Based on the development of conditions, the etiology and pathogenesis of jingjin (muscle region of meridian) diseases are summarized as 3 stages, i.e. stagnation due to over-exertion at early stage, manifested by tendon-muscle contracture and tenderness; cold condition due to stagnation, interaction of stasis and cold, resulting in clustered nodules at the middle stage; prolonged illness and missed/delayed treatment, leading to tendon-muscle contracture and impairment of joint function at the late stage. It is proposed that the treatment of jingjin diseases should be combined with the characteristic advantages of fire needling and bloodletting technique, on the base of "eliminating stagnation and bloodletting/fire needling". This combined therapy warming yang to resolve stasis and dispels cold to remove nodules, in which, eliminating the stagnation is conductive to the tissue regeneration, and the staging treatment is delivered in terms of the condition development at different phases.
Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Bloodletting ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Muscular Diseases/therapy* ; Humans ; Hot Temperature/therapeutic use* ; Contracture/therapy*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the protective effect and possible mechanisms of bloodletting acupuncture at Jing-well points (BAJP) pre-treatment on acute hypobaric hypoxia (AHH)-induced myocardium injury rat. METHODS: Seventy-five rats were randomly divided into 5 groups by a random number table: a control group (n=15), a model group (n=15), a BAJP group (n=15), a BAJP+3-methyladenine (3-MA) group (n=15), and a BANA (bloodletting at nonacupoint; tail bleeding, n=15) group. Except for the control group, the AHH rat model was established in the other groups, and the corresponding treatment methods were adopted. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CK-MB) and cardiac troponins I (CTnI) levels in serum and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in myocardial tissue. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe myocardial injury, and terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining was used to observe cell apoptosis. Transmission electron microscopy detection was used to observe mitochondrial damage and autophagosomes in the myocardium. The mitochondrial membrane potential of the myocardium was analyzed with the fluorescent dye JC-1. Mitochondrial respiratory chain complex (complex I, III, and IV) activities and ATPase in the myocardium were detected by mitochondrial respiratory chain complex assay kits. Western blot analysis was used to detect the autophagy index and hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/Bcl-2 and adenovirus E1B 19k Da-interacting protein 3 (BNIP3) signaling. RESULTS: BAJP reduced myocardial injury and inhibited myocardial cell apoptosis in AHH rats. BAJP pretreatment decreased MDA levels and increased SOD levels in AHH rats (all P<0.01). Moreover, BAJP pretreatment increased the mitochondrial membrane potential (P<0.01), mitochondrial respiratory chain complex (complexes I, III, and IV) activities (P<0.01), and mitochondrial ATPase activity in AHH rats (P<0.05). The results from electron microscopy demonstrated that BAJP pretreatment improved mitochondrial swelling and increased the autophagosome number in the myocardium of AHH rats. In addition, BAJP pretreatment activated the HIF-1α/BNIP3 pathway and autophagy. Finally, the results of using 3-MA to inhibit autophagy in BAJP-treated AHH rats showed that suppression of autophagy attenuated the treatment effects of BAJP in AHH rats, further proving that autophagy constitutes a potential target for BAJP treatment of AHH. CONCLUSION BAJP is an effective treatment for AHH-induced myocardial injury, and the mechanism might involve increasing HIF-1α/BNIP3 signaling-mediated autophagy and decreasing oxidative stress.
Animals ; Rats ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Altitude ; Apoptosis ; Autophagy ; Bloodletting ; Hypoxia/metabolism* ; Membrane Proteins/pharmacology* ; Mitochondrial Proteins/pharmacology* ; Oxidative Stress ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

The treatment idea for chronic urticaria with acupuncture and moxibustion by "mind-body regulation" is explored in reference with "psychosomatic medicine". Chronic urticaria refers to "mind and body comorbidity" because qi and blood dysfunction and emotional abnormality are presented simultaneously in the disease and affected each other. In clinical diagnosis and treatment, the mutual regulation of mind and body should be considered to improve the curative effect. In treatment with acupuncture and moxibustion, through regulating the mind of brain, heart and zang organs, as well as qi movement, the mental activity is adjusted; through harmonizing the defensive qi and the nutrient blood, eliminating wind and stopping itching, the unhealthy conditions of body are treated. The comprehensive therapy of acupuncture is adopted in combination with moxibustion, bloodletting and auricular point therapy, in which, "regulating the mind" goes through the whole process of treatment, and the doctors and patients are well cooperated to ensure the qi-blood harmonization and the mind-body wellness.
Humans ; Moxibustion ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Bloodletting ; Chronic Urticaria

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of bloodletting at auricular dorsal vein combined with auricular point sticking on menstrual migraine (MM) of qi stagnation and blood stasis, and explore its possible mechanism. METHODS: A total of 102 cases of MM with qi stagnation and blood stasis were randomly divided into an observation group (51 cases, 3 cases dropped off) and a control group (51 cases, 2 cases dropped off). The patients in the observation group were treated with bloodletting at auricular dorsal vein combined with auricular point sticking. The bloodletting was performed at vein at upper 1/3 of the dorsalis near the ear helix; the auricular point sticking was performed at Pizhixia (AT₄), Neifenmi (CO₁₈), Jiaogan (AH_6a), Nie (AT₂), Zhen (AT₃), Shenmen (TF₄) and Yidan (CO₁₁). The auricular points of both ears were alternate used. From 7 days before the onset of menstruation, bloodletting at auricular dorsal vein was given once every 7 days, 3 times were taken as a course of treatment, and 1 course of treatment was given; the auricular point sticking was given once every 3 days, and 6 times of treatment were given. The patients in the control group were treated with oral administration of flunarizine hydrochloride capsules. From 7 days before the onset of menstruation, flunarizine hydrochloride was given 2 capsules per time, once a day for 3 weeks. The menstrual headache index and visual analogue scale (VAS) score of the two groups were observed before treatment, one menstrual cycle into treatment and the first and the second menstrual cycle after treatment; the migraine-specific quality of life questionnaire (MSQ) score and the serum levels of estradiol (E₂) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were compared before treatment and one menstrual cycle into treatment; the clinical efficacy was evaluated at one menstrual cycle into treatment. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the menstrual headache index and VAS scores were reduced at one menstrual cycle into treatment and the first and second menstrual cycle after treatment in the two groups (P<0.05), and those in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.05). Compared before treatment, the MSQ scores and the serum levels of E₂ and 5-HT in the two groups were increased at one menstrual cycle into treatment (P<0.05), and those in the observation group were higher than the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 95.8% (46/48) in the observation group, which was higher than 73.5% (36/49) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Bloodletting at auricular dorsal vein combined with auricular point sticking could relieve headache intensity, improve the quality of life in patients with MM of qi stagnation and blood stasis, which may be achieved by raising the serum levels of E₂ and 5-HT to improve the level of hormone in the body.
Female ; Humans ; Acupuncture, Ear ; Bloodletting ; Serotonin ; Capsules ; Flunarizine ; Qi ; Quality of Life ; Migraine Disorders/drug therapy* ; Headache/therapy* ; Treatment Outcome ; Acupuncture Points

By tracing to the origin of Tibetan medicine, it is known that Tibetan medicine absorbs a variety of medical ideas such as traditional Chinese medicine, Vedic medicine, Persian medicine and Byzantine medicine, and forms a unique theoretical system. The meridian-acupoint system and the characteristics and application of external therapies such as bloodletting and moxibustion in Tibetan medicine are analyzed by elaborating the relevant aspects of acupuncture and moxibustion involved in treatment of diseases listed in Medical Canon in Four Sections. The paper emphasizes the introduction of ironing moxibustion and huo'er moxibustion of fire moxibustion and the application of separation-action decoction and ghee therapy in bloodletting, as well as alternative therapy. Besides, by taking the external treatment of cirrhotic ascites and head trauma as an example, the idea of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy in Tibetan medicine embodied in the Medical Canon in Four Sections is explained so as to benefit the development of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy in Tibetan medicine.
Moxibustion ; Medicine, Tibetan Traditional ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Bloodletting ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of different treatment frequency of auricular bloodletting combined with auricular point sticking for acne vulgaris. METHODS: A total of 90 patients with acne vulgaris were randomized into a treatment group 1 (30 cases, 2 cases dropped off), a treatment group 2 (30 cases, 4 cases dropped off) and a treatment group 3 (30 cases, 5 cases dropped off). Combination therapy of auricular bloodletting and auricular point sticking at Fei (CO₁₄), Shenmen (TF₄), Neifenmi (CO₁₈) and Shenshangxian (TG₂p) were given once a week, twice a week and 3 times a week in the treatment group 1, the treatment group 2 and the treatment group 3 respectively, 4 weeks were as one course and totally 3 courses were required in the 3 groups. Before treatment and after 1, 2, 3 courses of treatment, the scores of global acne grading system (GAGS), skin lesion and quality of life-acne (QoL-Acne) were observed, the clinical efficacy was evaluated after 3 courses of treatment and the recurrence rate was evaluated in follow-up of 1 month after treatment in the 3 groups. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the scores of GAGS and skin lesion were decreased at each time point in the 3 groups (P<0.05), the QoL-Acne scores were increased after 1 course of treatment in the treatment group 3 and after 2, 3 courses of treatment in the 3 groups (P<0.05). There were no statistical differences in scores of GAGS, skin lesion and QoL-Acne among the 3 groups (P>0.05). There were no statistical differences in effective rate and recurrence rate among the 3 groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Different frequency of auricular bloodletting combined with auricular point sticking have similar efficacy in treating acne vulgaris, all can improve the skin lesion and quality of life in patients with acne vulgaris, and have a cumulative effect and good long-term curative effect.
Acne Vulgaris/therapy* ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture, Ear ; Bloodletting ; Humans ; Quality of Life ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical therapeutic effect and the impacts on recurrence rate on chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) between the combined treatment of bloodletting therapy and auricular point sticking on the base of xuanfu theory and the oral solution of levocetirizine hydrochloride. METHODS: A total of 86 patients with CSU were randomized into an observation group (43 cases, 1 case dropped off) and a control group (43 cases, 3 cases dropped off). In the observation group, bloodletting therapy at Dazhui (GV 14), Feishu (BL 13), Geshu (BL 17) and Pishu (BL 20) was combined with auricular point sticking at lung (CO₁₄), kidney (CO₁₀), shenmen (TF₄) and heart (CO₁₅), etc. This combined treatment was given once every two days. In the control group, the oral solution of levocetirizine hydrochloride was prescribed, 10 mL each time, once daily. The treatment lasted for 4 weeks in the two groups. Before and after treatment, urticaria activity score 7 (UAS7), the score of dermatology life quality index (DLQI) and the levels of serum immune globulin E (IgE), interleukin 4 (IL-4) and interferon γ (IFN-γ) were compared in the patients between the two groups. The clinical therapeutic effect was evaluated in patients of the two groups and the recurrence rate was followed up 4, 8 and 12 weeks after treatment separately. RESULTS: After treatment, the scores of UAS7 and DLQI, as well as the levels of serum IgE and IL-4 were all reduced as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05), and the level of serum IFN-γ was increased (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 83.3% (35/42) in the observation group and was 85.0% (34/40) in the control group. There was no statistical significance for the difference in the clinical therapeutic effect between the two groups (P>0.05). Eight and 12 weeks after treatment, the recurrence rates were 21.1% (4/19) and 26.3% (5/19) in the observation group, lower than 55.0% (11/20) and 65.0% (13/20) in the control group, respectively (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The combined therapy of bloodletting and auricular point sticking on the base of xuanfu theory relieves the clinical symptoms, regulates the levels of serum IgE, IL-4 and IFN-γ and improves the quality of life in the patients with CSU. The clinical therapeutic effect of this combined treatment is similar to the oral solution of levocetirizine hydrochloride. But, the recurrence rate of the combined treatment of bloodletting and auricular point sticking is lower and its long-term curative effect is better.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture, Ear ; Bloodletting ; Chronic Urticaria ; Humans ; Quality of Life ; Treatment Outcome

The clinical experience of He's three-clear method by stages for herpes zoster on the head and face is summarized. The strong-clear method (blood-letting therapy) combined with mild-clear method (acupuncture with filiform needle) are applied for the acute pain period and subacute pain period of herpes zoster on the head and face. For acute pain period, the bleeding volume should be large (more than 10 mL), and treatment is given once every other day; for the subacute pain period, the bleeding volume should be 5-10 mL, and treatment is given 2-3 times a week. In the chronic pain period, the fire needle of the warm-clear method combined with mild-clear method (acupuncture with filiform needle) are applied for the syndrome of qi-stagnation and blood-stasis, while the warm acupuncture of the warm-clear method combined with mild-clear method (acupuncture with filiform needle) ware applied for the syndrome of qi-deficiency yin-injury blood-stasis.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Acute Pain ; Bloodletting ; Herpes Zoster/therapy* ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Needles

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of auricular acupoint bloodletting (AB) and auricular acupressure (AA) on sleep quality and the levels of melatonin (MT), glutamic acid (Glu), and γ -aminobutyric acid (GABA) in college students with primary insomnia, and to explore the possible mechanism. METHODS: Totally 74 college students at Hebei University of Chinese Medicine with primary insomnia were selected from October 2019 to October 2020. All patients were assigned to AB+AA group (37 cases, received combination of AB and AA) and AA group (37 cases, received only AA on the same acupoints) by a random number table. Each group was treated twice a week for 4 weeks. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score, Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome score, total effective rate, serum concentrations of MT, Glu, and GABA, and Glu/GABA ratio were compared between the two groups after treatment and at follow-up. The safety of therapy was also evaluated. RESULTS: After 4-week treatment, the total scores of PSQI, each PSQI component score, and the CM syndrome scores in both groups all decreased (P<0.05); the serum MT concentrations in both groups all increased (P<0.05). The concentrations of Glu and GABA in the AB+AA group were significantly higher than those in the AA group after treatment (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the ratio of Glu/GABA in both groups before and after treatment (P>0.05). At follow-up, the CM syndrome score in the AB+AA group was significantly lower than that in the AA group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in total effective rates and adverse events (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Both AB+AA and AA can relieve insomnia symptoms, but a stronger long-term effect were observed for AB+AA. AB+AA can promote the secretion of MT, increase the levels of Glu and GABA more effective than AA, and regulate their imbalance, and thus it may be benificial for treating insomnia.
Humans ; Acupressure ; Acupuncture Points ; Bloodletting ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/therapy* ; Sleep Quality ; Syndrome ; Students ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid

Professor
Acupuncture ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Bloodletting ; Humans ; Needles ; Stroke/therapy*