[Professor SHAO Jing-ming's clinical experience of fire needling for surgical diseases].

Professor SHAO Jing-ming's clinical experience of fire needling for bone-joint tuberculosis, tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis, ganglion cyst and thyrophyma is summarized. Professor SHAO used fire needling to treat bone-joint tuberculosis. The acupoints included ashi points and nearby acupoints, particularly local opposite acupoints (Neixiyan [EX-LE 4] and Dubi [ST 35], Yinlingquan [SP 9] and Yanglingquan [GB 34], Xuehai [SP 10] and Liangqiu [ST 34]), and for the patients with severe yin-cold syndrome, Yanghe decoction was additionally used. For tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis, fire needling was used at different stages. In the early stage, the nucleus was punctured with fire needling; in the middle stage, the pustule was punctured with fire needling combined with cupping; in the late stage, the fire needling was inserted into the fistula or sinus tract, and the surrounding granulation tissue was treated with horizontal penetrating needling. For ganglion cyst, fire needling combined with centro-square needling was applied. For thyrophyma, the surrounding needling with filiform was used; for simple thyroid mass and thyroid nodule, the surrounding needling with fire needling was used.

[Observation on Shao's five-needle therapy as adjuvant treatment for stroke-associated pneumonia].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effect between Shao 's five-needle therapy combined with conventional western medical treatment and the simple conventional western medical treatment on stroke-associated pneumonia. METHODS: A total of 80 patients were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases in each group. Conventional western medication treatment i.e. anti-infection combined with rehabilitation swallowing training were adopted in the control group. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, Shao 's five-needle therapy was applied at Feishu (BL 13), Dazhui (GV 14), Fengmen (BL 12), etc. in the observation group, once a day. The treatment was given for 10 days in the both groups. The levels of inflammatory indexes [white blood cell (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), percentage of neutrophil (N%)] before and after treatment, the disappearance time of main clinical symptoms and signs, the scores of National Institutes of Health Stroke scale (NIHSS) and the ability of daily living (ADL) were observed, and the clinical therapeutic effect was evaluated in the both groups. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the levels of WBC, CRP, N% and the NIHSS scores after treatment were decreased (P<0.05), the ADL scores were increased in the both groups (P<0.05), and the improvement of above indexes in the observation group was superior to the control group (P<0.05). The recovery time of temperature and rale, the duration of cough in the observation group were shorter than those in the control group (P<0.05). The effective rate was 97.5% (39/40) in the observation group, which was superior to 85.0% (34/40) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Shao 's five-needle therapy combined with conventional western medical treatment can effectively improve the clinical symptoms in patients with stroke-associated pneumonia, down-regulate the inflammatory indexes and improve the quality of life, the therapeutic effect is superior to the simple conventional western medical treatment.

[Effect of acupuncture and moxibustion at "Feishu""Dazhui"and "Fengmen"on the expression of CC chemokine ligand 1 and CC chemokine receptor 8 in lung tissue of rats with asthma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protein expression of CC chemokine ligand 1 (CCL1) and CC chemokine receptor 8 (CCR8) in the lung tissue of rats and the mechanism of acupuncture and moxibustion at "Feishu"(BL13), "Dazhui" (GV14) and "Fengmen"(BL12) in the treatment of asthma. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into blank， model, acupuncture and moxibustion groups，n=10 in each group. Ovalbumin sensitization via intraperitoneal injection was performed to establish a model of asthma. The rats in the acupuncture group and the moxibustion group were given acupuncture for 20 min or circling moxibustion for 10 min at BL13, GV14 and BL12, once a day for 7 days. H.E. staining was used to observe the morphological changes of lung tissue. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) in lung tissue and immunohistochemistry was used to measure the protein expression of CCL1 and CCR8 in lung tissue. RESULTS: H.E. staining showed that the rats in the blank group had regular bronchial lumens and alveolar arrangement, with no inflammatory cell infiltration and aggregation around the bronchi; the rats in the model group had the infiltration and aggregation of a large number of inflammatory cells around the bronchi, stenosis of bronchial lumens, wall thickening, and alveolar structural disorder; compared with the model group, the acupuncture group and the moxibustion group had lower degrees of inflammatory cell infiltration and aggregation around the bronchi, stenosis of bronchial lumens, and wall thickening, as well as regular alveolar arrangement. The model group had significantly higher protein expression of CCL1 and CCR8 and mRNA expression of STAT6 than the blank group (P<0.05), and the acupuncture group and the moxibustion group had significantly lower protein expression of CCL1 and CCR8 and mRNA expression of STAT6 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture and moxibustion can intervene against airway inflammation by inhibiting the protein expression of CCL1 and CCR8 and STAT6 signal transduction in lung tissue, which may be one of the mechanisms of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of asthma.

["SHAO's five-needle method" as the main treatment for allergic rhinitis and asthma syndrome: a multi-center randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effect differences between "SHAO's five-needle method" and routine acupoint selection on allergic rhinitis and asthma syndrome. METHODS: A total of 210 patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma syndrome were randomly divided into an observation group (105 cases, 4 cases dropped off) and a control group (105 cases, 4 cases dropped off). The patients in the observation group were treated with "SHAO's five-needling method", and the acupoints of Feishu (BL 13), Dazhui (GV 14), Fengmen (BL 12), Yintang (GV 29), Shangyingxiang (EX-HN 8) and Hegu (LI 4), etc. were selected; the patients in the control group was treated with routine acupuncture, and the acupoints of Feishu (BL 13), Zhongfu (LU 1), Taiyuan (LU 9), Dingchuan (EX-B 1), Danzhong (CV 17), Yintang (GV 29), Fengmen (BL 12) and Zusanli (ST 36), etc. were selected. The treatment in the two groups was given once a day, 6 times a week, for 4 weeks. The score of symptoms and signs was observed before and after treatment as well as 1 month, 2 months and 3 months after treatment. The forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF) and eosinophils in peripheral blood were measured before and after treatment in the two groups. After treatment, the clinical therapeutic effect was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The total effective rate was 98.0% (99/101) in the observation group, which was superior to 94.1% (95/101) in the control group (P<0.01). Compared before treatment, the total score of symptoms and signs in the two groups was significantly decreased at 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks of treatment (P<0.01); after treatment and at each time point of follow-up, the total score of symptoms and signs in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.01). Compared with 4 weeks of treatment, the total score of symptoms and signs at each time point of follow-up was not statistically different in the observation group (P>0.05), and the total score of symptoms and signs in the third month of follow-up in the control group was significantly increased (P<0.05). After treatment, FEV1 and PEF in the two groups were increased (P<0.01), eosinophil count in peripheral blood was decreased (P<0.01), and the improvement in the observation group was greater than that in the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: "SHAO's five-needle method" can improve the clinical symptoms and pulmonary function, reduce the count of eosinophils in peripheral blood in patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma syndrome, and the curative effect is better than routine acupuncture.

Efficacy of acupuncture for chronic asthma: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Although asthma symptoms can be temporarily controlled, it is recommended to use effective low-risk, non-drug strategies to constitute a significant advance in asthma management. Acupuncture has been traditionally used to treat asthma; however, the evidence for the efficacy of this treatment is still lacking. Previous clinical trials of acupuncture in treating asthma were limited by methodological defects; therefore, high-quality research is required. METHODS/DESIGN: This trial is designed as a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group controlled trial. Patients with mild to moderate asthma will be randomly allocated to either a verum acupuncture plus as-needed salbutamol aerosol and/or prednisone tablets group or a sham acupuncture plus as-needed salbutamol aerosol and/or prednisone tablets group. Acupoints used in the verum acupuncture group are GV14 (Da Zhui), BL12 (Feng Men), BL13 (Fei Shu) and acupoints used in the sham acupuncture group are DU08 (Jin Suo), BL18 (Gan Shu), BL19 (Dan Shu). After a baseline period of 1 week, the patients in both groups will receive verum/sham acupuncture once every other day with a total of 20 treatment sessions in 6 weeks and a 3-month follow-up. The primary outcome will be measured by using the asthma control test and the secondary outcomes will be measured by using the percentage of symptom-free days, the average dosage of salbutamol aerosol and/or prednisone tablets, lung functions, daily asthma symptom scores, asthma quality of life questionnaire, and so on. DISCUSSION: This trial will assess the effect of acupuncture on asthma and aims to provide reliable clinical evidence for the efficacy of acupuncture in treating asthma. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01931696 , registered on 26 August 2013.

[Effect of acupuncture intervention on airway remodeling and transforming growth factor-beta1 expression in asthma rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture stimulation of "Dazhui" (GV 14), bilateral "Fengmen" (BL 12) and "Feishu" (BL 13) on the thickness of the bronchial tubal wall and smooth muscle and expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) in asthma rats so as to reveal its mechanism underlying improvement of asthma. METHODS: Forty SD rats were randomly assigned to control, model, acupuncture and medication groups. The asthma model was induced by subcutaneous injection of 1% egg albumin solution and forced inhalation of atomized ovalbumin. Rats of the acupuncture group were treated by acupuncture stimulation of GV 14, bilateral BL 12 and BL 13 (once daily for 10 days), and rats of the medication group treated by intraperitoneal injection of Aminophylline Injection (100 mg/kg, once daily for 10 days). The thickness of the bronchial tubal wall and airway smooth muscle of the lung tissue were measured by image analyzer for assessing the degree of airway remodeling. The expression of TGF-beta1 in the small airway was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the thickness of the airway wall and smooth muscle, and the expression level of TGF-beta1 were remarkably increased in the model group (P < 0.01). After acupuncture intervention and medication treatment, the thickness of the airway wall and smooth muscle, and the expression level of TGF-beta1 were remarkably down-regulated in both groups in comparison with those of the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and the expression of TGF-beta1 in the acupuncture group was obviously lower than that of the medication group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture stimulation of GV 14, bilateral BL 12 and BL 13 can down-regulate bronchial asthma-induced increase of TGF-[, expression in the lung tissue in asthma rats, which may contribute to its effect in improving airway remodeling.

[Discussion on professor SHAO Jing-Ming's academic opinion of focusing spirit].

During professor SHAO Jing-ming's academic research and medical practice, his academic opinion of focusing spirit is gradually developed. In terms of nurturing the spirit, attention should be paid on persistence as well as everyday health maintenance and exercise to nurture the spirit of physician. In terms of clinical diagnosis and treatment, patients' psychology, employment and life status should be observed and experienced, which could bring more methods to take essential care of patients' spirit. The treatment should work with psychological counseling, advocating that based on patients' qi and spirit, various forms of treatment methods should be properly used, such as acupuncture or moxibustion or combination of acupuncture and medicine, along with simple acupoint selection and harmony medication. Before clinical treatment of acupuncture, calming the mind is critically emphasized to make a clear diagnosis. During the acupuncture, calming and focusing the mind is necessary as well as emphasizing the details, so acupuncture could be integrated with Chi Gong to create a new warming-sensation technique. In a word, the academic opinion of focusing spirit is shedding an inspiring light upon further study.

[Asthma at acute attack stage treated with "Shao's five needling therapy": a multi-central randomized controlled study].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of asthma at acute attack stage treated with "Shao's five needling therapy". METHODS: The randomized controlled method was applied to divide 210 cases into an observation group and a control group, 105 cases in each one. In the observation group, "Shao's five needling therapy" [Feishu (BL 13), Dazhui (GV 14), Fengmen (BL 12)] and the combined therapy were adopted, including oxygen uptake, aerosol inhalation and oral administration of prednisone. In the control group, the oral administration of theophylline sustained release tablet and the combined therapy were applied. The treatment was continued for 7 days. The clinical symptoms and physical signs such as wheezing, cough, expectoration, chest stuffiness, wheezing rale and shortness of breath, as well as lung function indices such as forced expiratory volume one second (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were observed before and after treatment in the two groups. METHODS: In the observation group, 69 cases were cured clinically, 20 cases effective remarkably, 7 cases effective and 0 case failed. In the control group, 49 cases were cured clinically, 31 cases effective remarkably, 15 cases effective and 0 case failed. The difference in the efficacy was significant in comparison of the two groups (P < 0.05). The therapeutic effect in the observation group was better than that in the control group. The total score of the symptoms and physical signs, FEV1 and PEF after treatment were all improved significantly in the two groups (all P < 0.01). And the results in the observation group were better than those in the control group (all P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: "Shao's five needling therapy" achieves the significant efficacy on asthma at acute attack stage. It significantly relieves the symptoms and physical signs of the patients and improves lung functions. The effect is better than that of theophylline sustained release tablet.

Effectiveness of Bufei Yishen Granule combined with acupoint sticking therapy on quality of life in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of Bufei Yishen Granule BFYSG) combined with Shufei Tie acupoint sticking therapy on quality of life of patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: A multi-center, double-blinded, double-dummy and randomized controlled method was adopted in this trial. A total of 244 patients were randomly assigned to a trial group and a control group according to the random number, each with 122 patients; treatment allocation occurred when the participants met the inclusion criteria and signed the informed consent form. In the trial group, patients were treated with BFYSG combined with "Shufei Tie" acupoint sticking therapy and sustained-release theophylline dummy, and in the control group patients were treated with oral sustained-release theophylline and BFYSG dummy combined with "Shufei Tie" acupoint sticking therapy dummy. The therapeutic course for two groups was 4 months and the follow-up was 6 months. The frequency and duration of acute exacerbation calculated by adding up each frequency and duration of acute exacerbation in treatment and follow-up time respectively, the quality of life measured by the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL)-BREF scale and adult COPD quality of life (COPD-QOL) scale were observed. RESULTS: Among the 244 enrolled patients, 234 were screened for full analysis set (FAS); 221 were screened for per-protocol analysis set (PPS). After 4-month treatment and 6-month follow-up there were differences between the trial group and the control group in frequency of acute exacerbation (FAS: P=0.013; PPS: P=0.046); duration of acute exacerbation (FAS: P=0.005; PPS: P=0.006); scores of physiological, psychological and environment aspects of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire (FAS: P=0.002, P=0.006, P=0.000; PPS: P=0.00, P=0.001, P=0.000); scores of daily living ability, social activity, depression symptoms aspects of the COPD-QOL questionnaire (FAS: P=0.000, P=0.000, P=0.006; PPS: P=0.002, P=0.001, P=0.001). CONCLUSION: BFYSG combined with acupoint sticking therapy could improve the quality of life of patients with stable COPD.

[The exploration of the academic thought of external treatment master-Wu ShiJi].

To explore Wu Shiji's academic thought, his external treatment method were arranged and summarized, such as treatment based on triple energizer differentiation, the theory of plaster heals various disease and the combination of the application of acupuncture, moxibustion and plaster etc. It has been proved that Wu's external treatment had compiled all the advantages of each school of Chinese medicine before his era, rich in content and convenient to use. So it values highly in clinical practice and has provided great convenience for the modern clinical research of external treatment.

Bu-Fei Yi-Shen granule combined with acupoint sticking therapy in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, active-controlled, 4-center study.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Bu-Fei Yi-Shen granule combined with acupoint sticking therapy has been used in the patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as major traditional interventions for the treatment of the disease. AIM OF THE STUDY: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese herbal medicine, the Bu-Fei Yi-Shen granule combined with acupoint sticking therapy in patients with stable COPD. METHODS: A 4-center, double-blinded, double-dummy and randomized controlled method was conducted. 244 patients who were divided into the trial group (n=122, treated with Bu-Fei Yi-Shen granule combined with Shu-Fei Tie acupoint sticking therapy and oral placebo sustained-release theophylline) and the control group (n=122, treated with oral sustained-release theophylline and placebo Bu-Fei Yi-Shen granule combined with placebo Shu-Fei Tie acupoint sticking therapy). The frequency and duration of acute exacerbation, lung function, clinical symptoms, six-minute walking distance, dyspnea grade and quality of life were observed during the 4-month treatment period, and for a further 6 months follow-up. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty one patients fully completed the study, intent-to-treat (ITT) population was 234 and per-protocol (PP) population was 221. After treatment for 4 months and follow-up for 6 months, there were differences between the experimental and control group in frequency of acute exacerbation (ITT: P=0.007, P=0.013; PP: P=0.045, P=0.046); duration of acute exacerbation (ITT: P=0.030, P=0.005; PP: P=0.048, P=0.006); scores of symptoms (ITT: P=0.000, P=0.000; PP: P=0.000, P=0.000); six-minute walking distance (ITT: P=0.002, P=0.001; PP: P=0.002, P=0.001); dyspnea grade (ITT: P=0.014, P=0.009; PP: P=0.018, P=0.012); physiological aspects (ITT: P=0.003, P=0.000; PP: P=0.001, P=0.000); psychological aspects (ITT: P=0.007, P=0.001; PP: P=0.001, P=0.000) and environment aspects (ITT: P=0.003, P=0.000; PP: P=0.001, P=0.000) of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. There were no differences between the experimental and control group in FVC, FEV1 and FEV1% and adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Bu-Fei Yi-Shen granule combined with acupoint sticking therapy showed beneficial effects for patients with stable COPD in the measured parameters over the 4-month treatment period and 6 months follow-up, with no relevant between-group differences in adverse events.

[Professor Shao Jing-ming: a famous expert of acupuncture and moxibustion].

Professor SHAO Jing-Ming devotes his life in clinical practices for more than 80 years. He is an eminent specialist acupuncture with abundant clinical experiences. He establishes the unique method of needling of tri-points and penta-needles which achieves significant effectiveness for the treatment of asthma. He has taught for more than 50 years with unique educational method. A great amount of experts appear in the circle of TCM after receiving his unique training. He devotes his life to composing books on acupuncture and moxibustion. He devotes his life and his heart to promoting the development of acupuncture and moxibustion, and makes remarkable contribution in this field.

[Multi-central clinical valuation of SHAO's "five needling methods" for treatment of asthma of deficiency of lung and spleen].

OBJECTIVE: To make multi-central clinical valuation of SHAO's "five needling methods" for treatment of asthma of deficiency of lung and spleen. METHODS: Two hundred and ten cases were randomly divided into a test group and a control group, 105 cases in each group. The test group were treated with SHAO's "five needling methods", with Feishu (BL 13), Dazhui (GV 14), Fengmen (BL 12) selected; the control group were treated with routine needling method, with Dingchuan (EX-B 1), Gaohuang (BL 43), Feishu (BL 13), Taiyuan (LU 9), Pishu (BL 20), etc. selected. The treatment in the two groups was given once each day, for 4 weeks, with one-day interval each 6-consecutive day. RESULTS: Fourteen cases were clinically cured, 42 cases were markedly effective, 32 cases were effective and 6 cases were ineffective in the test group with an effective rate of 93.6%; and 8, 30, 41 and 13 cases in the control group, respectively, with an effective rate of 85.9%, with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). After treatment, the symptoms and signs, pulmonary function in the test group were better than those in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: SHAO's "five needling methods" has significant therapeutic effect for treatment of asthma of deficiency of lung and spleen, which is better than that of the routine needling method.

[Brief introduction of contents of acupuncture and moxibustion sciences in the Puji Benshi fang].

OBJECTIVE: To sort out the contents of acupuncture and moxibustion in Puji Benshi Fang, so as to provide references for learning ancient acupuncture and moxibustion science's. METHODS: Based on Puji Benshi Fang published by People's Medical Publishing House in 1983, sort out the contents about channels and collaterals, acupoints, acupuncture and moxibustion methods, acupoint selection for treatment, and so on in Fuji Benshi Fang. CONCLUSION: Fuji Benshi Fang collected a lot of literatures of acupuncture and moxibustion, selected strong points of scholars, compiled essence of successive dynasties, with higher theoretic and academic and clinical application values, which provides convenience for preservation, doing textual research, collation of literature of acupuncture and moxibustion.

[Multiple central clinical studies on the needling method for regulating wei and strengthening brain for treatment of insomnia].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of the needling method for regulating wei and strengthening brain on insomnia. METHODS: Two hundred cases of insomnia were randomly divided into a test group and a control group, 100 cases in each group. The test group were treated with the needling method for regulating wei and strengthening brain with Baihui (GV 20), Dazhui (GV 14), Shenmai (BL 62), Zhaohai (KI 6) and ear points Yuanzhong, Shenmen selected; and in the control group, Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Shenmen (HT 7) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were selected. Acupuncture was given once daily for 15 days. Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) was used for scoring before and after treatment. RESULTS: The total effective rate was 89.0% in the test group and 65.0% in the control group with a very significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01); the difference of PSQI scores before and after was -9.15+/-5.68 in the test group and -5.64+/-5.73 in the control group, with a very significant difference before and after treatment in the two groups (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The therapeutic effect of the needling method for regulating wei and strengthening brain on insomnia is better than that of normal needling method.

[Study on professor Shao Jing-ming's academic thought].

Professor Shao Jing-ming has been engaged in medicine for over 70 years. He has original academic view in diagnosis of diseases, prescription of combined acupoints, needling manipulation and combination of acupuncture and moxibustion with medication, etc.. He holds that disease should be combined with syndrome, modern medical sciences are used for definite diagnosis of diseases; for acupoint prescriptions, fewer and better acupoints are selected, and treatment of difficult and complicated diseases with back-shu points usually can attain good results; correct application of needling manipulation and Deqi is the key of therapeutic effects; he creates and uses heat-sensation needling manipulation, the method of twirling-inserting needle with finger pressure, injection-type inserting needle method; combination of acupuncture-moxibustion with medicine can increase therapeutic effects. He writes a book Zhongyi Zhiyao of about 300,000 words.

[Study on the law of professor SHAO Jing-ming's clinical point selection].

Professor Shao Jing-ming forms an unique academic thought and technique specialty on the basis of carefully study on medical classics, widely extensive learning, and diligent practice. In several ten years' clinical work, he uses TCM theories as basis and channel theories as guidance, following the standards of treatment based on syndrome differentiation, and in clinical acupuncture and moxibustion treatment, he emphasizes "selection of primary and secondary acupoints, and needling in order of priority". In clinical treatment of various diseases, 3 points are commonly used as main points, with accurate and proper selection of acupoints.