Acute cholecystitis is a sudden inflammation of the gallbladder that causes severe abdominal pain. This is not a muscle pain, but feels more like a radiating heartburn. Patients will often feel this sensation behind the right shoulder blade.
S/sx to watch for:
Abdominal pain located on the upper right or upper middle of the abdomen. This is the key symptom to know.
Sharp, dull, or cramping pains that can come and go. These might radiate to the mid-back or just below the right shoulder blade. These pains will occur within minutes of eating a meal.
Sensation of abdominal fullness
Clay colored stools
Fever
Nausea and/or vomiting
Jaundice Noticeable on the skin and in the sclera
Suggested Acupuncture Protocol
Can you switch up the sides below? Yes you can. Liver does, however, express itself on the right side most of the time, hence the suggestion of the Liver and Gallbladder points on the right. Bear in mind that Dan Nang Xue is only on the right side of the body.
Left Side
Right Side
Huo Ying, Huo Zhu, Lv 6* *Master Tung's Lv 6 is needled next to the tibia on the Spleen channel rather than on the bone itself. Use your fingernail to palpate and slide the needle right next to the bone.
Dan Nang Xue This is a TCM extra point located 1-2 cun below Gb 34 on the right side only. Palpate for the tender point in this zone and needle that one.
Gb 41, Gb 43 Gb 41 is the shu stream on the channel and Gb 43 is the ying spring (good for Gb inflammation). You can also incorporate Gb 36, the xi cleft, for pain control.
Herbal Formula Suggestions
Bao He Wan This helps to ensure food is digested properly. This formula contains shen qu which is very likely to be produced with a gluten ingredient. You could custom make this without shen qu. Substitute more lai fu zi.
Da Chai Hu Tang Addresses Liver and Gallbladder damp heat issues.
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang or Yen Chen Hao Tang Also used to clear damp heat in the Liver and Gallbladder causing jaundice.
Dissolve (GS), Liver DTX, and/or Cholisma (ES) from Evergreen Herbs.