[Thinking on current treatment situation of acupuncture foe functional defecation disorders].

In order to optimize acupuncture treatment protocol for functional defecation disorders, literature during past 20 years is reviewed, and factors which influences acupuncture therapeutic effect are analyzed from aspects of acupoint, acupuncture technique, etc. As for the selection of acupoint, more attention should be paid on the use of Baliao, especially Zhongliao (BL 33) and Xialiao (BL 34); when Baliao is deeply needled, it is essential to acquire scientific technique. The relationship between acupuncture parameter (including electroacupuncture waveform and frequency), acupuncture techniques (including reinforcing and reducing technique, quantity of stimulation, etc. ) and acupuncture efficacy is complicated, and the scientific values of present research conclusion are in need, of further improvement. The diagnosis and treatment awareness on types of functional defecation should be strengthened, and the mental health of the constipation patients should be concerned. The combination of acupuncture and biofeedback training can have a synergistic effect, which is benefit to achieve a better long-term effect. Based on this, acupuncture treatment protocol for functional defecation disorders can be optimized to further improve the efficacy.

The Effectiveness of Electroacupuncture for Functional Constipation: A Randomized, Controlled, Clinical Trial.

Background. Electroacupuncture (EA) has been reported to treat functional constipation (FC). The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of EA with different needle insertion method for FC. Methods. Sixty-seven participants were randomly assigned to control (EA with shallow puncture) and EA (with deep puncture) groups. Every patient received 5 treatments per week in the first two weeks, then 3 treatments per week during the following six weeks. Complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBM), spontaneous bowel movements (SBM), Bristol stool scores (BSS), and Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (PAC-QOL) were assessed. Results. Both shallow and deep EA significantly increased CSBM frequency compared to the baseline. CSBM was increased from 0.50 ± 0.59/wk to 2.00 ± 1.67/wk with deep EA and from 0.48 ± 0.59/wk to 1.33 ± 1.09/wk with shallow EA (P < 0.05, resp.). Similar finding was noted in SBM. Deep EA was more potent than shallow EA (P < 0.05) during the treatment period. No difference was found on BSS and PAC-QOL between two groups. Conclusion. It is effective and safe with EA to treat FC. Studies with large sample size and long-term observation are needed for further investigation.

[Research and thinking on needling sensation of acupoint Huantiao (GB 30)].

Taken Huantiao (GB 30) as breakthrough point, acupuncture manipulations of generating various needling sensations by different physicians are sorted. Types of acupoint needling sensations and conducting directions after acupuncture and all kinds of factors that affect needling sensations are analyzed from new perspectives. It is considered that attention should be paid to acupoint location, postures of patients, manipulation methods, types of needling sensations, transmission lines and duration time of needling sensations, etc.

[Location of disease: acupoint view from the angle of clinic].

Doctor WANG Zhi-zhong in the Southern Song Dynasty proposed the acupoint view of "location of disease", which explained the connotation of acupoints from the angle of clinic. Its meaning included two levels, one level meant pathological change on the body surface, that was the location of acupuncture diagnosis-treatment, and the other one indicated that the body surface which was the reflecting point of pathological change on the distal area or inside the body was the location of acupuncture diagnosis-treatment. The specific connotations of clinical acupoints were: location of pathogenic factors or reflection of pathogenic factors, regularity between acupoints un- der disease and specific organ, morphological differences and positioning variability after acupoints under disease, and acupoints examination, diagnosis and treatment.