Therapeutic efficacy observation on integrative acupuncture therapy for chronic urticaria

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of comprehensive acupuncture therapy for chronic urticaria. Methods: A total of 70 patients with chronic urticaria were treated with acupuncture, bloodletting after pricking and cupping [on Shenque (CV 8)]. The changes of signs and symptoms were observed before and after treatment. The therapeutic efficacy was then assessed according to the change rate of clinical symptoms scoring. Results: After treatment, 11 of the 70 cases got basic recovery, 21 cases got marked effectiveness, 27 cases got improvement and 11 cases got no effect. The total effective rate was 84.3%. There was statistical significance in symptoms score between before and after treatment (P<0.01). Conclusion: Combining acupuncture, bloodletting after pricking and cupping on Shenque (CV 8) is effective for chronic urticaria.     

Observation on therapeutic effects of cupping therapy for allergic rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is mainly characterized by the symptoms of sneezing,tickling sensation in the nose,runny nose,and nasal obstruction,and often occurs after invasion of pathogenic wind and cold.The author has treated 50 cases of this disease by applying cupping therapy on Shenque (CV 8).Now,the report is given as follows.     

Moxibustion on Shenque （CV 8） Improves Effect of Acupuncture for Diarrhea-predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Objective： To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome （IBS-D）. Methods： A total of 60 IBS-D patients were randomly allocated into a treatment group and a control group, 30 in each group. Patients in the treatment group were treated with acupuncture combined with ginger and salt-partitioned moxibustion on Shenque （CV 8）, whereas patients in the control group only received acupuncture treatment. Six days made up a course of treatment, and the clinical effects were statistically analyzed after 4 courses. Results： The overall response rate in the treatment group was 96.7%, versus 76.7% in the control group, showing a statistical significance （P〈0.05）. In the intra-group comparison of the symptom scores after treatment, there were statistical differences in both groups （both P〈0.01）, and in the inter-group comparison, the difference was statistically significant （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Acupuncture combined with ginger and salt-partitioned moxibustion on Shenque （CV 8） can obtain better effect for ISB-D than acupuncture alone.     

Acupoint Sticking at Shenque （CV 8） with Ginger-preparedBan Xia （Rhizoma Pinelliae） for Nausea and Vomiting Induced by Amifostine

Objective： To observe the treatment effect of acupoint sticking at Shenque （CV 8） with ginger-preparedBan Xia （Rhizoma Pinelliae） on nausea and vomiting induced by Amifostine for myelodysplastic syndromes （MDS）. Methods： Totally 124 eligible subjects intervened by Amifostine were randomized into 2 groups by the visiting order,an observation group and a control group,62 in each group. The control group was intervened by conventional treatment, while the observation group was by acupoint sticking at Shenque （CV 8） with ginger-preparedBan Xia （Rhizoma Pinelliae） in addition to the same conventional treatment. The occurrence rate of nausea and vomiting in the two groups were observed. Results： After intervention, the occurrence rate of nausea and vomiting in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group （P＆lt;0.01）. Conclusion： Acupoint sticking at Shenque （CV 8） with ginger-prepared Ban Xia （Rhizoma Pinelliae）can produce a content effect on nausea and vomiting induced by Amifostine for MDS.     

Clinical Study on Moxibustion at Shenque （CV 8） for Chronic Urticaria

Objective： To observe the safety and efficacy of moxibustion at Shenque （CV 8） for chronic urticaria. Methods： A total of 80 cases who met the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated into a treatment group and a control group, 40 in each. Cases in the treatment group were treated with thunder-fire moxibustion at Shenque （CV 8）, whereas cases in the control group were treated with Mizolastine. Changes in clinical symptoms such as itching and skin lesion were observed before and after treatment and the therapeutic efficacies were assessed. Results： After treatment, the total scores of clinical symptoms in both groups were markedly reduced （P〈0.05）, and the reduction was more significant in the treatment group than that in the control group （P〈0.05）. The total effective rate in the treatment group was 77.5%, versus 65.0% in the control group, showing no significant difference （P〉0.05）. The Ridit analysis showed a between-group significant difference in therapeutic efficacy grades （P〈0.05）. There were no reports of adverse reactions in the treatment group and 2 cases experienced mild somnolence in the control group. Conclusion： With an exact effect for chronic urticaria, moxibustion at Shenque （CV 8） obtained better results in overall efficacy and improving symptoms than oral administration of Mizolastine.     

Treatment of herpes zoster with electroacupuncture plus collateral-pricking and cupping therapy

Objective： To observe the clinical effect of electroacupuncture （EA） plus collateral-pricking and cupping therapy for herpes zoster. Methods： Fifty-three cases with herpes zoster were randomly divided into two groups. Thirty-one cases in the treatment group were treated with EA at Jiaji （EX-B 2） points plus local collateral-pricking and cupping therapy. Twenty-two cases in the control group were treated with oral administration of VaLacido~;ir Hvdrochloride and Indomethaci~. Results： The curative and remarkable effective rate was 93.5% in the treatment group and 72.7% in the control group. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant （P〈0.01）, indicating that EA plus collateral-pricking and cupping therapy is better than Western medications in the clinical effects for herpes zoster. Conclusion： The EA plus collateral-pricking and cupping method is an effective therapy for herpes zoster.     

Case Reports of Needling Shenque （CV 8） in Clinical Practice

Shenque (CV 8), located at the center of the umbilicus, has a very close connection with the five-zang and six-fu organs, the fourteen meridians, and extremities and bones of the body. It is described as the congenital stalk and postnatal qi-warehouse. It plays a key role in the circulation of qi and blood. Historically needling this point was strictly prohibited. In the past decade, the author got good efficacy by moxibustion, electric-acupuncture and herbal application on this point in treating varieties of problems of internal medicine, gynecology, pediatrics and dermatology. The following here are four examples.     

Efficacy observation on auricular point sticking combined with cupping in treating insomnia

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy of auricular point sticking combined with cupping in treating insomnia. Methods： Sixty-four patients with chronic insomnia were randomly divided into two groups. Thirty-two patients in the treatment group were treated with auricular point sticking combined with cupping therapy; while thirty-two patients in the control group were treated by Diazepam. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index （PSQI） were observed before and after treatment, and the data were statistically analyzed to evaluate the clinical effect. Results： After treatment, PSQI scores in both groups after treatment significantly decreased （P〈0.05）, and there was a significant difference between the two groups （P〈0.05）. In the improvement of daytime function, the treatment group was more efficient than the control group （P〈0.05）. The total effective rate of the treatment group was higher than that of the control group （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Auricular point sticking combined with cupping therapy for insomnia is more effective than oral Diazepam, and it has a better effect in improving the patient＇s daytime function.     

Acupuncture Treatment for 35 Cases of Urticaria

In TCM it is held that urticaria is mostly due to weak constitution with deficiency of qi and blood, or prolonged illness that causes consumption of qi and blood. Such constitution can result in formation of wind due to blood deficiency, and intemal-extemal lack of resistance due to qi-deficiency, which gives chances to pathogenic wind to invade the body, hence the occurrence of urticaria. Therefore, this disease is a complicated one with deficiency in the origin and excessiveness of pathogen. The Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department of Guanganmen Hospital has adopted acupuncture treatment for this disease through treating both the incidental and fundamental simultaneously, and obtained quite good clinical therapeutic effects as is summarized in the following.     

TCM Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis by Tonifying the Kidney and Strengthening the Governor Vessel

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic and progressive disorder with inflammation mainly involving the central axis joints. It mainly affects the cervical spine and the lumbosacral area, with the pathogenesis closely related to the kidney and the Governor Vessel （GV）. TCM holds that the syndrome is deficiency in origin and excess in superficiality, which is due to insufficiency of the kidney, deficiency of GV, and blocking of the channels with the invasion of exogenous evil, leading to poor circulation of qi and blood and malnutrition of the bones, muscles and joints. The TCM method of tonifying the kidney and strengthening GV to regulate circulation of qi and blood and check the arthralgia pain should be adopted, with the Kidney-Tonifying and GV Strengthening Decoction （益肾强督汤） prescribed.     

Observation on clinical effects of acupotomy plus cupping for knee osteoarthritis

Objective： To observe the clinical effect of acupotomy plus cupping for knee osteoarthritis（KOA）. Methods： Sixty cases with KOA were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. The patients in the treatment group were given acupotomy and cupping, while the patients in the control group were given injection of Sodium Hyaluronate. The index of severity for osteoarthritis（ISOA）, the change of the effusion of knee joint and clinical effects were observed after treatment. Results： The total effective rate was respectively 96.7% in the treatment group and 66.7% in the control group. The difference in the clinical effects between the two groups was statistically significant（P〈0.05）. After treatment, ISOA scores and scores of knee effusion in the two groups were remarkably reduced than those before treatment（P〈0.05）. The changes of the scores of the two indexes were statistically significant（both P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Acupotomy plus cupping is better than injection of Sodium Hyaluronate in treatment of KOA.     

Clinical observation on pricking bloodletting therapy at Back-Shu acupoints plus Chinese herbal mask in treating patients with acne

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy on pricking bloodletting and cupping therapy combined with Chinese herbal mask in treating acne. Methods： Thirty-seven patients with ache were randomly divided into a treatment group （treated by pricking bloodletting and cupping therapy combined with Chinese herbal mask） and a control group （only by Chinese herbal mask）. The therapeutic efficacy was observed after 2-course treatment. Results： The total effective rate in the treatment group was 94.7% versus 61.1% in the control group. According to the statistical management, the total effective rate in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group （P〈O.05）. Conclusion： Pricking bloodletting and cupping therapy combined with Chinese herbal mask therapy for acne is more effective than Chinese herbal mask treatment alone.     

Clinical Application of Moxibustion on Guanyuan （CV 4）

Guanyuan （CV 4） is located 3 cun below the umbilicus, on the midline of abdomen. It is the Front-Mu Point of the Small Intestine, a crossing point of Three Yin Meridians of Foot and Conception Vessel. It can warm the kidney to invigorate yang, tonify the Yuan-Primordial qi, dredge and regulate Thoroughfare and Conception Vessels,     

Treatment of Sleep Deprivation-induced Circadian Rhythm Disorder by Applying Garlic Cream on Acupoint Shenque （CV 8）

To observe the regulative effect of applying garlic cream on acupoint Shenque (CV8) on circadian rhythm disorder induced by sleep deprivation.MethodsTwenty healthy adult men were randomly divided into normal group(group A),sleep deprivation group (group B) and treatment group (group C).Subjects in group B and C received 48-hour sleep deprivation,and in the meantime subjects in group C were treated by applying garlic cream on acupoint Shenque(CV8),while subjects in group A received no any treatment,then contents of serum noradrenaline (NA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were detected.ResultsThe contents of NA in three groups all appeared typical circadian rhythm(P＜0.01 when group A is compared with group C,and P＜0.05 when group A is compared with group B).The peak value in group A was 158.377 and appeared at 1056,peak value in group B was 291.529 and appeared at 1944,peak value in group C was 255.964 and appeared at 1706.The peak phase in group B shifted more obviously when compared with group A,and the peak phase in group C recovered slightly when compared with group B.The contents of 5-HT in group A showed typical circadian rhythm (P＜0.01) and the circadian rhythms in group B and C disappeared (P＞0.05).the peak value in group A was 196.563 and appeared at about1310.ConclusionThe application of garlic cream on acupoint Shenque (CV8) Can adjust the disturbed circadian rhythm and accelerate the recovery of circadian rhythm.It is a simple and effective therapeutic method for adjusting circadian rhythm disorder.     

Clinical Application of Shousanli （LI 10）

Acupoint Shousanli （LI 10） is also called Shangsanli, Guixie, locates at the radial aspect of the back of the forearm, 2 cun below Quchi （LI 11）, on the line joining Yangxi （LI 5） and Quchi （LI 11）. Shousanli （LI 10） was firstly recorded in Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing （A-B Canon of Acupuncture and Moxibustion）. It is widely applied in clinic, and especially acts to dredge meridians and collaterals, promote qi circulation to relieve pain. Now, the clinical applications of Shousanli （LI 10） were summarized as follows.     

THE INFLUENCE OF MEDICINAL CAKE-SEPARATED MOXIBUSTION UPON RED BLOOD CELL IMMUNITY AND FREE RADICAL IN THE AGED

Eighty-six senile persons,aged 60 years old or over,were treated by medicinalcake-separated moxibustion and the influence of moxibustion upon red blood cell immunity func-tion and free radical was observed.We have adopted the principle of tonifying the kidney andstrengthening the spleen,promoting blood flow and removing blood stasis.The tonic points suchas Dazhui（GV 14）,Shenshu（BL 23）,Guanyuan（CV 4）,Shenque（CV 8）and Zhsanli（ST36）were chosen.Besides,it was supplemented with the principle of nourishing blood,tonifyingspleen and replenishing essence,using medicinal cake moxibustion.The moxibustion was givenonce every other day,three moxa-cone on each point,and twenty-four times as a therapeuticcourse.The total moxibustion amount is 264 moxa-cone.Before and after the treatment,wemeasured the red blood cell immunity function（RBC-C_3b,RBC-IC,RFER,RFIR）,the SOD ac-tivity of RBC,and the contents of serum LPo. Results show that in senile person,the RBC-C_3b rosette formation falls while the RBC-ICros     

Effect of acupuncture anesthesia on acne vulgaris of pricking-blood- letting cupping： a single-blind randomized clinical trail

OBJECTIVE： To evaluate the effect on acne vul- garis of pricking-bloodletting cupping at Dazhui （GV 14） under acupuncture anesthesia, and estab- lish whether providing anesthesia to the treat- ment area by manipulating Hegu （LI 4） and Quchi （LI 11） might have an additional therapeutic bene- fit. METHODS： Thirty-eight patients were recruited and randomized into a control group and an inter- vention group with a single-blind （observer-blind） method. The control group was treated by prick- ing-bloodletting cupping at Dazhui （GV 14） and the studied group by pricking-bloodletting cupping at Dazhui （GV 14） under acupuncture anesthesia at Hegu （LI 4） and Quchi （LI 11）. Both groups were treated twice weekly for 6 weeks. The analgesic and therapeutic effects of acupuncture were evaluated on a visual analog scale （VAS） and global acne grad- ing system （GAGS）, respectively.RESULTS： There were differences in the VAS scores of pain on pricking and in the pricked area, and the duration of pain between the groups. After 12 treat- ments, there was a significant reduction in GAGS scores from baseline in both groups, but there was no significant difference between the groups. CONCLUSION： Acupuncture anesthesia at Hegu （LI 4） and Quchi （LI 11） is an effective means of alleviat- ing the pain of pricking-bloodletting cupping and reducing the duration of pain in the treatment ar- ea. Pricking-bloodletting cupping at Dazhui （GV 14） improves the skin lesions of patients with moder- ate acne vulgaris, but acupuncture anesthesia does not appear to have an additional therapeutic effect.     

Research on Meridians in China

The theory of meridian （it is interpreted as channels and collaterals, or meridian in English）, is an important theoretical kernel of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. TCM holds that meridian is a complicated system with the fourteen meridians as the main part, which distributes over the whole human body. Each meridian belongs to a corresponding viscus interiorly, and winds around the limbs and joints exteriorly. It functions to transport the qi and blood, regulates the balance between Yin and Yang, responses to the changes in the natural world. It is the pathway for transporting qi and blood. Accordingly, it is considered to be the connective, regulative and responsive system of the body. In comparison to the Western medicine and modem biology, it elucidates the vital process and regulation of the function of human body in a totally different way and involves many brilliant theoretical expositions. Therefore, it has been deeply concerned by many researchers in China and abroad. Once the essence of meridian is elucidated, it must vigorously promote the development of TCM as well as the whole medical science and benefit the mankind.