International Communication of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Popular in the West

With the development of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)acupuncture and moxibustion,research on acupuncture and moxibustion in the Western world is deepening.The concept of acupuncture and moxibustion popular in the West is formed.By investigating the localization of acupuncture and moxibustion in the Western world,this paper introduces several kinds of acupuncture and moxibustion popular in the West and concludes the spread of acupuncture and moxibustion popular in the West through hospitals and clinics,academic works,social organizations,education,and training.This paper provides a global vision developing domestic acupuncture and moxibustion and promoting academic prosperity and technical progress of world acupuncture and moxibustion system.

Historical review and reflections on the participation of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of epidemics in the People’s Republic of China (from 1950 until now)

Since the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, both the Communist Party and the government have placed great emphasis on the advancement of traditional Chinese medicine. Acupuncture and moxibustion have been actively involved in combating major epidemics such as malaria, schistosomiasis, and COVID-19. This article conducts a historical review of these three significant cases to elucidate how the acupuncture community has effectively utilized its unique advantages and characteristics through theoretical discussions, clinical practices, experimental research, as well as receiving administrative leadership and political support from the Communist Party of China and government. We provide an objective evaluation of their effectiveness while summarizing historical experiences to serve as a reference for future utilization of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy in epidemic relief efforts. Additionally, propose four suggestions: strengthening Party leadership and enhancing political support;timely summarization of experiences to establish programs and systems;deepening scientific research by integrating experimental findings with clinical practice;focusing on public awareness campaigns and education to solidify grassroots foundations.

Analysis of the Clinical Effect of Chinese Medicine Combined with Acupuncture and Moxibustion on Insomnia

Objective:To explore and analyze the clinical efficacy of Chinese medicine combined with acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of insomnia.Method:80 patients with primary insomnia were selected as the study sample,with 20 cases randomly selected as the control group and the rest as the observation group.The control group was treated with ordinary western medicine,while the observation group patients were treated with traditional Chinese medicine combined with acupuncture and moxibustion based on this syndrome differentiation.The comparison items were treatment effect,sleep quality,mental health,quality of life,specific sleep indicators,cerebral blood flow and neurotransmitters.Result:The treatment effectiveness showed that the observation group had a higher treatment effectiveness rate than the control group(P<0.05);The results of sleep quality showed that after treatment,the scores of the observation group were lower than those of the control group in seven dimensions:sleep quality,sleep time,sleep onset time,sleep efficiency,sleep disorders,hypnotic drugs,and daytime dysfunc‐tion score(P<0.05);The quality of life results showed that after treatment,the observa‐tion group had higher scores than the control group in eight dimensions:physiological function,physiological function,physical pain,health status,energy,social function,emotional function,and mental health(P<0.05);The results of slow wave sleep time and fast eye movement sleep time showed that after treatment,the HAMA and HAMD scores of the physiological mechanism in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05);The results of cerebral blood flow and neurotransmitter indica‐tors show that after treatment,glutamateγ-The peak systolic blood flow velocity of ami‐nobutyric acid,vertebral artery,and basilar artery in the observation group was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The clinical treatment of Chinese medicine combined with acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of insomnia patients can significantly improve the clinical treatment effect,and improve the cerebral hemorrhage and neurotransmitter status of patients,promote the improvement of their physical and mental status,can more significantly improve the quality of sleep,reduce sleep difficulties,reduce the dosage of sleeping pills,which has important clinical application value.

Research progress on insomnia treated by traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture based on microbial-gut-brain axis theory

Insomnia,as one of the emotional diseases,has been increasing in recent years,which has a great impact on people's life and work.Therefore,researchers are eager to find a more perfect treatment.The microbiome-gut-brain axis is a new theory that has gradually become popular abroad in recent years and has a profound impact in the field of insomnia.In recent years,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has played an increasingly important role in the treatment of insomnia,especially acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.It is the main method of TCM in the treatment of insomnia.This paper mainly reviews the combination degree of"microorganism-gut-brain axis"theory with TCM and acupuncture under the system of TCM.To explore the mechanism of TCM and acupuncture in the treatment of insomnia under the guidance of"microorganismgut-brain axis"theory,in order to provide a new idea for the diagnosis and treatment of insomnia.

Acupuncture and moxibustion reduces neuronal edema in Alzheimer's disease rats

To examine the possible correlation of aberrant Wnt signaling and pathological changes in Alzheimer’s disease, we established a rat model of Alzheimer’s disease and measured axin and β-catenin expression in the hippocampus. Rats were pretreated with moxibustion or electroacu-puncture, or both, at Baihui（GV20） and Shenshu（BL23）. Axin expression was lower, β-catenin expression was greater, and neuronal cytoplasmic edema was visibly prevented in the rats that had received the pretreatments. Our results suggest that the mechanism underlying the neuro-protective effect of acupuncture and moxibustion in Alzheimer’s disease is associated with axin and β-catenin expression in the Wnt signal transduction pathway.

The research progress of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of peripheral facial paralysis

As a common and frequently-occurring disease in clinic,peripheral facial paralysis is worth paying attention to.In fact,as one of the methods for the treatment of peripheral facial paralysis,acupuncture has been widely promoted and applied in clinic,and has been recognized by doctors at home and abroad.However,there are many other factors that affect the curative effect in clinic due to their different operating methods.Therefore,there are still many disputes in the treatment of peripheral facial paralysis.The relevant literatures in recent years were searched and consulted in order to understand the current situation and provide routine treatment methods for clinical acupuncturists to treat this disease.And we intended to analyze and introduce from acupuncture manipulation,warm acupuncture,electroacupuncture,giant acupuncture,fire acupuncture,acupuncture combined with massage,acupuncture timing and other treatments,and different classification of acupuncture points and methods.

Acupuncture and moxibustion for visceral pain

Totally three articles focusing on"analgesic action of suspended moxibustion effect in visceral hypersensitivity rats with irritable bowel syndrome,and changes in prokineticin 1 and prokineticin receptor 1 expression in the spinal cord,enkephalins in the spinal cord and prokineticin-1 and prokineticin receptor-1 in the colon tissue during the analgesic progress"were

Art of Nourishing Life According to the Kidney Meridian in Zhenjiu Dacheng(The Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion)

“Daoyin Benjing”(Art of Nourishing Life)discusses the kidney meridian in depth.It is a dense and heterogeneous text that is heavily influenced by Daoism.The text proposes rules for the maintenance of life using language that is often cryptic and under-standable only to the initiated.This language is closely interwoven with the classical terms of traditional Chinese medicine.The kidney is the home of vital energy,which is a type of sexual energy and the root of life.Engagement in moderate sexual activity nourishes life and leads to a long life.This is the goal of every Daoist follower and the goal of every doctor.

Discussion on the advantages of acupuncture and moxibustion in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19

COVID-19 belongs to the plague category of Traditional Chinese Medicine.It has been confirmed in many ancient books and modern clinical studies that the acupuncture and moxibustion can cure the plague.In this episode of COVID-19,National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China and National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Jointly issued the Diagnosis and Treatment of Corona Virus Disease-19(7th edition).It mentions the treatment program of acupuncture and moxibustion participating in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.Liu Baoyan's team analyzed the ideas of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for COVID-19.However,the clinical advantages of acupuncture and moxibustion still need to be further clarified.In the treatment of many clinical symptoms of COVID-19,acupuncture therapy has a good clinical effect,so the purpose of our discussion on the advantages is to improve the clinical accuracy and efficacy.

“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.

Acupuncture and Moxibustion for Treating Ectopic Endometrium

46 cases of ectopic endometrium were treated with topical medicated cake moxibustion supplemented by point-injection from March 1996 to January 2000. The results were satisfactory and a report follows.

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.

A Case of Intractable Hiccup Treated by Acupuncture and Moxibustion

Hiccup is a syndrome characterized by continuous sound in the throat,short and frequent sound,and difficult to stop[1].Although the disease is not life-threatening,it seriously affects the quality of life of patients.Long term intractable hiccup will also have an impact on the psychology of patients and bring great trouble to patients.Hiccup is equivalent to diaphragmatic spasm in western medicine and involves a variety of systemic diseases[2].At present,the treatment of this disease includes drugs and nerve block,but the curative effect and prognosis are not ideal.Acupuncture and moxibustion,as a green and simple treatment method,has unique curative effect in the treatment of hiccup.Now the test of one case of intractable hiccup caused by ineffective treatment is as follows.

Acupuncture at Waiguan (TE5) influences activation/deactivation of functional brain areas in ischemic stroke patients and healthy people A functional MRI study

In the present study, 10 patients with ischemic stroke in the left hemisphere and six healthy controls were subjected to acupuncture at right Waiguan （TE5）. In ischemic stroke subjects, functional MRI showed enhanced activation in Broadmann areas 5, 6, 7, 18, 19, 24, 32, the hypothalamic inferior lobe, the mamiilary body, and the ventral posterolateral nucleus of the left hemisphere, and Broadmann areas 4, 6, 7, 18, 19 and 32 of the right hemisphere, but attenuated activation of Broadmann area 13, the hypothalamic inferior lobe, the posterior lobe of the tonsil of cerebellum, and the culmen of the anterior lobe of hypophysis, in the left hemisphere and Broadmann area 13 in the right hemisphere. In ischemic stroke subjects, a number of deactivated brain areas were enhanced, including Broadmann areas 6, 11,20, 22, 37, and 47, the culmen of the anterior lobe of hypophysis, alae lingulae cerebella, and the posterior lobe of the tonsil of cerebellum of the left hemisphere, and Broadmann areas 8, 37, 45 and 47, the culmen of the anterior lobe of hypophysis, pars tuberalis adenohypophyseos, inferior border of lentiform nucleus, lateral globus pallidus, inferior temporal gyrus, and the parahippocampal gyrus of the right hemisphere. These subjects also exhibited attenuation of a number of deactivated brain areas, including Broadmann area 7. These data suggest that acupuncture at Waiguan specifically alters brain function in regions associated with sensation, vision, and motion in ischemic stroke patients. By contrast, in normal individuals, acupuncture at Waiguan generally activates brain areas associated with insomnia and other functions.

Electroacupuncture diminishes P2X_2 and P2X_3 purinergic receptor expression in dorsal root ganglia of rats with visceral hypersensitivity

Electroacupuncture at Shangjuxu （ST37） and Tianshu （ST25） can improve visceral hypersensitivity in rats. Colorectal distension was used to establish a rat model of chronic visceral hypersensitivity. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect P2X2 and P2X3 receptor expression in dorsal root ganglia from rats with chronic visceral hypersensitivity. Results demonstrated that abdominal withdrawal reflex scores obviously increased following establishment of the model, indicating visceral hypersensitivity. Simultaneously, P2X2 and P2X3 receptor expression increased in dorsal root ganglia. After bilateral electroacupuncture at Shangjuxu and Tianshu, abdominal withdrawal reflex scores and P2X2 and P2X3 receptor expression decreased in rats with visceral hypersensitivity. These results indicated that electroacupuncture treatment improved visceral hypersensitivity in rats with irritable bowel syndrome by reducing P2X2 and P2X3 receptor expression in dorsal root ganglia.

Correlation between the cumulative analgesic effect of electroacupuncture intervention and synaptic plasticity of hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus neurons in rats with sciatica

In the present study, a rat model of chronic neuropathic pain was established by ligation of the sciatic nerve and a model of learning and memory impairment was established by ovariectomy to investigate the analgesic effect of repeated electroacupuncture stimulation at bilateral Zusanfi （ST36） and Yanglingquan （GB34）. In addition, associated synaptic changes in neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus were examined. Results indicate that the thermal pain threshold （paw withdrawal latency） was significantly increased in rats subjected to 2-week electroacupuncture intervention compared with 2-day electroacupuncture, but the analgesic effect was weakened remarkably in ovariectomized rats with chronic constrictive injury. 2-week electroacupuncture intervention substantially reversed the chronic constrictive injury-induced increase in the synaptic cleft width and thinning of the postsynaptic density. These findings indicate that repeated electroacupuncture at bilateral Zusanfi and Yanglingquan has a cumulative analgesic effect and can effectively relieve chronic neuropathic pain by remodeling the synaptic structure of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus.

Electroacupuncture at points Baliao and Huiyang (BL35) for post-stroke detrusor overactivity

Acupuncture is used extensively in China for the treatment of stroke and other neurological disorders. The National Institutes of Health recommends acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy for stroke recovery. This study included patients with post-stroke detrusor overactivity who were treated in the Department of Neurology, Fourth Hospital of Harbin Medical University, China. Subjects received either electroacupuncture or sham electroacupuncture at points Baliao [including bilateral Shangliao （BL31）, bilateral Ciliao （BL32）, bilateral Zhongliao （BL33）, and bilateral Xialiao （BL34）] and Huiyang （BL35）. Our results showed that electroacupuncture significantly improved cystometric capacity and bladder compliance, decreased detrusor leak point pressure, ameliorated lower urinary tract symptoms, and decreased the risk of upper urinary tract damage. These findings indicate that electroacupuncture at points Bafiao and Huiyang is an effective treatment for post-stroke detrusor overactivity.

The effect of acupuncture and selection of acupoints on myelosuppression after chemotherapy

Objective:To evaluate the effect of acupuncture on myelosuppression after chemotherapy and summarize its acupoint selection strategy.Methods:After a systematic search,an acupoint database on myelosuppression after chemotherapy was constructed.A meta-analysis was conducted to assess the efficacy of acupuncture.On this basis,association analysis and cluster analysis were performed to explore the distribution of acupoints in SPSS Modeler18.0 and SPSS 22.0.Results:40 studies with 2988 patients were included.The white blood cell count,platelet count,red blood cell count,and hemoglobin were significantly higher in patients receiving acupuncture versus convention therapy exclusively.The two groups,however,did not differ in neutrophils count.Most acupoints,mainly distributed in the limbs and the back,were from the bladder meridian,the stomach meridian,and the spleen meridian.The lower sea and transport points were the most preferred specific points,in which ST36 and SP6 ranked highest in use.ST36-RN6,SP6-SP10,and ST36-SP10 turned out to be the most significant correlations in association rule mining.In cluster analysis,LI4-RN12,ST36-RN4-RN6 were grouped for their high similarity.Conclusion:For patients with myelosuppression after chemotherapy,acupuncture significantly inhibited the decline in blood cell components(white blood cell count,platelet count,red blood cell count,and hemoglobin)except for neutrophils.As the central combination of acupuncture prescriptions for this population,ST36-SP6-RN6-SP10-RN4 presented promising prospects and deserved more exploration for clinical use.

Study and Discussion on Acupuncture Treatment of Urticaria

OBJECTIVE:To explore the etiology and pathogenesis of urticaria and its characteristics,advantages of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment of it and the commonly used acupoints,with a prospect of providing clinical guidance for other doctors.METHODS:Methods and views of urticaria treatment with acupuncture and moxibustion were summarized and the representative acupoints were found out by retrieving related literatures in recent years.RESULTS:Traditional Chinese medicine holds that urticaria is caused by weakness and leads to the wind stroke knot on the skin,which fights against qi and blood and generates wheal..Acupuncture therapy has its unique advantages in treating,which is worth clinical reference and promotion,however,there are still some problems in its clinical study.CONCLUSION:Acupuncture therapy should be combined with reinforcing qi and nourishing blood,detoxification dehumidification,dispelling wind and arresting itching as the principle,as according to the the principle that different symptomsmatch with the corresponding points after selecting the main point.Physiciansshould treat patients by choosing acupuncture point according to the law of syndrome differentiation in selecting,tired to choose acupuncture point,local pick acupuncture point and choosing particular points.As urticaria may attack in any season,in any place and on any person.Therefore,the prevention and treatment of urticariais a protracted war,and needs to strengthen the nursing in the treatmentto achieve the desired effect.

Mechanism of Acupuncture and Moxibustion on Promoting Mucosal Healing in Ulcerative Colitis

The latest guideline about ulcerative colitis(UC) clinical practice stresses that mucosal healing, rather than anti-inflammation, is the main target in UC clinical management. Current mucosal dysfunction mainly closely relates to the endoscopic intestinal wall(mechanical barrier) injury with the imbalance between intestinal epithelial cells(IECs) regeneration and death, as well as tight junction(TJ) dysfunction. It is suggested that biological barrier(gut microbiota), chemical barrier(mucus protein layer, MUC) and immune barrier(immune cells) all take part in the imbalance, leading to mechanical barrier injury. Lots of experimental studies reported that acupuncture and moxibustion on UC recovery by adjusting the gut microbiota, MUC and immune cells on multiple targets and pathways, which contributes to the balance of IEC regeneration and death, as well as TJ structure recovery in animals. Moreover, the validity and superiority of acupuncture and moxibustion were also demonstrated in clinic. This paper aims to review the achievements of acupuncture and moxibustion on mucosal healing and analyse the underlying mechanisms.