Disease and Condition Overview
Acute gastroenteritis is characterized by acute inflammation of stomach and intestine. Main symptoms include abdominal pain and distention, vomiting, and diarrhea, etc. In some, it can be accompanied by fever. It occurs mostly in summer and fall, because of ingesting improperly prepared food, or indulging in cold foods. In Chinese medicine, it is differentiated into damp cold and damp heat syndromes.

Pair-point Treatment Combinations

(1) Neiguan (PC6), Gongsun (SP4) (Fig 96)
Neiguan (PC6): on the palmer side of the forearm, on the line connecting Daling (PC7) and Quze (PC3), 2 cun supermr to the wrist crease, between the tendons of m. palmaris longus and m. flexor carpi radialis.
Gongsun (SP4): on the medial aspect of the foot, anterior and inferior to the proximal end of the first metatarsal bone.
Neiguan (PC6) whose pathway is surround the chest, and Gongsun (SP4) whose pathway ends in the abdomen, this pair point combination, harmonizes stomach reversing the rising. They work in conjunction to harmonize and regulate intestine, resolve stagnation, facilitate qi and stop pain. Appropriate for treating acute gastroenteritis, accompanied by serious symptoms of abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea.

Needling techniques:
Neiguan (PC6) perpendicular insertion 1 cun.
Gongsun (SP4) perpendicular insertion 1 cun.
Use even needling method.

(2) Tianshu (ST26), Shangjuxu (ST37) (Fig 97)
Tianshu (ST25): in the middle of the abdomen, level with the umbilicus, 2 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Shangjuxu (ST37): on the anteriolateral side of the lower leg, 6 cun inferior to Dubi (ST35), one finger breadth (middle finger) lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia.
Tianshu (ST26) is the front-mu point of large intestine and Shangjuxu (ST37) is lower the he-sea point of large intestine. Both points are located at the superior part of the foot-yangming stomach channel. This pair point combination regulates the functions of large intestine. This treatment is appropriate for all types of acute gastroenteritis.

Needling techniques:
Tianshu (ST26) perpendicular insertion to a depth of 1.5 cun.
Shangjuxu (ST37) perpendicular insertion to a depth of 1.5 cun.

(3) Quze (PC3), Weizhong (BIAO) (Fig 11)
Quze (PC3) is the he-sea point of the hand-jueyin channel and Weizhong (BL40) is the he-sea point of the foot-taiyang channel. This pair point combination, one yin and one yang, one exterior and one interior, strengthens, regulates and harmonize yin and yang. It also invigorates qi and blood. This treatment is appropriate for acute gastroenteritis accompanied by fever.

Needling techniques:
Quze (PC3) perpendicular insertion to a depth of 1 cun.
Weizhong (BL40) perpendicular insertion to a depth of 1.5 cun.
Use dao-qi or the “guiding qi” method.
For those who are suffering from dehydration, prick on Weizhong (BL40) for a few drops of blood.

Commentaries
Acupuncture treatment for acute gastroenteritis has notable results. It relieves symptoms such as abdominal distension, stomach ache, vomiting and diarrhea.
If vomiting is more severe than diarrhea, then select Neiguan (PC6) and Gongsun (SP4). Needle Neiguan (PC6) first and then needle Gongsun (SP4).
If diarrhea is more severe than vomiting, needle Gongsun (SP4) and then needle Neiguan (PC6).
If the main symptom is diarrhea, select the Tianshu (ST26) and Shangjuxu (ST37) pair-point combination.
The acute gastroenteritis patient with vomiting, diarrhea and significant fluid loss may experience little urination and spasm in the lower legs. To relieve dehydration, select Quze (PC3) and prick Weizhong (BL40) for a few drops of blood. Combine with gradual intake of warm water or salt water.