[Introduction] We report our experience with a patient with panic disorder (PD) , which suggests the importance of building a trusting relationship between the patient and the acupuncturist.[Case] A 69-year-old woman with PD presented to our acupuncture clinic with anxiety and difficulty breathing. Her symptoms appeared six months prior, and later, she presented to the emergency department of A Hospital with dyspnea and nausea. Shehad a significant medical history of RLS and rheumatoid arthritis. She was diagnosed with PD at the Department of Oriental Medicine of the same hospital. Her symptoms improved with herbal remedies; however, anxiety and difficulty breathing persisted. Her symptoms at the first acupuncture visit were dyspnea, chest tightness, and anxiety regarding seizures that occurred once or twice a week. She also experienced insomnia and nocturnal hot flashes in her legs. She had no panic attacks or prevailing anxiety, and her neurological and cardiovascular parameters were normal. During the treatment period of 91 days, 14 acupuncture and moxibustion treatments were performed once a week. GV20, PC6, HT7, ST36, SP6, LV3, GB20, BL13, BL15, LI4, BL23, and BL33 were used for mood symptoms, and KI9, BL57, and KI3 were used for toe symptoms. After the second visit, BL10, GB21, and SL14 were performed for neck and shoulder symptoms, and Ex-LE10 and plantar nerve acupuncture were performed for coldness in the lower extremities. Moxibustion was applied to SP6, KI3, and LV3.[Course] After the initiation of acupuncture, anxiety and difficulty breathing were almost resolved by the second treatment session; however, insomnia and hot flashes in the lower extremities worsened in the seventh round of treatment. The patient had also hoped for the resolution of the insomnia-related symptoms using acupuncture. However, since acupuncture was ineffective, we explained the need for specialized treatment and referred her case to a psychiatrist. She was diagnosed with restless leg syndrome, and treatment was initiated using pramipexole, which improved hersymptoms.[Discussion] In this case, acupuncture and moxibustion treatment were effective for the symptoms associated with panic disorder. Additionally, the importance of providing opportunities for appropriate medical consultations as needed was demonstrated.

Objective: Neck pain is a very common complaint in the general population. However, little is known about the characteristics of this complaint. The aim of this study was to clarify the psychological and physical characteristics of neck pain. Method: The subjects were 13 adult men with complaints of neck pain (NP group, mean age 20.2±0.7 years) and 10 healthy volunteers (CON group, mean age 21.2±1.5 years). This study used findings of neck tenderness and muscle stiffness for evaluation of neck pain, and employed the visual analog scale (VAS) to record the subjects’ assessment of their pain. State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), MOS 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), VAS for evaluation of perceived stress, and measurements of salivary cortisol density levels were utilized to measure stress. The salivary cortisol density was measured by the enzyme immunity method of measurement (the ELISA method). In addition, saliva samples were collected between 9 AM to 10 AM. Results: The mean VAS score for neck pain in the NP group was 56.9±17.3. There was no significant difference in muscle stiffness between the groups. Tenderness of the upper trapezius fibers and right splenius capitis muscle were significantly higher in the NP group (p<0.05). The VAS score of perceived stress and the state anxiety of STAI were significantly higher in the NP group (p<0.05). The SF-36 score was significantly lower in the CON group (p<0.05). The trait anxiety of STAI and the salivary cortisol density were not significantly different. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the salivary cortisol density levels between the two groups. The degrees of perceived stress and uneasiness were reported as higher in the NP group, while the degrees of psychological and physical health were lower. These findings suggest the role of psychosociological factors in neck pain.

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the awareness and perceptions of cosmetic acupuncture among ordinary women.[Method] A questionnaire method was adopted, with a target population of 1,000 ordinary women living in Shizuoka prefecture, which is considered a suitable location for test marketing in Japan.Questionnaires were distributed through the Chambers of Commerce in the prefecture by age group, according to the population ratio, and responses were obtained. The items included (1) basic information; (2) presence and type of facial cosmetic concerns; (3) experience of acupuncture, awareness of cosmetic acupuncture, the medium through which they learned of it, perception of effects, and experience of cosmetic acupuncture; (4) effects and types of cosmetic acupuncture, presence or absence of adverse effects, current treatment status, desired treatment outcomes and reasons for seeking treatment, wishes from treatment clinics, and wishes from practitioners; and (5) 1 month's investment in beauty.[Result] The response rate was 56.2%, and 91.8% of the participants perceived that they had facial cosmetic concerns; 28.8% had experience with acupuncture, whereas 42.0% had knowledge regarding cosmetic acupuncture. Television (45.3%) was the primary source of information regarding this. The most prevalent perception of the effects of cosmetic acupuncture was lifting (44.8%), and 43.2% of the 521 participants inexperienced with cosmetic acupuncture consented to treatment. Participants mostly reported being somewhat interested in the procedure as their reason for wanting to receive treatment (45.3%). The most common reason for opting out of treatment was due to pain (52.6%). Of those who experienced cosmetic acupuncture, 60.0% said they experienced positive effects, and lifting (62.5%) is the most frequently perceived outcome, which matched the commonly held perception. However, among the participants, 45.0% reported negative effects, while 47.5% received the treatment two or more times in the past but did not continue. Participants mainly wanted clean treatment centers and skilled practitioners. The most common monthly investment in beauty was between 3,000 yen and 5,000 yen (28.5%).[Discussion/Conclusion] The results suggest that many women have cosmetic concerns regarding their faces and expect lifting from cosmetic acupuncture. The low treatment rate among women and their reasons for not seeking re-treatment were elucidated in this study, despite their degree of awareness. Further, the problems associated with the development of cosmetic acupuncture were clarified.