Brief Introduction of the Application of Theory of Thoroughfare and Conception Vessels in Treating Female Acne

Dr. Mo Xiaofeng believes that clinically, acne during or before the period is closely related to thoroughfare and conception vessels. If the thoroughfare vessel is exuberant and the conception vessel is smooth, the complexion can be lustrous. Disharmony of thoroughfare and conception vessels affects meridians, disharmony of zang-fu organs forms pathogens and toxins, which coagulated and become acne. Furthermore, the ccurrence of female acne corresponds with the changing of qi-blood, the thoroughfare and conception vessels and Yin-Yang conversion.

Therefore, Dr. Mo diagnoses and treats female acne by regulating thoroughfare and conception vessels with both acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Therapeutic principle is to sooth liver and tonify kidney before the period; move Qi and promote blood circulation during the period, and nourish Yin and blood after the period; and tonify kidney and warm yang during the inter-menstrual period. Facial local encircling needling is applied in acupuncture therapy. “Insert the needle shallowly if the pathogen locates at the surface, while insert deeper if the pathogen is in a deep place.” Moreover, Hegu (LI 4) and Quchi (LI 11) are selected for clearing heat of the Yangming Channel. On this basis, Chai Hu, Si Gua Luo, Lv E Mei and Erxian Tang are used before the period, with needling at Yanglingquan (GB 34), Zhigou (TE 6) and Shenshu (BL 23) for soothing liver and tonifying kidney; Dang Gui, Chuan Xiong, Xiang Fu, Yi Mu Cao and other medicinals for moving qi and promoting blood circulation are used during the period, and avoid needling abdominal acupoints; Er zhi Wan, He Shou Wu, Huang Jing, Shu Di Huang, etc. are used after the period, with needling at Taixi (KI 3), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Xuehai (SP 10) and Taichong (LR 3) for nourishing yin and blood; San Leng, E Zhu, Mu Xiang, Xu Duan, etc. are used during the inter-menstrual period, combined with needling at Shenshu (BL 23), Taixi (KI 3), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Xuehai (SP 10) to regulate both yin and yang. The efficacy is good.