Observation on Therapeutic Effect of Lotus Needle Cupping Therapy for Removing Blood Stasis in Zhuang Medicine on PHN and Its Influ-ence on Inflammatory Mediators

[Objectives]To observe the clinical effect of the lotus needle cupping therapy for removing blood stasis in Zhuang medicine in treating PHNand its influence on inflammatory factors.[Methods]96 patients with PHN were randomly divided into three groups:lotus nee-dle cupping therapy group,TCM surrounding acupuncture group and gabapentin group.Venous blood and acupoint blood were collected at 0,21 and 42 d of treatment,and the expression levels of 5-HT,SP and CGRPinflammatory mediators were detected before and after treatment.The changes of VAS scores before,during and after treatment and the clinical efficacy were observed.[Results]The total effective rate of the lotus needle cupping group was 87.50%,which was better than that of the TCM acupuncture group(81.25%)and the gabapentin group(62.50%);after treatment,the VAS scores and the expression of inflammatory mediators in the three groups of patients were lower than those before treatment,and the decrease was more significant in the treatment group(P<0.05).[Conclusions]The lotus needle cupping therapy for removing blood stasis in Zhuang medicine is effective in treating PHN,and its mechanism is to reduce the release of inflammatory media-tors,reduce hyperalgesia,relieve pain and improve the quality of life of patients.

TREATMENT OF 247 CASES OF PROLAPSE OF LUMBAR INTERVERTEBRAL DISC WITH COMPREHENSIVE PLUM-BLOSSOM MAGNETIC NEEDLE THERAPY

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of comprehensive plum-blossom magnetic needle therapy on prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc. Methods: 247 cases of prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc were treated first with manual treatment and then with plum-blossom magnetic needle therapy and effect-increasing pad therapy at specified points and reactive points. Results: After treatment for 2 therapeutic courses,153 cases were cured accounting for 61.94%, 71 cases were markedly effective accounting for 28.75%, 22 cases were improved accounting for 8.91% and the rest one failed,accounting for 0.45%. Conclusion: The comprehensive plum-blossom magnetic needle therapy has a better therapeutic effect on prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc.

TREATMENT OF 42 CASES OF ALOPECIA AREATA WITH PLUM-BLOSSOM NEEDLE

In the present study, 42 cases of alopecia areata were treated by tapping the locus with plum-blossom needle and rubbing the local skin with fresh ginger. After 1 - 3 courses of treatment, 41 cases were cured, with the cure rate being 97. 62%.

THIRTY-SIX CASES OF NEURITIS OF LATERAL CUTANEOUS NERVE OF THIGH TREATED BY MAGNETIC ROUND PLUM-BLOSSOM NEEDLE PLUS INFRARED RADIATION

Thirty-six cases of neuritis of lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh were treated by mag-netic round plum-blossom needle plus infrared radiation and it was compared with simpleacupuncture treatment.Statistical analysis indicated that there was no significant difference in thetheraPeutic effects between the two methods,but magnetic round Plum-blossom needle Plus in-frared radiation had as high therapeutic effect as simple acupuncture treatment and with themethod pateints suffered less without infection and it was easily to be accepted by patients.

CHINESE HUAI TANG NINE ACUPUNCTURE NEEDLES: RESEARCH ON THE NEW NINE ACUPUNCTURE NEEDLES THERAPY AND THE NEEDLING INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED)

PART TWOThe Research on Chinese Huai TangNine Acupuncture Needles TherapyI The theoretical basis of ChineseHuai Tang Nine Needles Therapy.1) The kernel of the theoretical basis ofChinese Huai Tang Nine Needles Therapy.Chinese Huai Tang Nine Needles Therapyis to give full play to the treatment action of thespecifity and entirety of each needle. The speci-fity means that each needle has its own

Study of Mongolian Warming Needle Acupuncture Therapy

The Mongolian warming needle acupuncture therapy is a Mongolian traditional external treatment method that uses special silver needles to insert specific acupoints on the human body,and then stimulates them with warm acupuncture to achieve the purpose of disease prevention and treatment.This paper reviewed the theoretical basis,acupuncture methods,acupuncture classification,acupuncture tools,acupuncture points,indications,and contraindications of Mongolian acupuncture.Besides,it also summarized the clinical application of the Mongolian warming needle acupuncture therapy.In addition,it elaborated the its principle of regulating cold and heat in the body,leading the disease out,dialectically coordinating the whole,and changing the local part,highlighting its important position in medicine,so as to better promote clinical practice.

OBSERVATION ON THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF PLUM-BLOSSOM NEEDLE TAPPING PLUS MEDICATION FOR HERPES ZOSTER

Objective： To observe the therapeutic effect of plum-blossom needle tapping combined with intravenous drip of Acyclovir for herpes zoster. Methods; A total of 40 herpes zceter patients were randomized into acupuncture plus medication group （ n = 21 ） and medication group （ n = 19） which were treated respectively with topical plum-blossom needle tapping in the focus region combined with intravenous drip of Acyclovir （250 rng＋250 mL normal saline, twice daily） and simple intravenous drip of Acyclovir. Results： After treatment, of the 21 and 19 cases in acupuncture plus medication and medication groups, 18 （85.7%） and 10 （52.6%） were cured, 3 （ 14.3% ） and 7 （36.8%） had marked improvement, 0 （0） and 2 （ 10.5% ） failed, with the effective rates being 100,0% and 89,5% respectively. The cure duration of acupuncture plus medication end medication groups were （2.5± 1.0） days and （4.0±2.3） days separately. The therapeutic effect of the former group was significantly superior to that of the later group （P〈 0.05） and the duration of cure of acupuncture plus medication group was evidently shorter than that of medication group （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： The therapeutic effect of plum-blossom needle tapping plus Acyclovir is significantly superior to that of simple Acyclovir in relieving pain, promoting scabbing, and shortening the therapeutic duration.

Fire needle combined with blood-letting therapy for a case of 20-year trigeminal neuralgia

Background： Trigeminal neuralgia （TN） is a neuropathic pain syndrome. It is the most frequent cranial neuralgia and defined as sudden, usually unilateral and lightning-like, knife-like or burning-like recurrent episodes of pain within the distribution area of one or more divisions of the trigeminal nerve. Here we reported that an 81-year-old woman with TN who complained of severe pain on her right face showed a complete clinical relief after comprehensive therapy containing fire needle, filiform needle and blood-letting therapy. Methods： The patient was applied fire needle combined with filiform needle therapy （3 times / week for 4 months） and three consecutive fire needle combined with blood-letting therapy （3 times / week for one week）. Fire needle was inserted into the back points of Du meridian, the first lateral line of bladder meridian, the right spreading area of the trigeminal nerve and the points around the pain radiation site. The filiform needle acupuncture was applied to the points on the right face including Yuyao （EX-HN4）, Yangbai （GB14）, Toulinqi （GB15）, et al; points on the abdomen including Xiawan （RN10）, Qihai （RN16）, Guanyuan （RN14） and the bilateral points including Tianshu （ST25）, Daheng （SP15）, Zusanli （ST36）, et al. Finally, the three-edged fire needle punctured the points of Yangbai （GB41）, Shangguan （GB3）, Jiache （ST6） on the right face accompanied by the cupping method on the bleeding points. Results： The patient reported the complete disappearance of pain and could open mouth and eat normally. The face was normal and no triggering pain recurred after one-month follow-up. Conclusions： The fire needle combined with blood-letting therapy can cure the TN and might provide an alternative non-drug therapy for those patients who still suffered from TN after other medical treatments or whom that refused surgical treatment.

TREATMENT OF VERTEBRAL－ARTERY TYPE CERVICAL SPONDYLOPATHY WITH NEEDLE－KNIFE THERAPY

In the present paper, 62 cases of vertebral artery type cervical spondylopathy were treated with needle knife therapy (acupotomy). After 2-6 sessions of treatment, 23 cases (37.1%) were cured, 19 (30.7%) showed marked improvement, 15 (24.2%) had some improvement and 5 (8.1%) failed in the treatment. The total effective rate was 91.9%. It indicates that acupotomy therapy is a highly effective remedy for treating vertebral artery type cervical spndylopathy.

Clinical observation of auricular needle-embedding therapy for primary insomnia

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of auricular needle-embedding therapy for treating primary insomnia.Methods:A total of 63 patients were randomly divided into a conventional acupuncture group and an auricular needleembedding group.The conventional acupuncture group received acupuncture at meridian points,while the auricular needle-embedding group received acupuncture at auricular points.Treatments were given once a day for 6 consecutive days,followed by a 1-day break,as a course of treatment.Both groups were treated for 2 courses.Before treatment,and after 1 course and 2 courses of treatment,the Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI)score was assessed,and the efficacy was evaluated.Results:The cured and markedly effective rate and total effective rate of the auricular needle-embedding group were higher than those of the conventional acupuncture group,but there was no significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05).After 1 course of treatment,the PSQI global score and the scores of subjective sleep quality,sleep latency,sleep duration,habitual sleep efficiency,and daytime dysfunction of both groups decreased compared with those before treatment(P<0.01);there was no statistical significance in comparing the PSQI global score and individual component scores between the two groups(P>0.05).After 2 courses of treatment,the PSQI global score and the scores of sleep latency and habitual sleep efficiency of the auricular needle-embedding group decreased compared with those after 1 course of treatment(P<0.01 or P<0.05),while only the score of sleep latency of the conventional acupuncture group decreased compared with that after 1 course of treatment(P<0.05);the PSQI global score and the scores of subjective sleep quality and sleep latency of the auricular needle-embedding group were lower than those of the conventional acupuncture group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Both therapies can improve insomnia.Compared to conventional acupuncture,auricular needleembedding therapy demonstrates a therapeutic advantage in improving sleep latency and sleep quality,making it worthy of clinical promotion.

Effectiveness of fire needle combining with moist healing dressing to promote the growth of granulation tissue in chronic wounds:A case report

In this case study,we analyzed the wound-healing process of a patient with a chronic wound who underwent fire needle treatment,and we tracked the coverage of granulation tissue and decrease of slough and exudate.An 85-year-old man had repeated right shoulder and back pain,itching,and skin festering for more than 1.5 years.A fire needle was administered combined with moist dressing once every 5 days to promote wound healing.After six rounds of fire needle treatment,granulation tissue formed over the surface of the wound base,the depth of the wound had become shallow,and the wound area was reduced.No complications occurred during the intervention.Fire needle therapy combined with a moist wound-healing dressing can be an effective alternative approach in managing chronic wounds.

Accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided needle aspiration specimens for molecular diagnosis of non-small-cell lung carcinoma

BACKGROUND Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration(EUS-FNA)and endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration(EBUS-TBNA)are highly sensitive for diagnosing and staging lung cancer.In recent years,targeted therapy has shown great significance in the treatment of non-small cell lung carcinoma(NSCLC).Using these minimally invasive techniques to obtain specimens for molecular testing will provide patients with a more convenient diagnostic approach.AIM To evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of tissue samples obtained using EUSFNA and EBUS-TBNA for molecular diagnosis of NSCLC.METHODS A total of 83 patients with NSCLC underwent molecular testing using tissues obtained from EUS-FNA or EBUS-TBNA at the Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital from January 2017 to June 2019.All enrolled patients underwent chest computed tomography or positron emission tomography/computed tomography prior to puncture.We detected abnormal expression of EGFR,KRAS,MET,HER2,ROS1 and anaplastic lymphoma kinase protein.Two patients failed to complete molecular testing due to insufficient tumor tissue.The clinical features,puncture records,molecular testing results and targeted treatment in the remaining 81 patients were summarized.RESULTS In a total of 99 tissue samples obtained from 83 patients,molecular testing was successfully completed in 93 samples with a sample adequacy ratio of 93.9%(93/99).Biopsy samples from two patients failed to provide test results due to insufficient tumor tissue.In the remaining 81 patients,62 cases(76.5%)were found to have adenocarcinoma,11 cases(13.6%)had squamous cell carcinoma,3 cases(3.7%)had adenosquamous carcinoma and 5 cases(6.2%)had NSCLC-not otherwise specified.The results of molecular testing showed EGFR mutations in 21 cases(25.9%),KRAS mutations in 9 cases(11.1%),ROS-1 rearrangement in 1 case(1.2%)and anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive in 5 cases(6.2%).Twentyfour patients with positive results received targeted therapy.The total effectiveness rate of targeted therapy was 66.7%(16/24),and the disease control rate was 83.3%(20/24).CONCLUSION Tissue samples obtained by EUS-FNA or EBUS-TBNA are feasible for the molecular diagnosis of NSCLC and can provide reliable evidence for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

TREATMENT OF 67 CASES OF GASTROPTOSIS WITH ELONGATED NEEDLE(芒针)

Sixty-seven patients with gastroptosis were treated by stimulating Guanmen (ST 22)and Taiyi (ST 23) acupoints with elongated needles, obtaining a satisfactory result. Of them, 52 caseswere cured, 7 cases markedly effective and 8 cases ineffective. The total effective rate was 88%.

CLINICAL ANALYSIS TO 74 CASES OF MENOPAUSAL SYNDROME TREATED WITH SIMPLE FIRE NEEDLE

In this paper,simple fire needle pricking the points of Du（Governor）and Ren（Conception）meridians was employed to treat 74 cases of menopausal syndrome.The result showedthat 41 cases were clinically cured,17 markedly improved,15 improved and 1 ineffective,with thetotal effective rate 87％.With the advantages of extensive materials used,simple manipulation andlarge variety of indications,this method is worthy to be popularized.

CLINICAL OBSERVATION ON TREATMENT OF 60 CASES OF ASTHMA WITH RED-HOT NEEDLE IN THE DOG DAYS

In the present paper, a total of 109 asthma patients were randomly divided into treatment group (red hot needle, n=62) and control group (conventional acupuncture, n=47). The treatment was conducted beginning from the first day of the first 10 day period of the Dog Days. After successive two years’ treatment, results showed that of the 62 and 47 cases in treatment and control groups, 16 and 7 were cured basically, 37 and 16 had remarkable improvement, 8 and 12 were ameliorated, 1 and 10 failed in the treatment, with the effective rate being 98.4% and 78.7% respectively, displaying that the therapeutic effect of treatment group was significantly superior to that of control group (P<0.01).

Efficacy and safety of awn needle in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation:A meta-analysis

Objective:To evaluate the intervention effect of awn needle in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation through meta-analysis.Methods:In CNKI,Wanfang Data,PubMed,VIP and other databases,we searched the clinical observation studies on the treatment of patients with lumbar disc herniation with awn needle.The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated using Cochrane 5.1.0 bias risk assessment criteria and Jadad scale.Revman 5.3 software was used for meta-analysis.Results:A total of 14 randomized controlled trials involving 1186 patients were included,with 595 in the awn needle treatment group and 591 in the control group.Meta-analysis showed that the awn needle treatment group was better than that of the control group in the total effective rate[RR=1.17;95%CI(1.12,1.22);Z=6.66;P<0.00001];the awn needle treatment group was better than the control group in ameliorating VAS score[WMD=-1.07,95%CI(-1.19,-0.95),Z=17.87,P<0.00001];the awn needle treatment group was better than the control group in ameliorating JOA score[WMD=3.18,95%CI(2.64,3.71),Z=11.57,P<0.00001];the awn needle treatment group was better than the control group in the amelioration of ADL score[SMD=2.44,95%CI(0.54,4.35),Z=2.52,P=0.01];the awn needle treatment group was better than the control group in the improvement of SLRT angle[WMD=12.71,95%CI(3.21,22.21),Z=2.62,P=0.009].Conclusion:Awn needle treatment can improve the total effective rate of patients with lumbar disc herniation,relieve the pain of patients,improve the straight leg elevation angle of patients,alleviate the disease development,relieve the symptoms,and improve the quality of life of patients.It is worthy of clinical application.

Effect of Wei’s triple nine needling therapy on flash visual evoked potentials in rats with traumatic optic neuropathy

Objective:To investigate the effect of Wei’s triple nine needling therapy on the N2-P2 wave of the flash visual evoked potential(FVEP)in rats of the of the transverse directional pulling model.Methods:Thirty-six Wistar rats were randomly grouped,nine were in normal control group without any treatment,and the remaining 27 were surgically modelled in the right eyes.Eighteen of these rats were randomly divided into a Wei’s triple nine needling therapy group and a model group of nine rats each after the TON model was made using the transverse quantitative retraction method.The other 9 rats were sham-operated,and only the optic nerve was exposed without retraction.On the next day of modelling,the Wei’s triple nine needling therapy group was treated with Wei’s triple nine needling therapy for 20 minutes/1 time/1 day for 14 days.The model group,sham-operated group and normal control group were not intervened.Wei's triple nine acupoints were represented as follows:1st link:"Jingming"(BL1)and"Chengqi"(ST1);2nd link:"Sizhukong"(SJ23)penetrating"Taiyang"(EX-HN5);and the third:"Fengchi"(GB 20)and"Taichong"(LV3).The FVEP of each group was observed on 1d,7d and 14d.The FVEP of each group was observed on 1d,7d and 14d.Results:Compared with the model group,the N2 wave latency and P2 wave latency were shortened in the Wei’s triple nine needling therapy on 1d(P<0.05,P<0.01);on 7d,their N2 wave latency was shortened(P<0.01)and the N2-P2 wave amplitude was increased compared with the model group(P<0.05);on 14d,their P2 wave latency was shortened(P<0.05)and the N2-P2 wave amplitude was increased.There was no statistical difference in N2 wave latency,P2 wave latency and N2-P2 wave amplitude in the sham-operated group on 1d,7d and 14d(P>0.05).The delayed N2 and P2 wave latencies in the model group did not improve from 1d to 14d(P>0.05)and the amplitude decreased throughout,showing a significant difference on 14d compared to 1d(P<0.05).In contrast,the N2 wave latency in Wei’s triple nine needling therapy group was not significantly different until 7d to 14d(P<0.05);its P2 wave latency,although significantly delayed from 1d to 7d(P<0.05),recovered on 14d and reached a level that was not statistically different from 1d and 7d(P>0.05).There was also no significant decrease in N2-P2 wave amplitude between 1d and 14d in Wei’s triple nine needling therapy group(P>0.05).Conclusion:In this experiment,the TON rat model was successfully established by the transverse quantitative retraction method,and the treatment of TON rats with Wei’s triple nine needling therapy reduced the P2 wave delay of the FVEP electrophysiological signal and increased the N2-P2 amplitude,which had a certain positive effect on the repair of optic nerve injury,probably related to its effect of improving the conduction function of the optic nerve and protecting the retinal ganglion cells that had not been degenerated and necrosed.

TREATMENT OF 18 CASES OF TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA WITH ELONGATED NEEDLE

In this paper, a total of 18 cases of primary trigeminal neuralgia were treated with elongated needle. Of the 18 cases, 5 were male and 15 female, ranging in age from 27 to 58 years and in disease duration from 3 days to 8 years. Main acupoints used were Taiyang (EX-HN 5) to Xiaguan (ST 7, for penetration needling), Xiajiache, Fengchi (GB 20), Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Taichong (LR 3). The treatment was given once daily, with 12 sessions being a therapeutic course. After 2 courses of treatment, of the 18 cases, 10 cases were cured, 7 experienced improvement in pain and one failed in the treatment, with an effective rate of 94.4%. The key point for treating trigeminal neuralgia is applying penetrative needling from EX-HN 5 to ST 7 to achieve ideal needling sensations.

80 CASES OF PROLAPSE OF LUMBAR INTERVERTEBRAL DISC TREATED BY ROUND-SHARP NEEDLE

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of round-sharp needle for prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc. Methods: A total of 80 cases of lumbar intervertebral disc prolapse were treated by puncturing Qihaishu (气海俞 BL 24), Guanyuanshu (关元俞 BL 26), etc., with round-sharp needle, once every week, continuously for 4 sessions. Results: After the treatment, of the 80 cases, 56 (70 %) were cured, 16 (20%) improved,and 8 (10)%) failed, with an effective rate of 90%. Conclusion: Round-sharp needle works well in the treatment of prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc.

CLINICAL OBSERVATION ON TREATMENT OF STUBBORN HICCUP BY ACUPUNCTURE WITH DIFFERENT NEEDLE RETAINING TIME

Purpose:Observe the effect of different duration of needle-retention on acupuncture treatment of stubborn hiccup. Methods: 85 cases of stubborn hiccup patients are randomly divided into control group (n=40) and treatment group(n=45) according to their visiting time. For patients of control group, acupuncture needles (in both scalp points and body acupoints) are retained for 30 min, while for patients of treatment group, the needles inserted in the body acupoints are retained for 1 hr, and that inserted in scalp-point is retained for more than 6 hrs. The treatment is conducted once daily, continuously for 5 times. Results: The cure rate of treatment group is 88.9% (that for deficiency syndrome is 85.3%), and that of control group is 65% (that for deficiency syndrome is 53.3%).There is a significant difference between two groups in the cure rate (P<0.05). The cure rates for excess syndrome of two groups both are 100%.Conclusion: Longer retention of acupuncture needle has a better therapeutic effect for deficiency-syndrome type hiccup.