Abstract

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory disease that causes skin redness and pruritus and challenging to cure. However, our understanding of its pathology remains limited. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs have historically been used to treat AD, yet their mechanisms of action are not fully understood. Objective: Elucidate the mechanisms underlying Willow's AD quadruple combo therapy and explore the possible link between inflammation in the depressions below the 1st to 4th thoracic vertebrae (T1-T4 points) and the function of the thymus. Methods: A patient with severe AD was treated with Willow's AD quadruple combo therapy, an integrated regimen combing electroacupuncture (EA), cupping, herbal formula, and dietary modifications. Pricking cupping was performed on the tender points between T1 and T4 after EA. Results: Before treatment, the patient confirmed tender points on the T1-T4 points. After treatment, the tenderness gradually diminished, along with skin pruritus and redness. All symptoms completely disappeared after one and a half months of the combined treatment and with no recurrence. Conclusion: Willow's AD quadruple combo therapy demonstrated significant efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine in alleviating symptoms of severe AD. The mechanism underlying this treatment is discussed. Proposal: AD flair-ups may be linked to inflammation on T1-T4 points, where the spinal nerves extend and connect with the sympathetic nerves, the latter regulating various organs, including the thymus, which plays a key role in the immune system. EA treatment applied on T1-T4 points and both sides of these points may exert its effects by potentially regulating thymus function through the stimulation of sympathetic nerves. Research methods to test this proposal are outlined.