The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Opisthotonos can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like opisthotonos here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here opisthotonos is often associated with high fever, fainting and convulsions in the pattern “Heat victorious stirring Wind”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of opisthotonos we’ve identified that a herbal formula called Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang can help treat the patterns behind the symptom.
Heat victorious stirring Wind, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause opisthotonos
In Chinese Medicine opisthotonos is a symptom for the pattern "Heat victorious stirring Wind". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
Saiga Antelope's Horns (Ling Yang Jiao) is the king ingredient for Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang, a formula used for Heat victorious stirring Wind
Heat victorious stirring Wind
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)
In addition to opisthotonos, other symptoms associated with Heat victorious stirring Wind include high fever, fainting and convulsions.
Heat victorious stirring Wind is often treated with Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Saiga Antelope's Horns - Ling Yang Jiao - as a key herb). Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that pacify and extinguish internal wind", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Cools the Liver".
A herbal formula that might help with opisthotonos
Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang
Source date: Qing dynasty
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Cools the Liver. Extinguishes Wind. Increases Fluids. Relaxes the sinews.
Why might Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang help with opisthotonos?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat victorious stirring Wind' of which opisthotonos is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Heat Victorious Stirring Wind include high fever, fainting and convulsions.
The two Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat opisthotonos
Why might Gambir Stem And Thorn (Gou Teng) help with opisthotonos?
Because it is a key herb in Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Heat victorious stirring Wind' (a pattern with opisthotonos as a symptom)
Gambir Stems And Thorns is a Cool herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Liver and the Pericardium.
Its main actions are: Calms Liver Wind and relieves spasms. Clears Liver Heat and sedates Liver Yang.
Why might Saiga Antelope's Horn (Ling Yang Jiao) help with opisthotonos?
Because it is a key herb in Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Heat victorious stirring Wind' (a pattern with opisthotonos as a symptom)
Saiga Antelope's Horns is a Cold herb that tastes Salty. It targets the Heart and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Clears Internal Liver Wind, subdues Yang. Clears Liver Fire and brightens the eyes. Eliminates toxins and reduces fever.
Other symptoms often associated with opisthotonos
High fever Fainting Convulsions Eyeballs turning up Clenching of teeth