case study - chronic pain in the left eye
A 40-year-old female patient has had constant tingling, sometimes sharp pain in her left eye for several months. Her ophthalmologist diagnosed a severe form of dry eyes, but the prescribed eye drops have not helped. Her eyesight has been getting worse and blurry over the years, but because of the pain, she is unable to wear contact lenses. She visited several ophthalmologists, but her Fundus examination showed no issues.
other symptoms
Allergies - House dust, Pollen, and Food additives (cause hives)
Tend to feel chilly, easily sweat
Pulse - Slow, deep, and thin
Tongue - Wet, swollen, thin white coat
Diagnosis
Qi and Yang deficiency, with Qi, Blood, and fluid retention, circulation issue
The number of visits required until full recovery
8 visits
Treatment
Acupuncture, Heat therapy ( Moxibustion, Infrared Lamp), Massage & CranioSacral adjustment
*Notable points used for the eye relief: BL1, BL2, GB14, ST2, ST3, Taiyang, Yuyao, GB1, GB20, GB12, GB37, and several points in the hands
Recommended Nutrients and Food Sources:
Foods rich in Anthocyanins: Blueberries, Strawberries, Eggplant, Grapes
Foods high in Lutein: Spinach, Carrots, Kale, Komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach), Pumpkin, Egg yolk, Carrot, Peas, Bell peppers, Broccoli, and Winter squash (e.g., butternut squash).
Foods rich in Zeaxanthin: Dark, leafy green vegetables (Spinach, Kale), Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli, Corn, Paprika, Summer Squash, Green Peas
Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids: Seafood, Fish oil
Vitamin A: Liver, Butter, Egg yolk, Vitamin B1: Eel, Pork, Sardines, Vitamin B12: Clams, Oysters, Vitamin C: Strawberries, Acerola, Mandarin oranges, Kiwi, Guava, Vitamin D: Mackerel, Sardines, Bonito, Salmon
Eye ball exercise to release the eye muscles
Look up, down, left, right, with both eyes crossed together, and circle (R & L)—3 sets per day.
Close the eyes tightly (2 seconds) and open them maximally—5 daily sets.
Winking one by one—3 sets per day.
Self-massage & body care
Press the acupuncture points on the face gently with the middle & index fingers.
Put the warm steamed towel on the eye area to induce circulation.
While working with a computer, take a short break every 1-2 hours and do shoulder and neck rolling exercises.
Patient Testimonial
“For about half a year, my left eye felt tingly and painful. I visited several ophthalmologists, but they either told me there was no particular problem or advised me to use eye drops regularly because of my severe dry eyes. However, even with the eye drops, there was no improvement. Frustrated, I started searching for alternative treatments and came across Dr. Nishimura.
At first, I was nervous about acupuncture for the eyes. Still, she explained that although the issue was with my eyes, blockages in the body's overall energy flow could cause problems in specific areas. Her explanation reassured me, and I decided to give it a try.
When I started treatment, I felt great right after each acupuncture session. However, a few days later, the pain would return several times, possibly due to weather changes or as a reaction to the treatment. Over time, though, the intensity and frequency of the pain decreased, like a large wave gradually turning into smaller and smaller ripples. After about the third session, I felt a deep, thick moisture in my eyes, almost like a protective layer had formed. Now, more than two months later, the pain is completely gone!
As the clinic’s name suggests, this style of acupuncture is gentle. Unlike Chinese acupuncture, where even slight movement can be painful, I found that I could move a little or even talk during treatment without discomfort. This allowed me to ask questions and share my sensations and concerns during each session. Despite its gentleness, the effects were powerful. I was particularly moved when, after the needles were inserted, I could feel something shifting inside my body.
One surprising effect was that I almost always needed to pee or pass gas after treatment, likely due to the detoxifying effect. My body felt warm and relaxed, as if I had soaked in a hot spring and could sleep deeply every night. Additionally, since the acupuncture targeted my whole body, including my face, after about two months, my colleagues even commented that my skin looked clearer.
Another interesting aspect was how my acupuncture points changed depending on my lifestyle choices. Each session, Dr. Nishimura would press on different points, and I would notice varying levels of discomfort. For example, after indulging in sweets like ice cream one week, my stomach felt hard when Dr. Nishimura pressed on it. Another time, when I had consumed some alcohol, the points near my knees were tender—she explained that this was due to my liver not functioning properly. This experience helped me understand how my diet directly impacted my body.
Although I initially sought acupuncture to treat my eye pain, I soon developed numbness in my arms at night, likely caused by years of neck and shoulder tension. I also began experiencing pain at the base of my index finger. I consulted Dr. Nishimura, and she treated these issues as well. I was worried something serious might be wrong, but now the numbness is completely gone!
This entire experience was an eye-opener—not only about the power of acupuncture but also about the importance of my diet and lifestyle. Moving forward, I will be mindful of the eye exercises and dietary advice I received to prevent these symptoms from returning. Thank you so much!”
- J.A
患者様のご感想
「半年程、左目がチクチク痛むときがあり、眼科を数カ所か受診したところ、特に問題なし、または重度のドライアイだから目薬を定期的にさすようにとの指示のみで、目薬をさしていても一向に改善しませんでした。そこで別の治療方法を調べていたら、西村先生に辿り着きました。
最初は眼の鍼治療？？と、ドキドキでしたが、「全身の流れに滞りがあると、眼も含めて身体の一部に不調がでてくる」との説明を頂き、治療を開始しました。当初、鍼治療の直後は大変快調なのですが、その数日後に好転反応なのか揺り戻しなのか何度かまた痛みが出ることがありました。でも大波から小波になるように痛みの強さも頻度も少なくなっていき、3回目位から治療後は眼にもう一枚膜ができたかの様にトロっとした潤いを実感し始め、2か月以上過ぎた今、痛みがゼロになりました！
「Gentle Acupucnture」と名前通り、先生の鍼は中国鍼と違って、治療中に身体をちょっと動かしても話しても痛くない（中国鍼は少しでも動くと痛かった記憶があります）のにも驚きました。お陰で治療中疑問に思ったことやその時に起きている身体の感覚等もその場で質問したり、伝えられたのは大変よかったです。
Gentleだけど、効果は抜群で、ある時は鍼をさしてちょっと経ったら、体内でドクドクと何か動き始めたのを感じた時は感動しました。しかも鍼が終わったら、デトックス効果なのかおしっことおならが毎回のように出て、温泉に入ったみたいに身体はぽかぽか、リラックスしているので夜は毎回ぐっすり快眠でした。症状に合わせて鍼を打っていても、顔を含め全身に鍼を打つ為か、2か月位したら、同僚に肌がきれいになったと言われる嬉しい効果もありました。
また、鍼治療前の身体のつぼ押しで触診する際に、毎回痛むポイントが違うのも自分の身体について大変勉強になりました。（ある週は、アイスクリームなど甘いものを食べていたので押されたときにお腹周辺が固くなっている、お酒をいっぱい飲んだ際には膝横の鍼が痛かったので、先生に理由を聞いたら肝臓の動きが悪くなっているとの事でした）。
眼の治療で鍼を始めましたが、途中で長年溜まっていた首と肩のコリから、腕が痺れて夜中に起きる、手の人差し指の付け根が痛むということが発生し、先生に相談したらそちらも併せて治療して頂きました。何か病気では、、、と不安になっていたのが嘘の様に今は痺れは一切なくなりました！ 改めて鍼治療のすごさと食生活や生活習慣を見直す大変よい機会になりました。今後同じ症状が出ないように、教えて頂いた目の運動や食事に気を付けていきたいと思います。本当にありがとうございました。」
- J.A
