No abstract available.
Acupuncture*

No abstract available.
Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of the oldest and most commonly used complementary medical procedures in the World. Although it is not free from side effects, its use is becoming increasingly popular. The aims of this study were to describe the demographic characteristics of acupuncture users in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and their knowledge, attitude and experience regarding acupuncture, as well as to determine the common complaints for which patients seek help from acupuncture centers. A cross sectional study, which targeted patients who attended acupuncture centers in Riyadh city during the study’s period. Most of the study participants were 21-40 years of age and about two third of them were males. The most common complaints that lead to acupuncture visits were joint pain (22.4%) and headache (18.6%). Dissatisfaction with medical treatment and side effects of medications were the major reasons, which led patients to seek cure from acupuncture therapy. About 65% of the patients heard of acupuncture from their families and friends. Pain sensation from needle puncture was the most noticed side effect (15.8%). Twenty-two patients completed treatment during the study period and out of those, twenty one patients claimed that they were successfully treated. The practice of acupuncture in Saudi Arabia is not well established. Pain seems to be the most common symptom that guides patients to attend acupuncture centers. There is need for education related to the appropriate use of acupuncture in Saudi Arabia. (JUMMEC 2010; 13(2): 93-101)
Acupuncture

No abstract available.
Acupuncture

Bidirectional regulation is one of the key function of acupuncture. The stimulator, mediator and receptor are the basis while the specificity of acupoints and the multi-target regulation of receptors receiving stimulation signals are the essential link of the bidirectional regulation of acupuncture. The possible mechanisms of bidirectional regulation of acupuncture are discussed in 4 aspects, i.e. homeostasis mechanism, stress reaction, central adaptive regulation and autonomic nerve regulation. Knowing the limitations of bidirectional regulation and exploring suitable researchmethods are proposed to be the key points in future researches.
Acupuncture ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy

Acupuncture ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans

Acupoint is the initial response site of acupuncture stimulus and also the source link of the effect onset of acupuncture. Acupuncture is a mechanical physical stimulus. How is the mechanical force of acupuncture transduced into neuroelectrical and biochemical signals at acupoint? How does the physiochemical information of acupoint launch acupuncture effect? All of these remain the common and crucial questions in the study of acupuncture effect mechanism. Physical changes are induced in the local tissue of acupoint by needling techniques, such as the deformation and displacement of muscle fibers, which may act on the nerve ending receptors and produce electroneurographic signals. Besides, these changes may activate the mechanosensitive ion channels of the cytomembrane in acupoint site. Through cellular signal transduction, the physical signals may be transformed into chemical ones to trigger the physiochemical coupling response of acupoint microenvironment. Eventually, acupuncture effect is generated via nerves and body fluids. "The mechanical force of acupuncture", through "the physiochemical transduction", promotes the body's perception and transmits acupuncture signals. It suggests that acupoint is the "transducer" in the physiochemical information coupling response of acupuncture.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture Points

The clinical questions of acupuncture-moxibustion (Acup-Mox) guidelines are complicated, including not only the curative effect of Acup-Mox intervention measures, but also the operational elements of Acup-Mox. This paper aimed to put forward the idea and process of collecting clinical questions in developing international acupuncture clinical practice guidelines. The experience was collected and the idea of collecting clinical questions of Acup-Mox was formed through expert consultation and discussion in combination with expert opinions. Based on the characteristics of Acup-Mox discipline. This paper put forward the thinking of collecting elements of clinical questions following the intervention-population-outcome-control (I-P-O-C) inquiry process, according to the discipline of Acup-Mox. It was emphasized that in the process of collecting clinical questions, "treatable population" and "alleviable outcome indicators" for a specific Acup-Mox intervention with certain therapeutic effect should be focused on, so as to highlight the pertinence of clinical questions of Acup-Mox guidelines in terms of population and outcome elements.
Moxibustion ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture

The needle-thread integrative embedding needle consists of needle handle, needle core, thread, locker and needle guard. The thread is fixed in the core by the locker. With the needle inserted into acupoint, the locker is separated from the thread, while the thread is embedded directly into acupoint, to achieve one acupoint with one needle. This type of thread embedding needle is operated simply and safely without cross infection occurrence, easy to carry.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture Points

OBJECTIVETo explore double regulative and therapeutic actions of acupoints, and clinically exert and use these actions.

METHODSDiscuss functions of points, reinforcing and reducing amount of reinforcing and reducing manipulation, combination of acupoints, and application of prescription of acupoints.

CONCLUSIONThe double regulative and therapeutic actions of acupoints are carried out by means of different acupuncture reinforcing and reducing manipulation under different pathological states of the organism.