Acupuncture Treatment for the Prolapse of Rectum

Prolapse of the rectum often occur in children, elder, weak constitution and multiparous women. Colitis, dysentery, long-term coughing, constipation, vesical calculus and strenuous physical work are often reason of the disease.

Acupuncture treatment: Baihui (GV20), Changqiang (GV1) Luo-Connecting Point, Dachangshu (BL25), Qihai (CV6), Zusanli (ST36) He-Sea Point, and UB20 were needled. The needles were manipulated with the method of reinforcement, and they may be heated with a moxa cone. The acupuncture treatment was given daily or every other day and the needles retained for 30 minutes. Ten sessions constituted one course with a break interval of 2-3 days between courses. During the acute stage of dysentery or with inflammatory hemorrhoids, Quchi (LI11) He-Sea Point, Yinlingquan (SP9) He-Sea Point were added for reduction method.

Moxibustion therapy: Moxa Shenque (CV8), the ignited moxa may be placed in a moxibustion box. The patient felt a comfortable warmth spreading into the abdomen until a pink-red appeared around the point. The treatment was given once daily for 30-40 minutes. Ten sessions were considered to one treatment course with a break interval of 2-3 days between courses.

Auriculo-acupuncture therapy: Otopoints like Lower Rectum, Subcortex, Shenmen (HT7) Shu-Stream, Yuan-Primary Point and Spleen were selected. The otopoints on both ears were punctured by small needles. Once daily and the needles retained for 30 minutes. Ten sessions constituted one treatment course. This method may be used for early or mild cases of rectal prolapse.

Key Words: Rectal prolapse, acupuncture, moxa, auriculo-acupuncture

Writer：Zhongyin Chen
Institute of Acupuncture, China Academy of Traditional Chinese medicine, Beijing 100700