Elderly Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension Treated Mainly with Fire Needling on Governor Vessel （督 脉）：A Case Report / 中医杂志

Neurogenic orthostatic hypotension （nOH） is a common neurodegenerative disease， and is usually differentiated as kidney-yang depletion syndrome in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. Fire needling on governor vessel （督脉） acupoints as well as Shenshu （BL 23） and Zhishi （BL 52） can dredge the qi and blood of governor vessel， so as to warm yang and unblock the channels， supplement essence and boost marrow. A case of elderly nOH treated by fire needling mainly at governor vessel points， Shenshu （BL 23） and Zhishi （BL 52） was reported. After nearly two months of treatment， the patient's orthostatic blood pressure difference and yang deficiency-related symptoms were significantly improved， and the results of blood pressure monitoring， TCM syndrome scale evaluation and Shenshu （BL 23） area infrared imager detection all showed definite clinical effect.

Clinical Efficacy of Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimutang Combined with Fire Needling in Treatment of Periarthritis of Shoulder with Wind-cold-dampness Impediment Syndrome by Stimulating Pain Points and "Shoulder Three Acupoints" / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy of Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimutang （GZSYZM） combined with fire needling in the treatment of periarthritis of shoulder with wind-cold-dampness impediment syndrome by stimulating pain points and "shoulder three acupoints". MethodA total of 120 patients with periarthritis of shoulder with wind-cold-dampness impediment syndrome， admitted to Hainan General Hospital from August 2020 to August 2022， were randomly divided into two groups using a random number table. The control group （60 cases） received treatment with GZSYZM for two weeks， while the observation group （60 cases） received treatment with GZSYZM combined with fire needling at pain points and "shoulder three acupoints" for two weeks. The clinical efficacy， adverse reactions， shoulder pain intensity， shoulder joint function， and levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide （CGRP）， cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2）， interleukin （IL）-2， and IL-17 before and after treatment were compared between the two groups. ResultThe total effective rate in the observation group was 88.33% （53/60）， significantly higher than 68.33% （41/60） of the control group （χ²=7.070， P<0.01）. Compared with the results before treatment， both groups showed significant reductions in pain rating index （PRI）， visual analog scale （VAS） scores， present pain intensity （PPI）， and Simplified McGill Pain Questionnaire （SF-MPQ） total scores， as well as serum levels of CGRP， COX-2， IL-2， and IL-17 after treatment （P<0.01）， and improved pain intensity， daily life abilities， joint mobility， muscle strength， and Constant-Murley score （P<0.01）. Compared with the control group after treatment， the observation group showed significantly reduced PRI， VAS score， PPI， SF-MPQ total score， as well as serum levels of CGRP， COX-2， IL-2， and IL-17 （P<0.01）， and increased pain intensity， daily life abilities， joint mobility， muscle strength， and Constant-Murley score （P<0.01）. There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups. ConclusionGZSYZM combined with fire needling at pain points and "shoulder three acupoints" can effectively reduce the levels of serum inflammatory factors and pain mediators， alleviate pain， and improve shoulder joint function in patients with periarthritis of shoulder with wind-cold-dampness impediment syndrome.

Overview on the modern development of fire needling device: from tradition to innovation / 中国针灸

The appropriate needle device is crucial for obtaining the curative effect of fire needling therapy. The article introduces the material specification, clinical operation, indications, characteristics and advantages of the contemporary traditional fire needling devices (e.g. He's fire needle and Shi 's fire needle) and the contemporary new-type ones (e.g. fire needling with filiform needle and micro-needle); and determines the innovations of modern fire needling. It is anticipated that the needle specifications, production process and operation standard of fire needling devices should be further unified so as to provide the references for the selection of fire needling devices in treatment based on clinical syndrome differentiation and expand the clinical application of fire needling therapy.

Observation on clinical effect of fire needling for mild to moderate benign prostatic hyperplasia with kidney yang deficiency / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of fire needling on prostate symptoms, quality of life, average daily number of nightly urination, urine flow rate and prostat volume in patients with mild to moderate benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) of kidney yang deficiency.@*METHODS@#A total of 60 patients with mild to moderate BPH of kidney yang deficiency were randomly divided into an observation group (30 cases, 3 cases dropped off) and a control group (30 cases, 4 cases dropped off). The observation group was treated with fire needling at Guanyuan (CV 4), Shuidao (ST 28) and Qugu (CV 2) twice a week (2-3 d interval between each treatment), continuous treatment for 4 weeks. The control group received lifestyle advice and education, once a week for 4 weeks. In the two groups, the international prostate symptom score (IPSS), the quality of life (QoL) score and the average daily number of nightly urination were observed before treatment, after treatment and during the follow-up of the 4th week; the urinary maximum flow rate (Qmax), the average flow rate (Qave), and the prostate volume were assessed before and after treatment in the two groups. The safety was observed in the observation group.@*RESULTS@#After treatment and during follow-up, the IPSS scores, QoL scores, and the average daily number of nightly urination in the observation group were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), and those in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, there was no significant difference in Qmax, Qave and prostate volume between the two groups and within the each group (P>0.05). There were no fire needling-related adverse reactions, and no obvious abnormality was found in urine routine and coagulation function tests before and after treatment in the observation group.@*CONCLUSION@#Fire needling can improve lower urinary tract symptoms and quality of life, reduce frequency of nightly urination in patients with mild to moderate BPH of kidney yang deficiency, and has good safety.

Clinical observation on filiform-fire needling of "Biaoben acupoint combination" for 33 cases of sequelae of coronavirus disease 2019 during recovery period / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of filiform-fire needling of "Biaoben acupoint combination" on the sequelae of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during the recovery period.@*METHODS@#A total of 33 patients with COVID-19 during the recovery period were treated with filiform-fire needling at the acupoints of Mingmen (GV 4), Shenzhu (GV 12), Gaohuang (BL 43), Zusanli (ST 36) and Shangjuxu (ST 37), etc., once every other day, 3 times a week, and 3 times was one course of treatment and totally 2 courses of treatment were required. The TCM symptom, Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) and Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) scores, pulmonary function indexes (forced vital capacity [FVC], forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1], peak expiratory flow [PEF]) and chest CT imaging change were observed before and after treatment, and the therapeutic effect was evaluated.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the scores of TCM symptom, HAMA and HAMD were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), and the levels of FVC, FEV1 and PEF were increased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), and the recovery rate of 22 patients with pulmonary ventilation dysfunction was 86.4% (19/22). After treatment, the lung shadow area was smaller than that before treatment (P<0.05). The effective rate of 25 patients with lung CT abnormalities was 84.0% (21/25). After treatment, 23 cases were cured, 5 cases were markedly effective, 4 cases were effective, 1 case was ineffective, the cured and markedly effective rate was 84.8%.@*CONCLUSION@#The filiform-fire needling of "Biaoben acupoint combination" could significantly reduce the sequelae of cough, fatigue, chest tightness, etc. and mental symptoms such as anxiety and depression in patients with COVID-19 during the recovery period, and promote inflammatory exudation absorption of pulmonary lesion and improve lung ventilation function.

Effect of fire needling on imiquimod induced psoriasis-like lesion and STAT3 pathway in mice / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of fire needling on psoriasis-like lesion and the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway in mice and compare the therapeutic effect between different interventions of fire needling therapy (surrounding technique of fire needling, fire needling at "Dazhui" [GV 14] and "Zusanli" [ST 36]).@*METHODS@#Thirty male BALB/c mice were randomized into a blank group, a model group, a dexamthasone group, a surrounding technique group and an acupoint group, 6 mice in each one. Except the blank group, the mice in the rest groups were established as psoriasis-like lesion model by topical application with imiquimod cream, once daily, consecutively for 8 days. From day 4 to day 8, in the dexamthasone group, gastric infusion with 0.2 mL dexamthasone was administered, once daily. On day 4, 6 and 8, in the surrounding technique group, fire needling was exerted around the skin lesion; and fire needling was applied to "Dazhui" (GV 14) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) in the acupoint group, once a day. The changes in skin lesion on the dorsal parts of mice were observed in each group to score the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI). Using HE staining, the dermal morphological changes and epidermal thickness were observed in the mice of each group. The positive expression of proliferating cell-associated antigen Ki-67 was determined by immunofluorescence. Immunohistochemistry method was used to determine the expressions of , and T cells of skin tissue in each group. Using real-time PCR, the expressions of interleukin (IL)-17, IL-22, tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α) mRNA were determined. Western blot method was adopted to determine the protein expressions of STAT3 and p-STAT3 in skin tissue in each group.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the blank group, the scores of each item and the total scores of PASI, as well as the epidermal thickness were all increased in the mice of the model group (P<0.01). Except for the erythema scores of the dexamethasone group and the surrounding technique group, the scores of each item and the total scores of PASI, as well as the epidermal thickness were all decreased in each intervention group as compared with the model group (P<0.01). The infiltration scores and the total scores in the dexamethasone group and the acupoint group were lower than those in the surrounding technique group respectively (P<0.01, P<0.05). In comparison with the blank group, Ki-67 positive cell numbers and the numbers of , and T cells in skin tissue were increased in the mice of the model group (P<0.01). Ki-67 positive cell numbers and the numbers of , and T cells were reduced in each intervention group as compared with the model group (P<0.01), and the numbers of and T cells in the acupoint group were less than the surrounding technique group (P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, the mRNA expressions of IL-17, IL-22 and TNF-α and the ratio of p-STAT3 to STAT3 were all increased in the model group (P<0.01). The mRNA expressions of IL-17, IL-22 and TNF-α and the ratio of p-STAT3 to STAT3 were all decreased in each intervention group as compared with the model group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The mRNA expressions of IL-17, IL-22 and TNF-α in the acupoint group, as well as mRNA expression of IL-17 in the surrounding technique group were all lower than the dexamethasone group (P<0.01), while, the mRNA expression of IL-22 in the acupoint group was lower than the surrounding technique group (P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#Fire needling therapy improves skin lesion severity in imiquimod induced psoriasis-like lesion of the mice, which is probably related to the inhibition of STAT3 pathway activation and the decrease of Th17 inflammatory factors expression. The systemic regulation of fire needling at "Dazhui" (GV 14) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) is superior to the local treatment.

Professor LIN Guo-hua's clinical experience in staging treatment for post-stroke dysphagia / 中国针灸

The paper summarizes professor LIN Guo-hua's clinical experience in staging treatment for post-stroke dysphagia. Professor LIN Guo-hua adheres to "essence and marrow deficiency and primary yang decline" as the pathogenesis and "conducting yin from yang " as the treating principle. By regulating the conception vessel and the governor vessel and focusing on yang meridians, in association with meridian differentiation and the location differentiation, professor LIN provides the staging treatment for post-stroke dysphagia. At the oral phase, yangming is dysfunction, manifested as facial paralysis and flaccid tongue. In treatment, reducing method is predominated at yangming meridian specially. At the pharyngeal phase, shaoyang is invaded by pathogens, manifested as pivoting dysfunction. The treatment focuses on communicating the exterior with the interior and promoting shaoyang meridian. At the esophageal phase, yangming meridian is deficiency and the turbid qi fails to descend, thus the reinforcing method is dominated to promote and tonify yangming. Additionally, the kinesiotherapy of acupuncture is assisted and the Lingnan fire needling therapy is used particularly. All of the summaries above provide the reference for the clinical treatment of post-stroke dysphagia.

Diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome of spleen deficiency and damp excess treated with fire needling therapy with filiform needle and acupoint application therapy: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical therapeutic effect on diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) of spleen deficiency and damp excess among fire needling therapy with filiform needle combined with acupoint application therapy, simple acupoint application therapy and pinaverium bromide tablets, and explore the mechanism on the improvements in IBS-D.@*METHODS@#A total of 150 patients with IBS-D of spleen deficiency and damp excess were randomized into a combined treatment group (50 cases, 14 cases dropped off), an acupoint application group (50 cases, 16 cases dropped off ) and a western medication group (50 cases, 13 cases dropped off ). In the western medication group, pinaverium bromide tablets were prescribed for oral administration, 50 mg per time, three times a day. In the acupoint application group, the herbal plaster of @*RESULTS@#Except the score for abdominal pain in the acupoint application group and the scores for abdominal pain and abdominal distention in the western medication group after 7 days of treatment, the scores for abdominal pain, abdominal distention, defecation frequency, stool form and incomplete bowel movement after 7 and 28 days of treatment were all reduced as compared with those before treatment in each group separately (@*CONCLUSION@#The combined treatment with the fire needling therapy with filiform needle and the acupoint application therapy effectively relieves the clinical symptoms, improves the quality of life and strengthens the immunity in the patients with IBS-D. The therapeutic effect of this combined regimen is better than either simple acupoint application therapy or the oral medication of pinaverium bromide. The mechanism may be related to the regulation of the levels of T lymphocyte subsets and the modulation of the expressions of 5-HT3R and 5-HT4R mRNA in colon tissue.

Network Meta-analysis of 4 acupuncture therapies for shoulder hand syndrome after stroke / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#A network Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) of 4 commonly used acupuncture therapies (electroacupuncture, fire needling, warming acupuncture and filiform needling) for shoulder hand syndrome (SHS) after stroke was performed.@*METHODS@#The RCTs regarding electroacupuncture, fire needling, warming acupuncture and filiform needling for SHS after stroke before March 10, 2020 were searched in databases of CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, EMbase and Cochrane Library. The included literature was screened and evaluated by Cochrane bias risk assessment tool, and the data analysis was performed by RevMan5.3, Gemtc0.14.3 and Stata14.2.@*RESULTS@#A total of 21 RCTs were included, involving 1508 patients, 814 cases in the observation group and 694 cases in the control group. In term of effective rate and visual analogue scale (VAS) score, warming acupuncture, electroacupuncture and fire needling needling were superior to western medication and rehabilitation (@*CONCLUSION@#The curative effect of 4 acupuncture therapies for SHS after stroke is better than the western medication and rehabilitation, and warming acupuncture has the best clinical efficacy.

Effect of fire needling on mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis and related serum inflammatory cytokines / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical effect of fire needling and filiform needling for mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and observe the influence on related serum inflammatory sytokines.@*METHODS@#A total of 60 patients with mild to moderate KOA were randomly divided into an observation group (30 cases, 4 cases dropped off) and a control group (30 cases, 4 cases dropped off). Both groups were given basic health management, and the acupoints of the two groups were Liangqiu (ST 34), Xuehai (SP 10), Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), Dubi (ST 35), Yanglingquan (GB 34) and @*RESULTS@#At each time point of treatment and follow-up, the pain, stiffness, difficulty of daily activities scores and WOMAC total scores of the two groups were lower than those before treatment (@*CONCLUSION@#Fire needling can improve the pain, stiffness and joint dysfunction of patients with mild to moderate KOA, and increase serum MMP-3 and IL-1α levels. Its short and long term clinical effects are better than filiform needling.

Fire needling on dysphagia due to pseudobulbar palsy after stroke: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical effect of fire needling on dysphagia due to pseudobulbar paralysis after stroke and to compare the difference in clinical effect between fire needling and swallowing function rehabilitation training.@*METHODS@#A total of 76 patients with dysphagia due to pseudobulbar paralysis after stroke were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 38 cases in each group (1 case dropped out in the control group). The both groups were based on conventional western medication treatment. Fire needle pricking was exerted at Lianquan (CV 23), Fengchi (GB 20), Wangu (GB 12), Shuigou (GV 26), Neiguan (PC 6) and Zusanli (ST 36) without needle retaining every other day in the observation group. The control group was treated with the swallowing function rehabilitation training. In both groups, treatment for 2 weeks was as one course and 2 courses of treatment with 2-day interval were required. After treatment, swallowing scores of Fujishima Ichiro and swallow quality of life questionnaire (SWAL-QOL) scores were observed in both groups, and the clinical effect was compared. Follow-up of swallowing scores of Fujishima Ichiro in 4 weeks after treatment was completed to evaluate the clinical effect.@*RESULTS@#The clinical effective rates after treatment and follow-up were 92.1% (35/38) and 94.7% (36/38) in the observation group, higher than 75.7% (28/37) and 83.8% (31/37) in the control group (<0.05). After treatment, the swallowing scores of Fujishima Ichiro and SWAL-QOL scores were increased in the two groups (<0.05), and those in the observation group were higher than the control group (<0.05). The swallowing scores of Fujishima Ichiro were increased during follow-up in the two groups (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Fire needling has a better effect than conventional rehabilitation training in the treatment of dysphagia due to pseudobulbar paralysis after stroke, which can obviously improve the swallowing function and quality of life in patients with dysphagia.

Clinical observation of filiform fire needling on moderate and severe pain in advanced cancer / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the clinical effect of filiform fire needling on moderate and severe pain in advanced cancer.@*METHODS@#A total of 66 patients with moderate and severe pain in advanced cancer were randomly divided into an observation group (34 cases, 4 cases dropped off) and a control group (32 cases, 2 cases dropped off). The two groups were treated with oral analgesics continuously for 4 weeks. The moderate pain patients was given bucinnazine hydrochloride tablets (starting at 30 mg, once every 6 hours, increasing by 30%-50% until the titration volume was reached), and the severe pain patients were given oxycodone hydrochloride sustained-release tablets (starting at 20 mg every 12 hours and increasing by 25%-50% until the titration volume was reached). The observation group was cooperated with filiform fire needling at point, Zusanli (ST 36), Liangqiu (ST 34), Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan(CV 4), Quchi (LI 11) and Waiguan (TE 5) once every other day for 4 weeks. The changes of numerical rating scales (NRS) scores were observed in both groups before and after treatment, and the amount of analgesics and the incidence of adverse reactions were recorded. The clinical effects in the two groups were evaluated.@*RESULTS@#The effective rate was 90.0% (27/30) in the observation group, which was higher than 66.7% (20/30) in the control group (<0.05). After treatment, the NRS scores of both groups were lower than those before treatment (<0.05), and the reducing degree in the observation group was larger than that in the control group (<0.05). The average dosage of bunarizine hydrochloride tablets and oxycodone hydrochloride sustained release tablets to titration volume in the observation group was less than that in the control group (<0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions was 23.3% (28/120) in the observation group, which was lower than 44.2% (53/120) in the control group (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Filiform fire needling can alleviate pain symptoms of patients with moderate and severe pain in advanced cancer, reduce the amount of analgesics, and decrease the incidence of adverse reactions.

Exploration of fire needling therapy on coronavirus disease 2019 / 中国针灸

Combined with previous clinical experience in anti-epidemic and acupuncture, the prevention program of fire needling therapy for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was drawn out. Fire needling therapy has the effects of clearing heat, removing dampness, replenishing for the deficiency, removing stasis and detoxifying, which is mainly aimed at preventing populations, light and common types cases, and cases in the recovery period. Acupoints of governor vessel, lung meridian, bladder meridian and stomach meridian are mainly used in this program. For the special groups, such as children, elderly and weak, and pregnant women, Shenzhu (GV 12), Danshu (BL 19), Geshu (BL 17), Zhigou (TE 6), etc. are added. It is hoped that fire needling therapy will be applied in the community and square cabin hospitals as an effective supplement to anti-epidemic of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

Efficacy and mechanism of fire needling bloodletting for lower extremity varicose veins / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical effect of lower extremity varicose veins between fire needling bloodletting and operation, and to explore the possible mechanism.@*METHODS@#A total of 60 patients were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. In the control group，the operation was adopted. The fire needling bloodletting was applied in the observation group, twice a week for 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, the venous clinical severity score (VCSS) and venous disability score (VDS) were recorded, the hemorheological indexes [blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, hematocrit, fibrinogen and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)], immune inflammatory response indexes[serum C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6)], vascular endothelial cell function indexes [the number of circulatingendothelial cell (CEC), plasma endothelin (ET-1) and NO)] and apoptosis indexes (Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3) were detected in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the scores of VCSS and VDS, hemorheological indexes, immune inflammatory response indexes and levels of plasma NO after treatment were reduced in the two groups (<0.05). The level of serum Bax after treatment was reduced in the observation group (<0.05). The number of CEC and levels of plasma ET-1 after treatment were increased in the two groups (<0.05). The levels of serum Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 after treatment were increased in the observation group (<0.05). In the observation group, the scores of VCSS and VDS, hemorheological indexes，immune inflammatory response indexes, vascular endothelial cell function indexes and level of serum Bax after treatment were lower than the control group (<0.05), and the levels of Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 were higher than the control group (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Fire needling bloodletting could effectively treat lower extremity varicose veins, and the mechanism may be related to the improvement of hemorheology, downregulation of immune inflammatory response, improvement of vascular endothelial cell function and inhibition of apoptosis.

Therapeutic effects of "kidney three-needle" therapy plus fire needling therapy in treatment of post-stroke urinary incontinence / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy of "kidney three-needle" therapy［Qugu（CV2） and 1 cun to the left and right of CV2］ and the pricking technique of fire needing therapy on urinary frequency and maximal bladder volume in potients with post-stroke urinary incontinence. METHODS: A total of 60 patients with post-stroke urinary incontinence were collected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were randomized into an observation group (30 cases) and a control group (30 cases). On the base of the routine medication and rehabilitation treatment, acupuncture was applied to the general acupoints for motor impairment and speech disorder in the two groups. Additionally, the combination of "kidney three-needle" therapy and the pricking technique of fire needling therapy was used for urinary incontinence in the observation group and the common acupuncture was applied in the control group. Needles were retained for 30 min and acupuncture was provided once daily, 5 days a weeks, 2 weeks of treatment as one course. Both groups were treated for 3 courses. Before and after treatment, the rank of daytime urinary frequency was compared in the patients of the two groups. Ultrasound B was adopted to determine the maximal bladder volume. The total effective rate was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the rank of daytime urinary frequency all reduced significantly as compared with that before treatment in the patients of the two groups (P<0.01)， and the observation group was lower than the control group (P<0.05). After the treatment, the maximal bladder volume increased significantly as compared with that before treatment in the self-comparison of each group (P<0.01) and the volume in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.01). The total effective rate was 93.3% (28/30) in the observation group and was 66.7% (20/30) in the control group. The total effective rate in the observation group was higher obviously than that in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The combination of "kidney three-needle" therapy and the pricking technique of fire needling therapy significantly reduces the rank of daytime urinary frequency and increases maximal bladder volume in the patients with post-stroke urinary incontinence. The therapeutic effect of such combined acupuncture treatment is better than the common acupuncture therapy.

's experience in treating dry eye syndrome with fire needling / 中国针灸

Professor - is the representative inheritor of fire needling therapy. He proposed that the clinical application of fire needling is mainly based on pattern differentiation according to eight priciples, as well as in coordination with the theories of meridians and - organs. He believes that dry eye syndrome can be treated from the aspects of deficiency of liver and kidney, heart deficiency, and and deficiency. Through deeply digging the connotation of ancient classics, and combined his clinical practice using fire needling, professor created a unique therapy that select "Neichengqi"as the main acupoint combined with Xialeidian, Dagukong (EX-UE 5), Xiaogukong (EX-UE 6) and Shaoze (SI 1) in the treatment of dry eye syndrome. In this paper, from the etiology and pathogenesis of dry eye syndrome and therapeutic characteristics of fire needling, the thoughts of syndrome differentiation and characteristics of acupoints selection of professor were analyzed by a typical case, and it is expect to enrich the clinical treatment plan for dry eye syndrome.

Clinical trials of treatment of post-stroke foot drop by fire-needling plus stuck-needle-stretching / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effect of fire-needling plus stuck-needle-stretching and conventional acupuncture for post-stroke foot drop, so as to provide a reference foundation for optimizing clinical treatment regimen. METHODS: A total of 60 patients with post-stroke foot drop were equally randomized into a treatment group and a control group. In the treatment group, fire-needling plus stuck-needle-stretching was applied to acupoint pairs Jiexi (ST41)-Taichong (LR3), Xiajuxu (ST39)-ST41, Fenglong (ST40)-ST39, shangjuxu (ST37)-ST40, Zusanli (ST36)-ST37, Dubi (ST35)-ST36, Xuanzhong (GB39)-Qiuxu (GB40) on the affected side, and Chengshan (BL57) and Ashi points were swiftly pricked with red-hot filiform needle without needle retaining. In the conventional acupuncture group, the same acupoints were needled with filiform needles, and the treatment for both groups was given once a day, 6 times a week, for consecutive 4 weeks. The spasm severity of posterior triceps of the lower leg was evaluated using modified Ashworth scale, the tibial anterior muscle strength was measured using Lovett' and Martin's methods, the activities of daily living were assessed using modified Barthel's index, the walking ability was evaluated using Holden walking rating scale and the lower limb motor function assessed using Fugl-Meyer assessment scale, and the severity of foot drop was assessed in reference to Garceau criteria. RESULTS: After the treatment, the score of the modified Ashworth scale was significantly reduced (P0.05). CONCLUSION: Both fire-needling plus stuck-needle-stretching and conventional acupuncture are effective in the treatment of post-stroke foot drop, but the former is relatively better.

Observations on the Efficacy of Fire Needling Therapy for Vitiligo / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To assess the clinical efficacy and safety of fire needling therapy for vitiligo. Method A self-control study was carried out. Fifty-six vitiligo patients with 124 skin lesions were allocated by long-axis random to two groups. The treatment group received fire needling therapy weekly for 12 times or until cure and the control group, no treatment as a blank control. The clinical efficacy and safety were assessed after the completion of treatment. Result The total efficacy rate of local fire needling therapy for vitiligo skin lesions was 79.8% and there was a statistically significant difference as compared with the control group (P<0.05). The therapeutic effect was better in patients with faciocervical skin lesions or short course of disease. The therapeutic effect increased with an increase in the course of treatment at the early stage of treatment but did not significantly increase after 8 weeks of treatment. Main adverse reactions were mild pain and skin infection. Conclusion Local fire needling has a definite therapeutic effect on vitiligo with high safety.

Observations on the Efficacy of Filiform Needle Fire Acupuncture plus Pricking-cupping Bloodletting in Treating Acute Ankle Sprain / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the efficacy of filiform needle fire acupuncture plus pricking-cupping bloodletting in treating acute ankle sprain in adolescent students.Method One hundred adolescent student outpatients with acute ankle sprainwere randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 50 cases each.The treatment group received filiform needle fire acupuncture plus pricking-cupping bloodletting at the most obviouspart of ankle tenderness once every other day. The control group received routine protection, a rest, ice compress,compressionand affected limb elevation.Swelling severitywas examined and the AOFAS Ankle Hindfoot Scalescore and the VAS score were recorded at study entry, and one, three and five days and two, four and eight weeks after treatment.Result Swelling severityand the ankle pain score improved in both groups after treatment (P<0.05) and the post-treatment score was lower in the treatment group than in the controlgroup(P<0.05). The total efficacy rate was 100% (50/50) in the treatment group, which was higher than 80% (40/50) in the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion Filiform needle fire acupuncture plus pricking-cupping bloodletting is a better way to treat acute ankle sprain.It can relieve the pain and swelling in short time, shorten treatment time and restore ankle activity in short time to reduce theoccurrence of sequelae.