Nasal Airway Resistance Measured by Rhinomanometry： a Novel Tool to Measure Acupuncture Effects

Objective： Side effects of decongestants and antihistamines are frequently seen in patients with chronic nasal congestion. This leads to an increasing demand of alternative treatments like acupuncture. Future studies on acupuncture should aim at objectifying possible effects by both physical measuring and double-blind method. Methods： The author were therefore interested whether these effects can potentially be measured as decrease in NAR in ventus （wind） disease of TCM along with VAS and under the Heidelberg Acupuncture double blinding array. Patients were diagnosed according to the Heidelberg model of TCM; one group obtained treatment with specific verum acupuncture points Yingxiang （LI 20）, Hegu （LI 4） and Yintang （Ex-HN3）, while the other group obtained acupuncture at non-specific control points Baihui （GV 20）, Shaohai （HT 3）, and Xiguan （LR 7） that had no relation to the Chinese diagnosis of the patient. Results： First results show that NAR （rhinomanometry） is a routine lab parameter able to show acupuncture effects in vivo.     

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.     

Clinical application of the spleen-stomach theory

The spleen-stomach theory is a very valuable composition of the TCM. It is originated from Neijing （《内经》), initiated in Jin-Yuan periods and the idea “spleen and stomach is the postnatal base of life” in Piweilun (《脾胃论》) written by LI Dong-yuan established its theoretical basis. Directed by this theory, the author cured several cases, and it is now reported below.     

Investigation of the Role of Mast Cells in Acupuncture Effects and Their Sensitivity to Physical Stimuli During TCM Treatment

Objective： To better understand the function of mast cells in acupuncture points （acupoints） in acupuncture-induced analgesia. The author tested their sensitivity to mechanical, thermo and light stimulation. Methods： The tail flick model was applied to measure analgesia in rats, and the author determined the density of mast cells in tissue slices and their degranulation ratio before/after acupuncture. The author also applied the patch-clamp technique to investigate activation of human mast cells （HMC1 cell line） by mechanical stress or noxious heat, and the author optically observed degranulation phenomena of mast cell in response to red laser light. Results： Manual stimulation by acupuncture at Zusanli （ST 36） of the rat resulted in analgesia and the effect was more pronounced than after stimulation of a sham point nearby the acupuncture point. A higher density of mast cells was found at Zusanli （ST 36） than at the sham point,     

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.     

Treatment of 120 Cases of Shoulder Periarthritis by Acupuncture and Tuina

The author has treated 120 cases of frozen shoulder from 2004, with the therapy of penetrating needling from Yemen （TE 2） toward Zhongzhu （TE 3）, from Tiaokou （ST 38） toward Chengshan （BL 57）, and deeply needling Jugu （LI 16）, together with Tuina manipulations on shoulder. The summarization is now given as follows.     

35 CASES OF PRIMARY TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA TREATED BY PAIN-POINT NEEDLING

The author has treated 35 cases of primary trigeminal neuralgia by using pain-point needling with satisfactory results.According to chief complaint of the patient,tendernesswas located.The needle was rapidly inserted the tenderness,obliquely into a depth of about 0.5cun,continuously manipulating the needle at a small amplitude and a high frequency,lifting-thrusting method used with twirling alternately for about 2 min.Then the needle was retained.The manipulation of the needle produced needling sensation of local soreness and distension with-in the limit of ease in the patient.Baihui（GV 20）,Hegu（LI 4）,Taichong（LR 3）points were com-bined.The needles at all the points were manipulated once each 10 min and retained for one hour.After withdrawal of the needle,Fengchi（GB 20）,Xiaguan（ST 7）,Taiyang（EX-HN 5）,Sibai（ST2）,Chengjiang（CV 24）on both sides and their surrounding regions received slightly pressing andrubbing for about 5 min.The treatment was given once a day,10 sessions constituting one c     

Capillary blood flow in patients with dysmenorrhea treated with acupuncture

OBJECTIVE; To observe capillary blood flow at acu- points during acupuncture treatment of primary dysmenorrhea and gain new insights into its anal- gesic mechanism. METHODS： Patients with primary dysmenorrhea were enrolled and randomly assigned to a treat- ment or control group. Subjects＇ symptoms were differentiated into various Traditional Chinese Medi- cine （TCM） syndromes and treated for 10 sessions with puncturing acupuncture or self-pressing right-hand Hegu （LI 4）, adding other acupoints based on syndrome. Laser speckle was used tocompare the change in the vasomotor amplitude and perfusion of the capillaries in Hegu （LI 4） be- fore and during the treatment. Each subject was re- quired to finish the period pain symptoms observa- tion form, verbal rating scales, numerical rating scale, pain rating index, face rating scale, Zung self-rating depression scale, Zung self-rating anxi- ety scale, and numerical rating scale before and af- ter treatments. RESULTS： After 10 sessions, the symptom scores, pain index （PI）, and visual analog scale （VAS） de- creased significantly in treatment group. The vol- ume of blood flow in Hegu （LI 4） declined slightly. No significant evidence supported that needling caused capillary contraction, but the capillary vaso- motor amplitude at Hegu （LI 4） increased remark- ably. CONCLUSION： Acupuncture can increase the capil- lary blood flow, thus promoting the flow of Qi and blood in terms of TCM theory, which facilitates pain relief.     

Effects of Hegu （LI 4） and Taichong （LR 3） on Vascular Dilation and Constriction in Migraine Patients

Hegu （LI 4） and Taichong （LR 3） are the Yuan- Primary acupoints of the Large Intestine and Liver Meridian, and are collectively named as Si Guan （four gates） point. Combined use of these two acupoints can harmonize yin and yang, regulate qi and blood, and balance ascending or descending. This paper attempts to study the effects of Si Guan point on the vascular dilation and constriction in migraine patients from the perspective of its feature.     

Clinical Observation on Post-stroke Anxiety Neurosis Treated by Acupuncture

Objective： To observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture on post-stroke anxiety neurosis （PSAN）. Methods： 34 patients in the treatment group received acupuncture treatment. Points such as Baihui （GV 20）, Shenting （GV 24）, Yintang （EX-HN 3）, Shuigou （GV 26）, Hegu （LI 4）, Taichong （LR 3）, Shenmen （HT 7） and Neiguan （PC 6） were punctured and supplemented by electroacupuncture. 33 patients in the control group orally took Alprazolam. Hamilton Anxiety Scale （HAMA） was used to evaluate the severity and relief of anxiety. Results： Anxiety symptoms of the patients in the treatment group were obviously relieved with a total effective rate of 82.35%, and no remarkable difference was found as compared with that of the control group （P〉0.05）. Conclusions： Acupuncture is a safe. effective and important method for treating PSAN.     

Treatment of 56 Cases of Pain of Supra-orbital Bone by Puncturing Siguan Acupoints

Pain of supra-orbital bone is very common in clinic The author achieved significant effect in treating 56 cases of pain of supra-orbital bone by puncturing Siguan （four gates） points. The report is as follows.     

The Safety of Electroacupuncture at Hegu （LI 4） plus Oxytocin for Hastening Uterine Contraction of Puerperants --A Randomized Controlled Clinical Observation

To investigate the safety of electroacupuncture plus oxytocin for uterine contraction of puerperants. Methods： 276 puerperants with difficult labor were randomly divided into a medication group, treated with intravenous dripping of oxytocin, and an acupuncture plus medication group, in the medication group, intravenous dripping of oxytocin was given, and in the other group, acupuncture at bilateral Hegu （LI 4） was added. Heart rate, respiratory frequency, blood pressure of puerperants, fetal heart rate and birth process were observed. Results： During laboring, the indices observed, including heart rate, respiratory frequency, blood pressure, fetal heart rate and birth process, were all in normal range in all of the 276 cases, with better effects in acupuncture plus medication Group M. Conclusions： Electroacupuncture at bilateral Hegu （LI 4） plus intravenous dripping of oxytocin can intensify the uterine contraction, shorten the birth process to avoid probable systemic exhaustion due to excessive consumption, and with no side effects on life signs of the puernerants and newborns.     

Clinical curative effect of fuzi-cake-separated moxibustion for pre- venting dysuria after operation for lower limb fracture

OBJECTIVE： To assess the clinical curative effect of fuzi-cake-separated moxibustion at Zhongji（CV 3）and Guanyuan（CV 4） for preventing dysuria after internal fixation of lower limb fractures.METHODS： Sixty patients conforming to the inclusion standards were randomly divided into a treatment group（n=30） and a control group（n=30）.Fuzi-cake-separated moxibustion was performed at Guanyuan（CV 4） and Zhongji（CV 3）, 20 min at a time, twice a day, for 3 days before operation in the treatment group. No fuzi-cake-separated moxibustion was performed in the control group. After treatment, the score for symptoms of first urination, urinary time, urinary volume, 24 h remaining urinary volume, incidence of uroschesis, and rate of controlling dysuria were compared to evaluate the curative effect of preventing post-operative dysuria.RESULTS： The score for symptoms of first urination,24 h remaining urinary volume（maximum 120 m L vs 250 m L, and less than 10 m L in 24 cases vs 15 cases）, and the rate of controlling dysuria（83.34% vs30%） were significantly better（P〈0.05, P〈0.05, and P〈0.001, respectively） in the treatment compared with the control group. There was no statistical difference（P〉0.05） between the two groups in first post-operative urinary time, urinary volume, or incidence of 24 h uroschesis.CONCLUSION： Fuzi-cake-separated moxibustion at Zhongji（CV 3） and Guanyuan（CV 4） can better prevent post-operative dysuria, effectively promote the functional restoration of the urinary bladder,and control the incidence of post-operative dysuria.     

Effect of volatile oil from Blumea Balsamifera （L.） DC. leaves on wound healing in mice

OBJECTIVE： To assess the effectiveness of violateoil from Blumea Balsamifera（L.） DC. leaves（BB oil）on wound healing in mice.METHODS： Undiluted BB oil and its diluted solutions with olive oil to 1/5 and 1/10 to yield BB oil1/5and BB oil1/10 were applied to the wounded skin before wound healing conditions were assessed by healing rate, histopathology, and contents of collagen, hydroxyproline, and Neuropeptide Substance P（SP）. All above results were compared with the efficacies of the control, pure olive oil, basic fibroblast growth factor（BFGF）, and cream of Jing Wan Hong（JWH）.RESULTS： BB oil1/5and BB oil1/10 improved wound contraction and closure. Histopathology study further confirmed a desirable histological organization of wound tissues. BB oil1/5and BB oil1/10 reduced the number of inflammatory cells, increased wound-healing rates, and significantly increased the hydroxyproline content. Both BB oil1/5and BB oil1/10 improved formation of collagen, and reduced the frequency of fibroblasts. Moreover, BB oil1/5and BB oil1/10 markedly promoted SP expression. However, undiluted BB oil may induce skin thickening and hardening, inhibite collagen synthesis and delay complete skin wound healing.CONCLUSION： The BB oil1/5and BB oil1/10 promoted capillary regeneration, blood circulation, collagen deposition, granular tissue formation, epithelial deposition, and wound contraction. The mechanism underlying the action might be related to induction of SP secretion, and the proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal cells.     

外感发热辨治1则

发热为外感病常见主症，医家多以为温能助热，畏麻黄、桂枝之辛温而废用。然中医治病重在辨证，温热外感多用银翘散、桑菊饮之列，风寒外感则非麻黄汤、桂枝汤之类不可。兹举案例1则以说明之。     

Clinical research of different syndromes of hypertension treated by acupuncture

Primary hypertension is the most common cardiovascular disease. Some relevant research indicates that puncturing Fengchi （GB 20） can effectively reduce the elevated blood pressure of patient with hypertension. However, is this method effective for all the patients with hypertension？ With regards to this, the author conducted a therapeutic observation in clinic, puncturing Fengchi （GB 20） according to different syndrome of patient with hypertension. Now the conclusion is as follows.     

Effect of catgut implantation at acupoints on GABA. and mGluR1 expressions in brain stem of rats with spasticity after stroke

OBJECTIVE： To investigate the effect of catgut implantation at acupoints on the expressions of γ-amino butyric acid B receptor（GABAB ） and metabotropic glutamate receptor 1（mGluR1） in the brain stem of rats with spasticity after stroke.METHODS： In total, 60 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups： a sham group（n=10）, a model group（n=25） and a treatment group（n=25）. The rats in both the model group and the treatment group were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion to establish a model of focal cerebral ischemia. Rats with limb-spasm met the inclusion criteria. Only the left carotid artery was isolated in sham group rats. Three days after modeling, the treatment group was subjected to catgut implantation at Dazhui（GV 14）, Guanyuan（CV 4）, and Zhongwan（CV 12）. Neurological deficit symptoms were assessed with the Zea-Longa neurological deficit score. The Modified Ashworth Scale（MAS）, and isolated muscle tone were used to evaluate spasticity before and after treatment. Immunohistochemistry was applied to determine the expression of GABAB and mGluR1 in the rat brain stem after treatment.RESULTS： After treatment, neural impairment symptoms had significantly improved in the treatment group when compared to the model group（P〈0.05）. Both MAS and isolated muscle tone in the treatment group were significantly decreased when compared with the model group（P〈0.05）,and were also lower than before treatment. GABAB expression was significantly higher and mGluR1 was lower in the treatment group when compared with the model group（P〈0.01 and P〈0.05, respectively）.CONCLUSION： Catgut implantation at Dazhui（GV 14）, Guanyuan（CV 4）, and Zhongwan（CV 12）, can relieve limb spasticity by increasing the expression of GABAB and reducing the expression of mGluR1 in the brain stem of rats after stroke.     

Clinical Application of Yongquan （KI 1）Acupointd

Yongquan （KI 1） is the Jing-Well point of Kidney Meridian of Foot Shaoyin. It can be used to treat many kinds of diseases, such as parietal headache, vertigo and blurred vision, hypopharynx swelling and pain, dry tongue, voice loss, epistaxis, apoplexy and apoplectic sequela, dysufia, ungratifying defecation, epilepsy, syncope, planter fever, palpitations, lower limbs spasm, hypertension, vomiting, infantile convulsion. The author applied Yongquan （KI 1） in clinical practice and obtained satisfactory therapeutic effects. Now five cases were introduced as follows.