Acupuncture is an adjunctive treatment for cirrhosis of the liver to relieve symptoms such as pain in the ribs, nausea, fatigue, insomnia, and distension of the epigastrium (abdomen). Acupuncture points such as the middle epigastrium, Tianshu (Heaven’s Pivot), Ashigaru (Foot Sanli), Sanyinjiao (Sanyinjiao), and Yanglingquan (Yanglingquan) are used to treat cirrhosis.
The middle epigastric region belongs to the stomach recruitment point, which is the meeting point of the Taiyin, Yangming, Shaoyang and Ren veins of the hand. Acupuncture on this point can strengthen the spleen and harmonize the stomach (restoring the functions of the spleen and stomach), and relieve nausea and other symptoms. Tianshu belongs to the recruitment point of the large intestine and can regulate the qi of the stomach and intestines.
Foot Sanli is a conjunction point of the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian, and acupuncture on it can effectively treat indigestion and other diseases. Yanglingquan belongs to the foot Shaoyang bile meridian joint point, effective for vomiting, abdominal distension, with the above acupuncture points, can make the patient’s clinical symptoms get some relief.
The acupuncture treatment of the above points should be operated by a professional acupuncturist, and should not be used by oneself, in order to avoid causing damage to the body.