AP and the Cardiovascular System
LIMBS
Bielski_J; Czepczynski M; Szczesniewski M (1990) [Use of AP to treat hand ischemia caused by vibration]. Przegl Lek 47(9):629-632. Katedry Higieny i Ochrony Pracy AR w Poznaniu oraz Oddzialu Chorób Zawodowych Uzdrowiskowego Osrodka Badawczo-Konsultacyjnego w Kolobrzegu. Hand ischaemia is common in workers occupationally exposed to mechanical vibration. AP has been said to significantly improve, or even normalize, vibration-induced peripheral ischemia of the upper limb as effectively as, or even more effectively than, balneotherapy (mineral salt bath, underwater whirlpool massage). This paper compares of 4 different therapies, applied in the early phase of vascular lesions in vibration-induced peripheral ischemia of the hand: 1=Balneotherapy; 2=AP therapy; 3=Pharmacotherapy (Pridazol, Bametan); 4=Climatotherapy. All treatment groups were forest workers of similar age and with similar vascular lesions. They were treated at the Kolobrzeg city sanatorium. Results: Balneotherapy improved the ischaemia, but AP-therapy gave a longer duration of improvement. Pharmacotherapy or climatotherapy had no effect. AP therapy is cheaper than balneotherapy and may be used by trained industrial physicians as part of outpatient care. However, more research is needed on the detailed conditions, effectiveness and limitations of AP therapy.
Chiu_NT; Wu CC; Yao WJ; Chang KF (1995) Detection of pelvic deep vein thrombosis by sc radionuclide venography utilizing an AP point. Clin Nucl Med Oct 20(10):899-901. Dept of Nuclear Med, Nat Cheng Kung Univ Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC. The authors present a case of thrombosis involving the right common iliac vein evaluated with sc radionuclide venography (SCRNV) after injection at AP points. SCRNV showed interruption of venous flow to the right common femoral vein and right iliac vein with prominent collateral venous drainage into the contralateral deep veins. This technique, which is technically simple and relatively operator-independent, has the potential to become a screen or follow-up test for deep vein thrombosis.
Fialka_V; Resch KL; Ritterdietrich D; Alacamlioglu Y; Chen O; Leitha T; Kluger R; Ernst E (1993) AP for Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. Arch Intern Med 8 Mar 153(5):661, 665.
Solun_MN; Liaifer AI (1991) [AP to treat diabetic angiopathy of the lower extremities]. Probl Endokrinol (Mosk) Jul-Aug 37 (4):20-23. A course method of AP (10 sessions) using body-AP points of general and segmental action and some Ear-points was used for therapy of the functional stage of lower limb diabetic angiopathy in 55 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Rheovasography, thermography and ultrasound dopplerography were carried out over time to confirm the diagnosis of insulin dependent DM and to assess therapeutic efficacy. A direct noticeable clinical effect was obtained in 78% of cases, determined perhaps by improved elastotonic properties of arteries of average calibre, enhanced blood outflow and regulation of lower limb vascular peripheral resistance.
Thomas_D; Collins S; Strauss S (1992) Somatic sympathetic vasomotor changes documented by medical thermographic imaging during APA. Clin Rheumatol Mar 11(1):55-59. Univ of Queensland, Australia. AP is widely used for pain relief in many musculoskeletal disorders, and evidence suggests that modulation of the sympathetic nervous system responses which play an integral part in somatic pain, is an important mechanism of AP action. This prospective study of 20 patients with neck and arm pain measured finger temperature, controlled by somatic sympathetic vasomotor activity before and after needle AP. Responses were correlated with visual analogue scale (VAS) of pain severity. An association was found between pain relief and reduced sympathetic vasomotor activity. In 10 patients with significant reduction in visual analogue scale (VAS) pain (p <.05), the mean change in temperature (delta toC) was 0.55 (SD+0.86) with significant difference in pre to post treatment temperatures (p <.01). In 10 patients without significant pain relief on VAS scoring (p >.05), the mean toC was 0.20 (SD +0.72) without significant difference in pre to post treatment temperatures (p >.05). The relevance of somatic sympathetic influences on musculoskeletal pain and modulation of sympathetic activity by AP will be discussed.