Electroacupuncture with combined Chinese herbal, Qidong Huoluo granule for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A 9-month Case Report

Abstract

Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an adult onset neurodegenerative disorder that has no curative treatment and is usually fatal. Modern medicine treatment is mostly supportive. Acupuncture has much more to offer by way of symptomatic relief and improving quality of life (QoL). Useful points for the treatment of bulbar paralysis, paralysis of upper and lower extremities.

Case: A 68-year-old woman had weakness in her right arm and both legs for 26 months. She also had muscle cramps and clumsiness in affected limbs, which rapidly progressed in the 6 months prior to presentation. She was diagnosed with ALS, given 50 mg of oral riluzole and Qidong Huoluo granule, Chinese herbal compound twice a day. She sought acupuncture and was treated for more than 8 months of twice each week.

Results: After acupuncture, this patient’s symptomatic relief was improved greatly that she became free from disabling symptoms. This treatment combined Chinese herbal medicine, Qidong Huoluo granule, produced persistent of robust clinical improvement after treatment in terms of speaking, sensation, ambulation, and breathing.

Conclusions: The study on the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis by electroacupuncture combined with Qidonghuoluo granules showed that this method has a certain delay effect on the development of the disease. Electroacupuncture may protect the bulbar paralysis by improving the blood supply of medulla oblongata. Qidong Huoluo granules regulate and replenish the whole body by invigorating qi and nourishing Yin and activating blood, thus protecting the nerve function of the whole body. This case is an individual case, and it is necessary to further increase the number of cases and randomized control group to determine the efficacy.