[Triple needling combined with thermo-electroacupuncture at Huantiao (GB 30) for trunk-sciatica].

OBJECTIVE: To compared the clinical effect between triple needling combined with thermo-electroacupuncture at Huantiao (GB 30) and triple needling combined with electroacupuncture at Huantiao (GB 30) for trunk-sciatica. METHODS: A total of 56 patients with trunk-sciatica were randomized into a triple needling combined with thermo-electroacupuncture group and a triple needling combined with electroacupuncture group, 28 cases in each group. In the triple needling combined with thermo-electroacupuncture group, triple needling combined with thermo-electroacupuncture at Huantiao (GB 30) was applied. In the triple needling combined with electroacupuncture group, triple needling combined with electroacupuncture at Huantiao (GB 30) was applied. Both groups were treated with acupuncture at Weizhong (BL 40), Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Chengshan (BL 57). The treatment was given once every 2 days, 10 days as one course for 2 courses. Before treatment, 1, 2 courses into treatment, the scores of pain rating index (PRI), pain visual analogue scale (VAS) and present pain intensity (PPI) were observed, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated in the two groups. RESULTS: The PRI, VAS and PPI scores 1, 2 courses into treatment were decreased in the two groups (P<0.01, P<0.05), and those 2 courses into treatment were lower than 1 course into treatment (P<0.01). The variation of PRI, VAS and PPI scores in the triple needling combined with thermo-electroacupuncture group was larger than the triple needling combined with electroacupuncture group (P<0.01). The total effective rate was 92.9% (26/28) in the triple needling combined with thermo-electroacupuncture group, which was higher than 78.6% (22/28) in the triple needling combined with electroacupuncture group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Triple needling combined with thermo-electroacupuncture at Huantiao (GB 30) could effectively relieve pain in patients with trunk-sciatica, and the curative effect maybe better than triple needling combined with electroacupuncture at Huantiao (GB 30).

[Efficacy on primary trigeminal neuralgia treated with triple puncture technique and electroacupuncture at trigger points].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy on primary trigeminal neuralgia between the combined therapy of electroacupuncture and triple puncture and the routine electroacupuncture therapy. METHODS: Thirty-six patients of primary trigeminal neuralgia were randomly assigned into an electroacupuncture and triple puncture group (group A) and a routine electroacupuncture group (group B), 18 cases in each one. In the group A, the triple puncture technique was used at the trigger points (the positive reactive points to trigger facial pain) and stimulated with electricity. In the group B, the regular needling technique was used at the trigger points, stimulated with electricity. The treatment was given once every two days, the treatment for 10 days made one session and two sessions were required. Separately, before treatment, at the end of the first session of treatment and at the end of the second session, the score of comprehensive symptoms, the score of visual analogue scale (VAS) and the cli-nical efficacy were evaluated in the two groups. RESULTS: Compared with those before treatment, the comprehensive symptom score and VAS score were all reduced after treatment in the two groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). The scores were reduced much more apparently in the group A as compared with those in the group B (both P<0.01). The curative and remarkably effective rate was 44.4% (8/18) and the total effective rate was 88.9% (16/18) in the group A, better than 27.8% (5/18) and 66.7% (12/18) in the group B respectively (both P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The combined therapy of triple puncture and electroacupuncture at trigger points achieves the better efficacy on primary trigeminal neuralgia as compared with the routine electroacupuncture therapy.

[Research status of the effect mechanism on catgut-point embedding therapy].

This paper aims to review the research status of the effect mechanism of catgut-embedding therapy. The literature was retrieved from China Academic Journal Network Publishing Database with the keywords as "catgut-point embedding" "embedding", dated from the database establishment to December 2015. Totally, over 5 000 papers had been collected. It was summarized that TCM effect mechanism of catgut-point embedding therapy includes the effects of needle retaining and embedding, harmonizing yin and yang, balancing zangfu organs, promoting meridian qi, regulating qi and blood, tonifying for the deficiency and reducing for the excess, strengthening the antipathogenic qi and eliminating pathogens. From the point of view of western medicine, the effect mechanism of catgut-embedding therapy refers to recovering nerve function, regulating neural reflex, increasing human immunity, improving local circulation, inhibiting the release of inflammatory factors, reducing apoptosis, regulating cellular factor and improving body metabolism. It was found that the effects of catgut-embedding therapy were not only related to the effects induced by common acupuncture, but also to the persistent treatment through prolonged stimulation duration, especially in the treatment of chronic diseases with many systems involved. This therapy reduces or complements to the use of western medicine to certain extent. However, the longitude theoretic study on the catgut-embedding therapy is limited; the specific statement is less predominant and the clinical controlled trial is insufficient at present. Hence, further studies are requested.