Analysis of the pain threshold at the acupoints on the medial crus in pelvic inflammatory disease

Objective： To explore the tenderness response at the acupoints on the medial crus in the patients of pelvic inflammatory disease.Methods： A total of 30 patients of pelvic inflammation and 30 healthy people were included. WAGNER FDX body mechanics algometer was used to determine the score of the visual analogue scale（VAS） and tenderness threshold value at Yīnlíngquán（阴陵泉 SP 9）, Sānyīnjiāo（三阴交SP 6） and Lígōu（蠡沟 LR 5）.The changes in the tenderness on the body surface at the relevant acupoints were compared and analyzed in the patients of pelvic inflammation.Results： The occurrence rate of tenderness at LR 5 at the pelvic inflammation group was higher significantly than the health group（86% Vs 42%, P0.01）. In SP 9, SP 6 and LR 5,the VAS scores at the acupoints in the pelvic inflammation group were higher significantly than the health group（test 1：55.00± 15.12 vs 27.25 ± 10.31,47.07 ± 18.38 vs 29.75 ± 14.30, 47.16 ± 19.4 vs 20.16 ±10.76; test2：53.40± 17.23 vs 33.42± 13.07, 45.95 ± 15.74 vs 29.15± 11.97, 42.50± 21.67 vs 21.05 ± 11.97; test 3：48.50± 14.97 vs 40.08 ± 13.20, 38.24± 15.29 vs 29.29± 12.37, 37.93± 19.17 vs 23.09± 12.26）, P〈0.01,P〈0.05.In SP 9, SP 6 and LR 5,the tenderness threshold values at the acupoints in the pelvic inflammation group were higher significantly than the health group（test 1：0.86 ± 0.95 vs 0.53 ± 0.39, 0.86 士 0.95 vs 0.53 ±0.39, 0.85 ± 0.77 vs 0.47 ± 0.47; test 2：0.88 ± 0.81 vs 0.44 ± 0.32, 0.98 ± 0.83 vs 0. 44 ± 0. 32,0.85±0.77 vs 0.47±0.47; test 3：0.98±0.80 vs 0.36±0.26, 1.11 ±0.92 vs 0. 36±0. 26,0.85±0.77 vs0.47 ± 0.47）, P〈0.01,P〈0.05（P〈0.05）.Conclusion： The VAS scores and tenderness threshold values at SP 9, SP 6 and LR 5 in the patients of pelvic inflammation are higher significantly than those in the healthy people. The occurrence rate of tenderness at LR 5 is higher significantly as compared with the healthy people.

The Effect of Internal Heat Acupuncture on the Tolerance Time of Plantar Hot Plate and Pain Threshold of Gastrocnemius Muscle in Rats with Chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Objective:To investigate the effect of internal heat acupuncture on the tolerance time of plantar hot plate and the pain threshold of gastrocnemius in rats with chronic myofascial pain syndrome(MPS).Methods:A total of 80 adult Wistar rats were randomly selected to establish chronic MPS rat models,and randomly divided into four groups:control group,acupuncture group,internal heat acupuncture group A,and internal heat acupuncture group B,with 20 rats in each group.The rats in the control group were not given any treatment,and the rats in the acupuncture group were only given acupuncture treatment.The rats in group A were treated with internal heat acupuncture(needle heating up to 42℃),and the rats in group B were treated with internal heat acupuncture(needle heating up to 44℃).The tolerance time of plantar hot plate,the pain threshold of gastrocnemius muscle and the level of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were observed and compared before modeling,1 d before treatment,and 1,7 and 14 d after treatment.Results:There were significant differences in hot plate tolerance time,time and interaction among the four groups(P<0.05),as well as in gastrocnemius tenderness threshold,time and interaction among the four groups(P<0.05),and there were also significant differences in TNF-αlevel among the three groups(P>0.05).There were significant differences in the number of electric shocks,time and interaction among the four groups(P<0.05).Conclusion:In contrast to conventional acupuncture treatment,internal heat acupuncture demonstrates greater efficacy in extending the tolerance duration of hot plate exposure and enhancing the pain threshold of the gastrocnemius muscle in rats afflicted with myofascial pain syndrome.Additionally,it accelerates the amelioration of inflammatory markers and motor function.However,it is important to note that the therapeutic impact of internal heat acupuncture may be influenced by its temperature,with 44℃being the most effective in this research.