Toothacheis a symptom of various diseases of the teeth and periodontal structures.
Applications of hand therapy:
Massage therapy:
Location: Toothache point, common cold point, Shangyang (LI 1), Hegu (LI 4), Erjian (LI 2), Sanjian (L1 3), Yangxi (LI 5), Houxi (SI 3), Shanghegu (EX point), and kidney area.
Method of manipulation: Pinching, digit-pressing and kneading maneuvers applied at toothache point, common cold point, Hegu (L1 4), Shangyang (LI 1), Erjian (LI 2), Sanjian (LI 3), Yangxi (LI 5), Houxi (SI 3) and Shanghegu (EX point) acupoints. A toothpick may be used to stimulate kidney point to reduce the pain in patients with an acute toothache attack.
Acupuncture therapy:
At regular and extra acupoints:
Location: Shangyang (LI 1) and Hegu (LI 4) acupoints.
Method of manipulation: Bleeding therapy is applied at Shangyang (LI 1); and the needle is inserted at Hegu (LI 4) for application of strong needling stimulation and retained for 30 minutes.
At reflective point:
Location: Toothache point.
Method of manipulation: The needle is inserted for 1 cm and retained for five minutes after strong stimulation.
Hand bath:
Recipe: Baizhi (Chinese Angelica) 15 g, Bibo (Fructus Piperis Longi) 20 g, Gaoliangjiang (Rhizoma Alliniae Officinarum) 20 g, Yanhusuo (Rhizoma Corydalis) 20 g, and Mike (Fructus Papaveris) 20 g.
Function: To warm meridians and stop pain.
Method of manipulation: A hot decoction is used to steam and wash both hands for 20-30 minutes, two to three times a day.