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Low back pain is ranked number one burden of disease and a symptom that afflicts people worldwide. Although many cases of low back pain are considered non-specific, there is no unified agreement on the classification method. Furthermore, the biopsychosocial model is used as an interpretation model for understanding low back pain. Therefore, the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment for low back pain must be verified while clearly identifying the perspective from which low back pain is viewed and considering psychological factors. In this symposium, lectures were given by Akasaka, Inoue, Kikuchi, and Kondo. Akasaka explained specific and non-specific low back pain from the perspective of a physical therapist. Specifically, he presented the classification of low back pain based on structural anatomy of the musculoskeletal system such as facet joint, myofascial, and intervertebral discogenic pain as non-specific low back pain, and explained about the effectiveness of physical therapy. Inoue presented the results of randomized controlled trials of acupuncture treatment in patients with low back and lower limb pain that he had conducted. He also discussed the importance of needling at specific points such as the erector spinae group of muscles after carefully palpating these points. Furthermore, Inoue outlined the effects of needling along nerve pathways in patients with lower limb symptoms. Kikuchi reported the results of a retrospective observational study on the effectiveness of acupuncture in treatment of low back pain by classifying patients according to their movement reproducibility. He well stated that patients with movement reproducibility showed more improvement in low back pain-related quality of life. Kondo elaborated on how psychosocial factors in patients with low back pain could affect the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment. He also reported that the less catastrophic thinking about pain was, the greater effectiveness of acupuncture treatment was. In addition, Kondo also indicated that the lower risk on the Subgrouping for Targeted Treatment Back Screening Tool was, the more easily reduced pain was.We hope that the content of this symposium would serve as a valuable resource for clinical, research, and educational activities starting tomorrow.
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The effects of acupuncture and moxibustion on headache in clinical trials were reviewed. First, the effects of Western medicine on headache for patients with primary headache and secondary headache were systematically reviewed based on online data, and possible mechanisms were discussed. Second, the role and potential use of acupuncture and moxibustion on headache were considered based on a review of research literature. Finally, the effectiveness of acupuncture and moxibustion on migraine and tension type headache was systematically examined based on online data. These results suggest that acupuncture and moxibustion may be most effective on recurring headache.
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<B>Objective:</B> This study was conducted to analyze the effects of acupuncture regarding prevention of migraine attacks based on the measurements of headache days, and tenderness and muscle tightness in the neck and shoulder muscles and in the masticatory muscles, and to evaluate the relationship between them.<BR><B>Methods:</B> The subjects were 70 patients (22 men and 48 women) who satisfied the diagnostic criteria of migraine according to The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd edition. The mean age was 35.5±14.3 years (mean±S.D.). Thirteen patients had migraine with aura and 57 had migraine without aura.<BR> Acupuncture was performed for 2 month; the number of days with a moderate or severe headache as well as tenderness and muscle tightness of the neck, shoulder and masticatory muscles, were assessed before and after acupuncture treatment. In addition, the relationship between the decrease in the number of headache days and improvement in tenderness and muscle tightness was analyzed.<BR><B>Results:</B> Acupuncture reduced the number of days with a moderate or severe headache (p<0.05) and improved tenderness and muscle tightness (p<0.01). Also, a positive correlation was noted between the decrease in the number of headache days and improvement of neck, shoulder and masticatory muscle tenderness; the correlation with the improvement of neck tenderness was the strongest.<BR><B>Discussion and Conclusion:</B> When acupuncture was performed continuously for a certain period, the number of headache days decreased, and tenderness and tightness in the neck, shoulder and masticatory muscles improved, demonstrating the efficacy of acupuncture. The results suggest that acupuncture prevents the attacks by relieving muscle tightness. The mechanism by which acupuncture would prevent migraine attacks can be its effect on higher brain centers via the spinal nucleus of the trigeminal nerve through the upper cervical plexus and trigeminal nerve as the afferent pathways.
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Objective: This study was conducted to analyze the effects of acupuncture regarding prevention of migraine attacks based on the measurements of headache days, and tenderness and muscle tightness in the neck and shoulder muscles and in the masticatory muscles, and to evaluate the relationship between them. Methods: The subjects were 70 patients (22 men and 48 women) who satisfied the diagnostic criteria of migraine according to The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd edition. The mean age was 35.5±14.3 years (mean±S.D.). Thirteen patients had migraine with aura and 57 had migraine without aura. Acupuncture was performed for 2 month; the number of days with a moderate or severe headache as well as tenderness and muscle tightness of the neck, shoulder and masticatory muscles, were assessed before and after acupuncture treatment. In addition, the relationship between the decrease in the number of headache days and improvement in tenderness and muscle tightness was analyzed. Results: Acupuncture reduced the number of days with a moderate or severe headache (p<0.05) and improved tenderness and muscle tightness (p<0.01). Also, a positive correlation was noted between the decrease in the number of headache days and improvement of neck, shoulder and masticatory muscle tenderness; the correlation with the improvement of neck tenderness was the strongest. Discussion and Conclusion: When acupuncture was performed continuously for a certain period, the number of headache days decreased, and tenderness and tightness in the neck, shoulder and masticatory muscles improved, demonstrating the efficacy of acupuncture. The results suggest that acupuncture prevents the attacks by relieving muscle tightness. The mechanism by which acupuncture would prevent migraine attacks can be its effect on higher brain centers via the spinal nucleus of the trigeminal nerve through the upper cervical plexus and trigeminal nerve as the afferent pathways.
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[Introduction]There are few studies on the effect of acupuncture on QOL and work ability. Therefore, by this prospective study, we examined the effect of acupuncture treatment for QOL and work ability of visual display terminal (VDT) workers. <BR>[Methods]Sixty-one VDT workers participated as subjects (41 males, 20 females). Acupuncture sessions were performed once a week for 4 weeks. Acupuncture points were decided by individualized VDT workers neck and shoulder symptoms points. Disposable press tack needles were used. Improvement of SF-36 and the work ability index were evaluated. <BR>[Results]All VDT workers completed follow-up. There were statistically significant improvements in Mental Component Score (MCS), Physical Component Score (PCS), Role Physical and Body-Pain of the SF-36, and WAI. Regular correlations between before WAI and MCS, PCS, and 8 subscales of the SF-36 were observed. In addition improvement rate of WAI and Body-Pain were observed.<BR>[Conclusion]Symptoms in the neck shoulder stiffness of the VDT workers was improved by acupuncture, and QOL/work ability improved.
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[Introduction]Recently, in the development of information technology, VDT workers are increasing rapidly. Physical and mental health symptoms associated with working at visual display terminals (VDTs) are controversial. However, there are few studies about the effect of acupuncture treatment on eye fatigue, neck and shoulder stiffness that many VDT workers have.<BR>Therefore, in this prospective study, we examined the effect of acupuncture treatment for complaints of VDT workers.<BR>[Methods]Sixty-one VDT workers participated as subjects (41 males, 20 females). Acupuncture sessions were performed once a week for four weeks. Acupuncture points were decided by the patient's muscleskeletal distress.<BR>Disposable press tack needles were used. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to determine eye fatigue, neck and shoulder stiffness. Improvements of each VAS were evaluated. Then we analyzed improvement on shoulder and neck stiffness associated with eye fatigue.<BR>[Results]The neck and shoulder distress of patients was reduced in four weeks by acupuncture treatment. A regular correlation between the improvement rate of eye fatigue and neck/shoulder stiffness was observed.<BR>[Conclusion]The neck and shoulder stiffness was improved by acupuncture treatment. According to improved symptoms, eye fatigue was mitigated as well. Thus it was suggested that utility of acupuncture is high in the field of industrial medicine.
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<b>[Purpose]</b> We know of no reports on the effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) stimulation, on human skeletal muscle blood flow (MBF), examined quantitatively with a direct method. Therefore, we investigated changes in MBF before, during and after EA with a new clearance method. <b>[Methods]</b> Ten healthy adult volunteers (8 men and 2 women; median age 30.5 years) were given EA to the trapezius at the BL 10 and GB 21 acupoints, employing the left trapezius as the non-EA side to contrast with the right trapezius as the EA side, and using stainless needles of 50 mm length and 0.18 mm gauge. MBF data were surveyed for 2 minutes before EA, for 4 minutes during EA, and for 4 minutes after EA, and a total of10minutes were analyzed l(?). Blood pressure and heart rate were simultaneously measured. <b>[Results]</b> MBF on the EA side increased significantly during EA (p < 0.05). On the other hand, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were shown to decrease during EA (p < 0.05). <b>[Discussion]</b> These results, showing that MBF increased on the EA side, while diastolic blood pressure and heart rate decreased, suggest a regional muscle pump action with EA. <b>[Conclusion]</b> In evaluating a new, direct means of quantitatively examining <sub>99m</sub>Tc0<sub>4-</sub> clearance, an increase in MBF with right side EA stimulation was clearly shown. Because the present method is simpler and easier, and higher in accuracy than past methods, we believe it may be used more aggressively in future clinical studies of acupuncture/moxibustion.
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<B>[Purpose]</B> We know of no reports on the effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) stimulation, on human skeletal muscle blood flow (MBF), examined quantitatively with a direct method. Therefore, we investigated changes in MBF before, during and after EA with a new clearance method. <B>[Methods]</B> Ten healthy adult volunteers (8 men and 2 women; median age 30.5 years) were given EA to the trapezius at the BL 10 and GB 21 acupoints, employing the left trapezius as the non-EA side to contrast with the right trapezius as the EA side, and using stainless needles of 50 mm length and 0.18 mm gauge. MBF data were surveyed for 2 minutes before EA, for 4 minutes during EA, and for 4 minutes after EA, and a total of10minutes were analyzed l(?). Blood pressure and heart rate were simultaneously measured. <B>[Results]</B> MBF on the EA side increased significantly during EA (p < 0.05). On the other hand, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were shown to decrease during EA (p < 0.05). <B>[Discussion]</B> These results, showing that MBF increased on the EA side, while diastolic blood pressure and heart rate decreased, suggest a regional muscle pump action with EA. <B>[Conclusion]</B> In evaluating a new, direct means of quantitatively examining <SUB>99m</SUB>Tc0<SUB>4-</SUB> clearance, an increase in MBF with right side EA stimulation was clearly shown. Because the present method is simpler and easier, and higher in accuracy than past methods, we believe it may be used more aggressively in future clinical studies of acupuncture/moxibustion.
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[Object]Any reports on acupuncture for patients with POEMS syndrome, which almost manifests disturbance of peripheral nerve in all cases and is known as a very rare disease together with disturbance of multiple organs, are not yet found. The present paper is concerned with a case report that improvement of symptoms and progress of ADL were brought out by acupuncture. <BR>[Case]A sixty year-old man who was diagnosed as POEMS syndrome and received rehabilitation therapy after treatment with autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation complained of difficulty in walking with numbness in the lower legs at rest time and with numbness and muscular tension in the same sections after walking. Therefore, acupuncture was practiced once or twice per week for the patient in order to raise the threshold of pain and to relax muscular tension in the lower extremities. <BR>[Results]After acupuncture, the patient could lengthen the walking distance, had reduced numbness in the soles and relaxation of muscular tension in the lower legs at rest time, and improved numbness after walking. <BR>[Discussion and Conclusion]Acupuncture for a patient with POEMS syndrome resulted in improved symptoms and progress of ADL without severe side effects. From the above results, acupuncture is considered to be a useful therapeutic method used together with present medical treatment.