This research was supported by the Hospital Foundation of Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Y2023016) and the Second Postgraduate Research Innovation Practice Project of the School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (LCYJSKT2023-35)&#160;and Sichuan Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine General Program (2023MS005).

A brief graphical flow of the protocol is shown in Figure 1. The protocol was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, and the protocol was approved by the Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (code: 470000013, 4300000011). The data were obtained with the informed consent of the patients. The patients voluntarily signed informed consent prior to the study. The inclusion criteria were as follows: the ability to follow the doctor&#39;s advice; signing the consent form; diagnosis of hemorrhoids; excision of hemorrhoids with Milligan-Morgan surgery (M-M surgery). The exclusion criteria were as follows: patients with serious organ diseases; patients with anxiety, depression, or other mental disorders; patients with drug allergies; patients who could not cooperate.
1. Instrument preparation
<ol>
	<li>Disinfect all the tools with iodophor cotton swabs, followed by sterile cotton swabs, and then hand sanitizer. No special treatment is needed to disinfect sterile tweezers. Use disposable sterile press needles with dimensions of 0.25 mm x 1.3 mm.</li>
	<li>Ensure that the pulverizer can accommodate more than 200 g of the medicine. Maintain the speed between 25,000-30,000 rpm. Choose a gauze bag with at least a length and width of 10 cm x 8 cm and a treatment towel with a length and width of 50 cm x 40 cm.</li>
	<li>Select a microwave oven with a rated power of 600-900 W and the capacity for the heat to reach between 80-90 &#176;C in medium or high mode.</li>
	<li>Obtain the following ironing medicine for acute pain: Fructus foeniculi 70 g, Fructus aurantii 20 g, Rhizoma curcumae longae 20 g, and Rhizoma corydalis 20 g. Obtain the following ironing medicine for chronic pain: Rhizoma chuanxiong 20 g, Fructus foeniculi 70 g, Radix paeoniae alba 20 g, and Rhizoma curcumae longae 20 g.</li>
	<li>Obtain a thermometer that is capable of measuring in the range of 10-110 &#176;C and allows for multiple measurements.</li>
</ol>
2. Doctor-patient preparation
<ol>
	<li>Before the operation, perform a patient assessment. Evaluate the skin condition in advance. Do not perform the operation when the skin is damaged, infected, or suffering from other skin diseases.</li>
	<li>Evaluate all the equipment. Check all the medical consumables if they are within the usage time, and check the press needles to ensure they are not bent, broken, or have burrs or barbs, etc.</li>
	<li>Disinfection
	<ol>
		<li>Use pre-sterilized operating instruments in the operation. Ensure they are all disposable medical consumables and are not sterilized in advance.</li>
		<li>Carry out operator disinfection by using hand sanitizer to perform the seven-step handwashing method30.</li>
		<li>Carry out disinfection of the acupoint needle-embedding site using an iodophor cotton swab; perform spiral disinfection of the operation area from the center to the outside. Ensure the diameter of the disinfection site is larger than 3 cm, and let the disinfectant stay for about 1 min until all the iodophor has been volatilized. 
		NOTE: Generally, one disinfectant is enough. If the local area is seriously polluted, three disinfections are required. Prepare the ironing site using warm water to remove the residual dirt on the skin. Additional disinfection is not required.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Prepare the ironing site after needle-embedding; do not perform this simultaneously.</li>
</ol>
3. Operation steps
<ol>
	<li>Needle-embedding
	<ol>
		<li>Carry out acupoint selection (international code). Locate three acupoints, including Erbai (EX-UE2), Chengshan (BL57), Sanyinjiao (SP6; see Figure 2) before the operation. Perform acupoint location selection as done in previous studies in the literature16,31.</li>
		<li>Use sterilized tweezers to grip the edge of the press needle with the left hand, and aim the needle at the selected acupoint.</li>
		<li>After positioning the needle, press the needle&#39;s tail (bottom side) with the right thumb within 1 s.</li>
		<li>After inserting the needle, use the right thumb to gently rotate the needle 20-25 times clockwise at 40-50 times/min. Then, rotate the needle 20-25 times counterclockwise at the same speed. The operation should last 60-90 s. 
		CAUTION: When massaging, the patient may have acid reflux, numbness, swelling, or pain. The practitioner should always ask how the patient feels; if they complain about an obvious pain or discomfort, the practitioner should reduce the strength of the massage or stop imminently.</li>
		<li>Fix the needle with tape, and keep it at the acupoint. During the stagnation, press the tail of the needle with up and down floating pressure; the amplitude fluctuates at 1-2 cm, the frequency should range between 40-50 times/min, and each massage lasts 3 min. Perform two sessions per day for 2 weeks, once in the morning and once in the evening.</li>
		<li>Change the needles every 48 h.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Needle removal
	<ol>
		<li>After performing the seven-step hand disinfection process, remove the tape. Use tweezers to separate the base of the needle from the skin gently. When it is completely peeled off from the area, use tweezers to pull it out gently.</li>
		<li>When the operation is done, use an iodophor cotton swab to disinfect the broken skin. Use a sterile cotton swab to press and achieve hemostasis if the broken skin is bleeding.</li>
		<li>After completing the operation, perform the seven-step hand-washing method again for disinfection.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Management of acupuncture complications
	<ol>
		<li>If the needle is broken and the end is still inside the skin, clamp it out with tweezers.</li>
		<li>If the broken end of the needle is flat or slightly depressed within the skin, use the thumb and index finger of the left hand to squeeze the skin vertically downward so that the broken needle will be exposed outside the body, and then remove the needle with tweezers.</li>
		<li>If the broken needle is too deep, locate it under the X-ray, and remove it by surgery. 
		NOTE: For needlestick injuries or fainting during acupuncture, please see another protocol32.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Ironing
	<ol>
		<li>Refer to step 2.3.3 to disinfect the operation site, and make sure that the patient&#39;s urine is emptied before the operation.</li>
		<li>Operation sites include Qihai (CV29), Tianshu (ST25), and Changqiang (DU1)16,33 (see Figure 2).</li>
		<li>According to the characteristics of pain, crush the drug at a room temperature of 10-30 &#176;C and a humidity of 40%-70% for 3 min using a pulverizer at a speed of 25,000-30,000 rpm. After pulverization, pack 130 g of the drug into a gauze bag, and soak in 10-30 &#176;C water until it is fully saturated (about 60-80 s).</li>
		<li>Put the gauze bag in a microwave oven, and heat it for 2 min at 90-110 &#176;C. After the temperature drops to 40-45 &#176;C, wrap the medicated gauze bag firmly with a treatment towel.</li>
		<li>Place both hands on both sides of the top of the gauze bag, straighten both elbows, lean forward slightly, and press down slowly with the help of part of the body weight. The skin of the abdomen should sink by about 3-5 cm, and on the Changqiang acupoint, 2-3 cm is enough. Hold for 3-5 s, let the heat slowly penetrate the skin and subcutaneous tissue, and then release slowly. Repeat the procedure 60 times.</li>
		<li>Massage with the ironing medicine bag clockwise 60 times and counterclockwise 60 times. Each spiral massage lasts 1-2 s; repeat the whole procedure three times. 
		NOTE: For RN6 and ST25, the above methods can be applied with no differences. However, it is worth noting that DU1 is close to the anus, so excessive intensity of the operation may aggravate the patient&#39;s discomfort. Therefore, the operator can halve the massage time, and the temperature of the drug should be maintained at 35-40 &#176;C. In order to protect patient privacy, operations can be carried out with clothing in DU1.</li>
		<li>After the operation is completed, cover the operation part, and keep it warm. Perform the procedure twice per day, once in the morning and once in the evening, and reuse the ironing medicine bag up to four times. The treatment lasts for 2 weeks.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Scald management
	<ol>
		<li>For the treatment of burns, prevention is more important than operation. Strictly follow the above protocol, and do not extend the operation time or increase the operation intensity without authorization.</li>
		<li>If&#160;the burns occur that are limited below a deep partial degree burn, quickly rinse the scalded area with flowing cold water (5-15 &#176;C is preferred) for 30 min. Then, disinfect the damaged spot with iodophor swabs, cover it with gauze, and fix it with medical tape. If the damaged area is large, use antibiotic ointment. 
		NOTE: At the injury site, do not perform the treatment until the lesions have fully recovered. Puncturing of the blisters should not be done.</li>
		<li>If the scald reaches a deep partial degree, please consult with the burn department immediately.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

Surgical procedures for hemorrhoids have developed rapidly. In addition to the traditional M-M surgery, procedures such as rubber band ligation (RBL), the procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids (PPH), tissue-selecting therapy stapler (TST), hemorrhoidal artery ligation, and infrared photocoagulation have also been widely used37,38,39. However, the advantages of M-M surgery, such as the high cure rate, low price, and simple opera...

Postoperative pain is one of the most common complications in anorectal surgery. Among these conditions, pain caused by hemorrhoid surgery is particularly prevalent1. Generally speaking, postoperative pain may be caused by anxiety after surgery2, improper surgical methods3, obstruction of blood and lymph flow4, surgical wound infection, and spasm of the internal anal sphincter5. In most cases, postoperative pain is a normal physiological response, but excessive or persistent pain causes discomfort to the patients, aggravates psychological pressure, and, thus, hinders recovery6.
For mild pain, non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), calcium channel blockers, and surface anesthetics can fulfill the treatment requirements7,8. For severe pain, morphine and tramadol seem to be an appropriate selection9. However, analgesics are associated with poor pain relief effects in anorectal surgery, and the risks of gastrointestinal bleeding or gastric ulcers caused by NSAIDs make clinicians hesitant to prescribe them10,11. Furthermore, the addictiveness of opioids can have a huge impact on the patients&#39; living standards12. Optimizing the surgical procedure to prevent postoperative pain, such as by including lateral internal anal sphincterotomy, has been criticized due to its risk of anal incontinence13.
Acupoint needle embedding is a branch of acupuncture treatment, and its analgesic effect has been recognized for a long time. Ashi acupoint has a good analgesic effect, but its practice is limited because of the anus&#39; physiological function and anatomical structure, as directly stimulating the anus only increases the pain for the patients14. In recent years, stimulation on other acupoints to release pain has been reported15,16. Wang et al.17 achieved significant pain relief effects after hemorrhoid surgery by stimulating acupoints such as Changqiang (DU1), Chengshan (BL57), and Erbai (EX-UE2) with pestle needles. A more comprehensive study found that in the sham acupuncture group, pain relief was lower at 5 h, 7 h, and 8 h after treatment than in the acupuncture stimulation group18. Meanwhile, according to several meta-analyses, stimulation of acupoints can reduce postoperative pain with a better therapeutic effect than NSAIDs19,20. In TCM theory, stimulating acupoints can reduce the anxiety state of patients. In addition, it can promote local blood circulation to accelerate the resolution of inflammation and tissue repair17. A study has reported that acupuncture can also promote the release of endogenous analgesic substances, such as enkephalins and endorphins, to block the transmission of pain signals in nerve cells21. Acupuncture treatment is not only effective in relieving postoperative pain in hemorrhoids, but it has also been reported to be effective in relieving musculoskeletal pain22, back pain23, and primary dysmenorrhea24. Summarizing the previous clinical trials, we believe that acupuncture point stimulation is effective for pain relief after hemorrhoid surgery.
Ironing therapy is one of the most widely used treatment methods throughout human history. It involves using heat to penetrate the skin and accelerate blood flow, promote tissue metabolism, and regulate sensory nerves to reduce pain25. Furthermore, heat can also relieve the contraction of the muscles26. Massage techniques can be added to this treatment to increase the effect of pain relief. A previous clinical trial demonstrated that massage on the suprapubic and sacral regions could relieve pain in the perineal region27. It works by blocking pain signals from reaching the central nervous system while increasing sympathetic nerve activity and reducing the pain caused by negative emotions28,29.
The operating procedures included in the protocol increased the safety of the operation, shortened the hospitalization days, reduced the level of postoperative pain, and decreased the incidence of urinary retention and anal edema. Acupoint needle-embedding combined with ironing treatment is a characteristic traditional Chinese medical method for postoperative pain from hemorrhoids and is recommended for healthy adults with no contraindications. It is expected to become an important complementary treatment for patients with postoperative pain.

<table><tbody><tr><td>diclofenac sodium enteric-coated capsules</td><td>Temmler Ireland Co., Ltd., Kerry, Ireland</td><td>H20170098</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>fructus aurantii</td><td>Traditional Chinese Medicine Co., Ltd., Sichuan, China</td><td>220209</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>fructus foeniculi</td><td>Traditional Chinese Medicine Co., Ltd., Sichuan, China</td><td>220210</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>gauze bag</td><td>Anhui Meijianan Household Products Co., Ltd, Anhui, China</td><td>M921</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>hand sanitizer</td><td>Suolang Medical Disinfectants Co., Ltd., Zhejiang, China</td><td>200561121Q</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>iodophor cotton swabs</td><td>Jiabeier Medical Technology Co., Ltd., Zhejiang, China</td><td>20162140536</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>microwave oven</td><td>Galanz Group Co., Ltd., Guangdong, China</td><td>P70D20L-ED(W0)</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>press needle</td><td>Suzhou Acupuncture Supplies Co., Ltd. Zhejiang, China</td><td>20162200591</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>pulverizer</td><td>Zhaofenger Industry and Trade Co., Ltd., Hunan, China</td><td>J80031</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>radix paeoniae alba</td><td>Guoqiang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Sichuan, China</td><td>220601</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>rhizoma chuanxiong</td><td>Yuankang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Sichuan, China</td><td>220603</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>rhizoma corydalis</td><td>Xinhehua Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Sichuan, China</td><td>2206071</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>rhizoma curcumae longae</td><td>Traditional Chinese Medicine Co., Ltd., Sichuan, China</td><td>220216</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>sterile cotton swabs</td><td>Zhongxin Sanitary Materials Co., Ltd., Sichuan, China</td><td>20180021</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>sterile tweezers</td><td>Weigao Grope Medical Polymer Co., Ltd., Shandong, China</td><td>20182640148</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>thermometer</td><td>Beierkang Medical Devices Co., Ltd., Guangdong, China</td><td>20162200505</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>treatment towel</td><td>Sichuan Hualikang Medical Technology Co., Ltd, Sichuan, China</td><td>2111901</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

acupoint needle-embedding combined with ironing therapy for postoperative pain after anal surgery

Acupoint needle-embedding combined with ironing therapy is a non-drug treatment method to release postoperative pain after anal surgery. The practice is guided by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome differentiation theory and employs acupoint stimulation and heat to alleviate pain. Although prior research has shown that these are dependable methods for pain relief, the combined effect of the two techniques has not been described. In our research, we found that compared to using diclofenac sodium enteric-coated capsules alone, adding acupoint needle-embedding combined with ironing therapy was more effective for reducing pain levels at different stages after hemorrhoid surgery. Although this technique is efficient and commonly used in clinics, due to its invasive practice, acupoint needle embedding still carries risks relating to hospital-acquired infections and broken needles. Ironing therapy, on the other hand, can result in burns and connective tissue injuries. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a standardized protocol for medical staff. Our protocol refines the traditional techniques and provides detailed instructions on patient preparation, operation techniques, and postoperative care to ensure the therapy is carried out safely and efficiently. By standardizing this therapy, this technique is expected to become an important complementary therapy for postoperative pain relief&#160;in hemorrhoids, which will significantly improve patients &#39;life quality after anal surgery.

Statistical analysis 
Collect and analyze the data using SPSS 22.0. In this work, normally distributed continuous variables were expressed as mean &#177; standard (SD), and comparisons between two groups were made using the Student&#39;s t-test. Continuous variables with skewed distributions were described using the median and 25% and 75% interquartile range, M (QL, QU), and comparisons between groups were performed using the Mann-Whitney U-test. Dichotomous variables were tested using the Chi-squar...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Acupoint Needle-Embedding Combined with Ironing Therapy for Postoperative Pain After Anal Surgery at JoVE.com

Acupoint Needle-Embedding Combined with Ironing Therapy for Postoperative Pain After Anal Surgery

The high incidence of pain after anal surgery is due to the physiological structure and pathological status of the anus. At present, the use of painkillers cannot provide satisfactory pain relief, which makes complementary therapy important. This paper proposes acupoint needle-embedding combined with ironing therapy to relieve postoperative pain.

Acupoint needle-embedding combined with ironing therapy is a non-drug treatment method to release postoperative pain after anal surgery. The practice is ...

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Universidad de Cartagena UDEC

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

1.3K Views.  Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The high incidence of pain after anal surgery is due to the physiological structure and pathological status of the anus. At present, the use of painkillers cannot provide satisfactory pain relief, which makes complementary therapy important. This paper proposes acupoint needle-embedding combined with ironing therapy to relieve postoperative pain.

Video: Acupoint Needle-Embedding Combined with Ironing Therapy for Postoperative Pain After Anal Surgery

A Mouse Model of Orthopedic Surgery to Study Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction and Tissue Regeneration

Surgery is commonly used to improve and maintain quality of life. Unfortunately, in vulnerable patients such as the elderly, complications may occur and significantly diminish the outcome. Indeed, after routine orthopedic surgery to repair a fracture, as many as 50% of elderly patients suffer from neurologic complications like delirium. Also, the capacity to heal and regenerate tissue after surgery decreases with age, and can impact the quality of fracture repair and even osseous integration of implants. Thus, a better understanding of mechanisms that drive these age-dependent changes could provide strategic targets to minimize risk for such complications and optimize outcomes. Here, we introduce a clinically relevant mouse model of tibial fracture. The postoperative changes in these mice mimic some of the cognitive impairments commonly observed after routine orthopedic surgery in humans. Briefly, an incision is performed in the right hind limb under strictly aseptic conditions. Muscles are disassociated, and a 0.38-mm stainless steel pin is inserted into the upper crest of the tibia, inside the intramedullary canal. Osteotomy is then performed, and the wound is stapled. We have used this model to investigate the effects of surgical trauma on postoperative neuroinflammation and behavioral changes. By applying this fracture model in combination with parabiosis, a surgical model in which 2 mice are anastomosed, we have studied cells and secreted factors that systemically rejuvenate organ function and tissue regeneration after injury. By following our step-by-step protocol, these models can be reproduced with high fidelity, and can be adapted to interrogate many biologic pathways that are altered by surgical trauma.

This protocol describes a mouse model of orthopedic surgery that has been used to study mechanisms of postoperative neuroinflammation and behavioral changes, and when combined with parabiosis, to study tissue regeneration during aging.

Surgery is commonly used to improve and maintain quality of life. Unfortunately, in vulnerable patients such as the elderly, complications may occur and ...

Assessing Tuina Therapy's Pain Relief in Chronic Constriction Rats

Characteristics of Pain Changes in Rats with Nerve Injury Within 24 hours After One-Time Tuina Intervention

Tuina, as an external treatment method of traditional Chinese medicine, has been proven to have an analgesic effect on peripheral neuropathic pain (pNP) in clinical and basic research. However, the optimal time point for the analgesic effect of tuina may vary according to different injury sensations, affecting the exploration of the initiation mechanism of tuina analgesia. 
The research used minor chronic constriction injury (minor CCI) model rats to simulate pNP and used the intelligent tuina manipulation simulator to simulate the three methods (point-pressing, plucking, and kneading) and three acupoints (Yinmen BL37, Chengshan BL57, and Yanglingquan GB34) for performing tuina therapy. The study evaluated the changes in pain within 24 h and the optimal time point for the efficacy of tuina analgesia in rats with minor CCI models by testing cold sensitivity threshold (CST), mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT), and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL). Furthermore, the study evaluated IL-10 and TNF-&#945; expression changes through Elisa detection. The results show that tuina has both immediate and sustained analgesic effects. For the three different injury sensitivity thresholds of CST, MWT, TWL, and two cytokines of IL-10 and TNF-&#945;, the analgesic efficacy of tuina within 24 h after intervention is significantly different at different time points.

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Initiation Mechanism of 'Three-Method and Three-Acupoint' Tuina Analgesia in Rats with Nerve Injury

We present a protocol using the tuina manipulation simulator to perform the "Three-Manipulation and Three-Acupoint" tuina therapy for minor chronic constriction injury rats and evaluate the effective analgesic time points of tuina within 24 h by testing pain changes through behavioral analysis and changes in inflammatory factor expression using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Tuina, as an external treatment method of traditional Chinese medicine, has been proven to have an analgesic effect on peripheral neuropathic pain (pNP) ...

Neuroscience

Improving Cognitive Functions in Rats via Thread-Embedding Acupuncture Therapy

Operation Procedure and Precautions of Thread-Embedding Acupuncture Therapy in Alzheimer

Thread-embedding therapy (TEAT) is a treatment that prevents and manages diseases by inserting a biodegradable suture into an acupoint, providing long-lasting stimulation. TEAT is a simple approach that avoids the discomfort of regular acupuncture and provides sustained therapeutic effects. This article discusses the potential impact of TEAT on the learning and memory abilities of rats with Alzheimer&#39;s disease-like symptoms. Since chemically induced neuronal degeneration and cognitive impairments in rats does not entirely reflect the true pathological changes observed in Alzheimer&#39;s disease. Consequently, our research group has designated these manifestations as Alzheimer&#39;s disease-like symptoms. A protocol has been established to outline the selection of acupoints, the operation process, and necessary precautions for the head and lower back. The experiment was conducted on three groups: a control group, a model group, and a TEAT group, each containing 6 rats. To induce Alzheimer&#39;s disease-like symptoms, rats were intraperitoneally injected with D-galactose for 7 weeks (49 days). The rats in the TEAT group received acupoint catgut embedding treatment. Following the intervention period, a Morris Water Maze (MWM) was conducted to evaluate the rats&#39; learning and memory. Subsequently, the rats were sacrificed, and their brain tissue was examined. A histological examination was performed to understand the effects of TEAT on the pathology of rats exhibiting symptoms of Alzheimer&#39;s disease. This study suggests that TEAT may improve learning and memory in rats with Alzheimer&#39;s disease-like symptoms, indicating a potentially promising new treatment approach for this neurodegenerative condition.

Author Spotlight: Exploring Acupuncture in Alzheimer's Research from Thread-Embedding Techniques to Clinical Trials

This study presents a protocol for thread-embedding acupuncture therapy in Alzheimer's disease-like rats.

Thread-embedding therapy (TEAT) is a treatment that prevents and manages diseases by inserting a biodegradable suture into an acupoint, providing ...

Acupoint Application Combined with Acupoint Massage for Treating Constipation in a Patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common and frequent disease in elderly patients, with a tendency for progressive exacerbation. Constipation that reduces the quality of life and triggers the risk of diseases is a common concomitant symptom in patients with COPD. Currently, western medical treatment does not achieve the desired results for patients. A high recurrence rate accompanies it, whereas traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history and rich experience in treating chronic diseases. Both acupoint application and acupoint massage are characteristic therapies of TCM, with minor side effects, high safety, simple operation, and outstanding advantages. They are effective in treating constipation for patients with COPD and are considered an ideal alternative therapy for patients with chronic constipation. The purpose of this article is to introduce the method of acupoint application combined with acupoint massage for the treatment of constipation in patients with COPD, including the selection of points, items, treatment time, and operation procedure.

Here we demonstrate acupoint application combined with acupoint massage for treating constipation in a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common and frequent disease in elderly patients, with a tendency for progressive exacerbation. ...

Acupoint Catgut Embedding for Chronic Pelvic Pain Management

Acupoint Catgut Embedding for Treatment of Chronic Pelvic Pain Due to the Sequelae of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Chronic pelvic pain caused by the sequelae of inflammatory pelvic disease is a common clinical condition of pelvic pain in women. At present, the main challenges in its treatment are the limited effectiveness of pain relief and the frequent recurrence of symptoms, which significantly impact patients' quality of life and impose a considerable psychological burden on them. It is a clinically challenging disease. After summarizing years of treatment experience, the author's team discovered that acupoint catgut embedding demonstrated notable clinical efficacy in managing chronic pelvic pain stemming from pelvic inflammatory disease sequelae. Compared to existing Western medicine treatment methods, acupoint catgut embedding offers advantages such as a good analgesic effect, lower recurrence rate, economic benefits, and a relatively straightforward procedure. This article provides a comprehensive guide on embedding absorbable catgut into patients' acupoints for the treatment of chronic pelvic pain in females resulting from the sequelae of pelvic inflammatory disease.

Author Spotlight: Enhancing Women's Chronic Pelvic Pain Management Through Acupoint Catgut Embedding

This article outlines acupoint catgut embedding therapy for chronic pelvic pain caused by the sequelae of pelvic inflammatory diseases.

Chronic pelvic pain caused by the sequelae of inflammatory pelvic disease is a common clinical condition of pelvic pain in women. At present, the main ...

Enhancing CINV Management: Traditional Chinese Medicine Approaches

Acupoint Application Combined with Acupressure as an Adjunctive Therapy for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) refers to the nausea and vomiting experienced by patients after the application of chemotherapy drugs, significantly affecting their quality of life and physical recovery, as well as increasing the pain of the patients. Basic medicine primarily focuses on acid suppression, gastric protection, and vomiting suppression, but there are still many patients with nausea and vomiting symptoms that cannot be alleviated. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can effectively alleviate nausea and vomiting through acupoint stimulation and pressure, while also offering advantages such as simplicity, affordability, and fewer side effects. The aim of this article is to introduce the method of using acupoint application combined with acupressure as an adjunctive therapy for CINV, using the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) Antiemesis Tool (MAT) tablet scale as a questionnaire. The article details aspects such as acupoint selection, production, and the use of acupoint application, massage techniques, and operating procedures, all with the goal of ensuring the safety and efficacy of acupoint application combined with acupressure as an adjuvant therapy, thereby improving patients&#39; clinical symptoms and quality of life.

Acupoint application combined with acupressure-assisted treatment has a good effect on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and is more convenient and cost-effective.

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) refers to the nausea and vomiting experienced by patients after the application of chemotherapy drugs, ...

Improving Constipation 

Electroacupuncture Combined with Chinese Medicine Ironing Therapy for Functional Constipation

Functional constipation (FC) is a dysfunctional gastrointestinal disease with the main clinical manifestations of complex bowel movements, incomplete bowel movements, reduced frequency of bowel movements, and dry and hard stools, which seriously affect patients' quality of life and psychology. Electroacupuncture improves constipation by performing acupuncture on specific points in the body to accelerate intestinal peristalsis. Chinese medicine ironing therapy (CMIT) can warm up the meridians, accelerate local blood circulation, promote gastrointestinal dynamics, and accelerate gastric emptying. This study elaborated on the method and steps of electroacupuncture combined with CMIT for functional constipation, including patient selection, material preparation, operation procedure, postoperative care, and precautions. The therapeutic effect of the method was also evaluated. The results of the study showed that after 4 weeks of treatment, compared with Western medicine alone, electroacupuncture combined with CMIT can improve the frequency of FC patients' voluntary bowel movements, constipation, and quality of life. There were no obvious adverse reactions.

Electroacupuncture combined with Chinese medicine ironing therapy can effectively improve patients' constipation symptoms and their quality of life. Here, we present a protocol to describe the treatment process of electroacupuncture combined with Chinese medicine ironing therapy for functional constipation.

Functional constipation (FC) is a dysfunctional gastrointestinal disease with the main clinical manifestations of complex bowel movements, incomplete ...

Acupoint Embedding Therapy for Managing Abdominal Obesity

Acupoint Catgut Embedding Therapy for Abdominal Obesity Treatment

As the global economy grows and living standards improve, the rise in overweight and obese individuals poses a significant public health challenge. This trend is predominantly linked to lifestyle changes and poor dietary habits, resulting in increased abdominal obesity characterized by fat accumulation in the abdominal region and associated symptoms such as indigestion, constipation, and fatigue. Acupoint embedding therapy uses absorbable sutures inserted into specific acupoints for continuous stimulation, aiding in the treatment of abdominal obesity, metabolic issues, and digestive disorders. Its main goals are to regulate metabolism, improve digestion, and reduce fat. This paper offers a thorough exploration of the comprehensive management of thread-embedding acupuncture for obesity treatment. It meticulously outlines critical aspects of patient management and material preparation and provides precise guidance on acupoint selection, surgical procedures, and postoperative care. This structured treatment protocol aims to ensure procedural safety and efficacy, thereby optimizing clinical outcomes for patients with abdominal obesity and ultimately improving their overall quality of life.

This study explores acupoint catgut embedding therapy for obesity, covering patient management, material preparation, acupoint selection, surgery, and post-operative care.

As the global economy grows and living standards improve, the rise in overweight and obese individuals poses a significant public health challenge. This ...

Evaluating Acupoint Catgut Embedding Therapy for Allergic Rhinitis Management

Acupoint Catgut Embedding Therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Managing Allergic Rhinitis

Acupuncture Point Embedding Therapy is a comprehensive treatment method that combines modern biomaterials with acupuncture techniques. Acupoint catgut embedding (ACE) not only avoids the adverse reactions associated with Western medicine but also incorporates the benefits of traditional acupuncture, extending the duration of its therapeutic effects. Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a condition known for its challenging treatment and tendency to persist. This randomized controlled trial included 128 AR patients to evaluate the effectiveness of ACE for AR management. Data were collected at baseline, four weeks after treatment, and eight weeks after treatment. Baseline analysis was performed, and the visual analog scale (VAS) was used as a clinical observation index for this method. The rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) served as a quality of life index. Specific IgE (sIgE), IL-4, IL-10, and IL-12 were used as laboratory observation indices. The results of the experiment validate the clinical effectiveness of ACE in treating AR. Although this technique is efficient and commonly used in clinics, its invasive nature poses risks of hospital-acquired infections. Based on this experiment, this protocol refines traditional techniques, providing detailed instructions on patient preparation, operation techniques, and postoperative care to ensure the safe and effective administration of therapy. By standardizing this therapy, ACE is anticipated to become an important non-drug treatment option for alleviating symptoms in AR patients, thereby significantly enhancing their quality of life.

This protocol details the procedure for acupoint burrowing and demonstrates its effectiveness in treating allergic rhinitis.

Acupuncture Point Embedding Therapy is a comprehensive treatment method that combines modern biomaterials with acupuncture techniques. Acupoint catgut ...

An Acupoint Catgut-embedding Therapy for Treating Obesity

Obesity is a chronic and complex disease caused by excessive fat deposition, which can lead to multiple complications. It affects individuals of all ages and backgrounds, contributing to a growing public health crisis worldwide. In modern medicine, the available treatments for obesity include drugs, behavioral modifications, and surgical procedures. However, their efficacy is often unsatisfactory and may be accompanied by various side effects. In contrast, Traditional Chinese Medicine offers a wide range of treatment options, including herbal tonics, acupuncture, tuina, acupoint catgut-embedding therapy, and more. Among these, acupoint catgut-embedding therapy has emerged as a popular choice for weight management due to its effectiveness, convenience, affordability, and minimal adverse effects. It involves the insertion of absorbable sutures into acupoints, stimulating the body's natural healing processes and enhancing metabolic function. The gradual absorption of the sutures over time provides a sustained therapeutic effect, allowing for prolonged benefits without the need for continuous treatment sessions. Whether used alone or in conjunction with other therapies, acupoint catgut-embedding therapy exemplifies the benefits of integrative medicine and its potential to empower individuals on their journey toward a healthier lifestyle. Aiming to visualize this ethnic medicine theory and promote its effective inheritance, we detail the acupoint catgut-embedding therapy method for weight loss, covering acupuncture points selection, materials, procedures, and precautions.

Here, we propose a specialized Chinese medicine treatment protocol to manage obesity. This treatment achieves weight loss by implanting absorbable surgical sutures into specific acupuncture points.

Obesity is a chronic and complex disease caused by excessive fat deposition, which can lead to multiple complications. It affects individuals of all ages ...