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Acupuncture for Dupuytren’s Contracture

Acupuncture for Dupuytren’s ContractureAcupuncture: Experience Reports
The case study presented below brings a true account of a positive DC result attributed to acupuncture therapy. It is the documentation of the experience that can sometimes trump clinical reports especially when it comes to a condition that is virtually unknown and therefore unable to be further tested by conventional medicine.

Traditional medicine, especially acupuncture and naturopathic remedies via Classical Chinese Medicine, offer an out-of-the-box approach that targets DC from many different angles.

Addressing where and why stuck energy may be causing the body to weave this fibrous response is how acupuncture best pinpoints DC. It is a combination of organ/qi (chee-life energy) clues combined with correlating meridians and points that are able to address the manifestation as per each individual case. This example offers an in depth look at how acupuncture can reverse DC.

Case Study of Dupuytren’s Contracture (ref. Gancao Chinese Medicine)
39 year old female with left 4th digit permanently flexed 45º at the PIP joint. Surgery is recommended. Patient is physically active however highly stressed with chronic IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) as well as caring for a sick mother.

Questioned Assessment – Weak digestion, fatigue, poor sleep, diarrhea, knee pain and night sweats.

Related – Wiry pulse, Yin deficient tongue cracks, red tip, moderate sublingual venous distention.

Organ Assessment with Treatment – Spleen, Pericardium and Liver qi stagnation; minor Yin deficiency. Nourish Yin and Spleen; move Liver and Pericardium qi.

Point Treatment

  • ST36 to nourish digestion
  • UB20 to nourish Spleen
  • PC6 and SJ5 on left
  • SP6 and GB34 bilateral

Results – Patient able to move, extend and flex 4th digit by fourth week (4 treatments). IBS dissipated after 2 weeks. Diarrhea cured at end of treatment although only returns with dairy intake.

Luke’s Treatment
Luke’s treatment is named after a 72 year old patient that came to an East Coast acupuncturist with severe, immobile DC. Using a formula that consisted of LI4 and LI-11 combined with, stretching, hot water soaks and ultra sound therapy to soften the cord resulted in a cure after 15 treatments (approximately 2x per week for 7 weeks). The same treatment was replicated with comparable success in France in 1983.

Other Remedies for DC
Like any affliction targeted by naturopathic medicine, it is the full spectrum that is taken into account rather than the initial point of affliction. In addition to acupuncture there are several peripheral remedy approaches that can potentially assist healing. Some of these include:

Anti-Inflammatory – Natural anti-inflammatory supplements can help reduce discomfort associated with DC. These include turmeric, bromelain (on an empty stomach) and quercetin.

Tissue Health – MSM. DMSO, Vitamin C and E have been associated with strengthening potentially weak tissue surrounding the afflicted DC area.

Minerals – Copper and zinc may also assist in healing due to their antimicrobial and immune boosting properties.

Homeopathy – The highly diluted mineral lead, named plumbum metallicum, has been a common homeopathic remedy for DC.

Also additions such as PABA (4-Aminobenzoic acid) to soften the skin; Acetyl-L-carnitine for antioxidant activity; Nattokinase, an enzyme that mimics the effects of aspirin; and massage therapy which increases circulation and, especially in the early stages of DC, can soften or even breakup fibrous matrix production.

If you are diagnosed with Dupuytren’s Contracture or are unsure of a recent development on your palm do not let it get any worse. Catching this condition early can make all the difference in the speed of recovery. Through acupuncture, diet, supplements, homeopathy and more, alternative treatments under the guidance of a professional naturopathic doctor can prove highly beneficial in treating DC. At Integrative Med Solutions, we will design an acupuncture and naturopathic treatment program that works for you.  In many cases, insurance covers portions of the acupuncture treatment. Allow us to support you to achieve optimal health.  To make an appointment or find out more about how acupuncture and naturopathic medicine can benefit you, please call our office at 914.337.2980 or click here to schedule an online appointment.

*Please CLICK HERE to see a current list of In-Network Insurance Companies for Acupuncture that we participate with as well as insurance companies that commonly have Out-of-Network benefits. Please call 914.337.2980 or securely email info@intmedsolutions.com to verify your specific benefits. If you are emailing, please include your full name, date of birth and insurance identification card number.