Edema and Swelling -- What Can Be Done?

By John Amaro, LAc, Dipl. Ac. (NCCAOM), FIAMA, DC

Besides pain and fatigue, I think the condition I see most often, which is generally not looked upon as a condition but as a symptom of a much larger medical entity, is probably edema.

Edema in and of itself can sometimes be more of a problem for a patient than the condition which has created it.

Even though most edema is generally seen in the lower extremities, it also affects every area of the body.

Prescription diuretics are effective, as are Vitamin C and several other natural occurring substances, but personally I find nothing quite as effective as acupuncture in the vast majority of these cases.

Obviously, there are going to be cases where more heroic measures need to be taken, but in the lion's share of the cases that we see in a typical chiropractic setting, the follow points are perhaps one of the most memorable formulas for this common problem.

KI 16 ... .05 inch bilateral to navel (CV 8)
KI 27 ... in small depression just below lower border of clavicle 2 inches bilateral to CV
KI 2 ... (see diagram)
KI 3 ... midway between the medial malleolus and the tendocalcaneus
KI 6 ... one thumb-width below the medical malleolus
*CV 9 ... one thumb-width above the navel (CV 9) *this point is very important
SP 9 ... in the depression of the lower border of the medical condyle of the tibia
SP 6 ... four fingers breadth above the medial malleolus on the midline
GB 25 ... tip of the 12th rib
BL 23 ... 1.5 inch lateral to the lower border of spinous of second lumbar vertebra

Try stimulating these points with a quartz-piezo stimulator or HeNe laser for greatest effect. Acupressure does not even receive honorable mention.

Incidentally, I saw a patient lose 18 lbs. of water weight in seven days with this formula. Let me know of your successes.

John A. Amaro, DC, FIACA, Dipl.Ac.
Carefree, Arizona

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