Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment, Gua Sha, can Induce Subtle Molecular Changes in Gene Expression

Objective Here, we explored molecular changes that could potentially mediate healing effects of Gua Sha — a method employed by the Chinese traditional medicine with proven track records of safe and efficient applications dating back to ancient times as well as support from randomized controlled trials performed by modern medical studies — yet remaining almost entirely unexplored by the modern-day high-throughput methods of the-omics sciences.Methods We investigated transcriptome changes occurring shortly after Gua Sha treatment in the whole blood of healthy volunteers using bulk RNA-seq analysis. We applied various analytical tools to identify genes with consistent expression changes in multiple individuals in response to Gua Sha and their networks.Results We found that while the changes were very subtle and individual-specific, we could identify consistent upregulation of three histone genes. Further analysis of the potential regulatory networks of these histone genes revealed the enrichment of functions involved in the immune response and inflammation.Conclusion The significance of these results in the context of potential effects of Gua Sha and the next steps in exploring the molecular mechanisms of action of this technique are discussed.

Cultural differences between China and America reflected in the movie Gua Sha

As cross-cultural communication gains growing popularity in our global world,heavy emphasis has been placed on a better understanding of cultural differences among countries.Gua Sha is such a movie that epitomizes the existing cultural differences between China and America.It is to firstly make a brief introduction of the plot and then analyze the causes of various cultural conflicts and finally put forward some suggestions to help avoid these conflicts in cross-cultural communication.

Combination Treatment with Gua Sha and Blood-letting Causes Attenuation of Systemic Inflammation,Activated Coagulation,Tissue Ischemia and Injury during Heatstroke in Rats

Objective： Gua Sha and Blood-letting at the acupoints were Chinese traditional therapies for heatstroke. The purpose of present study was to assess the therapeutic effect of Gua Sha on the DU Meridian and Bladder Meridian combined with Blood-letting acupoints at Shixuan （EX-UE 11） and Weizhong （BL 40） on heatstroke. Methods： Anesthetized rats, immediately after the onset of heatstroke, were divided into four major groups： Gua Sha group, Blood-letting group, Gua Sha combined with Blood-letting group and model group. They were exposed to ambient temperature of 43℃ to induce heatstroke. Another group of rats were exposed to room temperature （26℃） and used as normal control group. Their survival times were measured. In addition, their physiological and biochemical parameters were continuously monitored. Results： When rats underwent heatstroke, their survival time values were found to be 21-25 min. Treatment of Gua Sha combined with Blood- letting greatly improved the survival time （230 ± 22 rain） during heatstroke. All heatstoke animals displayed and activated coagulation evidenced by increased prothrombin time （PT）, activated partial thromboplastin time （aPTT）, D-dimer, and decreased platelet count, protein C. Furthermore, the animals displayed systemic inflammation evidenced by increased the serum levels of cytokines interleukin-1β （IL-1β）, tumor necrosis factor α （TNF-α） and malondialdehyde （MDA）. Biochemical markers evidenced by cellular ischemia and injury/dysfunction included increased plasma levels of blood urea nitrogen （BUN）, creatinine, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase （SGOT）, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase （SGPT）, and alkaline phosphatase （ALP） were all elevated during heatstroke. Core temperatures （Tco） were also increased during heatstroke. In contrast, the values of mean arterial pressure were significantly lower during heatstroke. These heatstroke reactions were all significantly suppressed by treatment of Gua Sha and Blood-letting, especially the combination therapy. Conclusion： Gua Sha combined with Blood-letting after heatstroke may improve survival by ameliorating systemic inflammation, hypercoagulable state, and tissue ischemia and injury in multiple organs.

Gua Sha,An Ancient Technical Management,for Certain Illness

We were attracted by a news in Washington Post talking about the effects of Gua Sha （刮痧） on pain relief in the United States. Once there was a film telling culture conflicts between Eastern and Western world derived from Gua Sha in 2000, in which the Chinese parents were sued as child abuse evidenced by the appearance of petechiae and ecchymosis （Sha） on the child＇s back. Now about 12 years later Gua Sha has been one of the complementary therapies widely accepted in the United States mirrored by more and more clinic-visits and several evidence-based studies published in peer-reviewed journals.

Gua Sha attenuates thermal hyperalgesia and decreases proinflammatory cytokine expression in serum in rats with lumbar disc herniation induced by autologous nucleus pulposus

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the analgesic effect of Gua Sha and its underlying mechanism in rats with noncompressive lumbar disk herniation induced by autologous nucleus pulposus.METHODS: A rat model of noncompressive lumbar disk herniation was established and rats were randomly divided into model group, sham group, and Gua Sha group(24 in each group). Gua Sha was performed from the 5 th day after the surgery, once every other day, 3 times for a course of treatment,and totally 3 courses. The thermal withdrawal latency was evaluated using the intelligent hot plate one day before the surgery, and on days 4(the day before the treatment), 10(the end of the firstcourse), 16(the end of the second course) and 22(the end of the third course). On days 4, 10, 16 and22, six rats in each group were picked randomly and their blood samples were drawn to assess the expression of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α).RESULTS: Compared to rats in the sham group, the application of nucleus pulposus to right L5 dorsal root ganglion induced prolonged thermal hyperalgesia, and up-regulated the expression of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α in serum(P < 0.01). The therapy of Gua Sha attenuated thermal hyperalgesia potently,inhibited the expression of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in a time-dependent manner(P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in the thermal withdrawal latency and the expression of inflammatory cytokines between the sham and Gua Sha groups at the end of the treatment(P > 0.01).CONCLUSION: The current study showed that Gua Sha might alleviate thermal hyperalgesia in rats with lumbar disc herniation induced by autologous nucleus pulposus via inhibiting the expression of proinflammatory cytokins.

Effects of Gua Sha therapy on weightlifting training: a randomized trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of Gua Sha therapy on weightlifting training.METHODS: The sample size was calculated by conducting a pilot study. A total of 44 male weightlifters were randomly assigned to either the Gua Sha group(n = 15), sham scraping group(n = 14), or control group(n = 14). The participants in the Gua Sha group and sham scraping group received 16 sessions of Gua Sha therapy during normal weightlifting training for 8 weeks. No treatment was applied to participants in the control group. The effectiveness of Gua Sha therapy was evaluated by measuring weightlifting ability, the rating of perceived exertion(RPE) of snatch and clean and jerk(85% of1 repetition maximum), and creatinine kinase(CK),blood urea nitrogen(BUN), and immunoglobulin A levels.RESULTS: Gua Sha therapy treatment significantly increased weightlifting ability in participants in the Gua Sha group(P < 0.01). The RPE values of snatch and clean and jerk were significantly lower in the Gua Sha group and sham scraping groups compared with the control group(P < 0.05). CK levels were lower and immunoglobulin A levels were significantly higher in the Gua Sha group compared with sham scraping group and control group(both P < 0.05). BUN levels tended to be reduced only in the Gua Sha group. A close correlation between CK levels and the RPE was found in the Gua Sha group.CONCLUSION: Gua Sha therapy can facilitate weightlifting ability, reduce the RPE, and inhibit muscle injury by promoting recovery from fatigue caused by normal weightlifting training. Gua Sha therapy could be an effective treatment to complement normal weightlifting training.

铜砭刮痧疗法联合独活寄生汤治疗风寒湿痹型神经根型颈椎病颈肩痛

目的:探讨铜砭刮痧疗法联合独活寄生汤对神经根型颈椎病颈肩痛患者的疼痛症状及睡眠质量的影响。方法:选择符合纳入标准的神经根型颈椎病颈肩痛患者130例,依据随机数字表随机分为对照组和研究组,每组各65例。对照组患者给予独活寄生汤和颈部保健运动康复干预,研究组在对照组治疗基础上给予铜砭刮痧干预,均干预4周。比较干预3、7、14 d患者颈痛量表(NPQ)评分、疼痛视觉模拟(VAS)评分、颈椎功能障碍指数(NDI)评分变化情况,并在干预30 d后比较两组患者匹兹堡睡眠质量指数(PSQI)的变化情况。结果:与对照组比较,干预3、7、14 d,研究组NPQ评分、VAS评分、NDI评分低于对照组(P<0.05,P<0.001)。NPQ评分、VAS评分、NDI评分主体内效应(F_(时点)、F_(交互))、主体间效应(F_(组间))比较,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.001)。与治疗后比较,两组PSQI入睡速度、睡眠时间、主观睡眠质量、睡眠障碍、助眠药物、日间活动和总分均降低(P<0.05),研究组睡眠效率降低(P<0.05);与对照组比较,研究组干预30 d后PSQI睡眠时间、主观睡眠质量、睡眠效率、睡眠障碍、助眠药物、日间活动、总分更低(P<0.05)。结论:铜砭刮痧疗法联合独活寄生汤可显著改善神经根型颈椎病颈肩痛患者的疼痛症状及睡眠质量,促进功能恢复。

基于古代文献分析痧证外治法关键信息

目的:系统挖掘梳理古代医籍中关于痧证外治法的源流、概念、逻辑关系、主治病症、具体方法等关键信息进行整理研究。方法:基于中华医典数据库和安徽中医药大学青梨文献库,使用计量学方法分析相关古籍朝代、临床症状、痧证外治方法、部位选择等数据,采用统计学软件IBM SPSS Statistics27和IBM SPSS Modeler 18.0进行刮痧部位以及痧证的聚类和关联规则分析。结果:痧证外治法的古籍汉、明、清各有2、6、23部,74.19%信息记载于清代古籍。其中干预疾病之痧证外治法最多见于放痧、刮痧法,放痧应用频次占比最多为绞肠痧(21.74%)和兼痧(13.9%),刮痧应用频次占比最多为绞肠痧(16.7%)和斑痧(16.7%)。对不同痧证进行关系规则分析,可见绞肠痧与发痧呈强关联。刮痧部位的聚类分析谱系图,当度值为20时,刮痧部位分4类:颈项-两胁-背心、脉门-脑后、心窝、足心;放痧部位的聚类分析谱系图,当度值为15时,放痧部位分5类:十指头-两臂弯-两腿弯、舌下两傍-少商穴、委中穴-曲池穴、颠顶、双乳;结合古籍医案常用部位、痧证脉候、痧筋辨识,外治工具和介质等形成系统信息结构。结论:痧证外治法是中医临床经验的宝贵结晶,通过厘清古代文献关键信息,为传承和临床应用提供参考依据。

辨证刮痧干预对原发性高血压患者血压控制的影响

目的:观察辨证刮痧干预对原发性高血压患者血压控制的影响。方法:选取2022年10月—2023年12月江苏省中医院收治的100例原发性高血压患者为研究对象,以随机数字表法分为对照组(常规干预)和观察组(在对照组基础上加用辨证刮痧干预),各50例。比较患者血压水平、中医证候积分及临床疗效。结果:干预后,两组收缩压、舒张压水平均降低,观察组低于对照组(P<0.05);干预后,两组头目眩晕、气短乏力、少寐多梦、心烦易怒积分均降低,观察组低于对照组(P<0.05);观察组总有效率高于对照组(P=0.025)。结论:辨证刮痧干预在原发性高血压患者中应用效果较好,可有效控制患者血压水平,改善患者中医临床症状。

手法干预联合铜砭刮痧在浆细胞性乳腺炎患者中的应用

目的:探讨手法干预联合铜砭刮痧在浆细胞性乳腺炎的应用与临床疗效。方法:选取符合标准的100例浆细胞性乳腺炎患者,将其随机分为观察组50例和对照组50例。观察组通过手法干预联合铜砭刮痧进行治疗,对照组采用手法干预进行治疗,观察此联合方法对浆细胞性乳腺炎的治疗效果,其中,铜砭刮痧一周一次,十次为一个疗程,手法干预为30~45d一次。结果:观察组的治愈率为78%,对照组的治愈率为58%,2组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),观察组治疗后乳房肿块复发率0。结论:铜砭刮痧的经络气血调理功效联合手法干预的疏通作用在治疗浆细胞性乳腺炎具有良好的临床效果,可以缩短治疗时间,减轻患者疼痛,降低复发率,保持较好的乳房外形。

余氏发痧驱瘀法配合运动导引治疗骶髂关节紊乱症的疗效观察

目的:观察余氏发痧驱瘀法配合运动导引治疗骶髂关节紊乱症的疗效。方法:将76例符合纳入诊断标准的骶髂关节紊乱症患者按随机数字表法分为观察组和对照组,每组38例。2组均给予常规治疗护理,观察组在对照组的基础上进行余氏发痧驱瘀法配合运动导引,于治疗前、治疗4周分别对2组患者进行视觉模拟评分法(VAS)评分、Oswestry功能障碍指数问卷表(ODI)评分、中医临床疗效等评估。结果:治疗后,2组患者VAS评分、ODI评分均较治疗前明显下降,且观察组明显低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。观察组治愈21例,好转15例,未愈2例,总有效率为94.74%。对照组治愈11例,好转20例,未愈7例,总有效率为81.58%。2组比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:余氏发痧驱瘀法配合运动导引可以较好地缓解骶髂关节紊乱症患者腰部疼痛症状,促进炎症吸收、增强相关肌群肌力,改善腰部功能障碍程度,三者合一,疗效显著,安全简便,值得临床推广使用。

八味利咽合剂联合虎符铜砭刮痧治疗肺胃热盛型急性扁桃体炎临床观察

目的:探讨安徽中医药大学第一附属医院院内制剂八味利咽合剂联合虎符铜砭刮痧治疗急性扁桃体炎(肺胃热盛型)的临床疗效。方法:选取急性扁桃体炎(肺胃热盛型)患者60例,将患者随机分成观察组和对照组,各30例。观察组给予八味利咽合剂口服联合虎符铜砭刮痧治疗;对照组给予蒲地蓝消炎口服液口服,均在治疗7天后,观察比较2组的临床疗效;分别记录两组患者的自觉症状(腋温、咽痛充血等情况)、阳性体征(扁桃体肥大分度及扁桃体表面脓性分泌物分布程度)、临床症状消失时间、炎症指标(治疗前后WBC、NEU%水平变化),并记录不良反应。结果:治疗7天后,观察组的临床有效率为96.67%,对照组的治疗有效率为80.00%,差异有统计学意义。两组中医证候积分以及WBC、NEU%水平较治疗前降低(P<0.05),且观察组降低程度优于对照组(P<0.05);治疗后,观察组患者症状消失时间短于对照组(P<0.05)。观察组未出现不良反应,对照组出现不良反应(剧烈干呕)1例。结论:院内制剂(八味利咽合剂)联合虎符铜砭刮痧治疗急乳蛾肺胃热盛证疗效显著,副作用较小,并且可减轻患者经济压力,性价比高。

温通刮痧辅助治疗慢性肩周炎的临床疗效观察

目的 分析温通刮痧辅助治疗慢性肩周炎的临床疗效。方法 本研究采用回顾性、单盲法收集2022年2月—2023年11月在东莞市清溪医院进行治疗的81例慢性肩周炎患者的临床资料,根据资料中患者的不同治疗方法分为对照组39例(予关节松动术治疗)和研究组42例(予温通刮痧辅助关节松动术治疗)。对比两组临床疗效,以及麦吉尔疼痛问卷评估(MPQ)和Constant-Murley肩关节评分量表评分。结果 治疗后,研究组总有效率(95.24%)高于对照组(79.49%,P <0.05);两组MPQ各评分均降低(P <0.05),且研究组低于对照组(P <0.01);两组Constant-Murley量表中肌力、日常生活能力、疼痛、关节活动度各评分均升高(P <0.05),且研究组高于对照组(P <0.01)。结论 在慢性肩周炎患者中采用温通刮痧辅助治疗疗效更佳,有利于缓解患者临床症状和疼痛感,帮助肩关节功能恢复。

铜砭刮痧联合耳穴压豆对MCAO大鼠脑缺血损伤改善效果及炎性因子的影响

目的 探讨铜砭刮痧联合耳穴压豆对大脑中动脉闭塞(MCAO)大鼠脑缺血损伤改善效果及炎症因子的影响。方法 将50只雄性SD大鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组、刮痧组、耳穴组、联合组,每组10只,采用大脑中动脉线栓法建立MCAO模型。与造模d1开始,对大鼠进行刮痧及耳穴等干预,于干预14 d后,采用mNSS评分表评估大鼠神经功能缺损程度,ELISA检测血清中炎性因子TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6、IL-10的含量,TTC染色法测定脑梗死面积,Western blot法检测脑组织IL-6、IL-10蛋白含量,RT-qPCR检测IL-6、IL-10 m RNA表达水平。结果 刮痧组、耳穴组、联合组在mNSS评分、脑梗死面积方面均优于模型组(P<0.05)。刮痧组、联合组血清TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6含量低于模型组(P<0.05),IL-10高于模型组(P<0.05),蛋白含量及mRNA表达IL-6低于模型组(P<0.05),IL-10高于模型组(P<0.05)。耳穴组血清TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6含量低于模型组(P<0.05),但IL-10含量差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);蛋白含量及mRNA表达IL-6低于模型组(P<0.05),但IL-10差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论 铜砭刮痧联合耳穴压豆可改善MCAO大鼠神经功能,及作用可能与免疫调节机制有关。

刮痧在周围性面瘫病人中的应用研究进展

阐述周围性面瘫的发病机制,从治疗原理、临床研究综述刮痧在周围性面瘫病人中的应用研究进展,以期从中医外治角度为周围性面瘫的治疗提供参考。

刮痧疗法对胆红素、SOD、IL-1、IL-6、白细胞、单胺类神经递质的影响初探

目的:探讨刮痧疗法在生理条件下对胆红素、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、细胞因子、血细胞及神经递质等因素的影响,为刮痧的疗效评定提供依据。方法:年龄在21～24岁的学生,男、女各8人,分别于刮痧前及刮痧后0.5h、6h上臂静脉取血。将血样进行血常规、白细胞介素-1、白细胞介素-6、胆红素、超氧化物歧化酶及单胺类神经递质五羟色胺(5-HT)、多巴胺(DA)、去甲肾上腺素(NE)的检测。结果:刮痧后SOD的数值变化在正常值范围内且有所升高,男性组0.5h到6h升高显著(P<0.05);白细胞在刮痧后6h分别与刮痧前、刮痧后0.5h比较,升高显著(P<0.05);淋巴细胞在刮痧后6h升高显著(P<0.05);刮痧后6h男性组5-HT、DA、NE及女性组DA与刮痧前比较降低显著(P<0.05)。结论:提示刮痧可能通过提高机体抗氧化能力,达到预防保健作用,其升高白细胞、淋巴细胞数可能是刮痧提高机体免疫力,起到能力保健、治疗作用的机理之一,其对单胺类神经递质的影响,尚需进一步研究探讨。

刮痧对腰椎间盘突出症大鼠血清IgG及椎间盘组织病理改变的影响

目的 探讨刮痧对腰椎间盘突出症模型大鼠的作用机理.方法 将50只雄性SD大鼠随机分为空白组、假手术组、模型组、刮痧组、药物组,每组10只.空白组不做任何处理;假手术组只做假手术处理;模型组、刮痧组和药物组进行造模：通过手术将大鼠尾椎髓核移植于L4～L5处左侧肌肉层中.模型组不给予干预措施;于术后第5天,刮痧组给予刮痧,药物组给予药物硫唑嘌呤（3 mg/kg）灌胃.分别于造模前1d、造模后第4天（干预前）、干预后第6天、干预后第12天、干预后第18天（干预结束后）采血.应用双抗体两步夹心酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）检测血清中免疫球蛋白G（IgG）的含量.干预后第18天（干预结束后）采血完成后处死大鼠.空白组、假手术组切取相应尾椎椎间盘,模型组、刮痧组、药物组取出移植尾椎椎间盘,并在光镜下观察尾椎椎间盘的病理变化.结果 与模型组相比,刮痧组和药物组的血清IgG含量明显降低,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.01）,而刮痧组与药物组之间没有显著性差异（P＞0.05）,提示刮痧和药物都可以抑制造模引起的自身免疫反应,降低模型大鼠血清IgG值,且效果相当.椎间盘组织病理切片显示,假手术组无明显的炎症反应,刮痧组和药物组椎间盘周围组织局部免疫炎症反应与模型组相比明显减轻.结论 刮痧可以抑制大鼠髓核引起的自身免疫及免疫炎症反应.

刮痧治疗腰肌劳损疗效评价及影响因素研究

目的探索制约刮痧疗效(穴位刮痧、循经刮痧)的基本因素,确定刮痧部位、手法强度与疗效的关系。方法将符合纳入标准的210例腰肌劳损患者,采用中央随机电话拨号的方法分为穴位出痧组、循经出痧组、穴位不出痧组、循经不出痧组、针刺组5组,每组42例,分别给于刮痧或针刺治疗,连续治疗7次。5组均于治疗前、每次治疗后、治疗后1个月、3个月随访时记录VAS标尺图得分、ODI量表得分,并统计疗效。结果 5组治疗后VAS得分、ODI得分均较治疗前明显改善(P<0.01),随访1个月、3个月疗效稳定,以循经出痧组疗效最优(P<0.01),为89.74%;Logistic逐步回归分析提示是否出痧和循经刮拭是疗效的主要影响因素。结论刮痧疗法能够有效缓解腰痛症状,出痧和循经刮拭是刮痧疗效的主要影响因素。

物理疗法刮痧干预竞技举重训练的实验研究

以优秀举重运动员为实验对象,采用具有资质的刮痧师和合理标准化的刮拭技术干预举重训练恢复。结果显示:传统刮痧疗法可提高竞技举重训练效果,降低主观质量感,避免焦虑等心理,提高心率变异性调节交感和副交感神经功能,降低肌酸激酶水平并提高刺激球蛋白含量,提升免疫功能。分析刮痧疗法优势病种治疗范围与竞技训练肌肉疲劳现象的趋同性,说明传统刮痧疗法可促进竞技举重运动员恢复,提升训练成绩。

循经刮痧治疗颈肩筋伤效果观察

目的探讨循经刮痧对颈肩筋伤患者疼痛、症状及生活质量的影响。方法将90例颈肩筋伤患者按就诊先后分为经验刮痧组和循经刮痧组各45例。经验刮痧组按照传统经验选择疼痛部位的穴位及阿是穴进行刮痧;循经刮痧组根据不同辨证分型,按经络学说及远近配穴原则进行刮痧。干预前后采用视觉模拟评分法(VAS)、田中靖久症状量表和SF-36量表进行效果评价。结果两组刮痧干预前后VAS评分比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);两组症状评分及SF-36评分比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05,P<0.01)。结论刮痧能减轻颈肩筋伤患者即时疼痛,循经刮痧在改善颈椎功能、提高生活质量方面效果优于经验刮痧。