Hemolytic anemia is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system destroys the red blood cells faster than the body can replace them. The result is insufficient hemoglobin to carry oxygen to the cells. The heart responds by working harder to move oxygen to the tissues.
From a TCM perspective, you can see the blood deficiency in the following signs and symptoms: fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, forgetfulness, possible fainting with loss of consciousness, empty feeling headache, cold hands and feet, pale complexion, heart problems including heart failure, and yellowish skin and sclera.
Diet and lifestyle therapy are key points to tonify the blood - have the patient eat a lot of dark leafy greens, legumes, and 2 oz or so of red meat daily. All of these increase the body's ability to oxygenate and create healthier blood. The diet and lifestyle section of the autoimmune write up can give you some ideas.
Acupuncture protocol
Sides are given below, but you can actually use either side.
Left side:
Pc 3, Pc 4, Pc 6 or Xin Ling
Right side:
Point discussion
The pericardium channel points are Pc 3 (he sea), Pc 4 (xi cleft), and Pc 6, which images the chest when you use the forearm as a microsystem. Xin Ling has much the same effect as these points.
Huo Ying, Huo Zhu, and Lv 6 move the blood by regulating the Liver to help with this function.
Xia San Huang helps build up the Spleen so it can produce blood well.
If you are going to also treat with herbs - which I totally recommend, go with Blood tonics! Classic formulas like Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang, Ba Zhen Tang, Si Wu Tang or Tao Hong Si Wu Tang (also helps move blood), and Shi Quan Da Bu Tang are great building blocks for creating custom formulas for your patients.
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