The use of acupuncture for the treatment of insufficient lactation (Que Ru)

American Journal of Acupuncture

Volumn 24, Issue 1, 1996, Pages 35-46

  Clavey, Steven ^a,b  

^a Colorado State University ^*  (Australia)

^b Veterinary Dentistry and Oral Surgery   (United States)

Author keywords

Acupuncture; Chinese medicine; lactation; Liver qi obstruction; low milk syndrome; nursing mothers; Spleen qi deficiency

Indexed keywords

ACUPUNCTURE; ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE; ARTICLE; CHINESE MEDICINE; LACTATION; LACTATION DISORDER;

EID: 0029985199     PISSN: 00913960     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: None     Document Type: Article

References (21)

1. Neifert M: When breast feeding fails. Time Magazine, 1994; August 22, p. 67. Dr. Neifert's findings are not undisputed. In a personal communication. Professor Peter Hartmann at the University of Western Australia, Department of Biochemistry, said that clinic-based researchers tend to overestimate. He suggested that the figure is probably closer to "1-2% in developing countries," and outlined the difficulties in measuring actual milk output. He further disputed the Time Magazine article's statement that "A warning sign [is that] the breasts do not fill significantly during early pregnancy." His department has developed a highly sophisticated system of milk-flow measurement which involves precise weighing of the mother and child before and after feeding which even takes into account such factors as loss of perspiration during hot weather. He pointed out that before criteria, such as infant weight loss, can be used in a study of insufficient lactation. any other cause of weight loss e.g., infant illness must be eliminated.
2. Huangfu Mi (Jin, 282AD): Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing, (The Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion).
3. Shen Ming-Xiu, Cai Lian-Xiang: Zhong Yi Lun Mu Ru Wei Yang (The Chinese Medicine Theory of Breast Feeding). People's Health Press, Beijing, 1988, p. 71, 83.
4. Nursing Mothers Association, Melbourne, Australia, personal communication. The initial response was "Insufficient lactation? There is no such thing!" It turns out, however, that the problem is one of definition due to the difficulty in measuring milk output (see endnote 1 above). Their point was that most apparently insufficient lactation was only temporary breakdown in the feedback mechanisms that control the amount of milk, and that education and patience will rectify the situation, hence "perceived insufficient lactation."
5. Time Magazine, August 22, 1994, p. 67.
6. For a discussion of the relationship between blood, body fluids and breast milk, see Clavey S: Fluid Physiology and Pathology in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Churchill-Livingstone, Melbourne, 1995.
7. Hebei TCM College (eds): Ling Shu Jing Jiao Shi (Annotated Explanation of the Spiritual Pivot Classic). Hebei TCM College, Peoples' Health Press, Beijing, 1982, vol. 1, p. 9.
8. Hebei TCM College (eds): Ling Shu Jing Jiao Shi (Annotated Explanation of the Spiritual Pivot Classic). Peoples Health Press, Beijing, 1982, vol. 2, p. 365.
9. Shen Ming-Xiu, et al: Zhong Yi Lun Mu Ru Wei Yang (The Chinese Medicine Theory of Breast Feeding). Peoples Health Press, Beijing, 1988, p. 83.
10. Sun Si Miao (652AD): Qian Jin Yao Fang (Thousand Ducat Formulas), chapter 29. Peoples' Press, Beijing. 1982, p. 518. The sentences preceding and following this quote are also interesting: "Any moxa should first [be applied to] the yang, and then the yin. This means from the head [one applies it first] to the left and then gradually downward. Next, from the head toward the right, and gradually downward. First above, and then below. Moxa should only be performed after noontime (wu) has passed, because yin qi begins at the time of wei. Done at this time, moxa is always [most] effective. Before noon, in the morning, the gu qi (i.e., that from food) is still deficient, and this will make people dizzy and unable to be needled or receive moxa. Be careful. This, however, is a general indication: in acute conditions it does not apply."
11. Shen Ming-Xiu, Cai Lian-Xiang: Zhong Yi Lun Mu Ru Wei Yang (The Chinese Medicine Theory of Breast Feeding). People's Health Press, Beijing, 1988, p. 85.
12. Ibid. p. 86.
13. Ibid. pp. 87-88.
14. Ibid. p. 90.
15. Ibid. pp. 90-91.
16. Ibid. p. 91.
17. Ibid. p. 92.
18. Li Ji-Min et al: Zhonghua Fu Chan Ke Zazhi (J Chin Obst Gyn), 1959, 1: 8.
19. Zhang Pu, et al: Zhongyi Zazhi (J Trad Chin Med), 1959, 8: 71.
20. Jing Kuan, et al: Shaanxi Zhongyi (Shaanxi J Trad Chin Med), 1990; 11: 517.
21. Jie GZ: Jilin Zhongyi Yao (Jilin J Trad Chin Med & Herbs), 1987; 3: 14.