[Clinical efficacy of fire needling combined with cupping therapy on herpes zoster of acute stage and the effect on Th17/Treg cellular immune balance].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy between the combined therapy of fire needling and cupping, and western medication on herpes zoster of acute stage, as well as the effects on Th17 and Treg cells and inflammatory factors, i.e. IL-10 and IL-17 in the peripheral blood. METHODS: Eighty patients with herpes zoster of acute stage were randomly divided into a combined therapy (fire needling plus cupping) group and a western medication group, 40 cases in each one. In the combined therapy group, the pricking and scattering techniques with fire needle were used at ashi points and Jiaji (EX-B 2) corresponding to the affected spinal segments; afterwards, cupping therapy was delivered. The combined treatment was given once daily. In the western medication group, valaciclovir hydrochloride tablet and vitamin B1 tablet were administered orally. The duration of treatment in each group was 10 days. Before each treatment from day 1 to day 10 and on day 11 , the score of symptoms and physical signs was observed in the two groups separately. Before each treatment from day 1 to day 10 and on day 11, 30, 60, the score of visual analogue scale (VAS) and skin lesion indexes were observed in the two groups. On day 60, the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia was recorded in the two groups. The levels of Th17 and Treg cells, Th17/Treg ratio in the peripheral blood, as well as serum levels of IL-10 and IL-17 were detected before and after treatment in the two groups. The clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: From day 6 to day 10 during treatment and on day 11, the scores of symptoms and physical signs in the combined therapy group were lower than those of the western medication group (P<0.05, P<0.01). On day 3, day 6 to day 10 during treatment and day 11, day 30, VAS scores in the combined therapy group were lower than those of the western medication group (P<0.05, P<0.01). On day 60, the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia in the combined therapy group was lower compared with that in the western medication group (P<0.05). The blister arresting time and scabbing time in the combined therapy group were shorter than those of the western medication group (P<0.05). After treatment, the level of Th17, and Th17/Treg ratio in the peripheral blood, as well as the serum levels of IL-10 and IL-17 were all lower in comparison with those in the western medication group (P<0.05). The curative and remarkably effective rate was 82.5% (33/40) in the combined therapy group, higher than 62.5% (25/40) in the western medication group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The early application of fire needling combined with cupping therapy can effectively treat herpes zoster of acute stage, relieve pain, and reduce the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia, which may be related to reducing the levels of Th17 and Treg cells, and Th17/Treg ratio in the peripheral blood, as well as the serum levels of IL-10 and IL-17 so that the cellular immune balance is modulated.

[ZHANG Jia-wei's experience for treating press ulcer with fire-moxibustion].

To summarize ZHANG Jia-wei 's experience for treating press ulcer with fire-moxibustion. Through syndrome differentiation and examined factors, ZHANG Jia-wei believes that the disease is caused by qi deficiency and blood stasis, and advocates that the treatment should be weighed against deficiency and excess, and selection by stages. The cotton-moxibustion is used to diffusing and obstruction-removing qi and blood duingⅠstage of press ulcer. The Lingnan fire-needling is adopted for removing dampness, blood stasis and toxic substance to generate new muscles duringⅡand Ⅲ stage of press ulcer. Stage Ⅳof pressure ulcer and deep pressure ulcer should be treated with Taiyi moxa stick and aconite cake-separated moxibustion combined or alternately to expel toxin and grow muscles.

[Criteria of "arrival of qi" of acupuncture from "reaction of spirit produces curative effect": inheriting SHI Xue-min's thoughts of treating spirit].

From "arrival of qi produces curative effect", it is considered that arrival of qi, qi reaching and acupuncture sensation cannot contain the effect attribute, location attribute and performance attribute of acupuncture at the same time, so it is necessary to find a more suitable standard to measure the arrival of qi and clinical curative effect. Inspired by "the arrival of qi should be reaction of spirit, and reaction of spirit produces curative effect", the authors propose to use the term "reaction of spirit" to summarize the numerous external manifestations of arrival of qi, and to coordinate the attributes of arrival of qi, qi reaching and acupuncture sensation. Academician SHI Xue-min guides the clinical treatment with "reaction of spirit produces curative effect", attaches importance to the spirit treatment to improve the clinical curative effect, and evaluates whether acupuncture is successful or not with "reaction of spirit".

Auricular acupressure promotes uterine involution after cesarean section: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Postpartum subinvolution of the uterus is a more common condition after cesarean section. Auricular acupressure (AA) is widely used for the treatment of postpartum diseases. However, few studies have explored the effects of AA as a treatment of uterine involution following cesarean section to date. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of AA for uterine involution after cesarean section. METHODS: A total of 109 women who underwent cesarean section participated in this study. They were randomly allocated to either real AA or sham AA in a 1:1 ratio by a computer program. For 3 days, the real AA and sham AA groups received treatment 3 times daily. A series of assessments at 42 days after cesarean section, namely on the uterine size, the incidence of hydrometra, the first anal exsufflation time, bleeding volume at 6 hours, bleeding volume at 6-24 hours along with other general assessments were carried out. RESULTS: A total of 89 women completed the study. The uterine size at 42 days after a cesarean section was 6.3 cm smaller in the real AA group than in the sham AA group (P < 0.01). The incidence of hydrometra on day 42 postpartum was lower in the real AA group than in the sham AA group (P < 0.01). The lochia duration and the first anal exsufflation time after cesarean section were shorter in the real AA group than in the sham AA group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: AA improves uterine involution after cesarean section. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR1800015569.

[Analysis of adverse reactions of acupoint catgut embedding therapy].

OBJECTIVE: To objectively evaluate the safety of acupoint catgut embedding therapy. METHODS: A total of 331 patients who received acupoint catgut embedding therapy were enrolled and summarized through the inpatient medical record system, follow-up record and adverse reaction report card. The statistical analysis was performed from the aspects of patients' gender, age, marital status, history of allergy, history of diabetes and the time, symptoms, duration and prognosis of adverse reactions, etc. RESULTS: Among 331 patients who received acupoint catgut embedding therapy, 70 patients had adverse reactions, which were divided into 9 types, including post-treatment discomfort, local hematoma or subcutaneous hemorrhage, local swelling, local induration, severe pain, thread-body rejection, local pruritus, post-treatment body temperature rising, local redness, swelling, fever and pain. The incidence rate of adverse events was 21.15%, and the incidence of serious adverse events was 0. Among the patients with adverse reactions, 58 patients (82.86%) relieved without treatment, and 12 patients (17.14%) received after symptomatic treatment; all patients had no sequelae. CONCLUSION: The acupoint catgut embedding therapy is relatively safe and the incidence of adverse reactions is low.

[ZHUANG Li-xing's experience of using mind-regulation acupuncture for postherpetic neuralgia].

Professor ZHUANG Li-xing's clinical experience of using mind-regulation acupuncture for postherpetic neuralgia is summarized. Professor ZHUANG believes that the physical pain symptoms in patients could cause negative emotions, which often lead to a series of mental symptoms, which in turn aggravate or induce pain. Therefore, the treatment for this disease should start with mind regulation, with Baihui (GV 20) through Sishenzhen, Shenmen (HT 7), Neiguan (PC 6), Shenmai (BL 62), Zhaohai (KI 6), Siguan (Hegu (LI 4) and Taichong (LR 3)), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Shuigou (GV 26) and Suliao (GV 25) as main acupoints to regulate mind and relieve pain, in combination of local analgesia and ear acupuncture, which has obtained satisfied curative effect.

[Debating some issues on the application of auricular point].

Some issues on the auricular acupuncture including its effectiveness and side effects, the relationship of positive reaction and diseases, the key point of auricular point selection and standard auricular point popularization and application, are debated in this paper according to the authors' comprehension based on their many years clinical and teaching practice. In the paper, the authors point out that the auricular acupuncture has the characteristics of the high effective rate, low cured rate and some recurrence rate. The relationship of positive reacted point in the auricular acupuncture and disease include two kinds of reaction as "one point for multiple diseases" and "one disease for multiple points". Correct locating and reasonable selection of auricular points are the key point for using auricular point. Finally, the authors propose that standard auricular point still has not been popularized, and also, it should be paid attention to the problem of side effect induced by the auricular acupuncture.

[Observation on therapeutic effect of acupoint application on dysmenorrhea of excess syndrome and effect on prostaglandins].

OBJECTIVE: To observe therapeutic effect of acupoint application on dysmenorrhea of excess syndrome and its effect on prostaglandins. METHODS: The patients with primary dysmenorrhea of excess syndrome were randomly divided into an application group and a medication group. The application group of 31 cases were treated with application of Chinese medicine composed of Zhinanxing (Rhizoma Arisaematis), Sanleng (Rhizoma Sparganii), Ezhu (Rhizoma Zedoariae), etc. at Zhongji (CV 3), Guanyuan (CV 4), Qihai (CV 6); and the medication group of 30 cases were treated with oral administration of Tianqi Tongjing Capsules. The scores for the pain degrees and the duration of dysmenorrhea were observed and prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) contents in peripheral blood were determined before and after treatment. RESULTS: The total effective rate of 93.5% in the application group was significantly better than 73.3% in the medication group (P < 0.05); after treatment, the scores of the symptoms were significantly decreased in the two groups (both P < 0.01), with more obvious improvement in the application group than the medication group (P < 0.01). The PGE2 content was significantly increased, and the PGF2alpha content and PGF2alpha/PGE2 were significantly decreased in the application group (all P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Acupoint application has a better therapeutic effect on dysmenorrhea of excess syndrome and has benign regulative action on synthesis of prostaglandins in the patients with primary dysmenorrhea.

[Observation on therapeutic effect of acupoint sticking therapy on simple obesity].

OBJECTIVE: To probe into effectiveness and safety of acupoint sticking therapy for simple obesity. METHODS: One hundred and eight cases were randomly divided into an acupoint sticking group (n = 58) and an acupuncture group (n = 50). The acupoint sticking group were treated with TCM plaster sticking at Zhongwan (CV 12), Guanyuan (CV 4), Qihai (CV 6), etc. The acupuncture group were treated with simple acupuncture at Zhongji (CV 3), Guanyuan (CV 4), Qihai (CV 6), etc. Their therapeutic effects were observed after 3 therapeutic courses. RESULTS: The total effective rate was 84.5% in the acupoint sticking group, 86.0% in the acupuncture group with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05); after treatment, the body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference decreased and the cumulative score of clinical symptoms decreased in the two groups with no significant difference between the two groups, but the waist-hip ratio did not significantly change. CONCLUSION: TCM acupoint sticking therapy has a definite therapeutic effect on simple obesity.

[Observation on the therapeutic effect of acupoint application on constipation].

OBJECTIVE: To test the therapeutic effect, safety of acupoint application for treatment of constipation. METHODS: Forty-two cases were randomly divided into a treatment group of 22 cases and a control group of 20 cases. The treatment group were treated with acupoint application, with the cake made by Sanleng (Rhizoma Spargani), Ezhu (Rhizoma Zedoariae), Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) and Bingpian (Borneolum), which was applied at Tianshu (ST 25), Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4); the control group were treated with oral administration of Congrong Tongbian Oral Liquid. RESULTS: The total effective rate was 81.8% in the treatment group and 50.0% in the control group, the treatment group being better than the control group (P < 0.05); the first defecation time was (5.1 +/- 2.8) h in the treatment group and (10.1 +/- 7.3) h in the control group, with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: TCM acupoint application therapy has a definite therapeutic effect on constipation.

[Advances of studies on treatment of dysmenorrhea with acupoint application].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize advances of studies on treatment of dysmenorrhea with acupoint application in recent 10 years so as to provide references and basis for scientific research and clinical works in future. METHODS: The literature about treatment of dysmenorrhea with acupoint application in the recent 10 years are reviewed from treatment based on syndrome types, acupoint selection, selection of excipients, application time, assessment of therapeutic effects, adverse effects and other aspects. CONCLUSION: Acupoint application has a definite therapeutic effect on dysmenorrhea, but with some problems in clinical research.

[Advances of clinical studies on acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of obesity in recent 10 years].

OBJECTIVE: To Sum up advances of studies on acupuncture for treatment of obesity in recent 10 years and to put forward the problems should be paid attention to and the development direction in clinical scientific research. METHODS: Review the literature about acupuncture and moxibustion slimming therapy in recent 10 years from characteristics of acupuncture and moxibustion in selection of acupoints, analysis of various therapeutic methods, problems in clinical research. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture and moxibustion treatment of obesity has obvious therapeutic effect and less side-effects with flexible selection of acupoints and more methods.