ABSTRACT
[Purpose]We report a case concerning 5 months of left elbow and knee joint pain thought to be caused by repetitive use at work. Symptoms were improved successfully (checked by M-test) by a single acupuncture treatment. <BR>[Case]We used acupuncture to treat a 50-year-old woman who visited our Acupuncture and Moxibustion Centerwith complaints of increasing elbow and knee joint pain in the left side. Since 4 months ago, her job involved frequent stair-climbing while carrying an 18-liter can of cooking oil. The soft tissues seemed to be damaged and caused pain due to the repeated lifting of heavy cans at work. Acu-points were decided by M-Test to check limitations of movement, which identified damaged regions and provided feedback for optimal treatment. According to the specific operations of the patient's work, we identified limited movements of left-elbow joint flexion-extension, left-shoulder joint extension, and left hip joint inner rotation and external gyration. These were regarded as target motions for the treatment. Her Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores before treatment were 90 mm in the left elbow and 80 mm in the left knee. Despite only a single round of acupuncture treatment, the respective values dropped to 18 mm and 15 mm.<BR>[Consideration and Conclusion]The limited movement identified by M-Test could expose the affected areas and help in treating the appropriate acu-points. Therefore, acupuncture using M-Test might improve painful motions of the body.
ABSTRACT
Nobody studies economic evaluation of acupuncture and moxibustion in Japan. To establish a method of economic evaluation of acupuncture and moxibustion, we introduced case study of economic evaluation of acupuncture and moxibustion at work. In addition, we examined a course of study that annex economic evaluation to a study of acupuncture and moxibustion. This manuscript introduces two case studies of economic evaluation and essential points of economic evaluation.
ABSTRACT
Objective : To research reports of economic analysis of acupuncture therapy.<BR>Method : Searches were performed in Medline for reports of cost description, economic, randomized controlled trial, cost effectiveness, or cost benefit. Studies were included if they reported original data from any form of standard economic analysis.<BR>Results : A total of 15 papers was found. These studies were investigated as follows : angina pectoris, carpal tunnel syndrome, stroke, knee osteoarthrosis, low back pain, musculoskeletal disease, migraine, acupuncture analgesia. On the other hand, only one paper was found in Japan.<BR>Conclusion : Almost studies were noncntrolled trial, non-rigorous and retrospective studies. In future there is a need for high quality and rigorous studies of the cost and benefits of acupuncture.