About the Author
Main Signs and Symptoms
Female patient presented to my clinic with fibromyalgia. Patient had endured symptoms for over a decade and was keen to try herbal medicine to resolve the issue as medical treatment could not provide a solution.
On inspection: muscle aches and pains that moved around the body from day to day. Depressed mood.
Pulse: Wiry in all positions
After 1 week of treatment, the patient notified me that her fibromyalgia pain was completely gone. This is a remarkable result as generally a longer duration of treatment is required to see an improvement.
Diagnosis and Treatment
This is fibromyalgia due to Liver Qi Stagnation; stagnant Liver Qi can result in aches and pains that are not fixed.
My treatment objective was to move the Liver Qi. The standard formula I use for these cases is:
Jia Wei Xiao Yao San (Bupleurum & Peony Formula)
The patient reported that the fibromyalgia pain had completely cleared after 7 days of the herbal formula. She was delighted with the result.
I advised to continue the formula for 3 months to consolidate the case. Additionally, I asked her to take Wen Dan Tang (Bamboo & Hoelen Formula) as her pulse was slippery and in my clinical experience Liver pathology and Phlegm are often seen together. Phlegm, as a substantial substance, can impede the flow of Qi.
The aim here was to prevent a recurrence of this condition.
Note: the dose of this formula needs to be high to achieve a quick clinical effect.