Earth-Element Deficiency and Glycaemic Improvement Following Integrative Acupuncture, Yoga, and Naturopathy: A Case Report

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder for which traditional systems offer complementary therapeutic approaches. This case report describes glycaemic changes in a 57-year-old man whose elevated blood glucose was detected during a routine health examination. Baseline fasting blood sugar (FBS), postprandial blood sugar (PPBS), and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) were 151 mg/dL, 222 mg/dL, and 8.1%, respectively. Traditional pulse and tongue assessment was interpreted within the Five-Element framework as an Earth-element deficiency involving the Spleen–Stomach functional system. The patient received an integrative intervention comprising acupuncture, gastrohepatic and mud packs, Bhramari Pranayama, and Prithvi Mudra for approximately five months. Following the intervention, FBS decreased to 78 mg/dL, PPBS to 109 mg/dL, and HbA1c to 6.3%. Body weight decreased from 65 to 62 kg. No antidiabetic medication or specific dietary or lifestyle modification was prescribed during this period. These improvements followed a multimodal intervention; however, the single-case design and lack of a control group prevent causal conclusions or attribution to any individual treatment component. Further controlled studies are needed to evaluate these observations.