Non-Healing Wounds: Innovative Insights from Dr Zhong's Patient Case Studies

Non-healing wounds present a significant challenge in healthcare. These wounds resist standard treatments, prolonging patient discomfort and increasing the risk of complications such as infections or amputations.

Eastern Balance Patient with Non-Healing Wounds: Case 1

The below case study is from Dr.Zhong's 2018 patient.

40-year-old Asian woman. She first came into our office June 26, 2018 with a severe non-healing sore caused by Vasculitis.

Her sores were approximately 1 to 3 cm in length, located in her lower left leg right above the ankle, being present for more than 6 months. Her wound was deep and causing her lots of pain as it was expelling pus and an uncomfortable smell. All this was creating a sense of insecurity and restraining her from enjoyable daily activities, such as swimming, wearing shorts.

Her lesions developed for the first time in 2015, while she was traveling abroad. She was evaluated by a Western medical doctor and diagnosed with cellulitis. The patient was treated and the symptoms were resolved. However, in early 2018, similar symptoms recurred. She developed pain, and the wound gave her the sensation of something “crawling inside my skin”. She was given a trial of steroids, which helped with the pain, and Doxycycline for the treatment of the infection. After the biopsy of the wound, she was given Prednisone, which caused her uncomfortable side effects, such as nosebleed, headache, stomach upset, but little relief on the pus drainage. Along with dealing with this wound, our patient has a high stress job and complains of hyperthyroidism. Without any more alternatives, our patient was referred to dr. Bai Song Zhong's expertise and became a patient of Eastern Balance on July 2018. 

When she came into our office, her spirit and energy level was low. She anxiously wanted to find an answered to her situation. Her wound was once again expelling pus, and an uncomfortable smell, which had kept her closest family members away. Her tongue was pale and purple with a thin white coating. Her pulse was wiry and rapid. Based on Dr. Zhong’s assessment, this patient was diagnosed with a Yin and Yang Sore due to Liver Qi stagnation turning into fire. Her fire was burning tissues and leading to pus. All this with and underlying Qi and blood deficiency which was failing to generate fresh tissues.

The treatment method utilized was to sooth her Liver Qi, clear away her heat, expel her pus, and to tonify her Qi and blood and to generate fresh tissues to heal the wound.

The acupuncture points used for her case were, 4 gates, PC-6, Si Shen Chong, Ren-12, St-36, LI-11, Sp-10, and surrounding dragon needles.

Along with the acupuncture treatment, she was given the following herbs Si Ni San, Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin and Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang modified for oral taking, as well as Hua Fu Sheng Ji San (from TCM Surgery modified) for topical use.

This complete acupuncture and herbal treatment she received twice a week, helped her tremendously, and after 3 weeks her wound was completely healed. This change in her life allowed her to enjoy her daily routine once again. She booked a family vacation for the first time in several months, and was able to wear shorts once again. She was no longer preoccupied for the pus or smell while being around other people. After 4 weeks, she was dismissed and became another of our successful stories.