Reply To: Acupuncture Bootcamp
Here are the three patterns according to Maciocia (my comments are below):
STOMACH DEFICIENT AND COLD
Clinical manifestations
Discomfort or dull pain in the epigastrium, better
after eating and better with pressure or massage,
no appetite, preference for warm drinks and foods,
vomiting of clear fluid, lack of thirst, cold and weak
limbs, tiredness, pale complexion.
Tongue: Pale and wet.
Pulse: Deep-Weak-Slow, especially on the right
Middle position.
COLD INVADING THE STOMACH
Clinical manifestations
Sudden severe pain in the epigastrium, a feeling of
cold, cold limbs, preference for warmth, vomiting of
clear fluids (which may alleviate the pain), nausea,
feeling worse after swallowing cold fluids, which are
quickly vomited, preference for warm liquids.
Tongue: thick white coating.
Pulse: Deep-Tight-Slow.
Key symptoms: sudden pain in epigastrium,
vomiting, a feeling of cold, Deep-Tight Pulse.
KIDNEY- AND SPLEEN-YANG DEFICIENCY
Clinical manifestations
Lower backache, cold and weak knees, a sensation of
cold in the back, a feeling of cold, weak legs, bright-white complexion, impotence, premature ejaculation,
low sperm count, cold and thin sperm, decreased libido, tiredness, lassitude, abundant clear urination,
scanty clear urination, urination at night, apathy,
oedema of the legs, infertility in women, loose stools.
depression, poor appetite, slight abdominal distension,
a desire to lie down, early-morning diarrhoea, chronic
diarrhoea.
Tongue: Pale and wet.
Pulse: Deep-Weak.
Key symptoms: lower backache, a feeling of cold,
loose stools, Deep-Weak pulse.
My Comments:
These questions are hard. They are really designed to have you sift through the symptoms.
Please note that cold limbs are a symptom of Full or Deficiency Cold in the Stomach. A cold lower back (and cold knees… lower back and knees often hang out together with Kidney things) and a feeling of cold are key symptoms for Spleen and Kidney-Yang Deficiency. The tongue checks out in the question because if there is a Spleen and Kidney-Yang Deficiency, fluids aren’t going to be transformed so the tongue is going to be wet and puffy. The only thing that’s really ‘off’ is the pulse; it’s not your typical deep and weak. Why is it big? Fluid is building up. Why is it wiry? The patient has pain. Also, what should tip you off is the tightness in the Chi position. Tight means cold or pain, but it’s so interesting that it’s in the Kidney position.
Maciocia’s Foundations can be really helpful.