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.

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.

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.

TREATMENT OF POSTAPOPLECTIC THALAMIC SPONTANEOUS PAIN BY ELECTROACUPUNCTURE AT HUATUOJIAJI POINTS

The authors have treated 30 cases of postapoplectic thalamic spontaneous pain (PTSP) by electro-acupuncture at Huatuojiaji points (Extra), with the other 30 cases of PTSP treated by 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 total effective rate between the two groups was not statistically significant (P > 0.05), suggesting that electroacupuncture at Huatuojiaji (Extra) is a better therapy for PTSP.

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.

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.

THE THIRD LUMBAR TRANSVERSE PROCESS SYNDROME TREATED BY ELECTROACUPUNCTURE AT HUATUOJIAJI POINTS

32 cases of the third lumbar transverse process syndrome were treated mainly byelectroacupuncture at Huatuojiaji points of the first and second lumbar vertebrae, andanother 30 cases of the syndrome by conventional acupuncture as the controls. The resultsshowed that treatment by electroacupuncture at Huatuojiaji points was superior inanalgesic effect and clinical total effective rate to that by conventional acupuncture. It isconsidered that the mechanism of treatment by electroacupuncture at Huatuojiaji pointsis related to the trunk of posterior ramus of the spinal nerve where the points are located.

Forty-five Cases of Apoplexy Treated by Electroacupuncture at the Points of Yin Meridians

Forty-five cases of apoplexy were treated by electroacupuncture only at the points of Yin Meridians (i.e. the Hand- and Foot-Taiyin Meridians), and the other 30 cases as the controls were treated only at the points of Yang Meridians (i.e. the Hand- and Foot-Yangming Meridians). The total effective rate was 91.1% in the former and 86.7% in the latter, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups, indicating that acupuncture only at the points of Yin-Meridians is also an effective therapy for apoplexy.

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.

SIX KEY POINTS FOR ACUPUNCTURE THERAPY

In the present paper, the author puts forward six key points for acupuncture treatment of diseases, namely, (1) careful examination, (2) definite diagnosis, (3) precise and appropriate identification of syndromes, (4) accurate location of the acupoint, (5) flexible application of needling manipulations, and (6) 'Deqi'. The first three aspects 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 (TCM) and modern 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.

Treatment of Migraine with Acupuncture at Points Pertaining to the Liver and Gallbladder Channels

In studying the syndrome of yang-hyperactivity, we found that most migraine patients were with hyperactivity of the liver-yang, stagnation of the liver-qiand blood stasis, and stagnation of the liverqi and deficiency of the spleen. To evaluate the needling effects on migraine and to approach its mechanism, we have launched a study in 207 cases since 1997. The results were satisfactory and reported as follows.

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,

Acupuncture at the “Huatuojiaji” point affects nerve root regional interleukin-1 level in a rat model of lumbar nerve root compression

BACKGROUND：It has been shown that interleukin-1 （IL-1） may cause inflammatory reactions, which stimulate the nerve root of patients with lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion and leads to pain. Whether the clinical curative effects of acupuncture in the treatment of lumbar and leg pain are linked to an inhibition of local IL-1 secretion is unknown. OBJECTIVE： To assess the influence of acupuncture on IL-1, this study was designed to verify the effects of acupuncture at the ＂Huatuojiaji （Extra）＂ point on the nerve root in a rat model of lumbar nerve root compression, compared with administration of meloxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Randomized, controlled, molecular biology experiment, performed at the Experimental Center, Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University between September 2005 and April 2006. MATERIALS： Forty healthy adult Sprague Dawley rats of either gender were included in this study. The rats were randomly and evenly divided into the following four groups： normal control, model, acupuncture and meloxicam groups. Lumbar nerve root compression was induced in rats in the model, acupuncture, and meloxicam groups by inserting a specially made silicon rubber slice at the juncture of the L5 nerve root and the dural sac. The acupuncture needle （pattern number N3030, 30#, 1.5 inch） was purchased from Suzhou Medical Appliance Factory, China. IL-1 enzyme linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） kit was purchased from Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc., USA. METHODS： The acupuncture group was acupunctured at the ＂Huatuojiaji＂ point, which is lateral to the compressed L5-6 nerve root, with an acupuncture depth of 0.5 cm. There were two treatment courses, each of involved seven 20-minute acupuncture sessions, one session a day. The meloxicam group was administered intragastrically 3.75 mg/kg meloxicam （5 mg meloxicam /10 mL physiological saline）. Rats in the normal control group and model group received an intragastric administration of 10 mL/kg physiological saline. All administrations were performed once a day. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： At day 14 post-surgery, the IL-1 level in the compressed nerve root was determined by a streptavidin-peroxidase （S-P） immunohistochemical method, and IL-1β mRNA expression in the compressed nerve root was simultaneously detected by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS： The expression levels of IL-1 and IL-1β mRNA in the L5 nerve root were significantly higher in the model group than in the control group （P 〈 0.01）. However, the expression levels of IL-1 and IL-1β mRNA were significantly lower in the acupuncture and meloxicam groups than in the model group （P 〈 0.05–0.01）. Expression levels of IL-1 and IL-1β mRNA were significantly higher in the acupuncture group than in the meloxicam group （P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： Acupuncture at the ＂Huatuojiaji＂ point decreases the IL-1 level by inhibiting IL-1β mRNA expression to a greater extent than meloxicam administration.

Clinical research progress on acupuncture for the treatment of otogenic vertigo

Otogenic vertigo is a common disorder that affects the vestibular system,which often results in considerable discomfort and impaired daily functioning.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),including acupuncture and moxibustion,has been historically utilized to manage the symptoms of vertigo.However,the effectiveness and methodology of these treatments have rarely been investigated in the medical literature.This study reviews the existing literature on the point selection,method,and therapeutic effect of acupuncture and moxibustion to provide a reference for the TCM treatment of otogenic vertigo.A literature search was performed using the PubMed search engine.The terms used included otogenic vertigo,acupuncture treatment,and acupuncture point selection.A total of 34 relevant articles were retrieved from PubMed.These suggest that the clinical treatment of otogenic vertigo should consider the functions of zang-fu organs and meridians and select different acupuncture treatment methods according to syndrome differentiation based on the difference between deficiency and excess.Acupuncture and moxibustion therapy should be based on acupoint selection,considering the syndrome differentiation,supplemented with experience.The treatment of otogenic vertigo with acupuncture and moxibustion refers to the selection of appropriate acupuncture methods under the guidance of TCM theory and following the principles of syndrome,disease,and meridian differentiation.Common acupuncture methods include body acupuncture,auricular acupuncture,scalp acupuncture,acupoint injection,electroacupuncture,and moxibustion.There are many acupuncture and moxibustion acupoints selected for the treatment of otogenic vertigo.Individualized treatment according to the patient’s specific condition is effective and safe,which can help to improve the patient’s vertigo symptoms and cerebral blood perfusion.

Catgut Implantation at Baliao and Xingfu One Acupuncture Point to Treat Urinary Incontinence in Patients with Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: Three Cases Report

Objective: To explore the effect of catgut implantation at Baliao and Xingfu One Acupuncture point for patients with urinary incontinence secondary to spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: Three SCI patients received catgut embedding at Baliao and Xingfu One Acupuncture point. The data of intermittent catheterization (IC) volume, intermittent catheterization frequency and the amount of using urine pad (urethral condom) were corrected. Results: Compared to the baseline data, IC volume increased and the leakage volume decreased. Conclusions: Catgut Implantation at Baliao and Xingfu One Acupuncture point is effective for patients with urinary incontinence secondary to incomplete SCI.