Pediatric Ashi-Point Care: Helping Children Explore Therapeutic Discomfort

Abstract

Background:Ashi-point theory dates back at least 2100 years. Successful Ashi-point treatment can be complex, might necessitate many visits to educate pediatric patients about the therapeutic process, and might involve many treatment modalities. The treatment setting provides an opportunity to perform needleless treatment and to introduce acupuncture. Introduction to acupuncture can, in and of itself, be both diagnostic and therapeutic. Case:Objective: The aim of this case study was to explore the factors that led to a successful Ashi-point treatment in a 7-year-old female and to determine the role that acupuncture played in her diagnosis and treatment. Design and Patient: This retrospective case study was performed to evaluate three treatment sessions in succession; each was 6 weeks apart. The child was treated in a private clinic. Her chief complaint was headache, characterized by superior periorbital eye pain, which alternated sides but occurred predominantly on the right side. Intervention: The treatment for this child's condition involved general holistic management, tui'na, myofascial trigger–point therapy techniques, attempts to introduce acupuncture, and education about her treatment. Results: The patient's headache was relieved by manual techniques applied to relieve the Ashi-point pain that was present, originating in the upper trapezius and rhomboid muscles. Attempts to introduce acupuncture were varied but yielded important clinical data. Conclusions: Manual methods may be sufficient to treat Ashi-points, but acupuncture is known to be effective for this, and the treatment setting enables the opportunity to introduce acupuncture to children. Introduction of acupuncture, even conceptually, may be informative in and of itself, and it can provide valuable insights into a patient's condition.