Vitiligo is characterized by loss of pigment (melanin) in the skin, leading
to bleached white spots, which may spread over a large part of the body.
Auto-immunity is suspected as the cause of this condition. Western medicine
prescribes some form of immunosuppressive therapy, such as topical steroids, but
readily admits that it doesn’t work, and considers that there is no cure.
The goal of treating vitiligo is to restore the function of the skin and to improve the patient's appearance. Therapy for vitiligo takes a long time--it usually must be continued for 6 to 18 months. The choice of therapy depends on the number of white patches and how widespread they are and on the patient's preference for treatment. Each patient responds differently to therapy, and a particular treatment may not work for everyone. Current treatment options for vitiligo include medical, surgical, and adjunctive therapies (therapies that can be used along with surgical or medical treatments).
In Chinese medicine, we treat the whole person, not just one particular health problem. We see the body as a whole and everything affecting it including physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, environmental and familiar influences. While vitiligo has been noted to appear without symptom, when we delve deeper, it is rarely experienced by itself. Therefore, we look for the pattern in the body that this related too. Each pattern is dealt with differently, which is why it is very important to know about all other symptoms present. Here are the underlying patterns which one may see in this problem.
In order to treat the above problem, the pattern must first be identified. Once the pattern is identified, Chinese food therapy, acupuncture and herbs can be taken to restore balance in the body. When balance occurs, problems minimize and/or go away. If you have never done acupuncture, please give it a try. Giving it a try does not mean going one time. Acupuncture works best when it is done more frequently, at least in the beginning of treatment. Anywhere from 5-20 sessions may be needed for balance in the body.
The goal of treating vitiligo is to restore the function of the skin and to improve the patient's appearance. Therapy for vitiligo takes a long time--it usually must be continued for 6 to 18 months. The choice of therapy depends on the number of white patches and how widespread they are and on the patient's preference for treatment. Each patient responds differently to therapy, and a particular treatment may not work for everyone. Current treatment options for vitiligo include medical, surgical, and adjunctive therapies (therapies that can be used along with surgical or medical treatments).
In Chinese medicine, we treat the whole person, not just one particular health problem. We see the body as a whole and everything affecting it including physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, environmental and familiar influences. While vitiligo has been noted to appear without symptom, when we delve deeper, it is rarely experienced by itself. Therefore, we look for the pattern in the body that this related too. Each pattern is dealt with differently, which is why it is very important to know about all other symptoms present. Here are the underlying patterns which one may see in this problem.
In order to treat the above problem, the pattern must first be identified. Once the pattern is identified, Chinese food therapy, acupuncture and herbs can be taken to restore balance in the body. When balance occurs, problems minimize and/or go away. If you have never done acupuncture, please give it a try. Giving it a try does not mean going one time. Acupuncture works best when it is done more frequently, at least in the beginning of treatment. Anywhere from 5-20 sessions may be needed for balance in the body.
