This study examined the association of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) with chronic low back pain (CLBP) in older adults. Cross-sectional data were collected from 715 elders aged 65 years and over living in Dazaifu, Japan. CLBP was defined as pain that sustains more than 1-3 months within the past year. PA and SB were objectively measured using a triaxial accelerometer (Omron Healthcare, Active style Pro (HJA 350IT)). Participants were categorized into four groups (2 groups of PA×2 groups of SB) according to their levels of PA and SB (divided into 2 levels; low and high levels around the median). Logistic regression analysis was used to examine effect of PA/SB with CLBP. In the analyses, sex, age, body mass index, smoking, educational attainment, falls, handgrip strength, knee pain and non-locomotive activities were treated as potential confounders. The prevalence of CLBP was 35%. After adjustment of confounding factors, significantly higher risk of CLBP was shown only in Low PA/High SB group (odds ratio : 1.66, 95% confidence interval : 1.02-2.70), compared with that of the reference group (High PA/Low SB group). These results suggest that the combination of low PA and high SB might be the risk of CLBP. Future studies should try to clarify whether CLBP is a cause or a consequence of inactivity.

A patient with uterine cervical cancer underwent radical operation and radiotherapy in 1956 and subsequently began to suffer from impaired bowel movements. For the next 40 years, a large amount of cathartics was used to induce defecation, a urination was induced by applying abdominal pressure, but a large volume of urine remained. In this patient, the effects of acupuncture treatment were evaluated using the vesical residual urine volume as measured by abdominal ultrasonography. After acupuncture treatment, defecation became easily, and the amount of cathartics could be reduced. Simultaneously, spontaneous urination became possible, and residual urine disappeared.

We studied the effect of acupuncture on a case of neurogenic impotence caused by surgery for ano-rectal cancer. Acupuncture needles (length: 60mm, diameter: 0.3mm) were inserted into bilateral Zhongliao (BL33) and were stimulated erectrically or rotated manually for 10 minutes. The effectiveness of acupuncture was evaluated by IMP DIARY, which was consisted of the rate of increase on Erectometer, and the changes of the subjective symptoms. We also investigated the effects of acupuncture stimulation on microcirculation of the glans penis. After the treatmeent, IMP DIARY showed improvement of nocturnal penile tumescence, morning erection and erection by masturbation. The microcirculation at the glans penis was increased significantly immediately after acupuncture therapy. From these results, acupuncture treatment to the BL-33 points for neurogenic impotence after surgery for ano-rectal cancer was considered to be useful.

For the purpose to increase peripheral blood flow of lower leg, low frequency electrical acupuncture was applied to the various meridian points such as Ciliao (B-32), Sanyinjiao (Sp-6), Xuehai (Sp-10), Zusanli (S-36), Jiexi (S-41) and Xuanzhong (G-39) on the patients of Burger's disease and intractable ulcer of lower leg. Peripheral blood flow was measu ed by a laser doppler flow meter. The results show that blood circulation of lower legs was increased by electrical acupuncture stimulation on bilateral Ciliao more than the other points and it was suggested that electrical acupuncture for bilateral Ciliao was helpful adjuncts to the treatment of ischemic disease such as Burger's disease and intractable ulcer.