Study on
Angle and Depth of Needle Insertion at Zusanli (ST 36)
Lou XF, et al. Department of Anatomy, Wenzhou Medical College, Zhejiang 325035,
China. wylxf@wzmc.net
OBJECTIVE: To provide an appropriate angle and depth of needle insertion in
acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) and avoid injuring the nerve and blood vessel and
exert the most effect. METHODS: Eighty adult lower-limb samples were used to
dissect and observe the relative layered structures and adjoining important
nerves and blood vessels in needling Zusanli (ST 36) according to the national
standard. RESULTS: The needling depth from the skin to the interosseous membrane
and from the skin to posterior border of tibialis posterior is ( 2.22 +/- 0.31)
cm and (4.42 +/- 0.53) cm, respectively. There are flabellate branches of
anterior tibial arteries and deep peroneal nerves around the needle in the
superficial layer of interosseous membrane. The vessel and nerve bundles
containing tibial nerve and posterior tibial vessels can be touched when the
needle body past through tibialis posterior. CONCLUSION: It is recommended that
ideal average depth of acupuncture is 2.22 cm and the maximum depth is 4.42 cm
for oblique needling Zusanli (ST 36). When it is injected, the needle should be
perpendicularly inserted or deviated slightly to the direction of tibia and
paralleled to medial surface of tibia. And the safe needling depth is generally
less than 5 cm. The point of the body surface between tibialis anterior and
extensor digitorum longus at 3 cun below Dubi (ST 35) is also an effectively
stimulating point.
Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2006 Jul;26(7):483-6
Source PubMed
[TOP]
Effects of
Scraping Therapy and Warming Acupuncture-Moxibustion on 50 Cases of Fasciitis of
Back Muscles
Wang LQ. Linyi Hospital of TCM, Shandong, China. swcwlq.syh@sohu.com
OBJECTIVE: To search for the best method for treatment of fasciitis of back
muscles. METHODS: One hundred cases of fasciitis of back muscles were randomly
divided into two groups. The treatment group of 50 cases were treated with
scraping and warming acupuncture and moxibustion at Fengmen (BL 12), Feishu (BL
13), Quyuan (SI 13), Bingfeng (SI 12), Jiafeng, local pressure pain points, and
cord-like node; and the control group of 50 cases with simple acupuncture.
RESULTS: In the treatment group, 40 cases were cured and 10 cases improved with
a total effective rate of 100.0%; in the control group, 26 cases were cured and
16 cases improved, 8 cases were ineffective with a total effective rate of
84.0%. The treatment group in improvement of pressure pain and pain was better
than the control group, with scores significantly decreased (P < 0.01).
CONCLUSION: Scraping therapy and warming acup-moxibustion have obvious effect on
fasciitis of back muscles, and it is a better therapy for this disease.
Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2006 Jul;26(7):478-80
Source: PubMed
[TOP]
An Infrared
Radiation Study of the Biophysical Characteristics of Traditional Moxibustion
Shen X, et al. Acupuncture & Tuina College, Shanghai
University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; Shanghai
Research Center of Acupuncture & Meridian, Shanghai 201203, China.
OBJECTIVES: Moxibustion has been a part of acupuncture practice for thousands of
years. Traditionally, it includes direct moxibustion, in which moxa sticks are
burned at acupuncture points on the skin, and indirect moxibustion, in which
monkshood cakes or ginger or garlic slices are used to insulate the skin from
burning moxa cones. Recently randomised clinical trials and clinical
observations suggest that moxibustion can enhance physiological and immune
functions, but there has been little investigation of the scientific basis of
these traditional techniques. The present study compared the infrared radiation
caused by these techniques to that of non-specific controls and to that of the
human body surface at an acupuncture point. METHODS: A highly sensitive,
infrared-spectrum detection device was used to compare the spectra of
traditional moxibustion materials (n=4/group) with those of control materials
(n=4/group) and to the spectrum at the surface of an acupuncture point LI 4 (Hegu)
in healthy volunteers (n=7). RESULTS: The experiment showed that the thermal
action of the traditional moxa stick was more potent than that of indirect
moxibustion and its radiation peak was different from that at the acupuncture
point on the human body. In contrast, the thermal action of traditional indirect
moxibustion was modest and its radiation peak matched that at the acupuncture
point. CONCLUSION: Direct moxibustion with a traditional moxa stick may produce
its potent therapeutic effects by thermal action, while traditional indirect
moxibustion may act by producing modest thermal action and a sympathetic
vibration at the skin surface. Non-traditional thermal materials and media may
not be suitable substitutes for traditional materials. The data provide a
scientific, biophysical rationale for traditional moxibustion.
Complement Ther Med. 2006 Sep;14(3):213-9. Epub 2005
Dec 15.
Source: PubMed [TOP] |
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