Clinical Application of Taichong （LR 3）. Cases Report

Taichong(LR 3), the source(Yuan) acupoint of the Liver Meridian, locates at the depression before the combining region of the first and second metatarsal bones on the dorsum of the foot. And it is at the lateral border of the tendon of extensor pollicis longus, where dorsal venous fete of foot, dorsal artery of the first metatarsal bone, and dorsal nerve of metatarsal bones, coming from deep peroneal nerve, and there is the medial plantar nerve, a branch of the tibial nerve, in the deep layer. The author has treated various disorders with Taichong (LR 3), and 4 cases report were as follows.     

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 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.     

Forty-six Cases of Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency Treated by Acupuncture plus Intravenous Infusion of Ligustrazine

Objective： To observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture plus Ligustrazine on vertebrobasilar insufficiency （VBI） by transcranial Doppler （TCD） sonography. Methods： 86 VBI patients including 56 cases of low flow rate velocity type （LFVT） and 30 cases of high flow velocity type （HFVT） were randomly divided into Ligustrazine group （26 LFRT and 14 HFVT） and acupuncture plus Ligustrazine group （30 LFVT and 16 HFVT）. The blood flow velocity （BFV） of vertebral artery （VA） and basilar artery （BA） in systole before and after treatment was measured with TCD and therapeutic effects were evaluated after 10 days＇ treatment in the two groups. Results： In the acupuncture plus Ligustrazine group, the total effective rate was 93.3% and 88.5% in cases of LFVT and HFVT respectively, and BFV of VA and BA increased in LFVT patients while that in HFVT patients decreased significantly （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. Conclusion： Owing to its dual regulation on blood flow of VA and BA, the therapeutic effect of acupuncture plus Ligustrazine was better than that of simple Ligustrazine.     

Clinical Study on Puncturing Weizhong （BL 40） for Post-stroke Dysfunction of the Lower Limbs

Objective： To observe the clinical effects in the treatment of post-stroke dysfunction of lower limb by puncturing Weizhong （BL 40）. Methods： One hundred and twenty patients were randomly divided into two groups, 60 cases in each group. Both groups were treated by puncturing Weizhong （BL 40） plus functional rehabilitation training, once every day. Those in the observation group were treated by Shi Xue-min＇s needling technique, while others in the control group were treated with routine needling technique. The therapeutic effects were assessed by the scores of lower limb functions of Lovett scale of grading muscle strength （LSGMS） and short-form FugI-Meyer assessment （SFFMA）. Results： The instant and post-treatment effective rates in the observation group were 83.3% and 93.3%, versus 6.7% and 53.3% in the control group, indicating that the therapeutic effect was better in the observation group （P〈0.01）. The instant and post-treatment scores of Lovett muscle strength grading scale were better in the observation group than that in the control group （P〈0.05）. SFFMA score of lower limbs function was better in the observation group than that in the control group （P〈0.0s）. Conclusion： Different needling methods at Weizhong （BL 40） can produce different therapeutic effects in treating post-stroke dysfunction of lower limb, and Shi＇s needling technique has obvious instant effect and therapeutic function.     

Tuina is superior to electroacupuncture in treating thoracic facet joint disorder

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy of tuina in treating thoracic facet joint disorder, and compare it to the efficacy of electroacupuncture （EA）. Methods： Eighty patients were randomized into a tuina group and an EA group, 40 in each. The tuina group was intervened by tuina manipulations, and the EA group was by EA treatment. Visual analogue scale （VAS）, symptoms and physical signs were evaluated before, and after 5 and 7 treatment sessions respectively, and the clinical efficacies were compared between the two groups. Results： After treatment, the recovery and markedly effective rate was 92.5% in the tuina group versus 47.5% in the EA group, and the difference was statistically significant （P〈0.01）. The total effective rate was 100.0% in the tuina group versus 85.0% in the EA group, and the difference was statistically significant （P〈0.05）. After 5 treatment sessions, the recovery and markedly effective rate was 91.9% in the tuina group versus 68.4% in the EA group, and the difference was statistically significant （P〈0.05）. The VAS scores, and total symptoms and physical signs scores were significantly reduced in both groups after treatment （P〈0.01）, and the scores in the tuina group were significantly lower than those in the EA group （P〈0.01）. Conclusion： Compared to EA, tuina is more efficient and effective in treating thoracic facet joint disorder and has obvious analgesic effect.     

INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT NEEDLE-RETAINING DURATION ON CEREBRAL HEMODYNAMICS OF CEREBRAL PARALYSIS CHILDREN

Objective: To investigate the effects of different needle-retaining duration on cerebral hemodynamics in cerebral paralysis (CP) children. Methods: A total of 20 cases of CP children were subjected into this study. Changes of systolic peak value (Vs), blood flow velocity at the end-diastolic phase (Ved), mean velocity (Vm), pulsation index (PI) and resistance index (RI) of the cerebral hemodynemics before and after performing JIN‘s Three-Needling Therapy with the needles retained for 30 min (group A) and 5 min (group B) were observed by using transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD). Results: After acupuncture, the blood flow in the middle cerebral artery (MCA), anterior cerebral artery (ACA) and posterior cerebral artery (PCA) was accelerated, and the resistance of blood vessels decreased. The effect of needle-retaining-30 min was better than that of needle-retaining-5 min. Conclusion: In treating cerebral paralysis by using JIN‘ s Three-Needling Therapy, sufficient stimulation provided by needle remaining is an important factor for achieving satisfactory therapeutic effects.     

Electroacupuncture at Qiuxu （GB 40） for Treatment of Migraine --A Clinical Multicentral Random Controlled Study

Objective： To observe the therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture （EA） at Qiuxu （GB 40） for treatment of migraine so as to provide clinical evidence for compilation of the Acupoints＇ Dictionary of the People＇s Republic of China. Methods： 275 migraine patients admitted in 3 hospitals were randomly divided into a treatment group treated by EA at Qiuxu （GB 40）, and a control group treated by EA at Tianshu （ST 25）. The indexes of the migraine symptoms and the 5-HT level were observed in both the groups before and after treatment. Results： There was an significant difference in VAS score between the two groups of the 3 clinical centers （P〈0.01）. The therapeutic effects of a 4-week treatment were much better in the treatment group than that of the control group. The 3-month follow-up survey showed that the long-term effects were in favor of the treatment group of the first and third clinical centers, though no significant difference was found in the treatment group of the second clinical center as compared with the control group. The results from the 6-month follow-up survey showed better effects in the treatment group of all the 3 clinical centers. Conclusion： EA at Oiuxu （GB 40） may show effect for migraine.     

Correlation of the cerebral microvascular blood flow with brain temperature and electro-acupuncture stimulation

Objective:To investigate the relationship between the temperature and the microvascular blood flow of the cerebral cortex, and the influence of electro-acupuncture (EA) on the cortical microcirculation. Methods: High temperature spots on the anterior ectosylvian and low temperature spots on the posterior suprasylvian on the cortical surface of 20 cats were identified using cortical infrared thermography (CIT); the blood flow in the microcirculation on these spots was measured with laser-Doppler flowmetry. EA was given at Zusanli (ST 36) and changes in the blood flow in the cerebral cortex microcirculation were detected. Results: 1) The mean temperatures on the high (34.83±0.24°C) and low (32.28±0.27°C) temperature spots were significantly different (P0.001); this was indicative of a temperature difference on the cortical surface; 2) The average blood flow in the microcirculation of the high (266.8±19.2 PU) and low (140.8±9.9 PU) temperature spots was significantly different (P0.001). 3) On the cortical high temperature spots, the mean blood flow in the microcirculation significantly increased from 266.8±86.8 PU before EA, to 422.5±47.4 PU following 5 minutes of EA (58.35%; P0.01), and 431.8±52.8 PU 5 minutes after ceasing EA (61.84%; P0.01). 4) On the low temperature spots, there were no significant differences in blood flow following 5 minutes of EA (146.3±11.5 PU), and 5 minutes after ceasing EA (140.5±11.6 PU), when compared with that before acupuncture (140.8±9.9 PU; P0.9). Conclusion: The high temperature spots of the cortex are active functional regions of neurons with higher blood flow and a stronger response to EA. EA induces a significant increase in blood flow in the high temperature spots of the cortex.     

Changes of color and blood flow of the tongue in the mini-swine of immune hepatic injury

Objective：To investigate color and microvascular blood flow of the tongue in the mini-swine with immune hepatic injury. Methods： Six Chinese mini-swine for experimental use, 3 males and 3 females, were randomly divided into two groups, normal group and model group, 3 swine in each group. The swine in the model group was administrated by injection of 5 mg/kg ConA into the vein of auricular back, once every other day, 3 times each week, for 2 weeks in total. The animal in the control group was administrated with equal volume of saline. At 9 o＇clock in the morning of the 15th day of the experiment, each swine was anesthetized with intramuscular injection of 9 ml 2.5% pentobarbital sodium and 3 ml Maleate, and then picture of the tongue was taken, microvascular blood flow on the tongue and the liver was detected with a laser Doppler blood flowmeter; Blood was taken from the precaval vein. Serum alanine aminotransferase （ALT）, aspartate aminotransferase （AST）,total bilirubin （Tbil） and total protein （TP） were determined; Pathological changes of the liver and tongue tissues were investigated by means of HE staining; Serum TNF-α content was detected with ELISA assay. Results： In the mini-swine with immune hepatic injury induced by ConA, the tongue color showed cyanotic color, microvascular perfusion in the liver and the tongue, and partial pressure of oxygen in the tongue tissue significantly decreased; and the microcirculatory perfusion of the tongue was significantly correlated with that of the liver and the HIS color spatial value of the tongue; Serum TNF-α content significantly increased. Conclusion： The mini-swine with immune hepatic injury induced by ConA conforms to pathological characteristics of immune hepatic injury. Formation of the cyanotic tongue is related with microcirculatory disturbance of the tongue, which can indirectly reflect hepatic microcirculatory state in the immune hepatic injury.     

太冲穴对椎-基底动脉供血不足患者血流速度的影响

目的:观察针刺太冲对椎-基底动脉供血不足(V B1)患者椎动脉血流速度紊乱的干预作用,为穴位特异性研究提供临床依据.方法:100例VBI患者用经颅多普勒超声(TCD)检测分出低流速型血管(43条)、高流速型血管(79条);对照组为正常人群50例,计椎动脉100条,观察针刺太冲穴前后椎动脉收缩期血流速度(Vs)的变化.结果:针刺太冲后低流速型椎动脉Vs明显增高,针刺5～10min、出针后半小时与针刺前比较差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.01);高流速型推动脉Vs明显降低,针刺5～10min、出针后半小时与针刺前比较差异具有统计学意义(均P<0.01);对照组针刺前后比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论:针刺太冲穴以双相调节的方式有效地改善椎动脉的供血,纠正椎动脉血流动力学的紊乱.     

针刺合谷与太冲fMRI脑功能成像的比较研究

目的:探讨针刺不同穴位对脑组织fMRI功能成像的影响.方法:将健康受试者随机分为针刺合谷组、太冲组、合谷配伍太冲组各7人,分别观察fMRI脑功能成像.结果:针刺合谷穴诱导额叶和枕叶脑组织血流量和血流容积的增加;针刺太冲穴仅诱导颞叶脑组织血流量和血流容积的增加;针刺合谷配太冲穴诱导额叶和颞叶脑组织血流量和血流容积的增加.结论:针刺不同穴位激发不同脑区的脑组织变化,而两个穴位配伍并不是两个穴位引起脑组织fMRI功能改变作用的叠加,而是引起脑组织fMRI功能重新分布.     

电针“内关”“太冲”穴对急性心肌缺血家兔心功能的影响

目的:研究电针"内关""太冲"穴对急性心肌缺血家兔心功能的影响,比较同名经原穴间的效应差异。方法:健康青紫蓝家兔50只,随机选择8只作为正常组,余经股静脉注射垂体后叶素造急性心肌缺血模型。将造模成功的家兔随机分为模型组、"内关"组、"太冲"组和非经穴组,每组8只。观察电针前后各组家兔心功能变化情况。结果:"内关"组及"太冲"组家兔的室内压上升段最大变化率(+dp/dt max)、室内压下降段最大变化率(-dp/dt max)与模型组比较显著升高(P0.01)。"内关"组的左心室收缩压力峰值(LVSP)与模型组比较显著升高(P0.05),电针"太冲"穴对LVSP的调节作用不显著(P0.05)。非经穴组的+dp/dt max、-dp/dt max及LVSP与正常组比较明显降低(P0.01),与模型组比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:电针"内关""太冲"穴对急性心肌缺血家兔的心功能均有一定的改善作用,且心包经的络穴"内关"对心脏功能的调节作用优于其同名经的原穴"太冲"。     

2 Hz electro-acupuncture at yinlingquan (SP9) and ququan (LR8) acupoints induces changes in blood flow in the liver and spleen

According to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, channels and collaterals within the body provide pathways through which qi and blood travel, and each channel or collateral is linked with a specific organ. The Yinlingquan (spleen 9, SP9) and Ququan (liver 8, LR8) acupoints represent the sea points of the spleen and liver meridians, respectively, from which qi and blood flow into their specific visceral organs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in blood flow/perfusion in the liver and spleen resulting from the application of 2 Hz electro-acupuncture (EA) to the Yinlingquan (SP9) or Ququan (LR8) acupoints. A total of 18 Spragrue-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups of six rats each as follows: sham group receiving sham EA; Yinlingquan (SP9) group receiving 2 Hz EA, applied at bilateral Yinlingquan (SP9) acupoints; and Ququan (LR8) groups receiving 2 Hz EA, applied at bilateral Ququan (LR8) acupoints. The mean blood flow/perfusion of the spleen and liver was recorded using a laser Doppler blood flow monitor prior to EA (representing the baseline), during EA, and post-EA. Each measurement period lasted ten minutes. Nitric oxide levels were also measured from the right femoral arterial blood, following the conclusion of each series of blood flow/perfusion recordings. The results indicate that the sham EA did not increase the mean blood flow/perfusion in the liver or spleen; 2 Hz EA at bilateral Yinlingquan (SP9) acupoints increased the mean blood flow/perfusion in the spleen, but not in the liver. In contrast, 2 Hz EA at bilateral Ququan (LR8) acupoints increased the mean blood flow/perfusion in the liver, but not in the spleen. Nitric oxide levels showed no significant difference between any of the groups at any stage of the measurements. According to the results, we conclude that EA at the Yinlingquan (SP9) and Ququan (LR8) acupoints can increase the blood flow in the spleen and liver, respectively.     

光明、太冲穴与中枢神经相关效应的观察

目的:观察针刺光明、太冲穴时,中枢不同区域的相关反应.方法:将19名正常志愿者随机分为1组(视觉刺激加单侧针刺组)7人,2组(视觉刺激加双侧针刺组)6人和3组(单纯针刺双侧穴组)6人.用功能性磁共振(fMRI)观察各组在针刺光明、太冲穴时视觉皮质区与相关脑区的反应.结果:发现视觉刺激及针刺进针时,视觉皮质的血氧饱和水平(BOLD)无明显变化(P＞0.25),但在进行单侧和双侧持续刺激时,发现大脑相关区域有BOLD变化.结论:针刺对单侧和双侧穴位的刺激均能改善大脑相关区域的BOLD,但与进行手法和视觉刺激无关.     

针刺太冲穴、人迎穴对自发性高血压大鼠降压效果比较

目的:探讨针刺太冲穴、人迎穴对自发性高血压(SHR)大鼠降压效果的差异。方法:6只Wistar大鼠为对照组,24只SHR大鼠随机分为模型组、太冲组、人迎组和非穴组,每组6只。每天固定时间针刺治疗1次,共14d。采用无创尾动脉血压测量技术检测血压。结果:与对照组比较,模型组大鼠同期收缩压(SBP)、舒张压(DBP)、平均动脉压(MAP)显著增高(P<0.05),太冲组SHR大鼠SBP自第7天开始显著下调(P<0.05),人迎组SHR大鼠自第6天开始显著下调(P<0.05);太冲组和人迎组SHR大鼠DBP和MAP自第6天开始显著下调(P<0.05),降压效果呈时间依赖性。结论:针刺太冲、人迎穴可显著降低SHR大鼠血压,但太冲穴和人迎穴降压效果差异无统计学意义。     

电针太冲对大脑感觉皮层诱发电位的影响

目的:观察电针太冲对健康人群大脑皮层诱发电位的影响,探讨躯体刺激对感觉皮层的兴奋性作用,为临床循经远端选穴提供参考依据.方法:采用自身前后对照,纳入健康志愿者10名,在电针左侧太冲前后测定阴部神经体感诱发电位(PSEP)、下肢体感诱发电位(LSEP),比较电针前后诱发电位的差异.结果:电针左侧太冲后,左下肢体感诱发电位...     

浅析太冲穴临床治验

太冲穴,属足厥阴肝经输穴,又名大冲穴。为肝经原穴,又是马丹阳天星十二穴之一。位于足背侧,当第一跖骨间隙的后方陷处。其穴具有疏肝理气,清肝泻火,平肝潜阳,开胸利膈功效。笔者在临床上常以此穴为主配以他穴治疗高血压、失眠、呃逆、耳鸣等病疾。从针刺方法、配穴、方义体会等方面加以阐述,论述太冲穴的主治功效,疗效范围。     

电针“太冲”对轻症酒精性肝损伤大鼠的影响

目的:观察电针"太冲"穴对轻症酒精性肝损伤大鼠的作用,探讨电针改善轻症酒精性肝损伤的可行性。方法:SD大鼠随机分为正常组、模型组、太冲组和非穴组,每组10只。白酒灌胃制造轻症酒精性肝损伤模型。电针治疗组分别电针双侧"太冲"及非穴。用赖氏法检测大鼠肝脏组织中丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)活性,同时肝组织行HE染色观察其病理变化。结果:模型组与正常组相比肝脏组织有损伤性改变,同时模型组ALT、AST活性明显高于正常组(P<0.05)。电针"太冲"及非穴后虽然大鼠肝脏病理情况无显著改善,但是电针"太冲"能够明显降低大鼠肝组织ALT、AST活性(P<0.05),而电针非穴组ALT、AST没有明显变化。结论:电针"太冲"对轻症酒精性肝损伤有一定防护作用。     

Treatment of toothache by needling Taichong (LR3): A report of 20 cases

Purpose To explore the feasibility of treating toothache with the acupoints in Liver Meridian. Method According to syndrome differentiation, toothache was divided into pathogenic wind-fire type and deficiency-fire type. Twenty patients were treated by needling Taichong (LR 3) of the affected side. Reducing manipulation was performed for toothache due to pathogenic wind-fire while early-reducing-late-tonifying was performed for toothache due to deficiency-fire type.Results The pain disappearance occurred in 14 cases, improved in 5 cases and no effect in one case.Conclusion Needling Taichong (LR 3) was effective for toothache. Author: Chu Fu-xiang (1955-), male, attending physician Translator: CUI Yi-jun