A Conversation with Professor Ted Kaptchuk,a Key Architect of Modern TCM in the West

The interview was conducted on November 20th,2022 by Ioannis Solos and Charles Buck.Ted Kaptchuk(泰开阳)is a Professor of Medicine and a Professor of Global Health&Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School.In 1975,he graduated from the Macao Institute of Chinese Medicine,Macao,China.After returning to the West,Ted taught Chinese medicine throughout the States,Europe,Latin America,and Australia.Ted’s book,The Web that Has No Weaver:Understanding Chinese Medicine is a groundbreaking explanation of East Asian medicine that continues to shape the discourse of the Chinese medicine profession in the West and has been translated into 13 languages.In 1990,Ted was recruited in Harvard Medical School to help research Chinese medicine.After encountering high placebo responses in multiple acupuncture clinical trials,Ted decided to switch his career to primarily studying placebo.He has published over 300 peer-reviewed articles.He has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Acupuncture Research(2015),the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society for Interdisciplinary Placebo Studies(2021),and the William Silen Lifetime Achievement Award in Mentoring from Harvard Medical School(2022).

Acupuncture at Waiguan(SJ5) and sham points influences activation of functional brain areas of ischemic stroke patients: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study

Most studies addressing the specificity of meridians and acupuncture points have focused mainly on the different neural effects of acupuncture at different points in healthy individuals. This study examined the effects of acupuncture on brain function in a pathological context. Sixteen patients with ischemic stroke were randomly assigned to true point group （true acupuncture at right Waiguan （SJ5）） and sham point group （sham acupuncture）. Results of functional magnetic resonance imaging revealed activation in right parietal lobe （Brodmann areas 7 and 19）, the right temporal lobe （Brodmann area 39）, the right limbic lobe （Brodmann area 23） and bilateral oc-cipital lobes （Brodmann area 18）. Furthermore, inhibition of bilateral frontal lobes （Brodmann area 4, 6, and 45）, right parietal lobe （Brodmann areas 1 and 5） and left temporal lobe （Brodmann area 21 ） were observed in the true point group. Activation in the precuneus of right parietal lobe （Brodmann area 7） and inhibition of the left superior frontal gyrus （Brodmann area 10） was observed in the sham group. Compared with sham acupuncture, acupuncture at Waiguan in stroke patients inhibited Brodmann area 5 on the healthy side. Results indicated that the altered specificity of sensation-associated cortex （Brodmann area 5） is possibly associated with a central mechanism of acupuncture at Waiguan for stroke patients.

Electroacupuncture at He-Mu points reduces P2X_4 receptor expression in visceral hypersensitivity

Electroacupuncture at Shangjuxu （ST37） and Tianshu （ST25） was reported to improve visceral hypersensitivity in rats, Colorectal distension was utilized to generate a rat model of chronic visceral hypersensitivity in irritable bowel syndrome, Results showed that abdominal withdrawal reflex scores noticeably increased after model establishment. Simultaneously, P2X4 receptor immunore- activity significantly increased in the colon and spinal cord. Electroacupuncture and pinaverium bromide therapy both markedly decreased abdominal withdrawal reflex scores in rats with visceral hypersensitivity, and significantly decreased P2X4 receptor immunoreactivity in the colon and spinal cord. These data suggest that electroacupuncture treatment can improve visceral hypersensitivity in rats with irritable bowel syndrome by diminishing P2X4 receptor immunoreactivity in the colon and spinal cord,

Efficacy of acupuncture at ghost points combined with fluoxetine in treating depression:A randomized study

BACKGROUND Depression affects more than 350 million people worldwide.In China,4.2%(54 million people)of the total population suffers from depression.Psychotherapy has been shown to change cognition,improve personality,and enhance the ability to cope with difficulties and setbacks.While pharmacotherapy can reduce symptoms,it is also associated with adverse reactions and relapse after drug withdrawal.Therefore,there has been an increasing emphasis placed on the use of non-pharmacological therapies for depression.The hypothesis of this study was that acupuncture at ghost points combined with fluoxetine would be more effective than fluoxetine alone for the treatment of depression.AIM To investigate the efficacy of acupuncture at ghost points combined with fluoxetine for the treatment of patients with depression.METHODS This randomized controlled trial included patients with mild to moderate depression(n=160).Patients received either acupuncture at ghost points combined with fluoxetine(n=80)or fluoxetine alone(control group,n=80).Needles were retained in place for 30 min,5 times a week;three treatment cycles were administered.The Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare functional magnet resonance imaging parameters,Hamilton depression rating scale(HAMD)scores,and self-rating depression scale(SDS)scores between the acupuncture group and control group.RESULTS There were no significant differences in HAMD or SDS scores between the acupuncture group and control group,before or after 4 wk of treatment.The acupuncture group exhibited significantly lower HAMD and SDS scores than the control group after 8 wk of treatment(P<0.05).The acupuncture group had significantly lower fractional Amplitude of Low Frequency Fluctuations values for the left anterior wedge leaf,left posterior cingulate gyrus,left middle occipital gyrus,and left inferior occipital gyrus after 8 wk.The acupuncture group also had significantly higher values for the right inferior frontal gyrus,right insula,and right hippocampus(P<0.05).After 8 wk of treatment,the effective rates of the acupuncture and control groups were 51.25%and 36.25%,respectively(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The study results suggest that acupuncture at ghost points combined with fluoxetine is more effective than fluoxetine alone for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate depression.

Treatment of Functional Retrograde Ejaculation with Acupuncture and TCM Herbal Drugs

Acupuncture at the Taichong (LR 3), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Ciliao (BL 32) points combined with TCM drugs for soothing the liver, replenishing the kidney, freeing the seminal passage, and eliminating the stasis showed effective for functional retrograde ejaculation in 25 cases. The total effective rate of 68.0% was significantly better than imipramine used in the control group (P<0.05).

The Affects of Acupuncture at Sibai and Neiting Acupoints on Gastric Peristalsis

The frequency and amplitude of gastric peristaltic wave were significantly changed in 15 subjects when Sibai (ST 2) and Neiting (ST 44) acupoints of the Stomach Channel of Foot-Yangming were punctured. The results demonstrate that these acupoints are effective for treatment of stomach diseases, providing an experimental basis for the theory of channels and collaterals.

THE INFLUENCE OF ELECTRO-ACUPUNCTURE AT NEIGUAN AND FIVE SHU POINTS OF TWELVE REGULAR MERIDIANS AT DIFFERENT TIME ON SYSTOLIC TIME INTERVAL OF NORMAL YOUNG ADULTS

The influence of electro-acupuncture at Neiguan (PC 6)and five shu points of twelve regular meridians at different time on systolic time interval (ST I) of normal young adultswere studied with 6×6 Latin square design in this work.In 12 groups according to 12 regular merldlans,the STIs were measured respectively just before and after electro-acupuncture on Neiguan andfive shu points at 00:00,04:00,08:00,12:00,16:00 and 20:00 of a day.It was found thatexcept the PEPI and PEPI/LVETI ratio among Shenmen(HT 7),Shaochong(HT 9)and Neiguan,Guanchong(TE)and Yemen(TE 2)points,the effects of electro-acupuncture at Neiguan pointand five shu points of twelve regular meridians on the indices of STI of normal young adults wereshowing no slgnificant differences.There also was no difference in different sex.But the indices ofSTI were changed when electroacupuncture on the different points of different meridians at differenttime.

OBSERVATION ON THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF ACUTE SPRAIN OF SOFT TISSUE TREATED BY ACUPUNCTURE AT PRESSURE PAIN POINTS

In the present paper,70 cases of acute sprain of soft tissue were treated withacupuncture at pressure pain points on the lateral of the second metacarpal bone.Results showedthat the cure rate was 58.6％ and the total effective rate was 94.3％.Also,its mechanisms werestudied preliminarily.The present therapy is simple,convenient,easy to operate and it producesrapidly desired effects with a higher cure rate,so it is suited to be popularized clinically.

OBSERVATION ON THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF 282 CASES WITH PAIN TREATED BY ACUPUNCTURE AT XI POINTS

Of 282 cases with pain treated by acupuncture at Xi points,207 cases were curedaccounting for 73.4％,among which 107 cases were cured after one treatment,36 cases after twosessions and 64 cases after over 3 sessions.75 cases improved.The total effective rate was100％.

THE TREATMENT OF CERVICAL SPONDYLOPATHY BY LASER ACUPUNCTURE AT THE CERVICAL JIAJI POINTS: AN ANALYSIS OF THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF 102 CASES

Laser acupuncture therapy was employed in the treatment of spondylopathy.Thetherapeutic effect of the three types of the spondylopathy,nerve root type,vertebral artery type andspinal cord type were stuied and compared.The results indicate a significant difference between thethree types of spondylopathy.The best therapeutic effect was obtained in nerve root type with a remarkable effective rate of 98.5％;the effective rates for the vertebral artery type and the spinal cordtype were 92.3％and 25％,respectively.Combining laser irradiatlon with acupuncture,the therapyposseses the functions of acupuncture,heat effect and mild moxibustion action.Therefore,it showedeffect quickly and had the advantages of short treatment course and high therapeutic effect.Clinicalobservation has confirmed that laser acupuncture is more effective than single laser irradiation.Thistherapy offers another simple but effective method for the treatment of spondylopathy.

Effects of Electroacupuncture at Weiwanxiashu and Zusanli Points on Blood Glucose and Plasma Pancreatic Glucagon Contents in Diabetic Rabbits

The Effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at Weiwanxiashu (EX-B3) and Zusanli (ST 36) points on blood glucose (BG) and plasma pancreatic glucagon (PG) contents were dynamically observed in diabetic rabbits induced by Alloxan. It is found that acupuncture at Weiwanxiashu point can significantly lower the BG content and inhibit release of PG; no significant changes in BG and PG are found when acupuncture is given at Zusanli (ST 36) point alone, however BG and PG contents decrease more obviously when acupuncture employed at both Zusanli and Weiwanxiashu, suggesting that Zusanli has a marked synergetic action with Weiwanxiashu.

Activities of Liquid Crystals in Acupuncture Points

The theory of Meridians is an important part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Modern science should play its role in analysing and making clear the mystique of the theory. The relation between the activities of liquid crystals in acupuncture points and the regulative actions of Meridians was studied in this paper. The results showed the intimate intrinsic association between them.

Clinical Effects of the Qi-acupuncture Therapy of TCM on Portal Hypertension

Objective:To explore the effective prevention and treatment of portal hypertension(PH).Methods:A total of 220 patients who came to our hospital from March 2015 to October 2018 were treated.They were randomly divided into the treatment group and the control group,each with 110 cases.Before treatment,there was no significant differences in age,sex,clinical symptoms,signs,laboratory tests and color Doppler ultrasound related examinations between the 2 groups(P>0.05).Among them,the treatment group on the basis of traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment in our hospital,the Qi-acupuncture therapy of TCM was added.The extra meridian acupoints along with acupoints were selected.The control group received conventional treatment with traditional Chinese and Western medicine in our hospital.Results:There were significant differences in clinical symptoms,signs and chemistry between groups after treatment(P<0.01).There were significant differences in test,color ultrasound related examination and so on(P<0.01).Those in the treatment group was significantly better than the control group(P<0.01).Conclusion:On the basis of the Qi-acupuncture therapy of TCM,selecting extra meridian acupoint and acupoints can effectively treat PH.

TREATMENT OF POSTAPOPLECTIC THALAMIC SPONTANEOUS PAIN BY ELECTROACUPUNCTURE AT HUATUOJIAJI POINTS

The authors have treated 30 cases of postapoplectic thalamic spontaneous pain (PTSP) byelectro-acupuncture at Huatuojiaji points (Extra), with the other 30 cases of PTSP treatedby oral administration of carbamazepine as the controls. The total effective rate was 90%in the acupuncture group, and 86.7% in the control group. The difference in the totaleffective rate between the two groups was not statistically significant (P】0.05), suggestingthat electroacupuncture at Huatuojiaji (Extra) is a better therapy for PTSP.

Acupuncture at Back-Shu point improves insomnia by reducing inflammation and inhibiting the ERK/NF-κB signaling pathway

BACKGROUND Insomnia is a disease where individuals cannot maintain a steady and stable sleep state or fail to fall asleep.Western medicine mainly uses sedatives and hypnotic drugs to treat insomnia,and long-term use is prone to drug resistance and other adverse reactions.Acupuncture has a good curative effect and unique advantages in the treatment of insomnia.AIM To explore the molecular mechanism of acupuncture at Back-Shu point for the treatment of insomnia.METHODS We first prepared a rat model of insomnia,and then carried out acupuncture for 7 consecutive days.After treatment,the sleep time and general behavior of the rats were determined.The Morris water maze test was used to assess the learning ability and spatial memory ability of the rats.The expression levels of inflammatory cytokines in serum and the hippocampus were detected by ELISA.qRTPCR was used to detect the mRNA expression changes in the ERK/NF-κB signaling pathway.Western blot and immunohistochemistry were carried out to evaluate the protein expression levels of RAF-1,MEK-2,ERK1/2 and NF-κB.RESULTS Acupuncture can prolong sleep duration,and improve mental state,activity,diet volume,learning ability and spatial memory.In addition,acupuncture increased the release of 1L-1β,1L-6 and TNF-αin serum and the hippocampus and inhibited the mRNA and protein expression of the ERK/NF-κB signaling pathway.CONCLUSION These findings suggest that acupuncture at Back-Shu point can inhibit the ERK/NF-κB signaling pathway and treat insomnia by increasing the release of inflammatory cytokines in the hippocampus.

从美国针灸流派的产生发展看中医针灸理论的国际传播——以TCM针灸流派和医学针灸流派为例

传统中医针灸流派和医学针灸流派分属美国针灸流派的两大阵营,且最具代表性。从二者的产生以及在美国的传播发展历程看,针灸作为一门传统医疗技术,在美国实现“本土化”,以及进一步走向国际化和现代化的进程中,其面临的理论国际传播问题最为突出。站在医学史的角度,并结合针灸医学的自身特点,从理论整合重构、科学研究深化以及针灸海外教育三个方面入手,冲破针灸医学在国际传播中的局限,向世界展现中医针灸理论的全貌,是目前针灸医学理论实现国际化和现代化的前进方向。

SIX KEY POINTS FOR ACUPUNCTURE THERAPY

In the present paper, the author puts forward six key points for acupuncture treatment of diseases, namely, ①careful examination, ②definite diagnosis, ③precise and appropriate identification of syndromes, ④accurate location of the acupoint, ⑤flexible application of needling manipulations, and ⑥ “Deqi”. The first three aspacts are the foundation, accurate location and flexible needling manipulations are also the prerequisite for effective treatment of diseases. In addition, sound theoretical basic knowledge of both traditional Chinese medicine (TOM) and modem medicine, and flexibly applying suitable needling maneuvers, stimulating quantity and duration of needle retaining in accordance with the concrete state of disease and the patient's conditions are also very important in clinical practice of acupuncture.

Laser therapy on points of acupuncture on nerve repair

Paresthesia is the name given to a temporary or permanent sensory loss caused by several surgical procedures that affected the peripheral sensory nerve.In dentistry,common iatrogenic procedures that can lead to sensory loss include third molar removal,

Clinical Study on the Effect of Acupuncture and Moxibustion with the Method of Acupoints on the Treatment of Chronic Gastritis with Sleep Disorder

Objective:To explore the clinical effect of acupuncture and moxibustion with acupoints on the treatment of chronic gastritis with sleep disorders.Methods:Sixty patients with chronic gastritis and sleep disorders in our hospital from January 2018 to January 2019 were selected and recruited.These patients were divided into two groups,namely the control group and experimental group by using random number table method.Each group consisted of 30 cases.The control group was treated with conventional drugs,whereas the observation group was treated with acupuncture and moxibustion with acupoints on top of the treatment prescribed for the patients in control group.The TCM syndrome score,gastrin level,and sleep quality level were compared between the two groups.Results:After four weeks of treatment,the Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)symptom score,gastrin level,and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)score in the observation group were lower than those in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:Acupuncture and moxibustion with acupoints can improve TCM symptom scores,reduce gastrin levels,and improve sleep quality in patients with chronic gastritis and sleep disorders.

RECIPROCAL ACTIONS OF ACUPOINTS ON GASTROINTESTINAL PERISTALSIS DURING ELECTROACUPUNCTURE IN MICE

Orthogonal design was used to observe the gastrointestinal peristalsis in normal andatropine-treated mice after electroacupuncture was applied,singly or in combination,atNeiguan(P 6),Pishu(UB 20)and Zusanli(St 36).The results showed that:1)electroacupuncture has no significant effect on the gastrointestinal peristalsis in normalmice;2)Pishu(UB 20)was significantly antagonistic to Zusanli(St 36)in normal mice;3)the decreased gastrointestinal peristalsis in atropine-treated mice was markedly promotedby electroacupuncture at Zusanli(St 36);and 4)Neiguan(P 6)was significantlyantagonistic to Pishu(UB 20)in atropine-treated mice.The results indicated that thereciprocal actions among acupoints should be taken into consideration for pointprescription.