brain for tranquilization. Pishu (BL 20) and converging point of Stomach channel, Zusanli(ST 36) were needled with reinforcing method, for strengthening the spleen and stomach, transforming and transporting nutrients to nourish the heart and mind; Xinshu and proved points for insomnia, important points of the Heart Channel of Hand Shaoyin for tranquilization, i.e. from-Lingdao-to-Shenmen point, Tongli(HT 5), Yinxi(HT 6) and Shenmen (HT 7),were  needled with reinforcing, for nourishing the heart to calm the mind, and accelerate sleep; The brain is an organ of storing spirit, so the  important points for nourishing the brain, Sishencong points and Fengchi point were selected for invigorating the brain and tranquilization, and inducing sleep.

The spleen keeps normal function of transforming and transporting nutrients,  nourishing the heart, and leading to tranquilization ,so sleep improves.

By Tian Jianai