The Role of Acupuncture Treatment in Obstructed Defecation Syndrome

Background:Obstructed defecation syndrome(ODS)is a group of symptoms that are mainly caused by pelvic floor dysfunction concerning bowel symptoms.It is challenging in clinical practice.Acupuncture has advantages in the treatment of complex symptoms because of its multi-target and bi-directional regulation of the human body.Since 2500 years ago,acupuncture has been applied empirically to the treatment of constipation.Does acupuncture have any effect on ODS?Objectives:By showing the clinical thoughts,methods,and achievements of acupuncture series in ODS in recent ten years by the author’s team,and two scientific papers published in English on acupuncture treatment of chronic intractable constipation and stress urinary incontinence,it is proved that the core scheme of acupuncture treatment of defecation disorder syndrome(ODS)is flexible.In order to raise awareness of the therapeutic effect of acupuncture in ODS,it can be integrated into existing practice to get opportunities for multidisciplinary cooperation and further research and development.Materials and Methods:By summarizing the diagnosis and treatment of ODS,the first-line selection of pelvic floor rehabilitation and the minimally invasive sacral neuromodulation were reviewed,and it was pointed out that there was a gap between the high demand of patients and the expectation of cost-effectiveness.Then,on the basis of modern eastern and western medical achievements,the holistic concept was introduced into the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction,and an acupuncture scheme suitable for ODS was proposed.Results:Acupuncture is based on the idea of improving the patients’central nervous system,autonomic nervous system and intestinal nervous system,and is effective in treating ODS.The acupoints were set two groups when patient in supine position,which includes ST 25(Tianshu),SP 15(Daheng),SP 14(Fujie),CV 6(Qihai),CV 4(Guanyuan),ST 36(Zusanli),ST 37(Shangjuxu);When patient is in prone position,it includes BL 20(Pishu),BL 23(Shenshu),BL 25(Dachangshu),BL 33(Zhongliao),BL 34(Xialiao),and GV 20(Baihui).The key was the technique of deep needling of the ST 25(Tianshu)and deep needling of the BL 33(Zhongliao)&BL 34(Xialiao).It needs 2-15 Hz sparse-dense wave electrical stimulation,30 minutes each time,a total of 20 times,which was a scheme that could achieve satisfactory short-term and long-term effects.Conclusion:At present,clinical and basic experimental studies have proved that acupuncture plays a role in treating ODS in a multi-target way.This is a very promising research direction of pelvic floor integrated medicine.In the future,further study on optimizing the protocol and meeting the patient’s gap individually and cost-effectively.