OBJECTIVETo explore mechanisms, operating principle, indications and contraindications of cupping therapy.

METHODSAnalyze some examples of clinically erroneous application of cupping therapy.

RESULTSErroneous application of cupping therapy for the patient of deficiency syndrome has a poor therapeutic effect, even exacerbates.

CONCLUSIONClinically, application ranges of cupping therapy should be definited.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Health Personnel ; Humans ; Syndrome

OBJECTIVETo explore the development state of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy in the world.

METHODSRetrieve and analyze the literatures about clinically treating low back pain with acupuncture and moxibustion published at periodicals included by SCI in recent 5 years in Pubmed.

RESULTSNineteen concerned literatures were retrieved. Authors of the literatures come from USA, Germany, Hong Kong of China, UK (including Northern Ireland) , Austria, Sweden and Italy. The literatures were published at Altern Ther Health Med, Am J Phys Med Rehabil, Anesth Analg, Arch Intern Med, Forsch Komplementärmed Klass Naturheilkd, Health Technol Assess, Rheumatology (Oxford), South Med J, Spine, Complment Ther Med, Pain. Three researches show that efficacy of acupuncture is uncertain. Other researches support the efficacy of acupuncture. The researches on treating low back pain with acupuncture and moxibustion are still mainly about efficacy of the acupuncture and moxibustion therapy.

CONCLUSIONThe acupuncture and moxibustion therapy is still in the process of gradually admitted by international medicine.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; therapy ; Moxibustion ; Periodicals as Topic ; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation

OBJECTIVETo study the origin, basis and application of the Ziwu Duichong Qixue Huzhu theory.

METHODSAnalyze internal relation of every pair of gua among the 12 Xiao-Xi-Gua in The Yijing, in combination with clinical examples.

RESULTSThis theory is used for meridian diagnosis and acupoint selection with the best therapeutic effects.

CONCLUSIONZiwu Duichong Qixue Huzhu theory is a complement for qi and blood circulation in the 12 meridians. And it can broaden thinking of clinical treatment.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Meridians

OBJECTIVETo search for the best program increasing clinical therapeutic effect on vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI) and to study the mechanism.

METHODSThe patients were randomly divided into an acupuncture plus massage group, an acupuncture group and a massage group. Their therapeutic effects were observed and compared. And transcranial Doppler (TCD) was used for detection of systolic flow velocity (Vs), enddiastolic peak flow velocity (Vd), mean peak flow (Vm) and pulsatility index (PI) before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe cured rate and the total effective rate in the acupuncture plus massage group were significantly higher than the acupuncture group and the massage group (P < 0.05). And there were significant differences in Vm, PI and DI in the left vertebral artery (LVA), the right vertebral artery (RVA) and the basilar artery (BA) before and after treatment (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture combined with massage can improve Vm, PI, DI of VA-BA and the clinical therapeutic effect on VBI as well. It is superior to the simple acupuncture therapy and simple massage therapy. At present, it is one of the best therapy for VBI.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Basilar Artery ; Humans ; Massage ; Vertebral Artery ; Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency ; therapy