Blood Letting: Shiraku Flashcards
Bloodletting techniques are generally used for treating…
Blood stagnation
other uses: clearing heat
The Su Wen says bloodletting should be done before or after tonification and dispersion?
BEFORE
Both a cause and a result of pathology in the body…
Blood Stasis
T/F: Blood stasis always leads to pathology if left untreated
TRUE
Some long term effects of blood stasis are:
- Poor function of any/all systems of the body
- Emotional or psycho-spiritialy instability, distress
- Pain or lack of sensation in joints, organs, muscles
- Deficiency due to lack of nourishment (Blood and Qi)
Indurations and masses are called…
Kori’s
Kori’s are a sign of what?
Blood stasis or some other form of stasis
When Blood is thicker it flows more slowly, both excess ______ and too much ______ can thicken the blood.
Cold
Heat
The Speed of bleeding tells you about what?
Internal heat vs. cod
slower bleeding indicates…
A more serious problem with stagnation
T/F: Stasis can create a false impression of deficiency
TRUE- once the stasis, “rock” is removed the true flow can be evaluated
Bloodletting is called…
Shiraku and is very moving
Bloodletting is best used when…
you determine that there is a clear problem with chronic or significant stagnation and/or excess heat
Signs of poor blood flow (blood stasis) are…
- fixed, stabbing pain
- dark purple color (skin, face, tongue, nails)
- rough, dark, dull quality to the skin
- moles, birthmarks
- spider veins
- poor or slow response to treatment
- wiry pulse
- CHRONIC psychological and/or emotional upset or distress
- Dark blood when you bloodlet
Skiraku contraindications:
- Hemophilia
- Patients with TB
- end stages of malignant tumor/cancer
- extreme weakness
-pregnancy: no jingwells, no bloodletting with cups, no contraindicated points
MAY bleed small spider veins on legs in some cases
Shiraku precautions
EXTREME caution with HIV, Hepatitis
-patients on blood thinning meds
-cerbral embolism: jingwells only
peripheral neuropathy: torso only
myocardial infarction: jingwells only
Possible side effects of Shiraku
- dizziness, nausea, lightheadedness
- significant fatigue
- hematoma (use moxa after bloodletting)
- sudden elevated body temperature which lasts longer than a few minutes (ok if it quickly passes)
- sudden chilled hands/feet other areas lasting 5-10 minutes after bloodletting
*If patient has cold extremities wait until they are warm to bloodless
Always make sure to…
- monitor patient’s reaction before he/she stands up
- frequently monitor the pulse and temperature and watch for signs of poor reaction in the face
- Have patient sit or stand slowly at the end of treatment
Correcting over treatment..
Moxa on : Hara: CV12, CV6, or 4, ST25
- ST36, GV20, CV14
- Salt moxa, CV8, Belly Bowl
- GV14
2 primary shiraku techniques
- Sairaku
2. Hifu which includes: Ranshi Ho, and Mattan Shiraku
Sairaku Shiraku
Bloodletting of a small, superficial vascular spider vein, cups are often used
Hifu Shiraku: Ranshi Ho
Bloodletting from ares which show signs of blood stasis such as rough skin, changes in pigmentation, etc. , usually combined with cupping
Hifu Shiraku: Mattan Skiraku
Bloodletting drops of extremities- Jingwells, ears, nose, crown of head
Mattan Siraku Indications
EXTREMITIES
- stagnant Blood in the channel
- pathological heat in channel or organ system
- chronic pathology affecting channel or organ system
