Dr. Rong Yu’s Treatment Approach for Parkinson’s Tremor

Patient: 69-year-old female with Parkinson’s disease from UAE

Under Sifrol (Pramipexole) treatment, but with limited effect.

Main complaint: restless hands and legs with noticeable trembling.

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Dr. Yu’s Acupuncture Strategy

TCM Diagnosis

Primary pattern: Liver meridian weakness, leading to internal wind.

Underlying deficiency in yin and blood, leading to hyperactive yang and wind disturbance.

Meridian Focus:

Lung, Pericardium, Liver, and Spleen meridians (Yin meridians).

Liver meridian specifically weak – requiring targeted nourishment.

Point Selection & Techniques:

Location / Method

Details

Scalp Needles

Targeted motor and tremor areas

Body Points

Points along LU, PC, SP, and LR meridians

Water point on LR meridian

Used to nourish Wood (Liver) by supporting with Water, consistent with Five Element theory

Sticky Needles (0.6 mm intradermals)

Placed on neck, upper back, LU and PC channels to sustain parasympathetic regulation post-treatment

Neurological Integration:

Eyeball movement exercise (circular motion) prescribed as homework – supports Liver meridian function via its connection to the eyes (《黄帝内经》: “肝开窍于目”).

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Dr. Yu’s treatment is a strong example of how Traditional Chinese Medicine can be adapted to individual patient patterns—especially when Western medication like Sifrol (Pramipexole) has limited effect.

Many TCM practitioners treating Parkinson’s tremor focus on strengthening the Liver and Kidney, calming internal wind, and nourishing the brain. Commonly used meridians include the Liver, Kidney, Spleen, Heart, and Governing Vessel (Du Mai). Scalp acupuncture is also widely used, targeting the motor and tremor control areas of the brain.

What makes Dr. Yu’s method particularly unique and effective are the following features:

• Precise use of the Water point on the Liver meridian to strengthen the weak Liver energy. This applies the Five Element theory, where Water nourishes Wood (the Liver belongs to the Wood element). This helps calm internal wind at its root.

• Use of scalp acupuncture combined with Yin meridian support (Lung, Pericardium, Spleen, Liver), which helps regulate both movement and the internal organ system.

• Application of sticky (intradermal) needles on the neck, upper back, and Yin meridians. This technique helps prolong the calming and regulating effects even after the session ends.

• Eyeball movement exercise as patient homework: Dr. Yu instructed the patient to do gentle circular eyeball movements at home. This is based on the classical TCM principle that “the Liver opens into the eyes” (肝开窍于目). By moving the eyes, the Liver energy is stimulated and unblocked, which helps stabilize movement and reduce tremor.

  
  

  The patient responded very well—the trembling stopped completely after the session, and she could use the eye exercise at home to manage symptoms between treatments.

Dr. Yu’s combination of internal organ balancing, scalp needling, extended stimulation with sticky needles, and the clever use of eyeball movement to activate the Liver represents a thoughtful, effective, and holistic strategy.