Low back pain of cold-damp pattern treated with electric-thermal Bian-stone therapy and traditional moxibustion: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the difference in the efficacy on low back pain of cold-damp pattern between electric-thermal Bian-stone therapy and moxibustion box therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-one cases of low back pain of cold-damp pattern were randomized into an electric-thermal Bian-stone therapy group (group A, 26 cases) and a box moxibustion therapy group (group B, 15 cases). In the group A, the electric-thermal Bian-stone was placed over Shenshu (BL 23) and Weizhong (BL 40). The temperature of stone was adjusted in accordance with patient's comfort. In the group B, moxibustion box was used over Shenshu (BL 23) and Weizhong (BL 40). The treatment was given once every day or every two days. Ten treatments made one session. The symptom and physical signs score of low back pain and the score of cold-damp syndrome were observed before and after treatment in the patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The symptom and physical signs score of low back pain and the score of cold-damp syndrome were all improved in the two groups (all P < 0.01). The changing rate of symptom and physical signs and syndrome were (37.04 +/- 32.68)% and (22.85 +/- 29.95)% in the group A, and were (47.29 +/- 22.08)% and (23.89 +/- 22.53)% in the group B, respectively, without significant difference in comparison between the two groups (all P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The efficacy on low back pain of cold-damp pattern treated with the electric-thermal Bian-stone therapy is similar to that of moxibustion box therapy. This therapy is characterized as more convenient, safer operation and less pollution.</p>

Impacts on skin blood flow under moving cupping along meridians in different directions / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the impacts on skin blood flow between moving cupping following the meridian running direction and that against the running direction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>JLG-2 meridian cupping drainage instru ment was used for moving cupping on the back along the Bladder Meridian running course in either single direction for 20 times. The cupping device was Bian stone cup, 44 mm in inner diameter, negative pressure from -0.03 to -0.04 MPa. PeriScan PIM II laser Doppler perfusion imager was used to observe the changes in skin blood flow on the running course of the Bladder Meridian with cup moved up and down and in the same region on the contralateral Bladder Meridian. Blood flow was measured before cupping, at the immediate time after cupping and 10 min after cupping separately. Fourteen healthy volunteers received the test. The measuring region was subdivided into a moving cupping area, an upstream area, a downstream area, a contralateral moving cupping area, a contralateral upstream area and a contralateral downstream area. The mean blood flow was calculated in each area.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Blood flow was increased significantly in each area and was more apparently increased in the moving cupping area. In comparison of the changing rate of blood flow between cupping following the meridian running direction and that against the running direction, it was only found that the changing rate in the upstream area of moving cupping against the running direction was significantly higher than that following the running direction (P < 0.05). The differences were not statistically significant in comparison among the other areas. Additionally, the changing rates of blood flow in the upstream and downstream area of the Bladder Meridian were increased significantly as compared with the contralateral Bladder Meridian.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The local effects are similar between moving cupping following the meridian running direction and that against the running direction. The abscopal effect of moving cupping against the running direction is superior to that following the running direction. It is suggested that the dual-directional moving cupping is applicable for the treatment of local disorders and the abscopal effect is better with moving cupping against the meridian running direction.</p>

Preliminary observation on the interstitial fluid pressure of low hydraulic resistance channel along meridians / 医用生物力学

Objective To measure the interstitial fluid pressure (IFP) on low hydraulic resistance channel along meridians and observe the difference and fluctuation. Method Low hydraulic resistance points (LHRP) and non LHRP were measured on anesthetized mini pigs by a scanning hydraulic resistance measuring device. The IFP was then measured by wick in needle method on these two regions. Results The stomach meridian, kidney meridian and conceptual vessel meridian on mini pigs were measured. The IFP were significantly lower than non LHRP region on the above three meridians(P<0.05), the differences of which were 1.06，0.70，3.69 mmHg respectively with the total pressure difference of 1.44 mmHg and pressure gradient of 1.44~2.88 mmHg/cm（1 mmHg=0．133 kPa）. Conclusions Among the peripheral subcutaneous tissues, there exists a difference of IFP toward the meridian which may drive the flow of interstitial fluid toward the meridians.

Influence of mechanical pressure on the change of acupuncture-induced transcutaneous CO2 emission / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate conduction of acupuncture effect and the influence of mechanical pressing meridians on it.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In twenty healthy volunteers (8 males and 12 females, aged 29 years on average), by using a Frewil Q. F. apparatus, transcutaneous CO2 emission (TCE) was measured before, during and after acupuncture at Neiguan (PC 6), respectively. The locations being measured were Quze (PC 3) and four points including two non-acupoints along the Pricardium Meridian (Point A and B) and two non-acupoints apart from the Pericardium Meridian (Point C and D). Point A was located at the lower one fourth of the line connecting Tianquan (PC 2) and Quze (PC 3), and Point B located at the middle of the line connecting Ximen (PC 4) and Quze (PC 3). Point C was located 2 cm lateral on the ulnar side to Point A, and Point D located 2 cm lateral on the ulnar side to Point B. The above results were compared with those obtained after mechanical pressure of 1 kg (area 1 cm X 2 cm) applied on Ximen (PC 4) and Daling (PC 7), respectively, to observe their effect on TCE.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>During and after acupuncture at Neiguan (PC 6) without mechanical pressure, TCE at Quze (PC 3), point A and B increased significantly (P < 0.05), but not at point C and D (P > 0.05). While applying mechanical pressure at Ximen (PC 4), no significant increase was found on the three points during and after acupuncture. When applying pressure at Daling (PC 7), significant increases of TCE were also found at Quze (PC 3) and point A during acupuncture (P < 0.05), and a significant increase of TCE was found at point B after acupuncture with pressure keeping (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture can enhance energy metabolism along meridians, and this effect can be blocked by mechanical pressure.</p>