Acupuncture to Avoid Diabetes Amputations

Abstract: Acupuncture helped one diabetic patient avoid amputation of his foot after only 13 treatments.

Before Treatment                        After Treatment

A patient, male, 66 years old, with diabetes for 8 years, using insulin for 3 years, had his left leg amputated surgery in the last year, and his left lower limb is prosthetic. At the beginning of last year, he lost sensation in his left lower extremity, especially the ankle. Then in June, 2011 he had surgery involving amputation below his left knee.

Before coming for treatment, he had started to feel numbness in his right lower extremity, lost sensation in his 2nd to 5th toes, and his 3rd and 4th toes were deep red and purple (see figure). His doctor said that he needed to have his right lower extremity amputated too.  The patient was very depressed because he did not want to lose his other leg too. Hoping to be helped through Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, a friend of his referred him to our clinic.

Examination: the right lower extremity skin color was dark brown, 3rd and 4th toes were purplish, no sensation except the big toe had some slight feeling. He did not feel pain when we punctured with needles, the right foot was very cold, and range of motion was limited. He was treated though Acupuncture, Acupressure and Chinese Medicinal Formulas 1-2 times per week. After a total of 13 treatments, his condition improved remarkably. The patient is very happy because after a thorough examination, his doctor concluded that the amputation was not necessary. The right lower extremity function is normal, and the patient can feel sensation such as cold and heat in his right foot and toes. Finally, the toes’ purplish color is back to normal (see Figures).

Dr. Decheng Chen's Acupuncture office

Add：161 Madison Ave Suite 2N, New York, NY 10016

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