Mumps

Etiology and Pathogenesis Mumps is mainly due to invasion of the epidemicpathogen which enters the body via the mouth and nose. Together with phlegm fireit obstructs the collaterals of Shaoyang Meridians, causing abnormal circulationof qi and blood and bringing on pain and swelling in the parotid region, probably associated with chills and fever.

Main manifestations: At the onset there are chills and fever, redness, pain and swelling in unilateral or bilateral parotid regions, and dysmasesia. When the pathogenic heat is intense, the redness, pain and swelling in the parotid region are more marked, and there are pain and swelling of the testis, high fever with irritability, dryness of the mouth and constipation, dark urine, yellow tongue coating, and superficial and rapid pulse.

Analysis: Since the disease is caused by exogenous attack of the epidemic pathogenic heat, there is the exterior syndrome of chills and fever at the beginning. Agglomeration of the pathogenic heat in the Shaoyang collaterals results in the redness, pain and swelling in the parotid region, and dysmasesia. If the pathogenic heat is intense, it will consume the fluid of the Yangming collaterals, resulting in dryness of the mouth, constipation, dark urine, etc. The Shaoyang Meridians are interiorly - exteriorly related with the Jueyin Meridians and the Foot Jueyin Meridian winds around the genital organs, so when the pathogenic factor is transmitted internally to the Jueyin Meridian, there are redness, swelling and pain of the testis. Yellow tongue coating and superficial rapid pulse are signs of invasion of pathogenic heat.

Method: Points of Shaoyang and Yangming Meridians are mainly recommended. The superficial puncturing with reducing method is adopted to expel wind and heat and remove the agglomeration.

Prescription:

[ST6 - TH17 - TH5 - LI11 - LI4]

Supplementary points:

Chills and fever: Lieque (LU7).
High fever: DU14, twelve jing- well points (LU11, LI1, MH9, TH1, HT9, SI1).
Swelling and pain of testis: LR3, LR8.

Analysis: Mumps is located in the area pertaining to Shaoyang Meridians. TH17, the meeting point of Hand and Foot Shaoyang Meridians, is used to resolve the local stagnation of qi and blood. Since the Hand Yangming Meridian travels up to the face, ST6, LI11 and LI4 are applied to eliminate the pathogenic heat. TH5, the meeting point of Hand Shaoyang Meridian and Yangwei Meridian, is employed in combination with the points from Yangming Meridian, to expel the wind, dissipate the agglomeration, and clear away the pathogenic heat. LU7 is combined to disperse wind and alleviate the exterior symptoms for those suffering from chills and fever. DU14 and twelve jing- well points are used to bring down the high fever. LR3 and LR8 regain the normal circulation of qi in Foot Jueyin Meridian for those with the pain and swelling of testis.  

starts with swelling around the mandible angle
P/T – expel Wind/Heat, dissolve hardness
Acupuncture – hand Shaoyang, foot Yangming, TH 17, ST 6, TH 5, LI 4
• Heat- DU 14, LI 11, LU 11, LI 1)

high fever, swelling is significant
P/T – clear Heat, detox, soften hardness
Acupuncture – DU 14, LI 11, TH 3, LI 4, TH 17, ST 6, GB 41
• headache- ST 8, taiyang
• sore throat- Lu 11 & LI 1 (bleed)

possible convulsions
Acupuncture – DU 26, Jing-well (bleed), MH 8, 9, KI 1

P/T – purge Liver Gallbladder Heat, promote blood circulation
Acupuncture – foot Jueyin & Shaoyang, LR1, GB41 & LR8 (jueyin Heat), ST29, ST30
• fever- LI11, DU14, MH9

•  auricular- face, cheek, subcortex, apex, bleed painful points
• Deng Xin Cao- direct moxa technique on TH20

a) Mumps is also called epidemic parotitis. Acupuncture and moxibustion provides satisfactory effect.

b) Moxibustion with Medulla Junci. Point: TH20 Method: Two pieces of rush pith soaked with vegetable oil are ignited and aimed at TH20. Remove them quickly as soon as there is a sound of burning of the skin. Usually the swelling will subside after one treatment. The treatment can be repeated the next day if the swelling is not completely gone.