“Focusing on Treating the Spirit(神)”in Acupuncture and Moxibustion:The Dialectical Unity of Regulating the Body and the Spirit

“Focusing on treating the spirit(神)”is an important principle in acupuncture and moxibustion.It is a unique psychosomatic therapy involving the doctor and the patient,which includes regulating the spirit and the body.Traditional Chinese medicine attaches great importance to it.Focusing on treating the spirit is also a component of the standards of medical ethics.Only when doctors have noble medical ethics can they achieve clinical treatment of the mind and give full play to their skills to cure diseases.Focusing on treating the spirit runs through the entire clinical process of acupuncture and moxibustion.Before the treatment,it is necessary to focus on the spirit to distinguish the spirit and qi.During the treatment,attention should be paid to the mind to regulate the spirit and qi.It is the premise of clinical diagnosis and treatment of acupuncture and moxibustion and the key to the curative effect.Focusing on treating the spirit is also in the realm of doctor-patient double treatment,which requires doctor-patient communication before treatment and the preservation of the body and spirit after treatment.Therefore,concentration of the mind is the key to acupuncture and moxibustion treatment.

On the Treatment of Insomnia with Fang’s Scalp Acupuncture Based on the Therapy of “Regulating Mental Activities and Smoothing the Liver”

As a common clinical disease,insomnia was usually treated with anti-psychotic or sedativehypnotic drugs in Western medicine,which showed a fast efficacy,as well as easy drug tolerance and side effects.In traditional Chinese medicine,the basic and key pathogenesis of insomnia are believed to be“the restlessness of the mind”,as well as“the absence of the mind”;and the treatment mainly focus on“regulating mental activities and smoothing the liver”.By combining the theoretical basis and characteristics of Fang’s scalp acupuncture,this paper aims to explain the advantages of Fang’s scalp acupuncture in the treatment of insomnia,and provide new ideas and methods for its clinical treatment.

Long-term acupuncture treatment has a multitargeting regulation on multiple brain regions in rats with Alzheimer＇s disease：a positron emission tomography study

The acute effect of acupuncture on Alzheimer＇s disease,i.e.,on brain activation during treatment,has been reported.However,the effect of long-term acupuncture on brain activation in Alzheimer＇s disease is unclear.Therefore,in this study,we performed long-term needling at Zusanli（ST36）or a sham point（1.5 mm lateral to ST36）in a rat Alzheimer＇s disease model,for 30 minutes,once per day,for 30 days.The rats underwent 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scanning.Positron emission tomography images were processed with SPM2.The brain areas activated after needling at ST36 included the left hippocampus,the left orbital cortex,the left infralimbic cortex,the left olfactory cortex,the left cerebellum and the left pons.In the sham-point group,the activated regions were similar to those in the ST36 group.However,the ST36 group showed greater activation in the cerebellum and pons than the sham-point group.These findings suggest that long-term acupuncture treatment has targeted regulatory effects on multiple brain regions in rats with Alzheimer＇s disease.

Influence of Ren and Du meridian electro-acupuncture on neural stem cell proliferation and extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia injury

BACKGROUND： Studies have shown that electro-acupuncture at the Ren meridian could improve proliferation of subventricular zone neural stem cells in cerebral-ischemic rats. However, there are few reports on the influence of electro-acupuncture at the Du meridian on neural stem cell proliferation. OBJECTIVE： To observe the influence of electro-acupuncture at Ren and Du meridians on neural stem cell proliferation in the subventricular zone and altered signal transduction in cerebral ischemia rats. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled, animal experiment was performed at the Laboratory of Human Anatomy, Medical College of Sun Yat-sen University from May 2006 to February 2008. MATERIALS： Mouse anti-rat bromodeoxyuridine （BrdU） monoclonal antibody was provided by Sigma, USA; mouse anti-rat nestin monoclonal antibody and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase （ERK） specific inhibitor PD98059 were provided by Calbiochem, Germany; acupuncture needle was provided by Suzhou Acupuncture Supplies, China. METHODS： A total of 126 rats were randomly assigned to four groups： model （n = 36）, Du meridian （n = 36）, Ren/Du meridian （n = 36）, and Ren/Du meridian ＋ PD98059 （n = 18）. Rats in the Ren/Du meridian ＋ PD98059 group were observed on days 7 （n = 6） and 14 （n = 12） after cerebral ischemia injury. Rats in the model, Du meridian, and Ren/Du meridian groups were observed on days 7, 14, and 28 after cerebral ischemia injury, with 12 rats per group at each time point. Thread occlusion was used to establish middle cerebral artery occlusion models. Electro-acupuncture was performed at Renzhong （DU 26） and Baihui （DU 20） acupoints in the Du meridian group, as well as Chengjiang （RN 24）, Guanyuan （RN 4）, Renzhong, and Baihuiacupoints in the Ren/Du meridian and Ren/Du meridian ＋ PD98059 groups 2 days after model establishment. In addition, electro-acupuncture stimulation with disperse-dense waves was performed, with 30 Hz disperse wave, 100 Hz dense wave, and 5 V intensity for 20 minutes. Rats in the Ren/Du meridian ＋ PD98059 group were treated with 0.2 pg PD98059 injection into the subventricular zone, 2 pL per rat. Rats in the model group were not treated with electro-acupuncture. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： BrdU/nestin immunofluorescent staining was used to detect proliferating neural stem cells in the subventricular zone of cerebral ischemia rats; Western blot was used to determine phosphorylated ERK1 and 2 （pERK1/2） expression in the subventricular zone. RESULTS： On days 14 and 28 after cerebral ischemia, there were significantly more BrdU-positive and BrdU/nestin-positive cells in the Ren/Du meridian group compared with the Du meridian group （P 〈 0.05）. PD98059 decreased the number of BrdU-positive and BrdU/nestin-positive cells induced by electro-acupuncture at the/：ten and Du meridians （P 〈 0.05）. On days 7, 14, and 28 after treatment, pERK1/2 expression was significantly greater in the Du meridian and Ren/Du meridian groups compared with the model group （P 〈 0.05）. The promoting effect of electro-acupuncture at Ren and Du meridians on ERK1/2 phosphorylation was superior to electro-acupuncture at the Du meridian alone on day 14 after model induction （P 〈 0.05）. However, PD98059 completely abolished the promoting effect of electro-acupuncture at Ren/Du meridians on pERK1/2 expression （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Electro-acupuncture at Ren and Du meridians increased proliferation of subventricular zone neural stem cells, which was related to activation of the ERK pathway in a rat model of cerebral ischemia injury.

TWO-STEP REGULATION METHOD OF ACUPUNCTURE IN THE TREATMENT OF INTRACTABLE FACIAL PARALYSIS OBSERVATION ON 96 CASES

Two step regulating acupuncture therapy was employed in the treatment of 96patients with intractable facial paralysis and the therapeutic effects of the method is compared withthat in 40 patients in control.In the first step,strong regulating acupuncture was applied at Meixin(EXtra),upper Taiyang (EX-HN 5) and Xiaguan (ST 7) points in the affected face.In the secondstep,weak regulating acupuncture was used at Dicang (ST 4) and Sibai (ST 2) points in the healthface.It was revealed that among the 96 patients,37 cases (38. 5%) were cured,57 cases (59. 4%)markedly improved,2 cases (2.1%) improved with a total effective rate of 100%.The effective ratewas statistically different (P【0. 005) from that in the control.The results indicate that the method issuperior to the ordinary manipulation in treating intractable facial paralysis.

SYMPATHETIC REGULATION AND ACUPUNCTURE ANALGESIA IN ARTHRITIC RATS

In the present study,6-hydroxydopamine(6-OHDA),a peripheral adrenergicdepleting agent,was used to investigate the role of sympathetic activity in nociception and pain modu-lation,which was reported with some contradictory.Acute arthritis were induced by an injection ofFruend’s adjuvant in thirty-two rats.They were divided into three groups.Natural recovery fromarthritis(redness,swelling,on-going pain and hyperalgesia)was delayed by pretreatment with an in-jection of 6-OHDA,and acupuncture at Huantiao and Shensu points could accelerate its recovery.It issuggested that sympathetic regulatory system might play an important role in natural normalizationaction and in the acupuncture-induced regulation effects.

A Meta-analysis of the spirit turtle eight method Acupuncture Therapy for Insomnia

Objective:To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of the spirit turtle eight method acupuncture therapy in the treatment of insomnia,to better serve the clinic and provide reference ideas for the treatment of insomnia.Methods:Search CNKI,CBM,Wanfang,Weipu,China Clinical Trial Registry databases on the use of the spirit turtle eight method compared with others interventions to treat insomnia.The search period is from the library until August 1,2021,two researchers will conduct independent quality evaluation and effect size extraction on the literature,and use STATA16.0 and Review5.3 to conduct Meta analysis and quality evaluation on the literature.Through screening,a total of 18 eligible documents participated in the meta-analysis,with a total of 1583 cases.Results:①The effective rate of the spirit turtle eight method in the treatment of insomnia is higher than the control group[RR=1.213,95%CI(1.155,1.274),Z=7.71,P<0.01];②The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)score is lower than other acupuncture treatments[WMD=-2.33,95%CI(-2.75,-1.91),Z=10.97,P<0.01];③The one-month follow-up PSQI score after the treatment of insomnia by the spirit turtle eight method is lower than the control group[WMD=-3.263,95%CI(-3.446,-3.080),Z=34.96,P<0.01];④No studies have reported serious adverse reactions in the treatment group and control group.Conclusion:Based on the current research,the spirit turtle eight method are better than the control group in the treatment of insomnia,and are suitable for clinical application.However,more high-quality clinical studies are still needed to prove its efficacy.

Bidirectional Benign Regulation of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Stroke

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine therapy originated in China.In recent years,acupuncture is widely used in the field of neurological diseases,especially in the acute stage of stroke.Its mechanism of action is becoming clearer;one of the possible mechanisms is its bidirectional benign regulation.

PROPHYLACTIC AND THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF ACUPUNCTURE ON SIMPLE OBESITY COMPLICATED BY CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES

In order to understand the prophylactic-therapeutic effects of acupuncture and moxibustion insimple obesity complicated by cardiovascular diseases,we have observed in 102 cases the changesof pathogenetic and hazardous factors and the regulating function of vegetative nerves oncardiovascular activities.The results showed that the therapeutic effect of acupuncture andmoxibustion was good with a total effective rate of 88.24%.At the same time,acupuncture andmoxibustion were found to have a benign conversion effect on the loin hip ratio(the pathogeneticfactor),the arteriosclerotic index(the hazardous factor),and the vegetative nerve function ofregulating the heart and blood vessels(the equilibrium indices of the vegetative nervous system).All this suggests that acupuncture is a treatment of choice for obesity and an important methodof preventing and treating complicating cardiovascular diseases.

“Tong Guan Li Qiao” Acupuncture Therapy on Post-Stroke Dysphagia

The differences between the“Tong Guan Li Qiao”acupuncture therapy and the conventional and current other acupuncture methods for poststroke dysphagia are as follows:first,it adheres to the basic idea of "Xing Nao Kai Qiao"acupuncture therapy in selecting and combining acupoints,centers on the brain,and combines the dysphagia symptoms of the mouth,tongue,and throat-related orifices with the root cause of"brain";second,thereare strictand standard requirements intheacupuncture operation,that is,manipulation quantification.In addition to standardized twirling,lifting,and thrusting,the techniques of deep needling on the acupoints in the neck region,blood-letting puncturing at the posterior wallof the pharynx,and theneedling sensation of"like a fishbone getting stuck in the throat"are all unique.

ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT OF 26 CASES OF PRIMARY DYSMENORRHEA

In the present paper, 26 cases of primary dysmenorrhea were treated with acupuncture at Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhongji (CV 3) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6). Results showed that after only two sessions of treatment, 16 cases were cured, 8 improved and 2 ineffective, with an effective rate of 92%.

HOW TO TREAT SIMULTANEOUS OCCURRENCE OF COLD AND HEAT SYNDROMES WITH ACUPUNCTURE AND MOXIBUSTION?

By simultaneous occurrences of cold and heat syndromes we mean the presence of cold-syndrome and heat-syndrome in the body of a same person such as heat-syndrome in the upper part with cold-syndrome in the lower part of the body or vice versa. In our acupuncture treatment, heat-clearing method and warming method are usually used

AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON ACUPUNCTURE ANTI-HEMORRHAGIC SHOCK

The effect of acupuncture at Neiguan(P 6)on regulating hemorrhagic shock in 90 rabbitswas observed.All the results suggested that acupuncture at Neiguan could raise blood pres-sure,protect cardiac pump function,correct the disturbance of secretion and metabolism ofhumoral factors,reduce blood adhesion to normal level and thus achieve anti-hemorrhagicshock.This study has provided scientific basis for expounding the mechanism of acupuncturein anti-shock.

EXPLICATION OF CLINICAL EFFECTS OF ACUPUNCTURER BY ADAPTING MULTIVARIATE STATISTICAL ANALYSIS AND IMAGE-TECHNOLOGICAL METHODS: FOCUSING ON THE RELATIONSHIP WITH STRESS-RELATED DISEASES

Effects of acupuncture on the brain function of 80 healthy adults and patientswere analyzed using EEG topography and possitron CT (PET). Though changes in EEG topogramcaused by acupuncture stimulation were seen all over the cortex, they were prominent in the area fromthe frontal lobe to the parietal lobe. Positron CT image revealed that acupuncture stimulation tem-porarily activated from the paleocoretx to the neocortex, affecting wide range of the cranial nerve cellsincluding A10 nerve. These results suggest that comfortable stimulations by acupuncture have sucheffects as to remove the friction between the neocortex and the paleocortex, regulate the autonomicnervous system, and activate the Healer (the healing force of nature) at the brain stem level includingthe hypothalamus.

THE OUTLINES OF THE PROFICIENCY EXAMINATION FOR INTERNATIONAL ACUPUNCTURE MOXIBUSTION PROFESSIONALS(CONTINUED)

Chinese International ExaminationCenter for Acupuncture & MoxibustionⅢ International Professional Acupuncturists Proficiency Examination (On Probation)The Test Outline for Physiology1.Introduction1.1 Basic characteristics of life:metabolism,excitability and adaptability1.2 Internal environment and homeostasis1.3 Basic ways to regulate functional activity in human body:neuroregulation,humoral regulation and autoregulation1.4 Mechanism of automatic control of functional activity in human body:positive

CLINICAL APPLICATION OF ACUPUNCTURE THERAPY

In the present paper, the authors review some major effects of acupuncture in the treatment of clinical diseases and sum up some results of experimental researches on the mechanisms of acupuncture. Up to now, clinical practice and experimental researches demonstrate that acupuncture possesses good analgesic effect, integrative regulation effect on the functional activities of the body and defense-immune-potentiation effect.

The effects of acupuncture and moxibustion on allergic asthma rats

Objective:In order to explore the neuroendocrine regulation mechanism of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of allergic asthma and to provide theoretical basis for the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on regulating mind.Methods:Forty SD rats were randomly divided into five groups:blank group,model group,sham-acupuncture group,acupuncture group and moxibustion group.Ovalbumin(OVA)was used to sensitise the rats.Except the blank group,the other groups were established by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin(OVA)and atomization excitation.The blank group was injected intraperitoneally and atomized with normal saline instead of OVA.After successful modeling,the rats in blank and the model group have no any treatment;In the sham acupuncture group,non-acupoint tissues were selected for acupuncture treatment every day;Acupuncture group and moxibustion group were treated with acupuncture or moxibustion at selected acupoints.At the end of the experiment,blood samples were collected to determine corticotropin releasing hormone(CRH).Results:After being sensitised by OVA,the symptoms scores of rats were significantly increased.After treatment,the symptoms of each treatment group were significantly reduced.Compared with model group,the CRH in acupuncture and moxibustion groups were significantly reduced(All P<0.01).Compared with the sham acupuncture group,the CRH in acupuncture group were significantly reduced(P<0.05).Conclusion:As a kind of stimulation,acupuncture and moxibustion can regulate the content of CRH in the body by nerve endocrine system.The effect of"regulating mind"of acupuncture and moxibustion plays an important role in the treatment of allergic asthma.

2.3.Acupuncture

920218 On the structure and functions ofQi-Jie(the pathway of Qi).ZHAO Liru (赵力茹),Dept Acupunct and Moxibust,BeijingOrthopedics and Traumatology,Coll 100015.Chin Acupunct and Mosibust 1991;11(5):239-241.Oi-Jie is the way along which the Oi

Depressive Neurosis Treated by Acupuncture for Regulating the Liver―A Report of 176 Cases

Objective: To observe therapeutic effect of acupuncture for regulating the liver on depressive neurosis. Methods: In a multi-center randomized controlled trial, 440 patients were divided into 3 groups: Acupuncture group for regulating the liver (Acup., 176 cases) was treated by acupuncture at Siguan Points, i.e. bilateral Hegu (LI 4) and Taichong (LR 3), Baihui (GV 20) and Yintang (EX-HN3) plus ear-acupuncture, Prozac group (P., 176 cases) by oral administration of Prozac, and Non-acupoint needling group (NAN, 88 cases) by acupuncture at non-acupoints as acupuncture placebo. Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) was examined before treatment, and one month, two and three months after treatment respectively to evaluate therapeutic effect, and Rating Scale for Side Effects (SERS) was used to evaluate the safety. Results: After one month of treatment, SDS scores in Acup. Group were significantly lower than that in P. Group (P<0.05) and than that in NAN Group (P<0.01), and SDS scores in P. Group were lower than that in NAN Group (P<0.05), showing the SDS scores in Acup. Group <P. Group <NAN Group. After 2 months of treatment, SDS scores in Acup. Group were also significantly lower than that in P. Group (P<0.01) and than that in NAN Group (P<0.01), and SDS scores in P. Group were also lower than that in NAN Group (P<0.05), showing the SDS scores in Acup. Group <P. Group <NAN Group. After 3 months of treatment, SDS scores in Acup. Group were also significantly lower than that in P. Group (P<0.01) and than that in NAN Group (P<0.01), and SDS scores in P. Group were also lower than that in NAN Group (P<0.01), showing the SDS score in Acup. Group <P. Group <NAN Group. After treatment, SERS scores were 0.16±0.95, 6.51±5.09 and 0.23±1.36 in Acup. Group, P. Group and NAN Group respectively. A significant difference existed between Acup. Group and P. Group (P<0.05), but no significant difference between Acup. Group and NAN Group (P>0.05), showing the SERS scores in Acup. Group <NAN Group <P. Group. No side effect was found in Acup. and NAN groups. Conclusion: The therapeutic effect of acupuncture on depressive neurosis is better than or similar to that of Prozac but with less side effect.

Evaluation of the curative effect of acupuncture manipulation of regulating governor vessel and unblocking brain on the patients with post stroke depression associated with anxiety

Objective： To observe the comprehensive curative effect of acupuncture manipulation of regulating governor vessel and unblocking brain for post stroke depression associated with anxiety.Methods： Sixty-four patients with post stroke depression associated with anxiety were randomly divided into 2 groups according to the random numbers generated by spss16.0 software, the group of acupuncture manipulation of regulating governor vessel and unblocking brain（group A） and medication group（group B）, with 32 patients in each group. Acupuncture manipulation of regulating governor vessel and unblocking brain was performed in group A.Bǎihuì（百会GV 20）, Shéntíng（神庭GV 24）, Yǎmén（哑门GV 15） and Dànzhōng（膻中CV 17）, Gānshū（肝俞BL 18）. Xīnshū（心俞BL 15）. Shènshū（肾俞BL 23）,Tàichōng（太冲LR 3）, Tàixī（太溪KI 3）, Shénmén（神门HT 7） and Nèiguān（内关PC 6） were selected. The treatment was conducted for once a day, and 5 times a week. Escitalopram oxalate tablets were given orally to the patients in group B for once a day. The treatment was conducted for 8 consecutive weeks in each group. The scores of Hamilton depression scale（HAMD）, Hamilton anxiety scale（HAMA）, Barthel index（BI） and Fugl-Meyer assessment（FMA） in the two groups before and after treatment were compared.Results： Comparison with the same group before treatment, HAMD score and HAMA sore in the two groups after treatment for 4 weeks and 8 weeks were all obviously lower than that in the same group before treatment（all P〈0.01）; after treatment for 8 weeks, B1 score and FMA score in the two groups were all significantly higher than that in the same group before treatment（all P〈0.01）. Comparison between two groups after treatment. HAMD score and HAMA sore in group A after treatment for 4 weeks were significantly lower than that in group B（both P〈0.05）; only the HAMA sore in group A after treatment for 8 weeks was lower than that in group B（P〈0.05）, and there was no significant difference in HAMD score in the two groups（P〉0.05）; after treatment for 8 weeks, FMA score in group A was obviously higher than that in group B（P〈0.05）, and there was no significant difference in BI score in the two groups（P〉 0.05）.Conclusion： The curative effect of acupuncture manipulation of regulating governor vessel and unblocking brain on the anxiety state and motor function of the patients with post stroke depression is superior to that of escitalopram. With regard to the improvement of depression, this acupuncture manipulation was provided with the characteristic of rapid onset, and its long-term efficacy is equivalent to that of escitalopram. In terms of the improvement of activities of daily living, the curative effect of the two methods is equally well.