Neural Disorders

 In Chinese medicine the function of the nervous system, including the brain and spine, is most closely related to the Liver and Gallbladder organ systems. Disorders affecting the nervous system manifest in many forms but most have a single unifying quality - abnormalities in voluntary movement; this may present in the form of tremors, spasms, weakness, rigidity, seizure, or paralysis. Of course, pain and numbness are also key features of neural disorders. All of these symptoms are categorized as wind-type disease progressions.

Chronic degenerative neural disorders such as ALS, MS, Parkinson’s Disease, and others primarily feature progressive weakness and loss of motor function over time. These disorders, though they have various pathomechanisms from a physical perspective, are often treated as deficiency patterns and require rigorous tonification methods over time to slow or stop the disease progression. Chinese medicine is best used in conjunction with pharmaceuticals in most cases to get optimal results.

Scalp acupuncture is often a key feature of treatment for neural disorders stemming from improper brain function including neuroreceptor / neurotransmitter imbalances or disorders stemming from traumatic brain injury. Stimulating the scalp has been clinically proven to stimulate the corresponding regions of the brain and may alter electrical activity.

Epilepsy and other seizure disorders generally involve stagnation and heat build up in the liver which periodically releases, causing a surge of electrical activity in the spine and brain; this is called acute liver yang rising and it is most often treated by strongly regulating the liver.

Ultimately, the successful treatment and resolution of chronic neural disorders involves the following:

Practicing dietary modifications

Utilizing herbal therapy

Receiving regular acupuncture and/or diligently practicing an exercise or set of exercises which accomplishes a similar goal.