Therapeutic observation of 'warming-unblocking needling technique' for knee osteoarthritis due to deficiency of liver and kidney / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

ABSTRACT

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy between 'warming-unblocking needling technique' and reinforcing method by twirling in treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA) due to deficiency of liver and kidney. Methods: A total of 72 patients with KOA were divided into a warming-unblocking group and a reinforcing group by complete randomized method, with 36 cases in each group. Xuehai (SP 10), Heding (EX-LE 2), Liangqiu (ST 34), Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), Xizhong (Extra), Dubi (ST 35), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Zusanli (ST 36) and Yanglingquan (GB 34) were the main points in both groups. Taichong (LR 3), Taixi (KI 3) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were the combined points. 'Warming-unblocking needling technique' was applied in the warming-unblocking group, and reinforcing method by twirling was applied in the reinforcing group. The treatments were performed once a day, 10 times as a treatment course, at a 2-day interval between two courses, for 3 courses in total. The scores of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) in the two groups were observed before and after the treatment, and the clinical efficacy was compared. Results: After treatment, the total effective rate was 94.3％ in the warming-unblocking group and 87.9％ in the reinforcing group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). The component scores of pain, stiffness and daily activities in WOMAC and total WOMAC scores in both groups decreased after treatment (all P<0.01). The component and total WOMAC scores in the warming-unblocking group were lower than those in the reinforcing group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion:'Warming-unblocking needling technique' has significant efficacy than reinforcing method by twirling in treating KOA due to deficiency of liver and kidney. It can significantly improve pain, stiffness and daily functional activities of patients.