Integrative techniques using acupuncture,Chinese herbal medicine,diet,and supplements for polycystic ovary syndrome:a case report

Patients with a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS） are on the rise. About 4%-12% of women are currently estimated to have this condition. It is hypothesized that PCOS appears in women who have long-standing insulin resistance （1R）, which leads to high androgen and testosterone levels; this ultimately disrupts their menstrual cycles. Some researchers attribute IR to genetic factors, although there have been only minute changes in the human genome in the past 20 000 years. However, even with a stable gene pool, genes can be turned on and offby the environment, food and air quality and toxin exposure.

Treatment of anovulatory infertility with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine

Objective To observe the therapeutic effects on anovulatory infertility with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Methods Fifty patients with anovulatory infertility were divided randomly into 2 groups with 25 in the observation group and 25 in the control group. Both herbal decoctions and acupuncture treatment were applied to the observation group. For Chinese herbal medicine, according to different phases of menstrual cycle, Cu Luanpao Tang （促卵泡汤 follicle promote decoction）, Cu Pailuan Tang （促卵泡汤 ovulation induce decoction） and Cu Huangti Tang （促黄体汤 corpora luteum promote decoction） was given to the patients; and acupoints such as Guanyuan （关元 CV 4）, Zhongji （ 中极 CV 3） and LuSnchao Xue（卵巢穴 Extra point） were selected. The control group was asked to take Clomiphene as well as Chorionic Gonadotropin （HCG） injection. Observation is undertaken continuously for 6 cycles, and statistics of ovulation rate and pregnancy rate were collected. Results There were no statistical significance of difference of ovulation rate between the two groups（P〉0.05） ; the pregnancy rate of the observation group is 44. 0%（11/25）, which is obviously higher than 16.0% （4/25） of the control group （P〈0.05）. Comparison was made on Insler score of the cervical mucus and thickness of the endometrium between the 2 groups, and the result showed that both of the indexes of the observation group were better than those of the control group （P〈0.05, P〈0.01）. Conclusion Both of the methods, namely ovulation induction with acupuncture and herbal decoctions and with Clomiphene and HCG injection, are effective for enhancing the ovulation rate, while the former one is better than the later one in the pregnancy rate.

Clinical Observation on the Combined Use of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine for Treatment of Chloasma

Objective:To observe the clinical effects of the combined use of acupuncture and herbal medicine for treatment of chloasma.Methods:Totally 60 patients were randomly divided into a treatment group of 30 cases,treated by acupuncture and herbal medicine,and a control group of 30 cases,administered Vitamin C and Vitamin E.The clinical effects were observed.Results:The total effective rate of the treatment group is 93.3%better than that of the control group(76.7%) ,the difference was significant(P<0.01) .Conclusion:Combined use of acupuncture and herbal medicine may yield definite therapeutic effects in treating chloasma patients.

Recovery of a patient with severe COVID-19 by acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine adjuvant to standard care

There is currently no drug or therapy that can cure the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19), which is highly contagious and can be life-threatening in severe cases. Therefore, seeking potential effective therapies is an urgent task. An older female at the Leishenshan Hospital in Wuhan, China, with a severe case of COVID-19 with significant shortness of breath and decrease in peripheral oxygen saturation(SpO_(2)),was treated using manual acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine granule formula Fuzheng Rescue Lung with Xuebijing Injection in addition to standard care. The patient’s breath rate, SpO_(2), heart rate,ratio of neutrophil/lymphocyte(NLR), ratio of monocyte/lymphocyte(MLR), C-reactive protein(CRP),and chest computed tomography were monitored. Acupuncture significantly improved the patient’s breathing function, increased SpO_(2), and decreased her heart rate. Chinese herbal medicine might make the effect of acupuncture more stable;the use of herbal medicine also seemed to accelerate the absorption of lung infection lesions when its dosage was increased. The combination of acupuncture and herbs decreased NLR from 14.14 to 5.83, MLR from 1.15 to 0.33 and CRP from 15.25 to 6.01 mg/L. These results indicate that acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, as adjuvants to standard care, might achieve better results in treating severe cases of COVID-19.

Clinical Observation on the Treatment of Chloasma by Chinese Herbs Combined with Acupuncture

Objective： To evaluate the clinical effect of Chinese herbs combined with acupuncture （CH-A） in treating chloasma. Methods： Sixty-one patients with chloasma were randomly assigned to two groups： 30 in the control group and 31 in the treated group. Both groups received conventional treatment with oral intake of vitamin C and E, and external application of Quban Powder （祛斑散）. Besides, the treated group also received CH-A, with the therapeutic course for both groups as 3 months. Results： The total effective rate in the treated group and the control group was 100.00% and 46.67% respectively, and the cure-effective rate was 74.19% and 13.33% respectively, all showing significant difference between the two groups （P〈0.01）. The scores of size and color of skin lesion and that of symptoms decreased in both groups, but the decrease in the treated group was more obvious, showing significant difference compared with those before treatment and also compared with those in the control group after treatment （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. A follow-up study in 1 year to 2 years and 4 months showed that the long-term effect in the treated group showed an increasing trend compared with the effect immediately after treatment, but it showed a decreasing trend in the control group, though with no any statistical significance （both P〉0.05）. Conclusion： On the basis of conventional treatment, combined use of Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture in treating chloasma could markedly improve the accompanied symptoms, lighten the color and shrink the size of skin lesions.

Integration of traditional,complementary,and alternative medicine with modern biomedicine:the scientization,evidence,and challenges for integration of traditional Chinese medicine

Traditional medicine has garnered significant global recognition,with an estimated 80%of the global population using it.Therefore,it is essential to fully understand the integration of traditional medicines into current healthcare systems.This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the standard process to modernize traditional medicine scientifically in the context of modern biomedicine,further termed here as“scientization”.Specifically,we aim to summarize the advancements made in understanding the efficacy,effectiveness,and underlying mechanisms of herbal medicine.We also examined the transition from experience-to evidence-based medicine during acupuncture.Furthermore,we explore the development of universal safety and quality control standards.Finally,we discuss international trade and export markets for Chinese medical products.The development and integration of traditional medicine have allowed it to further improve human health,resulting in a more comprehensive health solution for the global population.

Research progress of acupuncture treatment on postpartum depression in recent ten years

In recent years,postpartum depression has gained increasing attention around the world due to its high prevalence and severe health consequences.Meanwhile,a considerable number of postpartum depression patients seek help from alternative therapies especially acupuncture,despite the limited evidence available in terms of the effectiveness of acupuncture on postpartum depression.This article summarizes the Chinese and English randomized controlled trials available on acupuncture treatment for postpartum depression over the past ten years and provides a detailed review.10 randomized controlled trials were identified in this review.The treatment regimens described in these studies included acupuncture mono-therapy,electro-acupuncture mono-therapy,or acupuncture combined with other therapies;and the treatment duration ranged from one month to three months.The Hamilton Depression Scale,Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale,and estradiol levels in serum were commonly used to assess the efficacy of acupuncture on postpartum depression.The published data suggests that acupuncture,including manual and electrical stimulation,can significantly reduce Hamilton Depression scores and Edinburgh Postpartum Depression scores,and can increase serum estradiol levels compared with different controls.Furthermore,fewer adverse effects were reported following acupuncture treatment than in the control treatment group.Conversely,there have also been some studies reporting inconsistent results in the effectiveness of acupuncture on postpartum depression.Therefore,acupuncture appears to be a potentially effective and safe therapy for postpartum depression,but its outcomes require validation by more rigorously designed studies.

Case of acupuncture combined with Chinese herbal medication in assistance of pregnancy after 11 failures of IVF-ET at advanced age

This paper reports one case of successful pregnancy in the assistance of acupuncture therapy for regulating menstruation and promoting pregnancy and the periodic intervention with Chinese herbal medicine in a 41-year-old patient with infertility.The patient suffered from 11 failures in the assisted reproductive technique during 3 years.This case suggests that the combined treatment with acupuncture for regulating menstruation and promoting pregnancy and the periodic intervention with Chinese herbal medicine increase the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH)and estradiol(E2),improve the oocyte quality and the uterine environment.This therapeutic method plays a positive auxiliary role in the whole process of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer(IVF-ET)and it can be adopted as an intervention for patients with multiple assisted reproductive failures.

Chinese Medicine in the United States:Historical Development and Growth

Chinese medicine is growing rapidly in the United States both as a field of research and in the daily treatment of illnesses.The popularity of Chinese medicine,particularly acupuncture,as a healing mechanism demonstrates American people’s positive experience with Chinese medicine and their embracing it as an alternative to the mainstream Western biomedicine.Chinese medicine is an important part of the Alternative and Complementary Medicine or Integrated Medicine in the United States health system.It is increasingly used and covered by health insurance.Although Chinese medicine has been in the United States since colonial times,it was discriminated against by local authorities.However,things began to change in the 1970s when individual states gradually passed laws to legalize the practice of acupuncture as a healing mechanism.American public interest in Chinese medicine,particularly acupuncture,was aroused by the media’s report of the“magic”power of acupuncture during President Nixon’s visit to China.Non-Asians studied acupuncture in the following decades,which contributed to the establishment of acupuncture as a profession in the American health system.The history of Chinese medicine in the United States illustrates that Chinese and Asian immigrants promoted Chinese medicine in the communities,while Chinese American medical scientists who were trained in biomedicine played an important role in shaping the biomedical method of acupuncture research.This article investigates the changes of Chinese medicine in the United States,with a focus on acupuncture.Situating the discussion in a larger context of social and cultural changes,this study examines the contributions of Chinese immigrants and the popularity of acupuncture in the United States.It analyzes the development of acupuncture practice and research,the professional training in Chinese medicine,and American people’s interest in using Chinese medicine as a reliable healing mechanism to many health problems,including chronic pain,cancer,and drug addictions.

Traditional Chinese medicine for foot pain in a patient with complex regional pain syndrome: A case report

BACKGROUND Complex regional pain syndrome(CRPS)is characterized by pain as well as sensory,motor,and sudomotor disorders.Generally,it is classified into two types CRPS-I and CRPS-II.There is no single diagnostic test or treatment approach for CRPS,and a multidisciplinary approach is gaining attention to improve patients’symptoms and their quality of life.CASE SUMMARY A 35-year-old woman with an unremarkable medical history sought treatment for CRPS at a hospital of Korean medicine.During her first visit,she was wheelchairbound due to severe pain in her left lower extremity.She had edema and discoloration of the left foot.She was treated with a combination of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)approaches,including acupuncture,moxibustion,pharmacopuncture,and herbal decoction,for approximately 20 sessions.The foot and ankle outcome score(FAOS)and visual analog scale(VAS)score for pain were evaluated,along with general signs and functions.Her symptoms,signs,FAOS,and VAS scores improved after treatment,with a significant 7-degree decrease in the VAS score and a 62-point increase in the FAOS score.Additionally,the foot swelling and discoloration gradually resolved.During the phone follow-up,5 mo after the last visit,additional improvements in outcomes were observed.CONCLUSION Combined TCM treatment may be a reasonable and safe option for alleviating symptoms and improving function in patients with CRPS.

Comparison of Chinese medicine higher education programs in China and five Western countries

Object:Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has been taught widely in the both Eastern and Western world countries.This study compared the origin,student source,duration,and curriculum design of TCM higher education programs in China and five Western countries.Method:We searched the Internet and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI)database to gather relevant information.Result:All the six countries offer acupuncture and/or Chinese herbal medicine programs at universities and/or private schools.However,there are great large differences among them in the education of curriculum and TCM students enrollment and curriculum policies of TCM courses.Conclusions:There are large differences among their curriculum and enrollment policies.This comparison should provide information about the further development of international standards in TCM education.

温针灸联合中药塌渍对腰椎间盘突出症患者疼痛、腰椎功能和生活质量的影响

目的观察温针灸联合中药塌渍对腰椎间盘突出症(LDH)患者疼痛、腰椎功能和生活质量的影响。方法选取2021年1月—2022年2月在成都市3家医院(新津区人民医院、邛崃市医疗中心医院、新津区第二人民医院)接受治疗的LDH患者300例,以随机数字表法将患者分为两组,对照组接受电针治疗(150例),试验组给予温针灸联合中药塌渍治疗(150例),3个中心,每个中心试验组50例,对照组50例。比较两组疗程结束时临床治疗效果;对比两组治疗前后疼痛视觉模拟评分(visual analogue scale,VAS)及腰椎日本骨科协会评估治疗分数(Japanese orthopaedic association,JOA);比较两组治疗前后健康状况调查简表(short form 36-item health survey,SF-36)评分;治疗期间,对比两组不良反应发生情况。结果治疗后,试验组治疗总有效率高于对照组(P<0.05)。治疗后,试验组VAS疼痛评分较对照组低(P<0.05)。治疗后,试验组腰椎功能JOA评分较对照组高(P<0.05)。试验组治疗后生活质量SF-36各项指标评分高于对照组(P<0.05)。治疗期间不良反应发生率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论温针灸联合中药塌渍用于LDH患者能缓解患者疼痛,促进腰椎功能恢复,提高治疗效果及生活质量,且具有较高的安全性。

针刺结合中药保留灌肠对溃疡性结肠炎的疗效及免疫功能的影响

目的:探讨针刺结合中药保留灌肠治疗溃疡性结肠炎(UC)的临床疗效及其改善免疫功能的作用。方法:选取符合纳入标准的UC患者70例,依据随机数字表随机分为观察组和对照组,各35例。对照组给予美沙拉嗪缓释片,观察组在对照组基础上加用针刺与中药保留灌肠疗法,两组均治疗8周。比较两组患者治疗前后血清免疫功能指标CD3^(+)、CD4^(+)与CD8^(+)含量、炎症因子指标白细胞介素(IL)-1β、IL-23与转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)的改善情况。结果:治疗后,两组患者TGF-β1、CD3^(+)、CD4^(+)含量均较治疗前明显升高(P<0.05),IL-1β、IL-23、CD8^(+)含量下降(P<0.05);且观察组治疗后TGF-β1、CD3^(+)和CD4^(+)水平均高于对照组(P<0.05),IL-1β、IL-23、CD8^(+)水平均低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:针刺结合中药保留灌肠治疗能显著改善UC患者免疫功能,降低其炎症因子水平。

直肠癌放化疗后反复肠梗阻1例分析

目前,中医外治法已被广泛应用于肠梗阻的治疗中,且安全有效。本研究报道1例直肠癌放化疗后反复肠梗阻案例(在西医常规治疗基础上配合实施中医外治法后,患者病情明显改善,顺利出院),以期为该病的诊治提供借鉴思路。

帕金森病伴神经精神障碍的发病机制及中医治疗研究进展

帕金森病(PD)是一种高发于中老年人的神经系统退行性疾病,研究发现,PD患者的神经精神障碍可在运动症状出现前数年就已出现。PD伴神经精神障碍包括抑郁、焦虑、轻度认知功能障碍、痴呆和幻觉等,严重影响患者生存质量。大量研究发现,针灸、中药能够通过多种途径改善神经递质水平,改善神经精神障碍对应量表评分,对PD伴神经精神障碍有明显的治疗效果。由于目前尚无应用针刺、中药方剂和针药结合等中医药方法治疗PD伴神经精神障碍进展的研究,因此本文通过对近年来中医药治疗PD伴神经精神障碍的国内外相关文献进行综述,总结当前PD伴神经精神障碍的发病机制及针刺、中药方剂和针药结合等中医药方法治疗PD伴神经精神障碍的研究,为今后治疗PD神经精神障碍提供新的思路。

中药封包联合针刺运动治疗肩周炎临床观察

目的 评估中药封包联合针刺运动治疗肩周炎的临床疗效。方法 选取2021年9月—2022年12月来开封市中医院颈肩腰腿痛科就诊的80例肩周炎患者,随机分为对照组和观察组各40例。对照组给予中药封包及针刺治疗,观察组在对照组治疗的基础上给予针刺运动治疗,观察2组患者的临床疗效,通过视觉模拟评分(VAS)和Constant-Murley肩关节功能(CMS)评分,评估2组患者治疗前后肩关节疼痛和肩关节功能的变化情况。结果 观察组治愈率、总有效率均高于对照组(P<0.05);2组治疗后VAS评分低于治疗前(P<0.05),CMS评分高于治疗前(P<0.05),且观察组评分改善均优于对照组(P<0.05)。结论 中药封包联合针刺运动治疗肩周炎的疗效显著、安全可靠。

中医药治疗斑秃研究进展

斑秃是一种较为常见的非瘢痕性炎症性脱发,禀赋不足气血空虚、饮食不节湿热内蕴、情志失调瘀阻脉络、腠理不固风袭巅顶等皆可导致斑秃的发生,其病性属本虚标实。本病可从肝肾不足、气血亏虚、血虚风燥、血热动风、肝郁血瘀、湿热蕴蒸6个证型辨治。现从辨证论治、专方治疗、中成药治疗、针药并用以及中西医结合治疗角度概括中医药治疗斑秃的研究进展,以期为临床治疗斑秃提供思路。

中医药在糖尿病合并勃起功能障碍治疗中的应用及思考

随着糖尿病的发病趋于年轻化,糖尿病性勃起功能障碍(diabetic mellitus erectile dysfunction,DMED)发病率逐渐较高,现代医学治疗存在一定的局限性,部分患者可能出现一定的不良反应,这影响DMED的治疗。中医药治疗DMED可以有效缓解患者症状,降低现有药物不良反应,辅助降糖。现代医家多采用辨证论治,分型组方,运用单味药、药对、中药提取物、经方验方、中成药进行个体化治疗。现通过概述中药的多种组方思路,总结其优势,并对中医药治疗DMED的现状进行思考与总结,为中医药治疗DMED得到更好的发挥。

针灸联合中药治疗薄型子宫内膜不孕症的Meta分析

目的 系统评价中医针药联合治疗薄型子宫内膜不孕症的临床疗效。方法 检索知网、万方、维普等数据库,时间限定为自入库至2021年7月,检索内容为针灸联合中药治疗薄型子宫内膜不孕症的随机对照试验(RCT),筛选文献并进行质量评价后,采用Rev Man 5.3软件进行Meta分析。结果 共纳入9项RCTs,共862例薄型子宫内膜不孕症患者。Meta分析显示:与西药治疗相比,针药联合使用在增加子宫内膜厚度[MD=1.65,95%CI(1.42,1.87),Z=14.33(P<0.0000 1)]、降低子宫动脉搏动指数(PI)[MD=-0.10,95%CI(-0.13,-0.07),Z=7.48(P<0.0000 1)]、子宫动脉阻力指数(RI)[MD=-0.05,95%CI(-0.07,-0.04),Z=9.48(P<0.0000 1)]、增加A型子宫内膜比例[RR=1.64,95%CI(1.34,2.00),Z=4.87(P<0.0000 1)]、提高妊娠率[RR=1.62,95%CI(1.37,1.93),Z=5.53(P<0.0000 1)]等方面,差异具有统计学意义。结论 针药联合治疗薄型子宫内膜不孕症比西药治疗具有更好的临床效果,但由于纳入文献质量偏低,该结论还需进一步验证。

《针灸和草药(英文)》促进传统医药学术共同体构建的探索与实践

以《针灸和草药(英文)》为例,对构建以内容为导向的数字化刊网融合体系、助力打造传统医药学术共同体的实践进行了阐述。通过整合国际出版集团和相关学会资源,建立了面向市场需求的多层级刊网融合体系,打造了“讲好中医药科学故事”品牌学术会议和新媒体传播平台,促进了传统医药学术共同体学术成果的精准快速传播。