Clinical Study of Shentong Zhuyu Decoction Combined with Massage Therapy in the Treatment of Exertional Chronic Lumbar Muscle Strain

[Objectives]To explore the effects of Shentong Zhuyu decoction combined with massage therapy in the treatment of exertional chronic lumbar muscle strain.[Methods]Sixty-four cases of exertional chronic lumbar muscle strain were randomly divided into two groups(32 cases each group).The patients in the control group only took celecoxib capsules,and those in the treatment group additionally took Shentong Zhuyu decoction combined with massage therapy.TCM syndrome score,lumbar function,hemorrheology index and clinical effect were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.[Results]After treatment,the TCM syndrome scores of lumbar distension/dull pain,tingling-like lumbago,adverse lateral turn,body weight loss,dark purple tongue,slow or astringent pulse,and Oswestry disability index(ODI)score in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group,and the levels of plasma viscosity,red blood cell aggregation index,platelet aggregation rate(PAG)and fibrinogen(Fib)were lower than those in the control group,showing statistical significance(P<0.05).The overall clinical effect distribution of the treatment group was better than that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).[Conclusions]Shentong Zhuyu decoction combined with massage therapy can effectively relieve the symptoms of patients with lumbago and improve the lumbar mobility function and hemorrheology,with obvious therapeutic effects in the treatment of exertional chronic lumbar muscle strain.

Therapeutic Effect of Shaoyao Jiawei Gancao Decoction(芍药加味甘草汤)with Acupoint Application on Chronic Lumbar Muscle Strain and the Recovery of Lumbar Strength

Objective:To study the therapeutic effect of Shaoyao Jiawei Gancao Decoction(芍药加味甘草汤)with acupoint application on chronic lumbar muscle strain and the recovery of lumbar strength.Methods:From August 2018 to August 2019,100 patients with chronic lumbar muscle strain admitted to our hospital were selected and randomly divided into an acupoint application group and a combined group of 50 cases each.The acupoint application group was treated by acupoint application,and the combined group was treated with Shaoyao Jiawei Gancao Decoction(芍药加味甘草汤)based on acupoint application.The indexes scores,VAS scores,ADL scores,ODI scores,lumbar endurance,TCM syndrome scores and the treatment effects of the two groups before and after treatment were statistically analyzed,and TNF-αand TXB2 levels were detected.Results:After treatment,the scores of indexes,VAS,ODI,TCM syndrome,TNF-αand TXB2 in the combined group were lower than those in the acupoint application group,and the ADL score,lumbar endurance and treatment efficiency were higher than those in the acupoint application group,with a statistical difference(P<0.05).Conclusion:Shaoyao Jiawei Gancao Decoction(芍药加味甘草汤)with acupoint application can effectively reduce pain,improve lumbar function,restore lumbar strength,effectively relieve inflammation,with significant effects.

Influence of muscle activation on lumbar injury under a specific+Gz load

Purpose:The present study aimed to analyze the influence of muscle activation on lumbar injury under aspecific+Gz load.Methods:A hybrid finite element human body model with detailed lumbar anatomy and lumbar muscleactivation capabilities was developed.Using the specific+Gz loading acceleration as input,the kinematicand biomechanical responses of the occupant's lower back were studied for both activated and deactivated states of the lumbar muscles.Results:The results indicated that activating the major lumbar muscles enhanced the stability of theoccupant's torso,which delayed the contact between the occupant's head and the headrest.Lumbarmuscle activation led to higher strain and stress output in the lumbar spine under+Gz load,such as themaximum Von Mises stress of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs increased by 177.9%and 161.8%,respectively,and the damage response index increased by 84.5%.Conclusion:In both simulations,the occupant's risk of lumbar injury does not exceed 10%probability.Therefore,the activation of muscles could provide good protection for maintaining the lumbar spine andreduce the effect of acceleration in vehicle travel direction.

Operation rules of scraping technique

Traditional Chinese medicine scraping is a kind of natural therapy with a long history of simple and safe operation.It is easy to learn and tools are readily available,so that it has a very wide range of practical value.This paper introduces the definition and indications,function and standardization process of scraping technology,the technical operation specifications and matters needing attentions,as well as the application method of scraping technology,with a view to providing reference for clinical use of scraping technology in the treatment of cervical spondylosis,periarthritis of shoulder,lumbar muscle strain,hypertension,chloasma,and other diseases.

Clinical relevance of sarcopenia in patients with cirrhosis

The most commonly recognized complications in cirrhotic patients include ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, variceal bleeding, susceptibility for infections, kidney dysfunction, and hepatocellular carcinoma; however, severe muscle wasting or sarcopenia are the most common and frequently unseen complications which negatively impact survival, quality of life, and response to stressor, such as infections and surgeries. At present, D&#x02019;Amico stage classification, Child-Pugh, and MELD scores constitute the best tools to predict mortality in patients with cirrhosis; however, one of their main limitations is the lack of assessing the nutritional and functional status. Currently, numerous methods are available to evaluate the nutrition status of the cirrhotic patient; nevertheless, most of these techniques have limitations primarily because lack of objectivity, reproducibility, and prognosis discrimination. In this regard, an objective and reproducible technique, such as muscle mass quantification with cross-sectional imaging studies (computed tomography scan or magnetic resonance imaging) constitute an attractive index of nutritional status in cirrhosis. Sarcopenia is part of the frailty complex present in cirrhotic patients, resulting from cumulative declines across multiple physiologic systems and characterized by impaired functional capacity, decreased reserve, resistance to stressors, and predisposition to poor outcomes. In this review, we discuss the current accepted and new methods to evaluate prognosis in cirrhosis. Also, we analyze the current knowledge regarding incidence and clinical impact of malnutrition and sarcopenia in patients with cirrhosis and their impact after liver transplantation. Finally, we discuss existing and potential novel therapeutic approaches for malnutrition in cirrhosis, emphasizing the recognition of sarcopenia in an effort to reduced morbidity related and improved survival in cirrhosis.