OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of stimulating the acupoints Feishu(BL 13) and Dazhui(GV 14) on the transdermal uptake of sinapine thiocyanate contained in a gel used for the management of asthma.METHODS: Thirty ...OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of stimulating the acupoints Feishu(BL 13) and Dazhui(GV 14) on the transdermal uptake of sinapine thiocyanate contained in a gel used for the management of asthma.METHODS: Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three equal groups using a random number table: the Feishu(BL 13) acupoint group, the Dazhui(GV 14) acupoint group, and the nonacupoint group or control group. Using micro-dialysis technology, preprocessed skin probes were implanted into the rats at Feishu(BL 13), Dazhui(GV 14), and a nonacupoint site. Asthma gel was then placed on the skin at Feishu(BL 13), Dazhui(GV14) acupoints, and the nonacupoint for all groups.Dialysate was collected every 30 min for 12 h. The normalized concentration of sinapine thiocyanate in the skin was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography.RESULTS: The rat in vivo transdermal experiment demonstrated that the quantity-time equation showed a good linear correlation with zero-order kinetics(r > 0.99). The transdermal behavior was in accordance with the first-order rate open model in which the transdermal penetration rates and the accumulative amounts of sinapine thiocyanate in the skin at the acupoint sites were greater than those through the skin of the nonacupoint site. The systemic maximum concentration and the area under the curve of sinapine thiocyanate in the acupoint groups were significantly greater than in the nonacupoint group. A lag time was observed in both acupoint groups, but not in the nonacupoint group.CONCLUSION: Stimulating the acupoints promotes the percutaneous absorption of sinapine thiocyanate and also controls its release, reducing concentration fluctuations in the blood.展开更多
Objective: To explore therapeutic method for occipital neuralgia. Methods: A total of 90 occipital neuralgia patients were randomly divided into treatment group (n=60 cases) and control group (n=30). In treatment grou...Objective: To explore therapeutic method for occipital neuralgia. Methods: A total of 90 occipital neuralgia patients were randomly divided into treatment group (n=60 cases) and control group (n=30). In treatment group, Dazhui (GV 14) was punctured and stimulated with reinforcing method, and Fengchi (GB 20) punctured and stimulated with reducing needling method. In control group, the tender point was punctured and stimulated with reducing needling method. The acupuncture needles were retained for 30 min and the treatment was conducted once daily, with 10 times being a therapeutic course. Results: After one session of treatment, the markedly effective rates of treatment and control groups were 98% and 57% respectively. Comparison between two groups showed a considerable difference in the therapeutic effect (P<0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture of Dazhui (GV 14) and Fengchi (GB 20) are effective in the treatment of occipital neuralgia.展开更多
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of catgut implantation at acupoints on the expressions of γ-amino butyric acid B receptor(GABAB ) and metabotropic glutamate receptor 1(mGluR1) in the brain stem of rats with spas...OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of catgut implantation at acupoints on the expressions of γ-amino butyric acid B receptor(GABAB ) and metabotropic glutamate receptor 1(mGluR1) in the brain stem of rats with spasticity after stroke.METHODS: In total, 60 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: a sham group(n=10), a model group(n=25) and a treatment group(n=25). The rats in both the model group and the treatment group were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion to establish a model of focal cerebral ischemia. Rats with limb-spasm met the inclusion criteria. Only the left carotid artery was isolated in sham group rats. Three days after modeling, the treatment group was subjected to catgut implantation at Dazhui(GV 14), Guanyuan(CV 4), and Zhongwan(CV 12). Neurological deficit symptoms were assessed with the Zea-Longa neurological deficit score. The Modified Ashworth Scale(MAS), and isolated muscle tone were used to evaluate spasticity before and after treatment. Immunohistochemistry was applied to determine the expression of GABAB and mGluR1 in the rat brain stem after treatment.RESULTS: After treatment, neural impairment symptoms had significantly improved in the treatment group when compared to the model group(P<0.05). Both MAS and isolated muscle tone in the treatment group were significantly decreased when compared with the model group(P<0.05),and were also lower than before treatment. GABAB expression was significantly higher and mGluR1 was lower in the treatment group when compared with the model group(P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively).CONCLUSION: Catgut implantation at Dazhui(GV 14), Guanyuan(CV 4), and Zhongwan(CV 12), can relieve limb spasticity by increasing the expression of GABAB and reducing the expression of mGluR1 in the brain stem of rats after stroke.展开更多
Catgut implantation at acupoints has been shown to alleviate spasticity after stroke in rats.However,the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood.In this study,we used the rat middle cerebral artery occlusion model...Catgut implantation at acupoints has been shown to alleviate spasticity after stroke in rats.However,the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood.In this study,we used the rat middle cerebral artery occlusion model of stroke.Three days after surgery,absorbable surgical catgut sutures were implanted at Dazhui（GV14）,Jizhong（GV6）,Houhui,Guanyuan（CV4）and Zhongwan（CV12）.The Zea Longa score was used to assess neurological function.The Modified Ashworth Scale was used to evaluate muscle tension.The 2,3,5-triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride assay was used to measure infarct volume.Immunohistochemical staining was performed for glutamate aspartate transporter（GLAST）and glial glutamate transporter-1（GLT-1）expression.Western blot assay was used to analyze the expression of GLAST and GLT-1.Reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction were carried out to assess the expression of GLAST and GLT-1m RNAs.After catgut implantation at the acupoints,neurological function was substantially improved,muscle tension was decreased,and infarct volume was reduced in rats with spasticity after stroke.Furthermore,the expression of GLAST and GLT-1 m RNAs was increased on the injured（left）side.Our findings demonstrate that catgut implantation at acupoints alleviates spasticity after stroke,likely by increasing the expression of GLAST and GLT-1.展开更多
Electroacupuncture at Dazhui（GV14） and Mingmen（GV4） on the Governor Vessel has been shown to exhibit curative effects on spinal cord injury; however, the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. In this stu...Electroacupuncture at Dazhui（GV14） and Mingmen（GV4） on the Governor Vessel has been shown to exhibit curative effects on spinal cord injury; however, the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. In this study, we established rat models of spinal cord injury using a modified Allen＇s weight-drop method. Ninety-nine male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three equal groups： sham（only laminectomy）, SCI（induction of spinal cord injury at T10）, and EA（induction of spinal cord injury at T10 and electroacupuncture intervention at GV14 and GV4 for 20 minutes once a day）. Rats in the SCI and EA groups were further randomly divided into the following subgroups： 1-day（n = 11）, 7-day（n = 11）, and 14-day（n = 11）. At 1, 7, and 14 days after electroacupuncture treatment, the Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan locomotor rating scale showed obvious improvement in rat hind limb locomotor function, hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that the histological change of injured spinal cord tissue was obviously alleviated, and immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis showed that Wnt1, Wnt3 a, β-catenin immunoreactivity and protein expression in the injured spinal cord tissue were greatly increased compared with the sham and SCI groups. These findings suggest that electroacupuncture at GV14 and GV4 upregulates Wnt1, Wnt3 a, and β-catenin expression in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, exhibiting neuroprotective effects against spinal cord injury.展开更多
Governor Vessel is one of eight extraordinary Meridians, and been also called ＂the sea of Yang Meridians＂. It masters the Yin and Yang of the body cooperating with Conception Vessel. Acupoints on Governor Vessel hav...Governor Vessel is one of eight extraordinary Meridians, and been also called ＂the sea of Yang Meridians＂. It masters the Yin and Yang of the body cooperating with Conception Vessel. Acupoints on Governor Vessel have been used widely in clinic. The author expounded the functional feature of Yaoyangguan （GV 3）, Mingmen （GV 4）, Zhiyang （GV 9）, Dazhui （GV 14） and Baihui （GV 20）, which can show the characteristic of Governor Vessel and provide reference for clinical application.展开更多
With introduction of three heavy manipulations therapy at Dazhui （大椎 GV 14） for unclear enunciation case of acute cerebral infarction, acute attack case of chronic asthmatic bronchitis, amyotrophic lateral scleros...With introduction of three heavy manipulations therapy at Dazhui （大椎 GV 14） for unclear enunciation case of acute cerebral infarction, acute attack case of chronic asthmatic bronchitis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis case of motor neuron disease, ankylosing spondylitis case and chronic fatigue syndrome case, it is confirmed thatDazhui （大椎 GV 14） combined with three heavy manipulations therapy of blood-letting acupuncture, cupping and moxibust-ion has efficacy for external and endogenous wind, promoting and tonifying yang- qi, strengthening the body timely, removing wind and dampness, and relieving the pain and spasm in the clinical practice.展开更多
Objective: To observe the clinical effects of acupoint sticking therapy in the three ten-day periods in summer and three nine-day periods in winter. Methods: Herbal medicines were prepared into crude herbal powder and...Objective: To observe the clinical effects of acupoint sticking therapy in the three ten-day periods in summer and three nine-day periods in winter. Methods: Herbal medicines were prepared into crude herbal powder and made into paste with ginger juice, and were respectively applied to the corresponding acupoints in the three ten-day periods in summer and three nine-day periods in winter. Results: The results showed 45 cases were cured, 50 cases were improved, and 5 cases failed out of 100 cases, with the total effective rate of 95%. Conclusion: The acupoint sticking therapy for the treatment and prevention of allergic rhinitis is simple in method, remarkable in effects, acceptable to the patients, and is worthy of clinical popularization.展开更多
Objective To probe into the effective acupuncture treatment for high fever and other clinical relevant symptoms in common cold. Methods Based on randoming and multi-central clinical trial principle, the included 276 c...Objective To probe into the effective acupuncture treatment for high fever and other clinical relevant symptoms in common cold. Methods Based on randoming and multi-central clinical trial principle, the included 276 cases were randomized into experimental group （138 cases） and control group （138 cases） in statistics. Electric acupuncture on Dazhui（大椎 GV14） was applied in experimental group and the injection with antondine was in control group. The immediate antipyretic and clinical therapeutic effects were observed in 24 h. Results The body temperatures at different times in experimental group were all lower than those in control group after treatment （P〈 0.01 ）. The scores of relevant symptoms in 3- 24 h after treatment were lower than those in control group （P〈0.05）. The response time （1.42± 1.79） h in experimental group was shorter than that （3.44±5.10） h in control group （P〈0.05）. The response times for chills, soreness of limbs, headach and sweating in experimental group were shorter than those in control group （P〈0. 01 ）. The recovery times for chills and headache in experimental group were shorter than those in control group （P〈0.05）. The systematic therapeutic effects were different significantly between two groups in 24 h （P〈0.05）. Conclusion Acupuncture on Dazhui（大椎 GV14） had achieved definite effects on treatment for high fever in common cold. It released remarkably chills, soreness of limbs, headache and sweating and improved the systematic therapeutic effects on common cold.展开更多
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect on acne vulgaris of pricking-bloodletting cupping at Dazhui(GV 14) under acupuncture anesthesia, and establish whether providing anesthesia to the treatment area by manipulating Hegu(...OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect on acne vulgaris of pricking-bloodletting cupping at Dazhui(GV 14) under acupuncture anesthesia, and establish whether providing anesthesia to the treatment area by manipulating Hegu(LI 4) and Quchi(LI 11) might have an additional therapeutic benefit. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients were recruited and randomized into a control group and an intervention group with a single-blind(observer-blind) method. The control group was treated by pricking-bloodletting cupping at Dazhui(GV 14) and the studied group by pricking-bloodletting cupping at Dazhui(GV 14) under acupuncture anesthesia at Hegu(LI 4) and Quchi(LI 11). Both groups were treated twice weekly for 6 weeks. The analgesic and therapeutic effects of acupuncture were evaluated on a visual analog scale(VAS) and global acne grading system(GAGS), respectively.RESULTS: There were differences in the VAS scores of pain on pricking and in the pricked area, and the duration of pain between the groups. After 12 treatments, there was a significant reduction in GAGS scores from baseline in both groups, but there was no significant difference between the groups. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture anesthesia at Hegu(LI 4) and Quchi(LI 11) is an effective means of alleviating the pain of pricking-bloodletting cupping and reducing the duration of pain in the treatment area. Pricking-bloodletting cupping at Dazhui(GV 14) improves the skin lesions of patients with moderate acne vulgaris, but acupuncture anesthesia does not appear to have an additional therapeutic effect.展开更多
基金Supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province:Preparation and Evaluation in vivo and in vitro of Xiaochuan Cataplasm(No.S2012010008990)National Natural Science Foundation of China:Study on the Mechanism of Acupoint Application of Transdermal Drug Delivery Based on Microdialysis and Laser Confocal Microscopy(No.81373975)
文摘OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of stimulating the acupoints Feishu(BL 13) and Dazhui(GV 14) on the transdermal uptake of sinapine thiocyanate contained in a gel used for the management of asthma.METHODS: Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three equal groups using a random number table: the Feishu(BL 13) acupoint group, the Dazhui(GV 14) acupoint group, and the nonacupoint group or control group. Using micro-dialysis technology, preprocessed skin probes were implanted into the rats at Feishu(BL 13), Dazhui(GV 14), and a nonacupoint site. Asthma gel was then placed on the skin at Feishu(BL 13), Dazhui(GV14) acupoints, and the nonacupoint for all groups.Dialysate was collected every 30 min for 12 h. The normalized concentration of sinapine thiocyanate in the skin was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography.RESULTS: The rat in vivo transdermal experiment demonstrated that the quantity-time equation showed a good linear correlation with zero-order kinetics(r > 0.99). The transdermal behavior was in accordance with the first-order rate open model in which the transdermal penetration rates and the accumulative amounts of sinapine thiocyanate in the skin at the acupoint sites were greater than those through the skin of the nonacupoint site. The systemic maximum concentration and the area under the curve of sinapine thiocyanate in the acupoint groups were significantly greater than in the nonacupoint group. A lag time was observed in both acupoint groups, but not in the nonacupoint group.CONCLUSION: Stimulating the acupoints promotes the percutaneous absorption of sinapine thiocyanate and also controls its release, reducing concentration fluctuations in the blood.
文摘Objective: To explore therapeutic method for occipital neuralgia. Methods: A total of 90 occipital neuralgia patients were randomly divided into treatment group (n=60 cases) and control group (n=30). In treatment group, Dazhui (GV 14) was punctured and stimulated with reinforcing method, and Fengchi (GB 20) punctured and stimulated with reducing needling method. In control group, the tender point was punctured and stimulated with reducing needling method. The acupuncture needles were retained for 30 min and the treatment was conducted once daily, with 10 times being a therapeutic course. Results: After one session of treatment, the markedly effective rates of treatment and control groups were 98% and 57% respectively. Comparison between two groups showed a considerable difference in the therapeutic effect (P<0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture of Dazhui (GV 14) and Fengchi (GB 20) are effective in the treatment of occipital neuralgia.
基金Supported by Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medcine Innovation Team Projet(No.2011XCXTD05)
文摘OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of catgut implantation at acupoints on the expressions of γ-amino butyric acid B receptor(GABAB ) and metabotropic glutamate receptor 1(mGluR1) in the brain stem of rats with spasticity after stroke.METHODS: In total, 60 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: a sham group(n=10), a model group(n=25) and a treatment group(n=25). The rats in both the model group and the treatment group were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion to establish a model of focal cerebral ischemia. Rats with limb-spasm met the inclusion criteria. Only the left carotid artery was isolated in sham group rats. Three days after modeling, the treatment group was subjected to catgut implantation at Dazhui(GV 14), Guanyuan(CV 4), and Zhongwan(CV 12). Neurological deficit symptoms were assessed with the Zea-Longa neurological deficit score. The Modified Ashworth Scale(MAS), and isolated muscle tone were used to evaluate spasticity before and after treatment. Immunohistochemistry was applied to determine the expression of GABAB and mGluR1 in the rat brain stem after treatment.RESULTS: After treatment, neural impairment symptoms had significantly improved in the treatment group when compared to the model group(P<0.05). Both MAS and isolated muscle tone in the treatment group were significantly decreased when compared with the model group(P<0.05),and were also lower than before treatment. GABAB expression was significantly higher and mGluR1 was lower in the treatment group when compared with the model group(P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively).CONCLUSION: Catgut implantation at Dazhui(GV 14), Guanyuan(CV 4), and Zhongwan(CV 12), can relieve limb spasticity by increasing the expression of GABAB and reducing the expression of mGluR1 in the brain stem of rats after stroke.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.14202225,&.81574042the Traditional Chinese Medicine Leading Talent Funding Projects of Henan Province of China,No.2000202a grant from the Special Research Project on the Construction of the National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China,No.JDZX2015314
文摘Catgut implantation at acupoints has been shown to alleviate spasticity after stroke in rats.However,the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood.In this study,we used the rat middle cerebral artery occlusion model of stroke.Three days after surgery,absorbable surgical catgut sutures were implanted at Dazhui（GV14）,Jizhong（GV6）,Houhui,Guanyuan（CV4）and Zhongwan（CV12）.The Zea Longa score was used to assess neurological function.The Modified Ashworth Scale was used to evaluate muscle tension.The 2,3,5-triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride assay was used to measure infarct volume.Immunohistochemical staining was performed for glutamate aspartate transporter（GLAST）and glial glutamate transporter-1（GLT-1）expression.Western blot assay was used to analyze the expression of GLAST and GLT-1.Reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction were carried out to assess the expression of GLAST and GLT-1m RNAs.After catgut implantation at the acupoints,neurological function was substantially improved,muscle tension was decreased,and infarct volume was reduced in rats with spasticity after stroke.Furthermore,the expression of GLAST and GLT-1 m RNAs was increased on the injured（left）side.Our findings demonstrate that catgut implantation at acupoints alleviates spasticity after stroke,likely by increasing the expression of GLAST and GLT-1.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81373728
文摘Electroacupuncture at Dazhui（GV14） and Mingmen（GV4） on the Governor Vessel has been shown to exhibit curative effects on spinal cord injury; however, the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. In this study, we established rat models of spinal cord injury using a modified Allen＇s weight-drop method. Ninety-nine male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three equal groups： sham（only laminectomy）, SCI（induction of spinal cord injury at T10）, and EA（induction of spinal cord injury at T10 and electroacupuncture intervention at GV14 and GV4 for 20 minutes once a day）. Rats in the SCI and EA groups were further randomly divided into the following subgroups： 1-day（n = 11）, 7-day（n = 11）, and 14-day（n = 11）. At 1, 7, and 14 days after electroacupuncture treatment, the Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan locomotor rating scale showed obvious improvement in rat hind limb locomotor function, hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that the histological change of injured spinal cord tissue was obviously alleviated, and immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis showed that Wnt1, Wnt3 a, β-catenin immunoreactivity and protein expression in the injured spinal cord tissue were greatly increased compared with the sham and SCI groups. These findings suggest that electroacupuncture at GV14 and GV4 upregulates Wnt1, Wnt3 a, and β-catenin expression in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, exhibiting neuroprotective effects against spinal cord injury.
文摘Governor Vessel is one of eight extraordinary Meridians, and been also called ＂the sea of Yang Meridians＂. It masters the Yin and Yang of the body cooperating with Conception Vessel. Acupoints on Governor Vessel have been used widely in clinic. The author expounded the functional feature of Yaoyangguan （GV 3）, Mingmen （GV 4）, Zhiyang （GV 9）, Dazhui （GV 14） and Baihui （GV 20）, which can show the characteristic of Governor Vessel and provide reference for clinical application.
文摘With introduction of three heavy manipulations therapy at Dazhui （大椎 GV 14） for unclear enunciation case of acute cerebral infarction, acute attack case of chronic asthmatic bronchitis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis case of motor neuron disease, ankylosing spondylitis case and chronic fatigue syndrome case, it is confirmed thatDazhui （大椎 GV 14） combined with three heavy manipulations therapy of blood-letting acupuncture, cupping and moxibust-ion has efficacy for external and endogenous wind, promoting and tonifying yang- qi, strengthening the body timely, removing wind and dampness, and relieving the pain and spasm in the clinical practice.
基金supported by Chinese Medicine Hospital of Ba’nan District, Chongqing Municipality
文摘Objective: To observe the clinical effects of acupoint sticking therapy in the three ten-day periods in summer and three nine-day periods in winter. Methods: Herbal medicines were prepared into crude herbal powder and made into paste with ginger juice, and were respectively applied to the corresponding acupoints in the three ten-day periods in summer and three nine-day periods in winter. Results: The results showed 45 cases were cured, 50 cases were improved, and 5 cases failed out of 100 cases, with the total effective rate of 95%. Conclusion: The acupoint sticking therapy for the treatment and prevention of allergic rhinitis is simple in method, remarkable in effects, acceptable to the patients, and is worthy of clinical popularization.
文摘Objective To probe into the effective acupuncture treatment for high fever and other clinical relevant symptoms in common cold. Methods Based on randoming and multi-central clinical trial principle, the included 276 cases were randomized into experimental group （138 cases） and control group （138 cases） in statistics. Electric acupuncture on Dazhui（大椎 GV14） was applied in experimental group and the injection with antondine was in control group. The immediate antipyretic and clinical therapeutic effects were observed in 24 h. Results The body temperatures at different times in experimental group were all lower than those in control group after treatment （P〈 0.01 ）. The scores of relevant symptoms in 3- 24 h after treatment were lower than those in control group （P〈0.05）. The response time （1.42± 1.79） h in experimental group was shorter than that （3.44±5.10） h in control group （P〈0.05）. The response times for chills, soreness of limbs, headach and sweating in experimental group were shorter than those in control group （P〈0. 01 ）. The recovery times for chills and headache in experimental group were shorter than those in control group （P〈0.05）. The systematic therapeutic effects were different significantly between two groups in 24 h （P〈0.05）. Conclusion Acupuncture on Dazhui（大椎 GV14） had achieved definite effects on treatment for high fever in common cold. It released remarkably chills, soreness of limbs, headache and sweating and improved the systematic therapeutic effects on common cold.
基金Supported by the New Technique and Occupation Project of General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University(No.2011-2-20)
文摘OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect on acne vulgaris of pricking-bloodletting cupping at Dazhui(GV 14) under acupuncture anesthesia, and establish whether providing anesthesia to the treatment area by manipulating Hegu(LI 4) and Quchi(LI 11) might have an additional therapeutic benefit. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients were recruited and randomized into a control group and an intervention group with a single-blind(observer-blind) method. The control group was treated by pricking-bloodletting cupping at Dazhui(GV 14) and the studied group by pricking-bloodletting cupping at Dazhui(GV 14) under acupuncture anesthesia at Hegu(LI 4) and Quchi(LI 11). Both groups were treated twice weekly for 6 weeks. The analgesic and therapeutic effects of acupuncture were evaluated on a visual analog scale(VAS) and global acne grading system(GAGS), respectively.RESULTS: There were differences in the VAS scores of pain on pricking and in the pricked area, and the duration of pain between the groups. After 12 treatments, there was a significant reduction in GAGS scores from baseline in both groups, but there was no significant difference between the groups. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture anesthesia at Hegu(LI 4) and Quchi(LI 11) is an effective means of alleviating the pain of pricking-bloodletting cupping and reducing the duration of pain in the treatment area. Pricking-bloodletting cupping at Dazhui(GV 14) improves the skin lesions of patients with moderate acne vulgaris, but acupuncture anesthesia does not appear to have an additional therapeutic effect.
