Traditional Chinese Medicine-based Acupuncture and Its Solitary Role in Replenishing Spleen Yin in Facilitating Yoga Rehabilitation in Progressive Bulbar Palsy: A Case Report

Progressive bulbar palsy is a motor neuron disorder characterized by the premature degeneration of motor neurons leading to muscular weakness. A 60-year-old female with complaints of difficulty swallowing even liquids, breathlessness, slurred speech, nasal regurgitation, left eye ptosis, lower limb weakness, gradual weight loss, disturbed sleep, and generalized fatigue for the past 3 years. She was diagnosed with spleen and lung qi deficiency through the pulse and received acupuncture to promote the spleen and lung qi at SP-3, BL-20, BL-21, GB-20, LI-4 bilaterally, and DU-20 about 20 minutes daily for 28 consecutive days. The pulse of the patient showed restitution and the patient reported ease in swallowing semisolid foods, improvement in quantity of food intake, hunger sensation, articulation, and speech phonation. This case emphasizes that the bioelectrical network of acupuncture facilitates neuromuscular functions by replenishing and channeling the energy, reducing the progression of neurodegeneration and improves motor function.