Therapeutic observation of thin-cotton moxibustion plus surround needling for herpes zoster

Objective： To compare the clinical efficacies between thin-cotton moxibustion plus surround needling and Western medication in treating herpes zoster （HZ）. Methods： Eighty-three HZ patients were divided into two groups according to their admission sequence, 41 cases in the thin-cotton moxibustion group and 42 cases in the Western medication group. The thin-cotton moxibustion group received thin-cotton moxibustion on the surface of lesions plus surround needling around the lesions, once a day. The Western medication group was intervened by Acyclovir intravenous injection, 0.25 g per dose, once a day, along with external application of Acyclovir cream 3-5 times a day. After 10-day treatment, the blister-healing time, crusting time, pain-reducing time, onset time of action, lesion-healed time, and occurrence of post-herpetic neuralgia （PHN） were compared. Results： During the study, a case dropped out in the thin-cotton moxibustion group, and 2 cases dropped out in the Western medication group. The recovery and markedly-effective rate was 92.5% and total effective rate was 97.5% in the thin-cotton moxibustion group, versus 72.5% and 87.5% in the Western medication group, and the between-group differences were statistically significant （P^0.05）. The blister-healing time, crusting time, pain-reducing time, onset time of action and lesion-healed time in the thin-cotton moxibustion group were significantly shorter than those in the Western medication group （P〈0.05）. The occurrence rate of PHN was 2.07% in the thin-cotton moxibustion group, significantly lower than 9.19% in the Western medication group （P〈0.01）. Conclusion： Thin-cotton moxibustion plus surround needling can produce a more significant efficacy than Acyclovir in treating HZ, and it can markedly reduce the occurrence of PHN.

Introduction to Quick and Surround Needling Method for Nodular Goiter

Clinically guided by the holistic concept of traditional Chinese medicine and in combination with four diagnostic methods and pattern identification, quick and surround puncture is used for treating nodular goiter, fully displaying the practical application value of the special acupuncture therapy.

Surrounding Needling with Fire Needle and Filiform Needle Plus Moxibustion in the Treatment of Lower Limb Herpes Zoster:One Case Report

Introduction Herpes zoster is a skin disease caused by activation of the varicella zoster virus,which is latent in neurons.It can be accompanied by severe neuralgia.Some herpes zoster patients may have pain allergy,general discomfort,loss of appetite and other prodromal symptoms,typical clinical manifestation as a cluster of blisters distribution along unilateral peripheral nerve,often accompanied by obvious neuralgia[1].

OBSERVATION ON THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF CT-AIDED SURROUNDING NEEDLING TREATMENT OF ISCHEMIC STROKE

121 cases of ischemic stroke were randomly divided into CT-aided surrounding needling group (CTASN, 61 cases) and scalp Acupuncture group (SA, 60 cases). After 30 sessions of treatment the therapeutic results of the two groups are significantly different (P ＜ 0.05), the therapeutic effect of CTASN group is better than that of SA group. The plasma contents of TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1a of the two groups change considerably after acupuncture treatment, the change in CTASN group is more obvious.

OBSERVATION ON THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF CT-AIDED SURROUNDING NEEDLING IN THE TREATMENT OF ISCHEMIC STROKE AND CHANGES OF PLASMA CATECHOLAMINE LEVEL

In this study, 61 cases of ischemic stroke patients are randomly divided into surrounding needling group (n=31) and scalp acupuncture group (n=30). The ischemic focus of the brain is determined by CT examination. For patients of the surrounding needling group, Gauge 29-30 stainless steel filiform needles are inserted into the surrounding scalp of the focal projection region one by one, with the needle tips toward the center of the focal projection area, and combined with other body acupoints according to syndrome differentiation. For patients of scalp acupuncture group, Motor Area (MS 6) and Sensory Area (MS 7) of the contralateral side of the focus are used. The treatment is performed once daily in both groups, with 30 sessions being a therapeutic course. After one course of treatment, in surrounding needling and scalp acupuncture groups, 20 and 11 cases are cured basically, 10 and 15 have a marked improvement, 1 and 4 are effective, the therapeutic effect of the former group is significantly superior to that of scalp acupuncture group. After treatment, plasma epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE) levels of the two groups decrease considerably compared with pre treatment of each group (P<0.01), and the effects of surrounding needling on E and NE are more evidently than those of scalp acupuncture (P<0.05). Results suggest that the therapeutic effect of acupuncture may be related to the decline of plasma E and NE levels.

Efficacy observation on herpes zoster treated by the comprehensive therapy of blocking, surrounding needling, pricking and cupping combined with bloodletting at Longyan(龙眼, Extra) acupoint

Objective To observe the analgesic effect on herpes zoster treated by the comprehensive therapy of blocking, surrounding needling, pricking and cupping combined with bloodletting at Longyan （龙眼, Extra） acupoint. Methods According to the random mumber table, 104 cases of herpes zoster were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 52 cases in each one. In the observation group, the blocking method was used at the starting site and the ending site of herpetic zone, the surrounding needling method was applied toward the center of the painful zone, with horizontal needling technique; and the local pricking and cupping methods as well as the bloodletting at Longyan （Extra） acupoint were adopted. In the control group, Jiáj （夹脊 EX-B 2） at the corresponding affected nerve segments and the local Ashi points were selected and stimulated with electroacupuncture. The visual analogue scale （VAS） was adopted to determine the analgesic effect 20 min, 1, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h after treatment separately in each group. Results The onset time of analgesic effect in the observation group was shorter than that in the control group and the efficacy time of duration was longer than that in the control group （all P0.05）. The analgesic effect and the result of comprehensive efficacy assessment were superior to those of the control group （both P0.05）. Conclusion The comprehensive therapy of blocking, surrounding needling, pricking and cupping method combined with bloodletting at Longyan （Extra） achieves the significant analgesic effect on herpes zoster.

Surrounding electroacupuncture needling for breast mass after acute mastitis

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy of surrounding electroacupuncture needling for breast mass after acute mastitis.Methods： Thirty patients with breast mass after acute mastitis who conformed to the inclusion criteria were given surrounding electroacupuncture needling. Acupoint selection： 4-8 needles were needled around the mass and at Zusanli（足三里ST 36）,Sanyinjiao（三阴交SP 6）,Fengl6 ng（丰隆 ST 40） and Rugen（乳根 ST 18）. Electroacupuncture was performed at ST 36, SP 6 and ST 40. The above treatment was once a day. Treatment for 7 times was considered as 1 course of treatment, and 3 weeks were free from treatment between courses. Color ultrasound in breast was used to examine the breast mass before the next course of treatment, treatment can be terminated if the mass disappeared, otherwise, treatment should be continued. Three courses at most were needed.Results： After 1-3 courses of treatment, 16 patients were cured, accounting for 53.3%（16/30）; markedly effective： 8 cases, accounting for 26.7%（8/30）; effective： 4 cases, accounting for 13.3%（4/30）; ineffective：2 cases, accounting for 6.7%（2/30）.Conclusion： Surrounding electroacupuncture needling for breast mass after acute mastitis was effective clinically.

Traditional Chinese acupuncture manipulations and “dry needling”

In this paper, the authors studied the manipulation of ＂dry needling＂, reviewed Chinese ancient and modern literature of acupuncture-moxibustion, and found that ＂dry needling＂ is very similar to triple needling, superficial needling, joint valley needling, surround needling, and other traditional Chinese acupuncture- moxibustion manipulations; even if in modern China, before and after the invention of ＂dry needling＂, some unique therapies, such as oblique insertion therapy at Ashi point, sliver needling, Fu＇s subcutaneous needling, and long-round needling, were also invented. It can be seen that ＂dry needling＂ therapy is actually a kind of differentiation of traditional Chinese acupuncture- moxibustion in the international communication. The spread of traditional Chinese acupuncture-moxibustion in the West is the basis for the invention of ＂dry needling＂ therapy, and ＂dry needling＂ therapy develops and enriches traditional Chinese acupuncture-moxibustion.

Treatment of 38 Cases of Post-Herpes Neuralgia by Encircled Needling plus Cotton Moxibustion

Objective： To investigate a therapeutic method for post-herpes neuralgia.Methods： Seventy-six cases of post-herpes neuralgia were equally divided into the treatment group treated with encircled needing and cotton moxibustion and control group treated with the routine acupuncture. Results： The total effective rate was 94.7% in the treatment group and 78.9% in control group. Conclusion： The encircled needing plus cotton moxibustion had the better therapeutic effect than routine acupuncture in treating post-herpes neuralgia.

火针围刺联合夹脊电针治疗急性期带状疱疹:随机对照试验

ObjectivesTo investigate the clinical efficacy of surrounding fire needling combined with electroacupuncture (EA) at Jiājĭ (夹脊EX-B2) on acute herpes zoster, and explore the potential mechanism of this combined treatment by measuring the changes of serum inflammatory cytokines and pain mediators.MethodsSixty patients with acute herpes zoster were randomly assigned to either acupuncture plus western medicine group or western medicine group. In the western medicine group, the patients took orally mecobalamin and ganciclovir for 14 consecutive days. In the acupuncture plus western medicine group, on the base of the western medicine, the surrounding fire needling (fire needling was operated swiftly toward the center of skin lesions.) combined with EA at EX-B2 was provided. Acupoints of EX-B2 were selected based on the nerve ganglion corresponding to the skin lesions, as well as two adjacent nerve ganglions(one level upwards and one downwards) to the lesions, and were stimulated with EA once daily for 14 days. The change of symptoms from the blister eruption to scabbing and decrustation were observed. The score of visual analogue scale (VAS), serum inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α) and pain mediators (calcitonin gene related peptide, substance P) before and after treatment, the scores of Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) before and after treatment as well as at 1 month of follow-up, and the overall effective rate and the incidence of post-hepatic neuralgia at 1 month of follow-up were assessed and compared between two groups, respectively.ResultsAfter treatment completion, the time of blister relief, scabbing and decrustation in the acupuncture plus western medicine group was significantly shorter when compared with that of the western medicine group (all P < 0.05). After treatment, VAS score, PSQI score and HAMD score were all reduced significantly when compared with that before treatment within group (P < 0.05). These scores in the acupuncture plus western medicine were reduced significantly compared with the western medicine group at the same time point (all P < 0.05). After treatment, the incidence of post-hepatic neuralgia was 6.89%, lower than that in western medicine group (50.00%, P < 0.05). After treatment, the values of serum inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNT-a) and pain mediators (CGRP, SP) were reduced when compared with the those before treatment within group (P < 0.05), and the reduction in the acupuncture plus western medicine group was larger than that in the western medicine group (P < 0.05). The total effective rate was 96.67% in the acupuncture plus western medicine group, higher than western medicine group (86.67%, P < 0.05).ConclusionsSurrounding fire needling therapy combined with EA at EX-B2 on the base of western medicine obtained better therapeutic effect on acute herpes zoster when compared with western medicine. This combined treatment may effectively relieve pain and depressive emotions, improve sleep quality and reduce the incidence of post-hepatic neuralgia. The underlying mechanism may related to regulation of pain mediators and reduction of inflammatory cytokines.

Collateral-pricking and blood-letting cupping combined with electroacupuncture for post-herpetic neuralgia

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of collateral-pricking and blood-letting cupping combined with surrounding needling technique electroacupuncture in the treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia(PHN).Methods:Seventy-two patients with post-herpetic neuralgia were randomized into observation group and control group.Of the 72 cases,12 cases fell off,so finally 30 cases in each group.The observation group was treated with collateral-pricking and blood-letting cupping combined with surrounding needling technique electroacupuncture,while the control group was treated simply with pregabalin capsules for 20 consecutive days.On the basis of the western medication pregabalin capsules,the same as that of the control group,collateral-pricking and blood-letting cupping combined with electroacupuncture in a surrounding needling technique,was adopted for the observation group,once every two days,ten days as one course of treatment,a total of two courses.The immediate visual analogue scale(VAS)before and after treatment were observed in the two groups,and their clinical effects were compared.Results:The VAS scores of PHN patients in the two groups after treatment were lower than those before treatment(both P<0.01),and the scores of observation group were lower than those of control group(P<0.05).The total effective rate of the observation group was 86.7%,higher than 73.3% of the control group.Conclusion:The clinical effect of collateral-pricking and blood-letting cupping combined with electroacupuncture is relatively satisfactory in the treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia.

Acupuncture combined with medication for postherpetic neuralgia affecting the head and face:a randomized controlled trial

Objective:To observe the efficacy of needling the Xi-Cleft points of yang meridians plus topical surrounding needling and pregabalin in treating postherpetic neuralgia(PHN)affecting the head and face and its influence on quality of life(QOL).Methods:Eighty patients with PHN affecting the head and face were randomized into an acupuncture-medication group and a Western medication group by their visiting sequence,with 40 cases in each group.The Western medication group took pregabalin capsules orally,75 mg each time,twice a day.The dosage could increase to 150 mg each time and twice a day within 1 week based on the efficacy and tolerance.The treatment lasted for 5 weeks.The acupuncture-medication group was given additional surrounding needling at the herpes zoster on the head and face,and Xi-Cleft points of yang meridians were chosen according to the affected area for acupuncture,once every other day,for 5 weeks in total.Results:Prior to treatment,there were no significant differences in the visual analog scale(VAS)and QOL scores between the two groups(both P>O,05).After treatment,VAS and QOL scores dropped significantly in both groups(all P<0.01),and were significantly lower in the acupuncture-medication group than in the Western medication group(both P<0.01).The total effective rate was 67.5%in the Western medication group,versus 92.5%in the acupuncture-medication group,and the b etwee n-group difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:Based on oral administration of pregabalin,needling the Xi-Cleft points of yang meridians and topical surrounding needling can reduce PHN,notably improve patients'QOL,and produce more significant efficacy than oral administration of pregabalin alone。