This paper introduces

FU Wenbin

's clinical experience in treatment of post-stroke depression with holistic therapy of acupuncture and moxibusiton for

Shugan Tiaoshen

(soothing the liver and regulating the mind). In pathogenesis

post-stroke depression is associated with the loss of the mind control and the failure of the liver in maintaining the free flow of

qi

. In treating principle

soothing the liver

qi

and regulating the mind are equally important

and the holistic regulation is applicable with the combination of multiple therapies. During treatment

the four-gate points are stimulated at first to promote liver

qi

flowing

the acupoints of the conception vessel and the governor vessel (e.g. Zhongwan [CV12

]

Guanyuan [CV4

]

Baihui [GV20

]

Yintang [GV24

+

]

) are combined to regulate the mind and regain the consciousness. The conditions of illness are differentiated in terms of excess and deficiency

and the point prescription is modified accordingly. Refined moxibustion is applied specially at Fengchi (GB20)

Fengfu (GV16) and Wangu (GB12) to warm meridians

strengthen

yang

and nourish the mind. In the last step of treatment

shallow needling techniques

such as the pricking and bloodletting

intradermal needling and auricular acupuncture

are used to consolidate the curative effect.