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.

Research in prevention and rehabilitation of hamstring muscle strain injury

Hamstring muscle strain injury is the most common and prevalent injury in sports involving high-speed running,such as American football,Australian football,English rugby,soccer,track and field,and cricket.1Hamstring muscle strain injury also has a high recurrence rate of up to 48%.2The average practice and game time loss due to hamstring injury is between17 and 60 days,contingent on the grade of injury.2Severe hamstring muscle strain injuries,and associated recurrent inju-

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.

The Effect of Increasing mTOR Signaling on the Speed of Regeneration in D. dorotocephala planaria

Muscle strains are a common injury that can occur during physical activity or exercise, and they can range from mild to severe depending on the extent of the damage. The mTOR pathway is a highly conserved signaling pathway that has been implicated in various cellular processes, including tissue regeneration. Previous studies that have investigated protein synthesis in mice have concluded that the mTOR pathway can improve muscle regeneration. However, the specific effects of mTOR pathway activation on muscle regeneration in planarians have yet to be fully explored. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the use of Arginine and Leucine to stimulate the mTOR pathway for muscle strains in planarians. During the experiment, planarians were amputated, and different dosages of Arginine and Leucine were used to stimulate the mTOR pathway in Dugesia dorotocephala. The speed of muscle regeneration was measured over 14 days in five groups, with thirty planarians in each group. The results showed that the rate of regeneration from 0.134 mM Leucine solution showed a significant increase compared to the control group, while the groups exposed to 0.1, 0.3 mM Arginine, and 0.0134 Leucine did not show significant changes in muscle regeneration. These findings suggest that mTOR pathway activation may enhance muscle regeneration in planarians and that the effects may be dose-dependent. These findings have important implications for developing new treatments for tissue damage. Further studies are needed to fully understand the mechanisms of mTOR pathway activation on muscle regeneration in planarians and its potential use in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

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.

Magnetic resonance imaging： a valuable method for diagnosing chronic lumbago caused by lumbar muscle strain and monitoring healingprocess

Background Magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） is the most sensitive technique for evaluating the healing process and should be performed before the patients return to their exercise routines. The aim of this research was to diagnose chronic lumbago associated with lumbar muscle strain and to monitor healing process by MRI. Methods Sixty-five symptomatic cases of chronic lumbago caused by lumbar muscle strain were collected from March 2009 to October 2011. MRI was used to examine, diagnose and monitor the healing process. The control group included 65 random cases of asymptomatic volunteers. MRI methods included routine sequences of GRE TlWl, TSE T2WI and special sequences of T2-STIR-FS, combined with DWI. We compared the MRI characteristics of symptomatic cases before and after healing and with asymptomatic controls. Results The important MRI characteristics of chronic lumbago with lumbar muscle strain included： （1） The low back muscle showed edema. （2） The low back intermuscular spaces showed edema and/or fluid. （3） The low back spaces beside the spinous process showed edema and/or fluid. （4） The low back vertebral articular process fossae or transverse process fossae showed fluid. Of these image characteristics, the intermuscular space edema provided the best diagnostic sensitivity, Se=83%, with Y1=0.63, Tr=74%. The low back muscle edema provided the best diagnostic specificity, Sp=100%, with Y1=0.66, Tr=83%. And the spaces edema beside the spinous process provided the best diangnostic accuracy, Tr=86%, with YI = 0.71, Se=80%, Sp=91%. The diagnosis accurate could be improved by combining multiple MRI characteristics. The diagnostic accuracy could achieve n=93%, with Y1=0.86, Se=100% and Sp=86% when two characteristics were combined. After rehabilitation care, the edema disappeared on the repeated MRI. Conclusions MRI may well be a useful diagnostic method for lumbago with lumbar muscle strain. Combining routine sequences with T2-STIR-FS and DWI sequences could demonstrate the pathological changes of lumbar muscle strain and monitor the healing.