Development of needle-thread integrative embedding needle / 中国针灸

The needle-thread integrative embedding needle consists of needle handle, needle core, thread, locker and needle guard. The thread is fixed in the core by the locker. With the needle inserted into acupoint, the locker is separated from the thread, while the thread is embedded directly into acupoint, to achieve one acupoint with one needle. This type of thread embedding needle is operated simply and safely without cross infection occurrence, easy to carry.

Long-time Retaining of Intradermal Needles in Treating Pharyngeal Dysphagia after Cerebral Stroke / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of long-time retaining of intradermal needles plus rehabilitation training in treating pharyngeal dysphagia after cerebral stroke.Method Sixty patients with pharyngeal dysphagia after cerebral stroke were randomized into treatment group 1,treatment group 2 and a control group,20 cases each.In addition to the basic treatment and nursing,the control group received rehabilitation (neuromuscular electrical stimulation plus swallowing training);treatment group 1 was given long-time retaining of intradermal needles based on the intervention given to the control group;treatment group 2 received electroacupuncture in addition to the intervention given to the control group.After 3-week treatment,the changes in Toshima Ichiro swallowing assessment of the three groups were observed,and the clinical efficacies were also compared.Result After the intervention,each group showed a significant change in the score of Toshima Ichiro swallowing assessment (P＜0.05).Treatment group 1 and group 2 were both significantly different from the control group in comparing the score of Toshima Ichiro swallowing assessment after the treatment (P＜0.05).The total effective rate was 95.0％ in treatment group 1,90.0％ in treatment group 2,and 60.0％ in the control group.The total effective rates in treatment group 1 and 2 were both significantly different from the rate in the control group (P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in comparing the score of Toshima Ichiro swallowing assessment and total effective rate between treatment group 1 and 2 after the intervention (P＞0.05).Conclusion Long-time retaining of intradermal needles plus rehabilitation is an effective approach in treating pharyngeal dysphagia after cerebral stroke,and its efficacy is equivalent to that of electroacupuncture.

Treatment of 116 Cases of Facial Pigmented Spots by Auricular Needle-embedding Method / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

116 cases of facial pigmented spots were treated by the needle-embedding method in Uterus (MA-TF). EarShenmen (MA-TF1), Endocrine (MA-IC3) and Lung (MA-IC1) as the main points and the additional points selected based upon pattern identification. All cases were cured.

Simple Needle-embedding Therapy for Hiccup / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Twenty-four cases of hiccup were treated by needle-embedding therapy at Geshu (BL 17), Ear Centre (MA-H 1) and Stomach (MA-IC). Results showed that hiccup disappeared in 21 cases, relieved in 1 case and changed little in 2 cases; that in some cases hiccup disappeared instantly after embedding needle. It is indicated that needle-embedding therapy is a quick and easy way to treat hiccup, with lasting effects.

Acupuncture for Dercum's Disease / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Twenty Tunisian patients with Dercum's disease were treated by surrounding acupuncture combined with cupping and ear acupuncture. The result showed that among the patients, 6 were significantly effective, 11 effective and 3 ineffective. The total effective rate was 85.0%. The difference of serum cholesterol, serum triglyceride and blood sugar before and after the treatment were of statistical significance (P＜0.05 and P＜0.01). In 17 cases the body weight was reduced by more than 3 kg.