Clinical Observations on Coiling-dragon Warm Needling at Huatuo Jiaji Points as Main Treatment for Ankylosing Spondylitis / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy of coiling-dragon warm needling atHuatuo jiaji points plus Chinese herbal fumigation in treating ankylosing spondylitis (AS).MethodEighty AS patients were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 40 cases each. The treatment group received coiling-dragon warm needling at Huatuo jiaji points plus Chinese herbal fumigation and the control group, oral administration of salicylazosulfapyridine (SASP). An investigation was made of the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), the patients’ overall assessment, the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), the total number of swollen joints, the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Measurement Index (BASMI) and laboratory inflammatory indices: erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), platelet (PLT) and C reactive protein (CRP).ResultThere was a statistically significant difference in the marked efficacy rate between the two groups (P<0.05). Clinical indices: disease activity index and functional index and laboratory indices: ESR, PLT and CRP improved somewhat inboth groups of patients after treatment (P<0.05). After two courses of treatment, the therapeutic effect was better in the treatment group and there was a statistically significant difference compared with the control group (P<0.05).ConclusionCoiling-dragon warm needling at Huatuo jiaji points plus Chinese herbal fumigation can effectively relieve the clinical symptoms and reduce inflammatory reactions in the active stage in AS patients. It is an effective way to treat AS.