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[Objective]Although warm-tube moxibustion is easy-to-use in acupuncture therapy, the timing of moxa removal varies among practitioners. In the present study, we used near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to compare effects of different durations of moxibustion stimulation on improvement in local circulation as measured by changes in blood oxygenation dynamics in muscle tissue.<BR>[Methods]Twelve healthy adults underwent warm-tube moxibustion with a single cone applied to the upper right shoulder region;measurements of tissue blood oxygenation dynamics (ΔOxy-Hb, ΔTotal-Hb) were obtained at intervals of 0.5 s. Control measurements were first taken for 15 min without intervention (Control);then, subjects received moxibustion 2 min after the start of measurement and had the moxa removed at the following time points: 30 s after patients experienced heat pain (Removal 30, moxibustion group); 45 s after heat pain (Removal 45, moxibustion group);or did not have the moxa removed (Continuous moxibustion group). These 4 different conditions were compared. Additionally, we determined the burning temperature of moxa and the skin temperature and intensity of heat pain sensation at the site of moxibustion.<BR>[Results]Compared with the Control, the Removal 30, Removal 45, and Continuous moxibustion groups had significant increases in ΔOxy-Hb, ΔTotal-Hb, and skin temperature, with no significant differences among the moxibustion groups. No significant difference in the intensity of heat pain sensation was observed among the moxibustion groups. All moxibustion groups began to show rapid increases in both ΔTotal-Hb and ΔOxy-Hb around the time when subjects began to feel heat pain, suggesting that the axon reflex evoked by noxious stimuli of heat pain increased blood volume and arterial blood flow.<BR>[Conclusion]Hemodynamic improvement in muscle tissue through the use of continuous warm-tube moxibustion for 30 s or longer after the occurrence of heat pain was confirmed.
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[Objective]To investigate the effectiveness of acupuncture in the control of lower back pain of sailors that participated in the National Sports Festival of Japan to assess whether or not acupuncture can be used as a pre and post race treatment.<BR>[Methods]The study was conducted at the National Sports Festival of Japan sailing games. The focus was on sailor's complaints of lower back pain. Acupuncture treatment for lower back pain was executed pre and/or post race, and the respective therapeutic effect was evaluated. Acupuncture was executed by several techniques and on several points of the lower back. <BR>The depth of insertion was the most critical criteria and must be shallow. The insertion depth of the study was approximately 5 mm. <BR>Acupuncture points were chosen by the therapist. The insertion point was selected based on characteristics such as tenderness and induration of tissue. As needed, the dermis was stimulated continuously utilizing the acupuncture needle. The effect of acupuncture treatment was evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).<BR>[Results]Lower back pain in sailors was alleviated by acupuncture and decreased by a VAS value (p < 0.01). The result was the same in pre and/or post race patients. Organic disease was confirmed in 19.0%of the patients. Both lumbar disc herniation and isthmic spondylolisthesis were diagnosed. There were no adverse events.<BR>[Conclusion]Acupuncture was an effective treatment method and as such can be used as a method of treatment of sailors at pre or post race. However, to attain the maximum efficacy, the depth of the needle insertion must be shallow.
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[Purpose]The purpose of this paper is to examine whether or not the Press Tack Needle (PTN) treatment enhances the recovery process from muscle fatigue which assists in the therapeutic exercise rehabilitation process. By using the PTN, this paper investigates the recovery effect of the fatigued muscle. Randomized controlled trials were used to compare outcomes. <BR>[Method]Twenty-nine healthy male adults were chosen as subjects. However, crossover study was used to compare the PTN group and the sham group. After two sets of arm curl exercises with isotonic contraction at 10%weight of maximum voluntary contraction, the decrease percentage of exercise repetition was calculated. A PTN or sham was inserted at the posterior cervical region using the double masking method. After the intervention of the PTN or sham needle, the subjects were asked which intervention was inserted into them. A Kappa statistics value was used to evaluate the validity of the sham group and a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to determine the upper arm fatigue. <BR>[Result]The Kappa statistic value was 0.17. The decrease percentage of the exercise repetition of the PTN group was 35.4±20.1%, and of the sham group was 45.1±11.1%. The PTN group indicated a significantly smaller percentage than the sham group (p<0.01). Both groups showed no difference in Upper arm fatigue. <BR>[Conclusion]The PTN seems to help in recovery from muscle fatigue. It is thought that by inserting the PTN, somato-automomic reflex was induced to promote the increase of blood flow in to the muscle. Faster recovery of physical function of the patient can be possible as well as the improvement of QOL. In conclusion, this investigation showed that the PTN treatment method can be useful in assisting in therapeutic exercise rehabilitation.
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[Purpose] This report examines the immediate effect of acupuncture treatment for subjective symptoms in competitive sailors.<BR>[Method] The investigation was performed in the conditioning room at the national sports festival. Acupuncture treatment was performed for lumbago (n=108), dorsal pain (n=72). Acupuncture treatment was performed only on the area where players complained of pain. The variety of chief complaints, number of chief com-plaints, and visual analog scale (VAS) score were used for the investigation. Significance of differences in VAS score was compared by t-test.<BR>[Result] There were numerous chief complaints involving lumbago, followed in orderby dorsal pain, and othercomplaints. Acupuncture treatment decreased the VAS score fbr lumbago (n=108) from 52.3±215mm to 21. 5±16.4mm. Dorsal pain (n=72) was also decreased from 48.0±18.7mm to 18.5±15.2mm. These values were both significantly different at p<0.01.<BR>[Discussion] Acupuncture treatment was effective for lumbago, and dorsal pain of competitive sailors. As a result, it was suggested that the acupuncture treatment is an effective condition adjustment methods.
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[Objective] To examine the effect of press tack needle (PTN) treatment on muscle soreness after triathlon race in a placebo (P) -controlled study.<BR>[Method] Subjects were 149 healthy triathletes randomly divided into 2 groups, PTN group and P group. PTN and P were placed on the L 3 to S 2 dermatome area (BL23, BL24, BL25, BL26 and BL32) only during the race. The visual analog scale (VAS) was used to measure muscle soreness at 6 points (Quads, Hamstrings, Calves, Tibialis anteriors, Glutes and lower back). Measurements were obtained before the race (PRE), after the race (POST1), and on the day after the race (POST2) to evaluate the effect of PTN treatment.<BR>[Results] Each VAS score was increased on POST1 compared to that on PRE (p<0.01) for both groups. With PTN treatment, VAS scores were decreased on POST2 compared to those on POST1 except for Glutes (p<0.01, p<0.05), and had recovered to the PRE-race condition. In the P group, VAS score of the hamstrings was decreased on POST2 compared to that on POST1, while VAS scores were significantly higher than those on PRE for Quad, Hamstrings, and Calves.<BR>[Conclusion] It is suggested that PTN stimulation during triathlon race suppresses delayed-onset muscle sore-ness.
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[Objective] This study examined the effect of press tack needle (PTN) treatment onshoulder stiffness.<BR>[Method] A total of 53 volunteers with shoulder stiffness were randomly divided into 2 groups, the press tack needlegroup and placebo (P) group. The points stimulated by PTN or P were a maximum of 4 tender points around the shoulder treated for 3 days. Evaluation of the effect was based on the consciousness of shoulder stiffness and visual analog scale (VAS) estimating the grade of the shoulder stiffness. The evaluations were done in prior to treatment (Pr), immediately after treatment (Post 1), and 3 days after treatment (Post 2).<BR>[Result] As a result, the number of the volunteers reporting awareness of stiff shoulder after 3 days decreased to 12 of28 persons in the PTN group, 23 of 25 in the P group. There was a significant difference between the 2 groups (p<0.01). The VAS value decreased in the PTN group from 52.5±20.7 (Pr) to 40.5±22.4 (Post1), to 342±19.7 (Post2), while in the P group from 55.2±17.5 (Pr) to 46.5±19.7 (Post1) to 45.9±21.7 (Post2). There were significant differences between Pr and Post1 (p<0.05), and between Pr and Post2 (p<0.01) in PTN group.<BR>[Conclusion] It was suggested that PTN stimulation on the tender points improved shoulder stiffness.
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The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between physical fitness and coronary risk factor profiles in Japanese women. The subjects were 1, 483 women (ages 30 to 69) who participated in a practical health promotion program. After medical examination, physical fitness was evaluated by conducting a symptom limited maximal exercise test by ergometer to measure maximum oxygen uptake (peakVO2) with an expired gas analyzer. The subjects were classified into 3 groups (high fitness, moderate fitness, and low fitness) according to age and physical fitness level. The results showed that the subjects in higher fitness groups had lower levels in: body mass index (BMI), percentage of body fat, waist−hip ratio, resting blood pressure, and atherogenic index, and higher HDL−cholesterol compared to those in lower fitness group. Even after adjustment for the effects of age and BMI, the subjects in the higher fitness groups had better coronary risk factor profiles. These results suggest that among Japanese women a high level of physical fitness is related to favorable coronary risk factor profiles.