Clinical research progress on acupuncture for the treatment of otogenic vertigo

Otogenic vertigo is a common disorder that affects the vestibular system,which often results in considerable discomfort and impaired daily functioning.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),including acupuncture and moxibustion,has been historically utilized to manage the symptoms of vertigo.However,the effectiveness and methodology of these treatments have rarely been investigated in the medical literature.This study reviews the existing literature on the point selection,method,and therapeutic effect of acupuncture and moxibustion to provide a reference for the TCM treatment of otogenic vertigo.A literature search was performed using the PubMed search engine.The terms used included otogenic vertigo,acupuncture treatment,and acupuncture point selection.A total of 34 relevant articles were retrieved from PubMed.These suggest that the clinical treatment of otogenic vertigo should consider the functions of zang-fu organs and meridians and select different acupuncture treatment methods according to syndrome differentiation based on the difference between deficiency and excess.Acupuncture and moxibustion therapy should be based on acupoint selection,considering the syndrome differentiation,supplemented with experience.The treatment of otogenic vertigo with acupuncture and moxibustion refers to the selection of appropriate acupuncture methods under the guidance of TCM theory and following the principles of syndrome,disease,and meridian differentiation.Common acupuncture methods include body acupuncture,auricular acupuncture,scalp acupuncture,acupoint injection,electroacupuncture,and moxibustion.There are many acupuncture and moxibustion acupoints selected for the treatment of otogenic vertigo.Individualized treatment according to the patient’s specific condition is effective and safe,which can help to improve the patient’s vertigo symptoms and cerebral blood perfusion.

The Affects of Acupuncture at Sibai and Neiting Acupoints on Gastric Peristalsis

The frequency and amplitude of gastric peristaltic wave were significantly changed in 15 subjects when Sibai (ST 2) and Neiting (ST 44) acupoints of the Stomach Channel of Foot-Yangming were punctured. The results demonstrate that these acupoints are effective for treatment of stomach diseases, providing an experimental basis for the theory of channels and collaterals.

Effects of Electroacupuncture at Weiwanxiashu and Zusanli Points on Blood Glucose and Plasma Pancreatic Glucagon Contents in Diabetic Rabbits

The Effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at Weiwanxiashu (EX-B3) and Zusanli (ST 36) points on blood glucose (BG) and plasma pancreatic glucagon (PG) contents were dynamically observed in diabetic rabbits induced by Alloxan. It is found that acupuncture at Weiwanxiashu point can significantly lower the BG content and inhibit release of PG; no significant changes in BG and PG are found when acupuncture is given at Zusanli (ST 36) point alone, however BG and PG contents decrease more obviously when acupuncture employed at both Zusanli and Weiwanxiashu, suggesting that Zusanli has a marked synergetic action with Weiwanxiashu.

TREATMENT OF POSTAPOPLECTIC THALAMIC SPONTANEOUS PAIN BY ELECTROACUPUNCTURE AT HUATUOJIAJI POINTS

The authors have treated 30 cases of postapoplectic thalamic spontaneous pain (PTSP) by electro-acupuncture at Huatuojiaji points (Extra), with the other 30 cases of PTSP treated by oral administration of carbamazepine as the controls. The total effective rate was 90% in the acupuncture group, and 86.7% in the control group. The difference in the total effective rate between the two groups was not statistically significant (P > 0.05), suggesting that electroacupuncture at Huatuojiaji (Extra) is a better therapy for PTSP.

Activities of Liquid Crystals in Acupuncture Points

The theory of Meridians is an important part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Modern science should play its role in analysing and making clear the mystique of the theory. The relation between the activities of liquid crystals in acupuncture points and the regulative actions of Meridians was studied in this paper. The results showed the intimate intrinsic association between them.

RECIPROCAL ACTIONS OF ACUPOINTS ON GASTROINTESTINAL PERISTALSIS DURING ELECTROACUPUNCTURE IN MICE

Orthogonal design was used to observe the gastrointestinal peristalsis in normal andatropine-treated mice after electroacupuncture was applied,singly or in combination,atNeiguan(P 6),Pishu(UB 20)and Zusanli(St 36).The results showed that:1)electroacupuncture has no significant effect on the gastrointestinal peristalsis in normalmice;2)Pishu(UB 20)was significantly antagonistic to Zusanli(St 36)in normal mice;3)the decreased gastrointestinal peristalsis in atropine-treated mice was markedly promotedby electroacupuncture at Zusanli(St 36);and 4)Neiguan(P 6)was significantlyantagonistic to Pishu(UB 20)in atropine-treated mice.The results indicated that thereciprocal actions among acupoints should be taken into consideration for pointprescription.

THE THIRD LUMBAR TRANSVERSE PROCESS SYNDROME TREATED BY ELECTROACUPUNCTURE AT HUATUOJIAJI POINTS

32 cases of the third lumbar transverse process syndrome were treated mainly byelectroacupuncture at Huatuojiaji points of the first and second lumbar vertebrae, andanother 30 cases of the syndrome by conventional acupuncture as the controls. The resultsshowed that treatment by electroacupuncture at Huatuojiaji points was superior inanalgesic effect and clinical total effective rate to that by conventional acupuncture. It isconsidered that the mechanism of treatment by electroacupuncture at Huatuojiaji pointsis related to the trunk of posterior ramus of the spinal nerve where the points are located.

Forty-five Cases of Apoplexy Treated by Electroacupuncture at the Points of Yin Meridians

Forty-five cases of apoplexy were treated by electroacupuncture only at the points of Yin Meridians (i.e. the Hand- and Foot-Taiyin Meridians), and the other 30 cases as the controls were treated only at the points of Yang Meridians (i.e. the Hand- and Foot-Yangming Meridians). The total effective rate was 91.1% in the former and 86.7% in the latter, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups, indicating that acupuncture only at the points of Yin-Meridians is also an effective therapy for apoplexy.

Treatment of Migraine with Acupuncture at Points Pertaining to the Liver and Gallbladder Channels

In studying the syndrome of yang-hyperactivity, we found that most migraine patients were with hyperactivity of the liver-yang, stagnation of the liver-qiand blood stasis, and stagnation of the liverqi and deficiency of the spleen. To evaluate the needling effects on migraine and to approach its mechanism, we have launched a study in 207 cases since 1997. The results were satisfactory and reported as follows.

Laser therapy on points of acupuncture on nerve repair

Paresthesia is the name given to a temporary or permanent sensory loss caused by several surgical procedures that affected the peripheral sensory nerve.In dentistry,common iatrogenic procedures that can lead to sensory loss include third molar removal,

SIX KEY POINTS FOR ACUPUNCTURE THERAPY

In the present paper, the author puts forward six key points for acupuncture treatment of diseases, namely, (1) careful examination, (2) definite diagnosis, (3) precise and appropriate identification of syndromes, (4) accurate location of the acupoint, (5) flexible application of needling manipulations, and (6) 'Deqi'. The first three aspects are the foundation, accurate location and flexible needling manipulations are also the prerequisite for effective treatment of diseases. In addition, sound theoretical basic knowledge of both traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and modern medicine, and flexibly applying suitable needling maneuvers, stimulating quantity and duration of needle retaining in accordance with the concrete state of disease and the patient's conditions are also very important in clinical practice of acupuncture.

Acupuncture at Back-Shu point improves insomnia by reducing inflammation and inhibiting the ERK/NF-κB signaling pathway

BACKGROUND Insomnia is a disease where individuals cannot maintain a steady and stable sleep state or fail to fall asleep.Western medicine mainly uses sedatives and hypnotic drugs to treat insomnia,and long-term use is prone to drug resistance and other adverse reactions.Acupuncture has a good curative effect and unique advantages in the treatment of insomnia.AIM To explore the molecular mechanism of acupuncture at Back-Shu point for the treatment of insomnia.METHODS We first prepared a rat model of insomnia,and then carried out acupuncture for 7 consecutive days.After treatment,the sleep time and general behavior of the rats were determined.The Morris water maze test was used to assess the learning ability and spatial memory ability of the rats.The expression levels of inflammatory cytokines in serum and the hippocampus were detected by ELISA.qRTPCR was used to detect the mRNA expression changes in the ERK/NF-κB signaling pathway.Western blot and immunohistochemistry were carried out to evaluate the protein expression levels of RAF-1,MEK-2,ERK1/2 and NF-κB.RESULTS Acupuncture can prolong sleep duration,and improve mental state,activity,diet volume,learning ability and spatial memory.In addition,acupuncture increased the release of 1L-1β,1L-6 and TNF-αin serum and the hippocampus and inhibited the mRNA and protein expression of the ERK/NF-κB signaling pathway.CONCLUSION These findings suggest that acupuncture at Back-Shu point can inhibit the ERK/NF-κB signaling pathway and treat insomnia by increasing the release of inflammatory cytokines in the hippocampus.

THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF ACUPUNCTURE COMBINED WITH MEDICINE ON DIABETIC NEUROPATHY

Objective To search for a good therapeutic method for treating diabetic neuropathy. Methods Patients were randomly divided into an acupuncture group （n =30） and a control group （n =26）. In the control group, gliclazide, at the dose of 80 mg/d, for lowering blood sugar, and adenosine coenzyme B12, at the dose of 0.75 mg, for improving nutrition of nerves were orally administered. In the acupuncture group, acupuncture at bilateral Yishu point was added. Three weeks of treatments were given for both groups. Therapeutic effects and changes in fasting blood sugar, fasting glucose in urine and blood fat were observed. Results The total effective rate was 93.3% and 67.3% in the acupuncture and control group, respectively. Fasting blood sugar, fasting glucose in urine, total cholesterol and triglyceride were obviously lowered, and high density lipoprotein markedly elevated in the acupuncture group with significant differences, compared with those in the control group （P〈0.05）. Conclusion Acupuncture combined with medicine can improve disorder of fat metabolism in diabetic patients at the early and intermediate stages and depress and stabilize blood glucose to improve neural functions.

THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF NEEDLE WARMING THROUGH MOXIBUSTION AT TWELVE SHU POINTS ON RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic andgeneral immunologic disease,mainlyinvolving the joints.Clinically,it is manifestedby morning ankylosis,arthroncus,jointdeformity and dysfunction.It falls into thecategory of arthralgia syndrome in traditionalChinese medicine(TCM).The authors havetreated 55 cases of rheumatoid arthritis byneedle warming through moxibustion

A Variant Maneuver of Acupuncture in Treating Cervical Spondylopathy

Lifting and thrusting with reducing method at acupoint Huatuojiaji (Extra 21) of the affected side was performed to make the limb of the affected side contract involuntarily 1-2 times in 53 cases with cervical spondylopathy. The maneuver produced a much better total effective rate than the routine maneuver (P

Effect of intradermal needle therapy at combined acupoints on patients’ gastrointestinal function following surgery for gastrointestinal tumors

BACKGROUND Postoperative gastrointestinal function recovery is critical for rapid rehabilitation of patients with gastrointestinal tumors.Traditional Chinese medicine offers considerable advantages for gastrointestinal disease treatment.However,no study has reported the clinical efficacy of intradermal needle therapy(INT)at the Yuan-source,Luo-connecting,and He-sea points of the corresponding meridian for gastrointestinal function in patients following surgery for gastrointestinal tumors.AIM To investigate the effect of INT at combined acupoints on patients’gastrointestinal function following surgery for gastrointestinal tumors.METHODS This randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University on patients with diagnosed gastrointestinal cancer,no distant metastases or organ failure,and hospitalized for elective radical tumor resection,who did not receive preoperative radiotherapy or chemotherapy.Participants were randomly allocated to either the intervention(n=32)or the control(n=32)group.Participants in the control group received enhanced recovery care,while those in the intervention group received enhanced recovery care combined with INT at the Yuan-source,Luo-connecting,and He-sea points.After surgery,INT was performed immediately upon the patient's return to the ward,and continued for seven consecutive days.The independent samples t-test,chi-square test,and generalized estimating equations were used for data analysis.RESULTS The participants’ages ranged from 40 to 80 years(average 63±10.1 years).Most participants underwent surgery for either gastric(43.8%)or colon cancer(39.1%)and had adenocarcinoma(87.5%).Significant differences were noted in time to first postoperative flatus passage(66±27 h vs 103±41 h,P<0.001),time to first defecation(106±44 h vs 153±50 h,P<0.001),and time to first oral feeding(73±30 h vs 115±38 h,P<0.001)between the intervention and control groups.Gastrointestinal symptoms,including abdominal distension,nausea,and fatigue 48 h and 72 h after surgery,were significantly alleviated in the intervention group compared with that observed in the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION INT at the Yuan-source,Luo-connecting,and He-sea points can promote recovery of gastrointestinal function and ease gastrointestinal symptoms in patients following surgical resection of gastrointestinal tumors.

ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT OF ANGINA PECTORIS

TCM holds that angina pectoris is apathogenic state induced by stagnant heart-qi,stagnancy of qi and blood, or obstruction ofthe heart orifice due to blood stasis or turbidphlegm. Based on TCM differentiation,

An Analysis on the Therapeutic Effects of Auriculo-Acupuncture in 38 Obstinate Hiccup Cases of Different Races

The author of this article has treated 38 cases of obstinate hiccup from different countries by using the auriculo-acupuncture therapy, and obtained satisfactory therapeutic results as reported in the following.

Facial nucleus up-regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA following electroacupuncture treatment in a rabbit model of facial nerve injury

BACKGROUND： The effect of acupuncture treatment on peripheral facial nerve injury is generally accepted. However, the mechanisms of action remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVE： To validate the effect of acupoint electro-stimulation on brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） mRNA expression in the facial nucleus of rabbits with facial nerve injury, with the hypothesis that acupuncture treatment efficacy is related to BDNE DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Peripheral facial nerve injury, in situ hybridization, and randomized, controlled, animal trial. The experiment was performed at the Laboratory of Anatomy, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine from March to September 2005. MATERIALS： A total of 120 healthy, adult, Japanese rabbits, with an equal number of males and females were selected. Models of peripheral facial nerve injury were established using the facial nerve pressing method. METHODS： The rabbits were randomly divided into five groups （n = 24）： sham operation, an incision to the left facial skin, followed by suture; model, no treatment following facial nerve model establishment; western medicine, 10 mg vitamin B1, 50 ug vitamin B12, and dexamethasone （2 mg/d, reduced to half every 7 days） intramuscular injection starting with the first day following lesion, once per day; traditional acupuncture, acupuncture at Ytfeng, Quanliao, Dicang, Jiache, Sibai, and Yangbai acupoints using a acupuncture needle with needle twirling every 10 minutes, followed by needle retention for 30 minutes, for successive 5 days; electroacupuncture, similar to the traditional acupuncture group, the Yifeng （negative electrode）, Jiache （positive electrode）, Dicang （negative electrode）, and Sibai （positive electrode） points were connected to an universal pulse electro-therapeutic apparatus for 30 minutes per day, with disperse-dense waves for successive 5 days, and resting for 2 days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Left hemisphere brain stem tissues were harvested on post-operative days 7, 14, 21, and 28 under a dissecting microscope. Neuronal appearance in the facial nucleus was observed following Nissl staining. BDNF mRNA expression in the facial nucleus was determined using in situ hybridization. RESULTS： A total of 120 rabbits were included in the final analysis. In the model group, the nucleolus was asymmetric with cell body swelling, and the number of Nissl bodies decreased. With increasing time, there were more Nissl bodies in the western medicine, traditional acupuncture, and electroacupuncture groups, in particular the electroacupuncture group. However, the number of Nissl bodies remained less than in the sham operation group. The number of BDNF-positive neurons in the facial nucleus was significantly greater in the western medicine, traditional acupuncture, and electroacupuncture groups, compared with the model group （P 〈 0.01）. The number of BDNF-positive neurons in the facial nucleus of reached a minimum in the electroacupuncture group on post-surgery day 21, and increased by day 28, but remained less than control levels. CONCLUSION： Electroacupuncture at acupoints increased BDNF expression in the facial nucleus, alleviated neuronal injury in the facial nucleus, and promoted facial nerve regeneration. The effect was superior over traditional acupuncture and western medicine.

Thirty Cases of Acute Lumbar Sprain Treated by Acupuncture Combined with Point-Injection at Tianzhu

In recent years, the authors have treated 30 cases of acute lumbar sprain by acupuncture combined with point medicinal injection at Tianzhu (BL 10), and obtained quite good therapeutic results, as is reported in the following.