Patient 26: Treatment: Water

Patient:  Female, age 70

Element:  Water

Number of years coming for treatment:  First treatment with me, referral from another practitioner

Number of prior treatments with previous practitioner: 2 months’ treatment on Outer Fire. 

Main problem today:   Suffering from severe coordination problems, which her doctor thinks may be the onset of Parkinsons.  I could not see signs of Fire in her, and diagnosed her as Water as a result of the nervousness she showed when she met me for the first time.  There was real fear in her eyes.  I also heard her voice as being groaning, and her colour was a darkish blue.

Treatment given:  

1        Changed treatment to treatment on Water.   Tapped AE, none.

2        Because she had had a lot of previous treatment, I though it would be alright to do some quite heavy treatment, something I would not have done if she was coming for her first treatment.  The elements need to be approached carefully when we first offer them treatment, to ensure that they can cope with the change treatment brings about.  So we should treat gently at first, and where necessary add stronger treatment when the patient’s energy can cope with this (in other words, when the elements have been strengthened sufficiently).  I therefore chose the following:  GV 14 (Great Hammer), followed by the AEPs of Water (with 7 moxas – her BP is normal).  I would not have selected GV 14 or AEPs if this was patient's first treatment.

3        Bl 64, Ki 3

At the end of treatment:   Her colour had improved a little, and she looked very peaceful.  I suggested she rest a little, and she enjoyed just lying on the couch for 10 minutes.

Time of next treatment:  She will return to her original practitioner, who was observing this treatment with me.  She needs weekly treatment for some time now. 

Proposals for next treatment:   Work on Governor Vessel as well as work on the Water officials.  GV 12 and GV 4 would be good.  Watch for entry/exit blocks which are likely to occur with the change of element, as renewed energy flows through the meridians.

Final note:  Patient’s practitioner told me a week later that the patient’s swollen ankles were now much less swollen, and she was experiencing less pain from one of her knees.  She also seemed what he called "better generally", with some improved coordination.