AP in Pain and Painful Conditions
HEAD, EYES, EARS (2/2)
Halevi_S03 (1996) AP and snail shell moxibustion to treat eye diseases: Part 3. SP06 tonifies and circulates Xue systematically and helps in various bleeding disorders. It is thus a perfect distant point to assist the main points. KI06 is used due to its role as the Confluent point of the Yinqiao Mai. It is also the first point of the Yinqiao Mai, while BL01 is the last point. Puncturing the last and the first points of an Extraordinary Vessel may drain its Shi (Excess). So, Shi of Yin or Xue near the eye may be reabsorbed or dispersed via this point. As a KI point, it can deal with Fluids in any case.
Needle technique: As mentioned above the main objective of the treatment is to disperse extravasculated Xue which pooled within the eye depth due to various aetiologies. This disorder is situated in the most delicate anatomical region and it calls for a very skilful needle technique. BL01 and ST01 are inserted slowly and smoothly perpendicularly to a depth of 1.5 Cun, while the other hand is pushing gently the eyeball leftward or upward respectively. The needle is pushed inside until the patient experiences Deqi. The main Qi sensations here are tingling, numbness and pressure which surrounds the eye. Also, Qiuhou (extra) is punctured in the same manner apart from being directed medially rather than perpendicularly. It usually gives the sensation of slight electric shock or a pressure behind the eyeball. After the Qi has been obtained, the needle should be flicked rapidly but gently with the finger nail, so as to strengthen the Qi sensation and enhance the dispersal effect. Other types of manipulations are prohibited. Now and then, in some patients, a haematoma may develop due to micro bleeding due to needle injury. A black-eye is thus not a very rare outcome of the procedure. If this happens, the patient should be calmed and reassured that this is of no consequence, except for a temporary aesthetic inconvenience. The needles around the eye may remain in-situ for at least 20 min.
The manipulation technique of GB20 was described in detail in the first case. In short, the needle sensation should be made to travel across the skull until it reaches the eye. LI04 sensation should travel proximally to reach the affected eye also, if possible.
Snail shell application: In general, the size of the snail shell must be fitting to cover the whole eye, e.g. the upper and lower lids while the eye is closed. The shell is laid over the eye after the surrounding needles have been withdrawn, and either the patient himself or the practitioner supports the edges of the shell with his fingers, and presses it lightly against the skin. Circa 1 cc of moxa cone is laid on its top and ignited. Practitioners who have used indirect moxa (over ginger or garlic) should have no difficulties with this technique. After a few minutes the patient usually experiences the heat penetrating the eye, and some of them even feel the heat reaching as far as the nape of the neck. Most patients find the procedure extremely enjoyable and relaxing. During each session 2 moxa cones should be used, and one snail shell may be used as much as during 3 sessions. The patient must be warned not to open his eyes while the treatment is ongoing, and he would better lie with closed eyes for a few minutes even after the shell have been removed.
Treating the underlying imbalance: As discussed in the beginning of this paper, in many instances there exists an underlying systemic imbalance which is the basic cause of the eye disorder. Here is a brief account of the main Syndromes associated with this disease, and the most significant symptom for each Syndrome.
LV-Yang-Shi or LV-Fire-Shi: The main symptom in this Syndrome is anger and irritability. The main signs are very red inner lids along with a wiry and fast pulse. Suggested prescription for use with the main points: LV02, GB37, Z 09, GB20.
KI-Qi-Xu: The main symptoms are dizziness or vertigo. In this Syndrome the patient usually complains that his sight worsens significantly after exertion. Signs may include a Xu Chi (KI) pulse of both hands and a pale lower segment of the inner lids. Points are: KI03, CV04, BL10.
Yang-Xu of KI and/or SP: Beside other symptoms and signs relevant to this Syndrome, we should note symptoms such as vertigo and possibly pain in the eye region, accompanied with a Cold sensation. A history of bleeding disorders may also exist. Main sign: a pale and wet tongue. Our point-prescription would be: BL23, GV04, GV14, ST36 (the last 3 with direct moxa).
Xue-Stasis: A sharp and stabbing pain in the eye region is a prime symptom, usually with a complete or almost complete sight loss. A main sign is most often a wiry and choppy pulse, and congested purplish veins in the inner eye lids. In order to properly assign a useful prescription to treat this Syndrome, one should differentiate whether the Xue-Stasis is the result of Xue-Xu, or Xue-Heat. Points that may be used for various Xue disorders are: BL17, BL16, SP06, SP10, PC06.
Damp-Stasis: When this Syndrome affects the eyes to the extent that Xue or Fluids extravasate inside the eye, the main symptom is usually very damp and watery eyes. The main sign is a puffy and big tongue with a thick slippery fur. Also, a thin and very wet tongue may be seen. Points: SP06, SP09, BL22, TH23.
Recommendations: Although moxibustion is essential in this treatment, it is very important to use very skilful needle technique also, especially on the points near the eye. These points are very close to the disease focus and have an immediate effect. Being so called "dangerous points" in AP, deters many practitioners from using them, or while used they are poorly dealt with. This is a pity, as these points usually yield excellent results in many eye diseases. The needle used for these points must be fine, 32 g or finer. Its tip must penetrate the skin very rapidly with one short thrust to a depth of 1 mm. When this has been done the needle is pushed further deeper and deeper, "going with the needle" in the desired direction. If an obstacle is felt, or the needle can not advance, it should be lifted slightly, redirected, and reinserted. At circa 1-1.5 Cun deep, a true type Qi sensation is usually felt, and then the needle handle should be gently flicked several times, as mentioned before.
Involving the patient in the process of PCS (propagating the needle sensation from a distant point along the route of the Channel) enhances the effect dramatically. Thus, manipulating the needle with one hand, and massaging its route with the other hand, usually brings a Qi travelling sensation within seconds. Right after this occurs, the patient is requested to concentrate his mind, and pull (or push) the sensation toward the disease focus with his imagination. Sometimes (most often with children) I ask patients to massage their own skin while I manipulate the needle, from the place where they feel that the Qi has arrived toward the desired focus. With this technique, one is astonished to see how often the Qi sensation from KI06 can reach up to BL01.
References.
1.Essentials of Contemporary Chinese Acupuncturists' Clinical Experiences. Foreign Languages Press, Beijing.
Hesse_J; Mogelvang B; Simonsen H (1994) AP versus metoprolol in migraine prophylaxis: a randomized trial of TP inactivation. Pain Clinic and Med Dept, Skodsborg Sanatorium, Denmark. J Intern Med May 235(5):451-456. The effects of dry needling of myofascial TPs in the neck region was compared with metoprolol therapy in migraine prophylaxis in a randomized, double blind, group comparative study. The therapist was blinded as to results. The work was done in an outpatient pain clinic north of Copenhagen. Patients were referred by general practitioners or respondents to newspaper advertisements. The 85 included patients had a history of migraine with or without aura for at least 2 yr. Excluded were those with contraindications against treatment with beta blockers, chronic pain Syndromes, pregnancy or previous experience with AP or beta-blocking agents. After a 4-wk run-in period, patients were allocated to a 17-wk regimen either with AP and placebo tablets or to placebo stimulation and metoprolol 100 mg/d. 77 patients completed the study. Both groups exhibited significant reduction in attack frequency (p<.20) or duration (p<.10) of attacks, whereas we found a significant difference in global rating of attacks in favour of metoprolol.
Heydenreich_A (1990) Hypothetical aspects of the preventive effectiveness of controlled reflex and stimulation therapy (exemplified by AP and PuTENS) in migraine. Psychiatrie, Neurologie und Medizinische Psychologie (Leipzig) Aug 42(8):500-507. Abteilung Neurologie, Universität Rostock, Germany. On the basis of long-term therapeutic and experimental experience, the role of AP, TENS, reflex-therapy and stimulation-therapy in treating migraine is discussed from the viewpoint of modern neurophysiology. AP has analgesic, vascular-, muscular- relaxing and reflex effects. AP reduces trigger mechanisms notably and helps the functions of the ANS. These effects may explain some of its therapeutic role in migraine.
Jia_D (1993) Current applications of AP by otorhinolaryngologists. JTCM Mar 13(1):59-64. Chengdu College of TCM, Sichuan Province, PRC.
Johansson_A1; Wenneberg B; Wagersten C; Haraldson T (1991) AP in treatment of facial muscular pain. Acta Odontologica Scandinavica Jun 49(3):153-158. Dept of Stomatognathic Physiol, Faculty of Odontol, Univ of Gothenberg, Sweden. People with chronic facial pain or headache of muscular origin were assigned at random to 3 groups (n=15/group): 1=AP; 2=Occlusal splint and; 3=Control. Both AP and occlusal splint significantly reduced subjective symptoms and clinical signs of the stomatognathic system. Differences between Groups 1 and 2 were not significant as regards treatment effects. AP is an alternative method to conventional stomatognathic treatment for people with craniomandibular disorders of muscular origin.
Lao_L; Bergman S; Langenberg P; Wong RH; Berman B (1995) Efficacy of Chinese AP on postoperative oral surgery pain. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod Apr 79(4):423-428. Univ of Maryland at Baltimore, Dept of Family Med 21201, USA. One of the challenges of AP research is designing appropriate control groups. To address this problem, after surgical third molar extractions 19 patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups: 1=AP (n=11); 2=Placebo-AP (n=8). Standard patient self-report recorded the duration to reach moderate pain and pain intensity after oral surgery. Subjects treated with AP reported longer pain-free duration times (mean, 181 versus 71 min; p </=.046) and less pain intensity than those who received Placebo-AP. This study provides a model for an AP control to examine the placebo effect in clinical AP research.
Li_B; Li Lng L; Chen J; Chen L; Xu W; Gao R; Yang B; Li W; Li W; Wu B; et al (1993) [Observation on the relation between Propagated Channel Sensation and the therapeutic effect of AP on myopia of youngsters]. Chen Tzu Yen Chiu 18(2):154-158. Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, PRC. 992 eyes suffering from various degrees of myopia in 536 youngsters were treated with AP. A method of exciting the Propagated Channel Sensation (PCS) and making it travel toward the affected region was employed in treatment. Bilateral LI04 and LV03; and bilateral TH05 and GB37 were punctured at intervals of 2 d. After 1-3 periods of treatment, 868 eyes (87.5%) had improved vision to various degrees; vision completely recovered in 131 eyes (13.31%), and the dioptre decreased -0.75 to -1.00 D.S. in 13 eyes after AP treatment. The therapeutic effect of AP seemed to be reasonably satisfactory and stable at a follow-up at 2 yr. The degree of distinctness of PCS increased markedly with the increase of time of AP. There was a close relation between the extent of distinctness of PCS and effectiveness of AP. The more striking the centripetal PCS, the better was therapeutic effect of AP. The excellent effect was always achieved when PCS arrived at the affected eye. Since PCS arrived at a large number of eyes in the subjects in younger year and so the better therapeutic effect was also achieved.
Li_Y (1991) Treatment of histamine headache with AP on GV14. JTCM Dec 11(4):256-257. Changchun College of TCM, Jilin Province, PRC.
Li_Y; Wang X; Li T (1993) AP therapy for 12 cases of cranial trauma. JTCM Mar 13(1):5-9. Teaching Hospital, Shanxi College of TCM, Taiyuan, PRC.
Lin_B (199.) Treatment of frontal headache with AP on CV12: a report of 110 cases. JTCM Mar 11(1):7-8. Chen Xiuyuan Hospital, Changle County, Fujian Province, PRC.
Lindberg_P; Scott B (1991) [Methodological shortages of the evaluation of AP therapy in tinnitus]. Lakartidningen 13 Mar 88(11):940, 943. Bada vid audiologiska avdelningen, Akad asjukhuset, Uppsala, Sweden.
Lindholm_S; Berg S; Larsson B; Hybbinette JC (1991) [AP is a valuable therapeutic alternative in tinnitus]. Lakartidningen 6 Mar 88(10):847-849. Ear-Nose and Throat Dept, Kalmar Hospital, Sweden.
List_T1 (1992) AP to treat patients with craniomandibular disorders. Comparative, longitudinal and methodological studies. Swed Dent J Suppl 87: 1-159. Dept of Prosthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Odontology, Univ of Goteborg, Sweden. The aim of the thesis was to compare the short- and long-term effects of AP and occlusal splint therapy in patients with craniomandibular disorders (CMD). 110 patients (23 M, 87 F), participated in the study. All had exhibited moderate or severe signs and symptoms of CMD and had had pain for >6 mo. The participants were assigned at random to 3 groups: 1=AP therapy; 2=Occlusal splint therapy and; 3=Control (untreated). 10 different subjective and/or clinical assessment variables were used in the evaluation of the treatment effect. Immediately after treatment, AP and occlusal splint therapy had reduced the symptoms as compared with the control group which remained essentially unchanged. AP gave better subjective results than occlusal splint in the short-term. In the 12-mo long-term follow-up, 57% of the patients who received AP and 68% of the patients who received occlusal splints benefitted subjectively and clinically from the treatment. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in any of the assessment variables. Patients who received various additional therapies after AP and/or occlusal splints rarely responded favourably to additional treatment. No serious adverse events or complications were observed. AP seems to have adverse events of a more general nature whereas adverse events of the occlusal splint seem to be more related to the orofacial region. Most patients responded positively to the comfort of both treatment modes. An algometer was evaluated in order to measure tenderness (pressure pain threshold, PPT) more objectively. The algometer was reliable and valid for recording the PPT in the masticatory muscles. Reliability was improved further by connecting a stopwatch to the algometer so that the pressure rate could be kept within acceptable limits. PPT correlated moderately but statistically significantly with clinical and subjective variables. The algometer was sensitive enough to detect pre- and post-treatment changes. Tenderness was reduced significantly immediately after and at the 6-mo follow-up for both treatment modes. AP gave positive results similar to those of occlusal splint therapy in patients with mainly myogenic CMD symptoms over a 1-yr period.
List_T2; Helkimo M; Andersson S; Carlsson GE (1992) AP and occlusal splint therapy to treat craniomandibular disorders. Part I. A comparative study. Swed Dent J 16(4):125-141. Dept of Stomatognathic Physiology, Inst for Postgrad Dent Educ, Jonkoping, Sweden. 110 patients (23 M, 87 F) participated in a comparative study of the effect of AP and occlusal splint therapy. All the patients exhibited signs and symptoms of craniomandibular disorders (CMD) and had had pain for >6 mo. The participants were assigned at random to 3 groups: 1=AP therapy; 2=Occlusal splint therapy and; 3=Control (untreated). The patients were evaluated before and immediately after treatment/control time. 10 different subjective and/or clinical assessment variables were used in the evaluation of the treatment effects. Both AP and occlusal splint therapy reduced the symptoms as compared with the control group in which the symptoms remained essentially unchanged. In this short-term study, AP gave better subjective results (p <.001) than the occlusal splint therapy.
List_T3; Helkimo M (1992) AP and occlusal splint therapy to treat craniomandibular disorders. Part 2. A 1-yr follow-up study. Acta Odontol Scand Dec 50(6):375-385. Dept of Stomatognathic Physiology, Inst for Postgrad Dent Educ, Jonkoping, Sweden. 80 patients (22 M, 58 F) participated in a 1-year follow-up study. All had shown signs and symptoms of craniomandibular disorders (CMD) and had had pain for >6 mo at the start of treatment. The patients were assigned at random to 2 groups: 1=AP therapy and; 2=Occlusal splint therapy. Those patients who did not respond to either of the treatment modes were offered various additional therapies. 57% of the patients who received AP and 68% of the patients treated with occlusal splint therapy benefited subjectively (p <.01) and clinically (p <.001) from the treatment over a period of 12-mo. No statistically significant difference was found between the 2 groups as to the assessment variables. Those patients who received various additional therapies after AP and/or occlusal splint therapy responded favourably to additional treatment in only a few instances. AP gave positive results similar to those of occlusal splint therapy in patients with primarily myogenic CMD symptoms over a 1-year follow-up period.
List_T4; Helkimo M (1992) Adverse events of AP and occlusal splint therapy to treat craniomandibular disorders. Cranio Oct 10(4):318-24; Discussion 324-326. Inst for Postgrad Dent Educ, Jonkoping, Sweden. Occlusal splint therapy and AP gave positive treatment effects some studies. As with other therapies, adverse events may occur. In this paper, adverse event refers to any reaction to a treatment besides the intended treatment effect, irrespective of any correlation between the treatment and the reaction. This reaction can be positive, as well as negative, to the patient. In the present study, 61 patients with craniomandibular dysfunction (CMD) were treated with AP or occlusal splint therapy and the adverse events were carefully recorded. The profile of the adverse events differed between the two treatment modes. AP seemed to have adverse events of a more general nature, e.g. relaxed feeling, improved sleep, temporarily increased pain; whereas, adverse events of occlusal splint therapy seemed to be more locally related to the orofacial region, e.g. increased or decreased salivation and tension in the teeth. No serious adverse event or complication was observed. Most patients responded positively to both treatment modalities. Only in a few cases did the patients consider the treatment uncomfortable.
Lu_DPa1; Lu GP (1993) APA for pain and anxiety control in dental practice: Part 1: Theory and application. Compendium Feb 14(2):182, 183_189. Allentown Hospital, Lehigh Valley Hospital Centre, Pennsylvania.
Lu_DPa2; Lu GP (1993) APA for pain and anxiety control in dental practice: Part 2: Techniques for clinical applications. Compendium Apr 14(4):464-468, 470-2; Quiz 472. Allentown Hospital, Lehigh Valley Hospital Centre Pennsylvania.
Nilsson_S; Axelsson A; Li De G (1992) AP for tinnitus management. Scand Audiol 21(4):245-251. Dept of Audiology, Sahlgrenska Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden. 56 patients with continuous and severe tinnitus as their major complaint were treated with traditional Chinese AP. After a pre-treatment period with baseline evaluation of tinnitus, 10 treatments were given during a period of 20 d, followed by a post-treatment period in order to obtain indications of prolonged treatment effects. Assessments were made using visual analogue scales (VAS) and a verbal retrospective rating scale. 3 patients reported improvement which lasted for at least 10 d after the last treatment, indicating a possible long-term effect in some cases. 21% of the patients reported transient intensity reductions lasting for hours/ds. Estimated "substantial" improvement rate by VAS, consistent for all 3 parameters involved (intensity, annoyance, awareness), was 20%, while the corresponding deterioration rate was 25%. Statistical analysis of the whole group did not show any significant general treatment effects. Interactions between treatment evaluations by verbal rating and VAS are discussed as well as interactions with psychological components.
Pasmanik_ED; Nizovtseva TR (1993) [The combined treatment of amblyopia by the methods of AP reflexotherapy and traditional pleoptics]. Vestn Oftalmol Jul-Sep 109(4):6-8. 52 children (75 eyes with amblyopia) were treated by AP and traditional pleoptics. This complex of treatment was found more effective as against traditional pleoptics alone (70 children, 118 eyes with amblyopia) on the whole and to treat high amblyopia. The best results were attained in children previously treated by pleoptic methods with special equipment (older children). Of the 17 eyes with amblyopia resistant to common treatment multiple-modality treatment improved 10 (58.8%). The effect of treatment persisted for 3 mo. The first course of such treatment proved to be the most effective to treat high amblyopia; starting from the 2nd course the condition grew resistant to such treatment, this resistance gradually augmenting.
Podoshin_L; Ben-David Y; Fradis M; Gerstel R; Felner H (1991) Idiopathic subjective tinnitus treated by biofeedback, AP and drug therapy. Ear Nose Throat J May 70(5):284-289. Dept of Otolaryngol, Faculty of Med, Technion-Israel Inst of Technol, Haifa, Israel. The effect of 3 treatment modalities of idiopathic-subjective tinnitus (IST): AP (AP), biofeedback (BF) and Cinnarizine (Cin), was investigated in 58 randomly selected subjects. The findings show that at the end of treatment, 50% of the patients in the biofeedback group reported some amelioration in the level of the tinnitus, while 30% of the AP group and only 10% of the group receiving Cinnarizine reported an amelioration of the tinnitus. Treatment by biofeedback caused a significant easing in the degree of discomfort caused by the tinnitus to patients during rest. Within the limitations of the study, the biofeedback method was more effective than AP or Cinnarizine to treat those suffering from tinnitus.
Rasmussen_M (1991) [AP: a treatment method of interest to dentists]. Tandlaegebladet Apr 95(5):212-214. Dental High School, Arhus, DK. In Danish.
Rogvi-Hansen_B; Perrild H; Christensen T; Detmar SE; Siersbaek-Nielsen K; Hansen JE (1991) AP to treat Graves' ophthalmopathy: A blinded randomized study. Acta Endocrinol (Copenhagen) Feb 124(2):143-145. Dept of Int Med and Endocrinol F, Herlev Hospital, Denmark. 17 patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy, all euthyroid for >1 yr, were included in a blinded trial to test the effect of AP twice/wk for 2 mo on the eye disease, assessed by an ophthalmologist and computed tomography of the eye muscle volume. No significant change was found in eye muscle volume, Hertel measure, palpebral aperture, intraocular pressure, Hess chart, nor was there any statistically significant improvement of the irritative conjunctival symptoms.
Salim_M (1993) AP v carbamazepine in trigeminal neuralgia. J Pak Med Assoc Jan 43(1):13. Dept of Anaesthesiology, Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
Satko_I; Zßlesßk R; Zajko J (1990) [AP in stomatology]. Prakt Zubn Lek Sep 38(7):194-197. Dept of the 2nd Stomatological Clinic, Bratislava. The authors discuss the possible use of AP in stomatology, as used in their Clinic for 13 yr in diseases of polyaetiological nature or where the cause was not well known. AP was successful in diseases such as glossodynia, stomatodynia, primary neuralgia of the trigeminal nerve, contractures of the jaws, dysfunctional syndrome of the facial muscles and disorders of salivary secretion in 178 patients treated at their out-patient Dept.
Schonherr_AK (1990) Suggestibility and success of AP with the example of the treatment of migraine in people. Doctoral Thesis, Justus Liebig Univ, Giessen, Germany. English summary. Bibliographical references (pp99-113).
Stepanchenko_AV; Puzin MN; Vasil'ev VI (1991) [Treatment of trigeminal neuralgia by AP]. Zh Nevropatol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 91(4):44-46. The paper relates the general principles of the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia by AP. The authors' own research data are provided.
Tavola_T; Gala C; Conte G; Invernizzi G (1992) Traditional Chinese AP in tension-type headache: a controlled study. Pain Mar 48(3):325-329. Dept of Psychiatry, Univ of Milan, Italy. 30 patients with tension-type headache were randomly chosen to undergo a trial of traditional Chinese AP and sham AP. 5 measures were used to assess symptom severity and treatment response: intensity, duration and frequency of headache pain episodes, headache index and analgesic intake. The 5 measures were assessed during a 4 wk baseline period, after 4 and 8 wk of treatment, and 1, 6 and 12 mo thereafter. Before the start of the study, each patient returned the MMPI. Split-plot ANOVAs showed that, compared to baseline, at 1 mo after the end of treatment and for the 12 mo follow-up, the frequency of headache episodes, analgesic consumption and the headache index (but not the duration or intensity of headache episodes) significantly decreased over time; however, no difference between AP and placebo treatment was found. No single MMPI scale predicted the response to treatment, but the mean MMPI profile of AP non-responders showed the presence of "Conversion V".
Troshin_OV (1991) [Laser-AP of earpoints of patients with cochleovestibular dysfunction]. Zh Nevropatol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 91(11):64-67. Based on a comprehensive clinico-neurophysiological examination of 80 patients with vertebrobasilar insufficiency and 30 practically healthy subjects, a method of Earpoint laser-AP of patients with cochleovestibular dysfunction was devised. Ear-AP points have a high functional activity and specificity to the cochleovestibular system. Our data supported the appreciable therapeutic efficacy of Laser-AP of Earpoints.
Vincent_CA (1990) The treatment of tension headache by AP: a controlled single case design with time series analysis. J Psychosom Res 34(5):553-561. Dept of Psychol, Univ Coll London, UK. A single case design, with time series analysis, was employed to evaluate the efficacy of AP to treat tension headache. 14 patients were treated once/wk for 8 wk, 4 of true AP and 4 of sham in random order. Mean pain in medication scores were reduced by 52% and 54% respectively at initial follow-up. Reductions in pain scores of over 50% were achieved by half the patients and the significance of these changes confirmed by time series analysis. Most patients maintained their gains at the 4 mo follow-up. True AP was significantly better then sham-AP; it had a specific therapeutic action in 4 patients. Sham-AP had no effect in the other 4 patients. Possible mechanisms for these effects are discussed. AP may be valuable as a treatment for tension headache but further research is needed.
Wang_K (1992) A report of 22 cases of temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome treated with AP and laser radiation. JTCM Jun 12(2):116-118. Dept of Acu-physiotherapy, Jiangshan People's Hospital, Zhejiang, PRC.
White_AR; Eddleston C; Hardie R; Resch KL; Ernst E (1996) A Pilot Study of AP for Tension Headache, Using a Novel Placebo. Adapted from WWW. Tension headache is common; AP treatment often is recommended, though evidence of its effectiveness is contradictory. This small, randomised, controlled trial was designed to test procedures in preparation for a multi-centre trial of the effect of AP as a treatment for tension headache. 10 volunteers suffering from episodic, tension-type headache were recruited by local newspaper articles. Patients were assigned at random to two groups: A=brief needling at tender areas or selected AP points; B=Placebo AP. The Placebo was via pressure from a cocktail stick within a guide tube to defined, non-tender and non-AP areas. The patients' view of the treatment sites was obstructed so that they could get no indication as to which form of treatment was being given. Duration, frequency and intensity of headaches were recorded. Mean weekly headache index was calculated throughout the trial. Comparing pre- and post- treatment values, changes in weekly headache index in the 2 groups were not significantly different. However, Group A had a higher number of headache-free weeks than Group B. The credibility of the 2 procedures was tested using a standard credibility questionnaire and a "final verdict". One subject in Group B concluded that she had not received genuine AP, but overall there was no statistical difference between the credibility of treatment in the 2 groups.
Xie_Z (1992) 51 cases of occipital neuralgia treated with AP. JTCM Sep 12(3):180-181. 157th Hospital of PLA, Guangzhou, PRC.
Zhang_S3 (1992) Treatment of tonic headache with AP. Chung i tsa chih (JTCM) Sep 12(3):175-177. Third Teaching Hospital, Beijing Med Univ, PRC. Headache is a common symptom of complicated etiology; treatment is often ineffective when the intrinsic cause of the manifestation is not identified. Tonic headache is very common in Germany and conventional treatments help few patients. AP helped many cases after other types of treatment had failed. The author brings AP to the attention of the Med profession; it is useful to their armoury.
Zhao_P (1992) 47 cases of migraine treated with AP. JTCM Jun 12(2):108-109. Hospital of TCM, Tianjin, PRC.