Clinical Observation on Oculomotor Nerve Palsy Treated by Moxibustion

Objective : Moxibustion is one of the primary remedies in traditional oriental medicine. We successfully treated a one patient who complained of oculomotor nerve palsy related to diabetes mellitus with moxibustion. Methods : We performed moxibustion treatment on the protuberances surrounding the Mok-chang acupoint and adjacent frontal scalp of the patient's head at the same time every day and observed the recovery of eye movement and changes of ptosis. Results : After about I week of moxibustion treatment, there were some changes of ptosis and eyeball movement. The patient felt better opening his eyes than before and seemed to reduce his paralytic condition. After 14 days, ptosis was remarkably improved, although slight diplopia remained, and eye movement had recovered to almost normal. Furthermore, his blood glucose was on the decrease and revealed an average 120 mg/dl. Conclusions : Moxibustion treatment performed on the Mok-chang acupoint remarkably improved ptosis and limited eye movement arising from oculomotor nerve palsy related to diabetes mellitus. We hope moxibustion is used for treating nerve palsies and similar diseases in the future.