Paralysis

Paralysis

Palsy

Paralysis is a loss of function of a part or the whole body, sometimes with a loss of sensation. It may be a single part such as the hand or tongue, or of half of the body 9such as the left, right or lower body), or of the whole body.
Several types were recognised:

• Palsy–Paralysis
• Dead Palsy–Paralysis with loss of sensation
• Shaking Palsy–Parkinsonism

Other types of Paralysis recognised today include:

• Hemiplegia–Paralysis of one side of the body
• Paraplegia–Paralysis that usually affects the legs, sometimes the lower body or arms
• Quadriplegia–Paralysis that affects all the lmibs, often from damage to the spinal cord
• Facial Paralysis–loss of movement of one or both sides of the face
• Bell’s Palsy–weakness or Paralysis of one side of the face

Paralysis can come from Disease, Injury or Poison. Brunschwig (1561) gave a number of causes which we have added a TCM equivalent diganosis:

1. Anger: Liver Heat–clear Liver Heat
2. Cold: Wind-Cold-Damp–avoid Cold foods, use warming medicines internally and externally
3. Excess Eating and Drinking: Phlegm and Damp obstruction–Fasting, Purging
4. Excess Blood which overwhelms the Heart: Liver Heat causing Wind–Bleeding is indicated
5. Excess Sex: Kidney Deficiency–abstinence, Kidney tonics
6. Unresolved Trauma: Blood Stagnation, or damage to a Nerve–Nourish Yin

Other causes include excess Joy or Fear, excess Labor or Rest, or an excess of any of the Humors.
Brunschwig then gives this interesting note:
‘Sometimes is the cause, that the two Strings, coming down from the Brain through the backbone to the feet: through the one goes the Natural Heat [Yang], and through the other the Cold [Yin], that the same Strings are stopped, either the one or both. Wherefore, in whatsoever member is stopped this String, that the Natural Spirit [Qi] can not come into the same, its wastes lame’.
This clearly indicates Yin and Yang channels and the flow of Qi to each part.
As it is generally classed as a Wind disease, it is treated with medicines that settle Wind in combination with medicines appropriated to the individual.
In addition to Medicine, internal and external, Cupping, Massage, Bloodletting, Acupuncture, Moxa, Baths etc. can be very useful. Bloodletting  can be effective but is only indicated when there is excess Blood. However, if there is veins in the location, small amounts of blood can be taken. Pricking points to extract a drop or 2 can be used more liberally as long as the body is not cold or edematous. When Bloodletting is used, it is often performed on the opposite side to the Paralysis.

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Special Formula:

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See also

Treatment of Paralysis (Praxis Medicinae Theorica et Empirica)