Acupuncture and moxibustion as fundamental therapeutic complements for full recovery of staphylococcal skin infection after a poor 50-day treatment response to antibiotics.

OBJECTIVES: Use of acupuncture and moxibustion as therapeutic complements for staphylococcia. DESIGN: Complementary treatment with acupuncture and moxibustion for staphylococcal-infected skin wounds and a life-threatening clinical condition in a 13-month-old Brazilian child with a genetic syndrome and congenital heart disease initially treated in the traditional fashion with poor response to antibiotics, antifungal agent, and local dressing for a period of 50 days. INTERVENTIONS: Needling acupoints: Bl-58, St-40, St-36, K-7, Sp-6, Lu-9, LI-4, Ren-17, Lu-11, LI-1, St-45, Sp-1, H-9, SI-1, Bl-67, P-9, TB-1, GB-44, Li-1, and K-1. Moxibustion was applied on DU-14. RESULTS: The association of acupuncture and moxibustion resulted in rapid improvement in clinical condition as well as progressive wound cicatrization. Withdrawal of antibiotics and the antifungal agent and dismissal from the hospital occurred within 7 and 11 days, respectively. Full recovery was achieved following 40-day treatment. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture and moxibustion were fundamental complementary tools for staphylococcal wound healing and restoration of health.