“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.

Doctor Song Fuyin's Experience in Treating Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Based on Qi,Blood Essence and Spirit Syndrome Differentiation Stage Classification

The paper systematically summarizes the experience of Director Song Fuyin in treating Hashimoto's thyroiditis which is a typical emotional disease that causes obvious changes in organ morphology and endocrine and body fluid metabolism.It belongs to the category of psychosomatic diseases,and is the embodiment of a series of pathogenesis processes of qi disease,blood disease,essence disease and deformation in TCM theory.The whole course of the disease is dominated by the dialectical relationship of mutual influence,mutual control,mutual root and mutual use among the deity disease,qi disease,blood disease,essence and spiritual disease.Therefore,the treatment emphasizes the dialectical relationship based on qi,blood,essence and spirit.At the beginning,the treatment focuses on regulating qi and clearing heat and eliminating phlegm;at the middle stage,the treatment focuses on replenishing essence and promoting yang and eliminating wind and calming the deity;at the late stage,the treatment focuses on replenishing qi and eliminating phlegm and promoting collages.Flexible use of calming the spirits,regulating qi,dispersing essence,eliminating phlegm,promoting blood and other methods of stage classification treatment,can be targeted,improve the cure rate of the disease.This article aims to clarify the experience of Director Song Fuyin in treating Hashimoto's thyroiditis based on syndrome differentiation of qi,blood essence and spirit.

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.

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%.

ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT OF WIND STROKE

Case History Name:Luo×× ; Sex:male;Age:57; Occupation:enginccr of China Ministry of Space Aviation Industry;Date of first visit: June 21.1985.

ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT OF IMPOTENCE

CASE HISTORY Tao ××,male,55 year old,engineer,date of first visit 15 Oct.1988. Chief complains:Impotence for half amonth.The patient reported that his impo-tence began after a quarrel with his wife dur-ing sexual intercourse.This was accompa-

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

动物针灸治疗机制研究的新进展——基于“远细胞是潜在经络实质细胞”的新观点

经络学说是针灸治疗的理论基础,而针灸疗效又是经络学说的实践验证。关于经络实质与针灸机制的研究,大多都是建立在现有已知结构(如神经、血管、筋膜、肥大细胞、免疫等)的基础之上,取得的突破有限。新近提出的“远细胞是潜在经络实质细胞”观点为经络结构的探寻提供了一个新角度,但需要针灸治疗的验证。本文就针刺激活远细胞联络通讯、远细胞介导针灸治疗、穴位TC广泛联系性与中医“整体观”关联以及远细胞与针刺“得气”和循经感传关系的研究现状进行了综述和分析。针刺动作必然引起远细胞的联动机制,有利于针体-细胞的衔接,并可转变为生物信号而启动下游传递,从而调节靶脏器功能,达到治疗目的。这些研究进展,能够从新角度诠释针灸的细胞机制,并能用疗效验证“远细胞是潜在经络实质细胞”观点。