Clinical study on long-snake moxibustion plus Western medicine in treating chronic heart failure due to heart-kidney yang deficiency / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of long-snake moxibustion plus Western medicine for chronic heart failure due to heart-kidney yang deficiency.Methods: A total of 80 patients were randomized into a control group and an observation group, with 40 cases in each group. The control group was treated with routine Western medicine, and the observation group was treated with long-snake moxibustion therapy on the basis of routine Western medicine. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), stroke volume (SV) and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd) were measured before and after treatment, and the heart function was assessed. The serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level was measured, the 6 min walking distance was recorded, and the Minnesota living with heart failure questionnaire (MLHFQ) was assessed and scored. The serum galectin-3 (Gal-3) and soluble growth stimulation expressed gene 2 (sST2) protein levels were measured. Clinical efficacy was evaluated after treatment. Results: The total effective rate of the observation group was higher than that of the control group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). After treatment, LVEF and LVEDd in both groups were significantly improved (all P<0.05), and LVEF, SV and LVEDd in the observation group were superior to those in the control group (all P<0.05). The heart function classification in both groups were improved after treatment (both P<0.05), and the heart function classification in the observation group was superior to that in the control group (P<0.05). The serum BNP level in both groups decreased (both P<0.05), and the serum BNP level in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). The 6 min walking distance and MLHFQ scores in both groups were improved (all P<0.05), and the 6 min walking distance and MLHFQ score in the observation group were superior to those in the control group (both P<0.05). The serum Gal-3 and sST2 levels in the observation group decreased significantly (both P<0.05), and all lower than those in the control group (both P<0.05). Conclusion: Long-snake moxibustion plus Western medicine has significant efficacy in treating chronic heart failure due to heart-kidney yang deficiency; it can improve heart function, reduce the serum BNP level, and improve the exercise endurance and quality of life in the patients. This may be related to the down-regulation of serum Gal-3 and sST2 levels.

Therapeutic effect of long-snake moxibustion combined with western medication on diarrhea type irritable bowel syndrome of spleen and kidney / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the therapeutic effect between long-snake moxibustion combined with western medication and simple medication on diarrhea type irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) of spleen and kidney @*METHODS@#A total of 60 patients with IBS-D of spleen and kidney @*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the symptom scores of abdominal pain, defecation frequency, mucous stool and appetite reduction were decreased (@*CONCLUSION@#Long-snake moxibustion combined with western medication can effectively treat the IBS-D of spleen and kidney

Clinical effect of long-snake moxibustion on lumbago of cold-dampness type / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of long-snake moxibustion on pain, functional disorder and body constitution in the patients with lumbago of cold-dampness type. METHODS: A total of 90 patients with lumbago of cold-dampness type were randomized into long-snake moxibustion, acupuncture and medication groups, 30 cases in each group. In the long-snake moxibustion group, long-snake moxibustion was exerted on the spinal (between Dazhui[GV14] and Yaoshu[GV2]) with the self-prepared moxa powder formula combined with fresh ginger and moxa wool, once a week, for 4 weeks. Regular acupuncture was given to the acupuncture group, 30 min each time, once a day, 8 times as a treatment course, at the interval of 2 days between the courses. The duration of treatment was 1 month. In the medication group, Diclofenac Sodium was prescribed for oral administration, 25 mg each time, three times a day, and Mecobalamine tablets, 0.5 mg each time, 3 times a day. The duration of medication was 1 month. Before and after treatment, the differences were evaluated in the scores of visual analog scale (VAS), the present pain intensity(PPI), Oswestry disability index (ODI) and the scale of yang-deficiency body constitution among the 3 groups. RESULTS: After the treatment, VAS and PPI score and ODI were significantly reduced in the patients of the 3 groups as compared with those before treatment (all P0.05). The score of the scale of yang-deficiency body constitution in the long-snake moxibustion group was significantly lower than that in the acupuncture group and the medication group (P<0.05). Regarding the clinical effect, the effective rate was 93.33% (28/30) in the long-snake moxibustion group and it was 86.67% (26/30) in the acupuncture group and 73.33% (22/30) in the medication group after the treatment. The effective rate in the long-snake moxibustion group was significantly higher than those in the acupuncture group and the medication group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The long-snake moxibustion therapy can achieve significant effect on lumbago of cold-dampness type. This therapy can alleviate pain, relieve the functional disorders and improve the conditions of body constitution in the patients. Hence, it is applicable for the clinical promotion.

Effect of long-snake moxibustion on nonspecific low back pain with symptom of cold and dampness / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical therapeutic effect of long-snake moxibustion and ginger-partitioned moxibustion at point on nonspecific low back pain (NLBP) with symptom of cold and dampness.@*METHODS@#A total of 120 patients were randomized into a long-snake moxibustion group, an ashi point group and a waiting for treatment group, 40 cases in each one. Ginger-partitioned moxibustion was applied from Dazhui (GV 14) to Yaoshu (GV 2) of governor vessel in the long-snake moxibustion group, and was applied at point of affected area in the ashi point group, 40 min each time, once every other day and totally 8 times were required. No intervention was adopted in the waiting for treatment group, and after the trial, long-snake moxibustion was applied. Before and after treatment, the visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of rest and activity, the Oswestry disability index (ODI) score and the score of cold and dampness symptom were observed in the 3 groups.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the VAS scores of rest and activity, the ODI scores and the scores of cold and dampness symptom after treatment were decreased in the long-snake moxibustion group and the ashi point group (<0.05). After treatment, the variations of the above indexes in the long-snake moxibustion group and the ashi point group were larger than those in the waiting for treatment group (<0.05), and the variations of the above indexes in the long-snake moxibustion group were larger than those in the ashi point group (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Long-snake moxibustion can effectively improve the pain, dysfunction and the symptom of cold and dampness in patients with nonspecific low back pain, and the improvement is superior to the ginger-partitioned moxibustion at point.

Effect of 's external treatment combined with long-snake moxibustion at governor vessel on urodynamic for neurogenic bladder after spinal cord injury / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical efficacy of 's external treatment combined with long-snake moxibustion at the governor vessel for neurogenic bladder after spinal cord injury.@*METHODS@#A total of 64 patients with neurogenic bladder after spinal cord injury were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 32 cases in each group. The patients in the control group were treated with routine acupuncture and rehabilitation of bladder function; based on the treatment in the control group, the patients in the observation group were treated with 's external treatment combined with long-snake moxibustion at the governor vessel, twice a week for 8 weeks. Urodynamic test, including residual urine volume (RUV), maximum flow rate of urination (Qmax), bladder pressure at filling phase (Pves), maximum detrusor pressure (Pdet-max) and maximum urinary bladder volume (VMCC), was performed before and after 8-week treatment.@*RESULTS@#The urodynamic indexes in the two groups were improved compared with before treatment (0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Based on routine acupuncture and rehabilitation of bladder function, 's external treatment combined with long-snake moxibustion at the governor vessel could effectively improve urodynamic indexes, reduce residual urine, reduce bladder pressure and increase the maximum capacity of bladder, thereby improving bladder compliance and bladder function.

Professor -' experience of acupuncture and moxibustion on postpartum wind / 中国针灸

Professor -'s experience of acupuncture and moxibustion for postpartum wind is introduced. With more than 40 years of experience, professor has developed a systematic theoretical basis and technical operation. He points out that postpartum wind, caused by weakened body resistance after delivery, is characterized by intermingled deficiency and excess; the treatment focuses on dispelling wind, and the wind-related acupoints are essential; nourishing blood is important for dispelling wind. He emphasizes that if the cold in uterus would hinder the dispelling of wind and dampness. He has highly valued the manipulation, advocating the treatment of "treating three spirits", especially the spirits after the treatment of acupuncture; he also values the physical and mental health of the puerpera, and runs this principle through the treatment. With the 's herbal long-snake moxibustion, the dual therapeutic effect of medicine and moxibustion can be brought into play, and the therapeutic effect can be enhanced.

Effects and mechanism of the long-snake moxibustion on ankylosing spondylitis based on Th17/Treg/Th1 immune imbalance / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the effects and mechanisms of the long-snake moxibustion on ankylosing spondylitis (AS) based on Th17/Treg/Th1 immune imbalance.@*METHODS@#A total of 60 AS patients were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. In the observation group, the long-snake moxibustion therapy was used on the acupoints of the governor vessel from Dazhui (GV 14) to Yaoshu (GV 2) as well as the bilateral Jiaji (EX-B 2) alternatively. The moxibustion was given once a day, for 7 days continuously as one course. There were 3 days at the interval between the courses and 4 courses were required. In the control group, the routine western medication was provided, the salazosulfapyridine combined with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were used, for 7 days continuous as one course. A total of 4 courses of medication were required. The enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to determine the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-17 (IL-17), interleukin-23 (IL-23) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). The real-time quantification polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to determine the mRNA expressions of the specific transcription factors, FoxP3 and T-bet of the helper 17 cells (Th17), regulatory T cells (Treg) and T helper 1 cells (Th1). The flow cytometry was applied to determine the rates of Treg, Th1 and Th17, as well as the changes of the inflammatory reaction index, C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). The therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the total effective rate was 93.3% (28/30) in the observation group, which was better than 86.7% (26/30) in the control group (0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The long-snake moxibustion effectively relieves the clinical symptoms in AS patients and regulates the Th17/Treg/Th1 immune imbalance. Its effect target is probably related to the modulation of the AS immune derangement and the inflammatory responses induced by immune derangement so as to achieve the dual-positive regulatory effect.

Long-snake moxibustion for rheumatoid arthritis:a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical efficacy differences among long-snake moxibustion, warm needling and western medication on rheumatoid arthritis and explore its effect mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and twenty patients were randomized into a long-snake moxibustion group, a warm needling group and a western medication group, 40 cases in each one. In the long-snake moxibustion group, the long-snake moxibustion was used. The ginger-isolated moxibustion was applied along the governor vessel, from Dazhui (GV 14) to Yaoshu (GV 2), once a month, for 2 months. In the warm needling group, the main points included Dazhui (GV 14), Ganshu (BL 18), Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Zhiyang (GV 9), Mingmen (GV 4) and Yaoyangguan (GV 3). The warm needling technique was used at 4 to 5 points each time, and 3 moxa cones were required at each points. The treatment was given once every two days, for 2 months. In the western medication group, methotrexate was prescribed for oral administration, 10 mg each time, once a week. If the joint pain score or joint swelling score was up to 6, diclofenac sodium was combined, 25 mg each time, 3 times a day, for 2 months. The symptom score, physical sign score, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score, levels of rheumatoid factor (RF), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) were observed before and after treatment in the patients of the three groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The treatments relieved the symptoms and physical signs of rheumatoid arthritis and improved VAS score and the levels of serum RF, ESR, CRP, IgM and IgG in all of the three groups (all<0.01). The efficacy in the long-snake moxibustion group was significantly better than that in the warm needling group and the western medication group (<0.05,<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The long-snake moxibustion achieves the significant clinical efficacy on rheumatoid arthritis, better than warm needling therapy and methotrexate. This therapy much better reduces immune response and alleviates the sickness.</p>

Clinical Observations on the Therapeutic Effect of Long Snake Moxibustion on Different Types of Lumbago / 上海针灸杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of long snake moxibustion on different types of lumbago.Method Patients with lumbago of kidney deficiency, dampness-heat, blood stasis or cold-dampness type were enrolled, 30 cases each. Pre-treatment lumbago scores, post-treatment lumbago scores and clinical therapeutic effects were compared. Statistical analysis was carried out.ResultA marked therapeutic effect was produced in every group of patients after two courses of treatment. The total efficacy rate was 93.3% in lumbago of kidney deficiency type, 86.7% in lumbago of dampness-heat type, 90.0% in lumbago of blood stasis type and 96.7% in lumbago of cold-dampness type; there was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). There was a statistically significant post-treatment difference in the pain score between the groups of patients (P<0.05).ConclusionLong snake moxibustion has a very good therapeutic effect on every type of lumbago. The therapeutic effect is best in patients with lumbago of cold-dampness type.

key to Performing Spreading Moxibustion on the Du Meridian and the Characteristics of Its Application / 上海针灸杂志

The key to performing spreading moxibustion on the Du meridian and the characteristics of its application are investigated. Summer is the time suitable for spreading moxibustion on Du meridian. The performance on Du meridian points has special requirements for every procedure: selecting moxibustion materials, spreading medication, igniting moxa and cleaning moxibustion sores. There are five large characteristics in the clinical application. The first is accumulating heat and focusing on warm-unblocking; the second is regulating both the whole body and local parts; the third is timing the treatment and making adaptations;the fourth is selecting high-quality materials and guarantee the performance;the fifth is focusing on health maintenance and strengthening nursing. Spreading moxibustion on the Du meridian has a wide area of performance, large moxa cones, a long time, sufficient fire power, strong warm-unblocking force, quick and convenient treatment and a remarkable effect. Mastering the key to the performance and the characteristics of the clinical application can further rich acupuncture and moxibustion treatments and give full play to the role of old and traditional moxibustion.

Clinical Study on Long-snake Moxibustion for Asthma Due to Deficiency of Lung and Spleen / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of long-snake moxibustion in treating asthma due to deficiency of lung and spleen. Method Seventy patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group. The treatment group was intervened by using long-snake moxibustion, while the control group was by regular acupuncture treatment. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated after 1-month treatment. Result In the treatment group, 22 subjects showed marked efficacy, 27 showed effective, 6 failed, and the total effective rate was 89.1%; in the control group, 18 subjects showed marked efficacy, 25 showed effective, 12 failed, and the total effective rate was 78.2%. The therapeutic efficacy of the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the acupuncture group(P＜0.05). Conclusion Long-snake moxibustion can produce a higher therapeutic efficacy than regular acupuncture in treating asthma due to deficiency of lung and spleen.

Effect of Long Snake Moxibustion on IL-1,TNF-? and IL-10 of Adjuvant Arthritis Rats / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To observe the effect of long snake moxibustion on adjuvant arthritis rats, and explore its mechanism in treating rheumatoid arthritis. Methods Forty-eight Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group, model group, drug group and moxibustion group, 12 rats in each group. The model of adjuvant arthritis rats was induced by intracutaneously injection of complete Freud's adjuvant in the right hind foot pat of rat. Three days later, the medcine group was given Wangbi Keli, and the moxibustion group was treated with long snake moxibustion. The changes of toe swelling was observed, and the content of IL-1, TNF-a and IL-10 in serum were detected by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Results Long snake moxibustion can relieve toe swelling and decrease the level of IL-1 and TNF-p in serum (P