The Idea and Application of Tuina in the Prevention and Treatment of COVID‑19

While traditional Chinese medicine has displayed a positive and effective role in saving lives of COVID‑19 patients,Tuina,which is an important component in Chinese medicine,has also shown its merits in enhancing the immune function and relieving symptoms in COVID‑19 patients.This article elaborates the long history of Tuina in treating and preventing epidemic diseases and its effect in improving the immune function.It also introduces some special Tuina methods,for instance,sputum drainage by the back‑patting method to enable the discharge of sputum;slant‑scrubbing method applied on the hypochondriac regions to bring the effect of soothing the liver to regulate qi,which may also relieve anxiety of patients with COVID‑19;and spine‑pinching method to enhance human resistance to diseases,which is more suitable for the elderly and for children with mild or common types of COVID‑19 and can also be used for health care and disease prevention among the general population.Tuina methods for children using the common children’s specific Tuina points and manipulations to improve children’s body constitution are also mentioned in the article.Self‑acupoint Tuina for health care,including acupoints for prevention purposes,acupoints for early clinical stage(mild stage)and recovery stage,as well as acupoints for children health care and specific operations,is also illustrated in the article.Moreover,basic exercises for health care,such as eight‑section brocade,Shaolin internal exercises,six‑character formula,and change of tendons,are also presented.In the final analysis,this article is aimed at some ideas and feasible applications of Tuina therapy in the prevention and treatment of COVID‑19,in the hope to provide some worthy experience and introduce methods in preventing and fighting against COVID‑19 to people all over the world.

The Idea and Application of Tuina in the Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19

While traditional Chinese medicine has displayed a positive and effective role in saving lives of COVID-19 patients,Tuina,which is an important component in Chinese medicine,has also shown its merits in enhancing the immune function and relieving symptoms in COVID-19 patients.This article elaborates the long history of Tuina in treating and preventing epidemic diseases and its effect in improving the immune function.It also introduces some special Tuina methods,lor instance,sputum drainage by the back-patting method to enable the discharge of sputum;slant-scrubbing method applied on the hypochondriac regions to bring the effect of soothing the liver to regulate qi,which may also relieve anxiety of patients with COVID-19;and spine-pinching method to enhance human resistance to diseases,which is more suitable for the elderly and for children with mild or common types of COVID-19 and can also be used for health care and disease prevention among the general population.Tuina methods for children using the common childreifs specific Tuina points and manipulations to improve children’s body constitution are also mentioned in the article.Self-acupoint Tuina for health care,including acupoints for prevention purposes,acupoints for early clinical stage(mild stage)and recovery stage,as well as acupoints for children health care and specific operations,is also illustrated in the article.Moreover,basic exercises for health care,such as eight-section brocade,Shaolin internal exercises,six-character formula,and change of tendons,are also presented.In the final analysis,this article is aimed at some ideas and feasible applications of Tuina therapy in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19,in the hope to provide some worthy experience and introduce methods in preventing and fighting against COVID-19 to people all over the world.

Research on the body surface resistance imbalance degree at yuan-source points of three yin meridians of foot in the patients with primary dysmenorrhea

Objective:To explore whether or not the changes in body surface resistance at yuan-source points of three yin meridians of foot can specifically responds the onset of primary dysmenorrhea(PD) in females of menstrual period and the before and after,so as to provide the evidence for acupoint selection in clinic.Methods:A total of 90 cases of PD were recruited in a PD group and 90 healthy female undergraduates were recruited in a normal group.The yuan-source of points of three yin meridians of foot were selected,i.e.Taibai(太白SP3),Taichong(太冲LR3) and Taixi(太溪KI3).The acupoints for control were Xuehai(血海SP10),the non-special acupoint,Xuanzhong(悬钟GB39),the acupoint not on the relevant meridian,as well as a non-meridian point.Successively,before menstruation,on Day 1 during menstruation and on Day 3 after menstruation,the body surface resistance at the above-mentioned test sites was detected in the participants of two groups each day.The resistance imbalance degree(RID) of the bilateral acupoints was taken as the outcome indicator.The observation lasted one menstrual cycle.Results:(1) Intra-group comparison:at LR3,the RID was lower on Day 1 during menstruation than that before menstruation significantly in the normal group(P ≤0.05).There was no significant change in RID at the same time points,but RID on Day 3 after menstruation was lower significantly than that before menstruation in the PD group(P ≤0.05).At SP3,KI3,SP10,GB39 and sham acupoint,there were no significant differences in RID among different time points within the same group(all P> 0.05).(2) Intergroup comparison:there were no significant differences in RID among different time points at the same point.(all P> 0.05).Conclusion:RID at yuan-source points of three yin meridians of foot cannot specifically respond to PD.However,at LR3,before and after menstruation,RID changes are different between PD patients and healthy female undergraduates,which needs a further study in the future.

Analysis of Similarities and Differences of the Twelve Jing-Well Acupoints for Emergency

The twelve Jing-Well acupoints are located at the tips of the limbs,with strong stimulation andintense needling sensation,and play important roles in the treatment of various critical diseases.The twelve Jing-Well acupoints share similarities and have specificities in the treatment of critical and severe diseases.The similarities of the twelve Jing-Well acupoints are supposed to open the orifices and remove blockage,clear away heat,resolve swelling,dissolve toxin and remove blood stasis.The Jing-Well acupoints locate at the different positions also have their specific effects for emergencies.Shaoshang(LU 11)is supposed to clean and benefit the throat.Shangyang(LI 1)is supposed to clear away heat and purge Fu organs.Lidui(ST 45)is supposed to expel fire and stop fear.Yinbai(SP 1)is supposed to stop bleeding and correct collapse.Shaochong(HT 9)is supposed to clear away heat from the heart and get rid of vexation.Shaoze(SI 1)is supposed to dredge the breast collateral.Zhiyin(BL 67)is supposed to promote birth and smoothen delivery.Yongquan(KI 1)is supposed to nourish yin and suppress yang.Zhongchong(PC 9)is supposed to benefit the orifice and brighten the eyes.Guanchong(TE 1)is supposed to clean and promote the triple energizer.Zuqiaoyin(GB 44)is supposed to induce menstruation and stop pain.Dadun(LR 1)is supposed to clear away the liver fire and relieve hernia.It is advisable to identify the similarities and differences and apply different stimulating modes in order to guide the clinical practice and enhance the emergency effect.

Effects of Electroacupuncture at Different Points on Colorectal Distention-induced Changes in Blood Pressure, Electrogastrogram, Gastric Tension and Gastric Blood Flow

Objective: To investigate the specificity of the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at different acupoints on gastric functional activity and gastric blood flow after colorectal distension (CRD) in the rat. Methods: Fifty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: a control group, a Zusanli group, a non-point group, a Taichong group and a Neiguan group. Rats were anesthetized after 18 h of fasting, and a rat model of nociceptive blood pressure elevation and abnormal electrogastrogram (EGG) and gastric tension (GT) was prepared by gasbag-induced CRD. EA was given bilaterally, and its effects on gastric blood flow (GBF) of the arcus vasculosi of the greater omentum, blood pressure, EGG fast wave properties, and gastric smooth muscle tension (GT) were quantified. Results: CRD induced an increase in blood pressure that was significantly inhibited by EA at all points (all P<0.05), and the inhibitory effects were greater in the Zusanli and Neiguan groups compared to the non-point group (both P<0.05). CRD also caused reductions in GT and GBF, and in the amplitude, frequency and duration of EGG waves (all P<0.05). These effects were also reversed by EA. The effects of EA on EGG wave amplitude, GT, and GBF were superior in the Zusanli group compared to the Taichong group, Neiguan group, and the non-point group. Conclusion: EA significantly counteracted CRD-induced changes in blood pressure, GBF, EGG, and GT. The effects of stimulation at Zusanli (ST 36) were significantly greater compared to other points, indicating relative specificity of this acupoint.