Convergent Points: An East-West Case Report Journal

Seasonal Hyperacute Panuveitis (SHAPU) With Adjunctive Acupuncture and Moxibustion: A Case Report

2026-01-14T17:11:43-06:00

Seasonal hyperacute panuveitis (SHAPU) is a rare, fulminant ocular inflammatory condition endemic to Nepal. Severe cases often result in rapid retinal destruction or blindness, even with vitrectomy and antimicrobial therapy.

This report presents the first documented use of acupuncture and warming-needle moxibustion as adjunctive therapy in acute SHAPU management. An 8-year-old female with late-stage SHAPU of the right eye underwent diagnostic B-scan, which revealed dense intraocular exudate and early retinal instability. Despite urgent pars plana vitrectomy, significant edema and persistent exudates remained, and vision was limited to light perception.

The patient subsequently received five acupuncture sessions over four days (October 8–11, 2025), targeting periocular points—UB1 (Jingming), Taiyang, ST1 (Chengqi), and UB2 (Zanzhu)—with warming-needle moxibustion. After the initial treatment, lid edema decreased, the eye opened spontaneously, and visual acuity improved from light perception to finger movement recognition; she was later able to count fingers.

A repeat B-scan on October 12 confirmed near-complete clearance of vitreous exudates and a fully attached retina. However, a B-scan performed approximately 44 hours after treatment cessation revealed new retinal detachment with recurrent vitreous hyperreflective material. This case suggests that adjunctive acupuncture and warming moxibustion may facilitate rapid exudate clearance and symptomatic improvement in severe SHAPU.

Acupuncture with Bleeding Techniques and Autogenic Breathing for Sickle Cell Pain Crisis: A Case Report

2025-03-19T10:33:28-05:00

Pain crises in sickle cell anemia (SCA) are often managed with opioids, which can cause adverse effects and reduced function. This report describes a patient with SCA who experienced frequent vaso-occlusive pain crises requiring ongoing analgesic therapies. The patient completed a short outpatient course of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to improve circulation and relieve pain. The patient reported less pain, more daily functioning, and used fewer opioids during treatment. No adverse effects occurred. Treatment sessions were few (four), and follow-up was short. This case shows acupuncture and TCM may be feasible additional therapies for pain in SCA and supports further study of this combined approach.

Childhood Gratification Syndrome Managed with Acupuncture: A Case Report

2026-02-01T00:42:52-06:00

Background: Childhood gratification syndrome (CGS), also referred to as infantile gratification or infantile masturbation, is a benign but frequently misdiagnosed behavioural phenomenon in infancy and early childhood. Episodes commonly mimic epileptic seizures or movement disorders, giving rise to unnecessary investigations. While most cases are managed conservatively with reassurance and behavioural guidance, severe presentations with marked nocturnal dysregulation and multi-domain disturbance cause significant challenges for families, and evidence-based treatment options remain limited.

Case presentation: A 13-month-old female presented with a three-month history of escalating gratification behaviour, occurring up to five times per hour when awake, accompanied by nightly episodes of prolonged screaming. The patient had significant early psychosocial stress due to family separation and exposure to war-related trauma. Comprehensive medical evaluation, including electroencephalogram (EEG) and imaging, excluded epilepsy and structural abnormalities. A diagnosis of CGS was established.

Intervention: The patient underwent 24 sessions of age-appropriate acupuncture. Phase 1 targeted the Ren channel with gentle, non-retained needling and press-needle stimulation. Phase 2 consolidated Ren treatment and incorporated the other eight extraordinary and primary acupuncture channels to manage emerging symptoms. Phase 3 focused on the Lung, Large Intestine, and Stomach luo (superficial connecting) channel involvement using light bleeding, gua sha, and minimal retention needling, with continued Ren channel support. The intervention was guided by a traditional East Asian medicine (TEAM) framework, emphasizing early channel development, resolution of accumulated emotional pathology, and shen regulation.

Outcomes: Gratification behaviour was reduced to brief, pre-sleep self-soothing episodes. Nighttime screaming decreased in both duration and intensity. Self-induced vomiting, gagging, biting, and head banging improved following luo vessel treatment. Sleep, appetite, and overall daily regulation showed marked improvement. No adverse effects were observed.

Summary: This case demonstrates the potential of utilizing extraordinary and luo vessel techniques as an adjunct to conservative management in complex, trauma-associated CGS. These findings afford a springboard for future research into TEAM-guided interventions for early regulatory disorders.

A Case Report on Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Treatment of Morton's Neuroma

2025-07-29T14:59:04-05:00

Morton's neuroma is a common cause of neurological foot pain and reduced range of motion, significantly impairing function. Few effective, non-invasive biomedical treatments are available. In this case, the patient's traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) presentation aligned with heat Bi (painful obstruction) syndrome. A layered treatment approach was implemented, incorporating far-infrared (FIR) laser, acupuncture with electrical stimulation, and gua sha. This sequential strategy effectively addressed both severe pain and broader functional limitations, extending benefits beyond pain reduction. These outcomes suggest that further evaluation of rigorous, standardized TCM protocols for Morton's neuroma is warranted.