Objective: To observe the clinical effect of treating lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion by needling the points on both sides of the impaired lumbar vertebrae. Methods: One hundred and eighty cases of lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion were randomly divided into three groups, treatment group, control group of acupuncture and control group of western medicine, with 60 cases in each group. The therapeutic effects were compared after 20-day treatments. Result: The effective rate was 96.7% in the treatment group, 80.0% in the acupuncture group, and 81.7% in the Western medicine group. There was a statistically significant difference between the treatment group and two control groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: It is an effective therapy to treat lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion by puncturing the acupuncture points on both sides of the impaired lumbar vertebrae.

Objective:To observe the therapeutical effect of using the paste of Wu Zhu Yu(Fructus Evodia)for acupoint sticking combined with toniflying kidney,to treat the recurrent aphthous ulcer.Methods:Thirty-six cases of reccurent aphthous ulcer due to kidney dificiency were treated with Wu Zhu Yu(Fructus Evodia)paste applying to Yongquan(KI 1),and orally taking Liu Wei Di Huang Pill.Ten treatments made up one course,2-3 d of interval between 2 courses.Then 1-year follow-up was made.Results:Twenty cases were cured,12 cases improved,4 cases failed.Conclusion:The method of using Wu Zhu Yu(Fructus Evodia)paste applying to acupoint Yongquan(KI 1),integrated with the manipulation of strengthening kidney,can effectively shorten the duration of disease,improve the symptoms,and control recurrency,which is good for this disease.

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of scalp acupuncture plus speech rehabilitation in treating Broca's aphasia after cerebral stroke, for providing novel evidences for the treatment. Methods:Ninety-one eligible patients with Broca's aphasia after cerebral stroke were randomized into an observation group and a control group. Forty-six cases in the observation group were intervened by scalp acupuncture plus speech rehabilitation, while 45 cases in the control group were treated by speech rehabilitation alone. The aphasia battery of Chinese (ABC) and Boston diagnostic aphasia examination (BDAE) were adopted to evaluate the clinical efficacy. Results:After the treatment, the scores of oral expression, reading and writing and global score in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (allP<0.05). There was a significant difference in comparing the BDAE grading between the two groups after the treatment (P<0.05). After intervention, the basically-recovered plus markedly-effective rate was 45.7% in the observation group versus 24.4% in the control group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion:Scalp acupuncture plus speech rehabilitation is effective in treating Broca's aphasia after cerebral stroke, and worth promoting.

Objective: To observe the effects of Tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage) combined with graded motor imagery (GMI) on the upper-limb motor function and quality of life (QOL) in patients with poststroke hemiplegia.Methods: A total of 216 patients with hemiplegia caused by stroke were randomized into two groups by tossing a coin, with 108 cases in each group. The control group was treated with GMI, and the observation group was given additional Tuina treatment for four weeks in total. Before and after the treatment, the Fugl-Meyer assessment for upper extremity (FMA-UE), supper-limb/hand Brunnstrom staging, box and block test (BBT) for hand, co-contraction ratio (CR) of the upper-limb muscles, visual analog scale (VAS) for shoulder pain, modified Ashworth scale (MAS), modified Barthel index (MBI), and short-form 36-item health survey (SF-36) were adopted for observation of the two groups. Results: After the treatment, the scores of FMA-UE, upper-limb/hand Brunnstrom staging, hand BBT, MBI, and SF-36 increased (P<0.05), and the CR of biceps brachii at flexion, the CR of triceps brachii at extension, and the scores of VAS and MAS decreased in both groups (P<0.05). The scores of FMA-UE, upper-limb/hand Brunnstrom staging, and hand BBT were higher in the observation group than in the control group after the intervention (P<0.05); the CR of biceps brachii at flexion and the CR of triceps brachii at extension were lower in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). After the treatment, the scores of MBI and SF-36 were higher in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05), and the scores of VAS and MAS were lower in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Tuina combined with GMI can produce more significant effects in improving the upper-limb motor function and QOL in patients with hemiplegia after stroke.

Objective:To observe the therapeutic effects of auricular point sticking in managing functional dyspepsia.Methods:Seventy patients with functional dyspepsia were randomly divided into two groups,with 35 patients in the treatment group receiving auricular point sticking therapy,and the other 35 patients in the control group managed by taking Domperidone orally.The therapeutic effects were evaluated 4 weeks later.Result:The total effective rate was 85.7% in the treatment group and82.9% in the control group.Although the difference of the total effective rate between the two groups was not significant,the treatment group was superior to the control group in the improvement of several symptoms(P<0.05).Conclusion:Auricular point sticking therapy is effective in treatment of functional dyspepsia,and compared to Domperidone,it is better in managing gastric pain,abdominal bloating,and belching.

Objective: To discuss the safety issues of moxibustion therapy in view of moxibustion materials. Methods: The analyses and assessment were performed based on the survey carried out on the use of moxa, modem and ancient records, modern studies, and clinical applications. Results:Moxa has been used as both a medicine and a food for a long history in China. Regarding moxibustion specifically, moxa has been proven to be the optimum choice for moxibustion therapy,through practices and experiments by doctors from different generations. No records have shown any side- or adverse-effects of moxa applied in moxibustion therapy. Conclusion: Moxa has been used in multiple ways for several thousands of years by Chinese people. As the main material for moxibustion therapy, its safety has been proven by documents and clinical practices.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical effect of auricular sticking therapy in treating vascular headache. Methods: Fifty patients with vascular headache were randomized into two groups, 25 cases in each. The treatment group received auricular sticking therapy with magnetic pearls, and the control group was treated by Flunarizine Hydrochloride, 30 d as a treatment session, and the results were measured after one treatment session. Result: The total effective rate was 92.0% in the treatment group while 60.0% in the control group, and the difference was significant (P<0.01). A marked decrease of blood pressure was detected in the treatment group (P<0.05). The mean velocity in middle cerebral artery and anterior cerebral artery both changed significantly (P<0.01). Conclusion: Auricular sticking therapy can significantly improve the condition of vascular headache, as well as reduce blood pressure and help cerebral blood flow.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical effect of acupuncture in managing thalamic pain syndrome. Methods: Eighty patients with thalamic pain syndrome were randomly allocated into two groups, with 40 cases in the treatment group receiving combined scalp and body acupuncture treatment and 40 cases in the control group receiving single body acupuncture treatment. The intervention was given for 28 d in total, and the effects were evaluated after 14-day and 28-day treatments. Results: The inner-group comparison of McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) showed significant differences after the treatment d 14 in both of the two groups (P<0.05), and after the treatment d 28, the differences were even more significant (P<0.01). After 28-day treatment, compared with pre-treatment, the Transcranial Doppler (TCD) test detected significant changes in the two groups (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 72.5% in the treatment group versus 47.5% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The 3-month follow-up study found the relapse rate was 0 in the treatment group and 15.8% in the control group, and the difference was significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture is effective in treating thalamic pain syndrome and combined scalp and body acupuncture can achieve even better results.

Objective: To review literature from 1954 to 2007 and explore the regularity of point selection and methods for acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of cerebral palsy. Methods: A comprehensive analysis was made by a method of metrological analysis according to the data from China Modern Acupuncture-moxibustion Information Databank. Results: Points Zusanli (ST 36),Quchi (LI 11) and Hegu (LI 4) were most frequently used. Head points Baihui (GV 20) and Sishencong (Ex-HN 1) were also frequently used. Acupuncture, scalp acupuncture and acupuncture point injection were the major treatments. Conclusion: Acupuncture intervention can improve the therapeutic effect on cerebral palsy. It is suggested that Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (Ex-HN 1),Zusanli (ST 36), Quchi (LI 11) and Hegu (LI 4) be selected as a basic prescription for acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of cerebral palsy.

Objective: This study was to observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture in the treatment of diabetic gastroparesis.Methods: Ninety patients with diabetic gastroparesis were randomly allocated into 2 groups,a treatment group(45 subjects)to receive acupuncture treatment,and a control group(45 subjects)to take domperidone tablet.Results: Four treatment courses later,the total effective rate was 91.1% in the treatment group and 64.4% in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion: The diabetic gastroparesis responds well to acupuncture treatment.