We appreciate the financial support from the Science and Technology Development Fund Project of Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (No. 20ZL10). The authors would like to thank Mr. Yang Yang for participating in our study as a model.

The clinical trial has been approved by the Approval Committee of the Respiratory Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (No. KY2022022). In this study, the diagnostic criteria of bronchial asthma refer to the Guidelines for Bronchial Asthma Prevent and Management (2020 edition)8 and TCM operations refer to the Criteria of Diagnosis and Therapeutic Effect of Diseases and Syndromes in Traditional Chinese Medicine15. The typical case was a diagnosed bronchial asthma patient admitted to the Respiratory Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The patient&#39;s informed consent was obtained. All material sources used in the protocol can be obtained (see Table of Materials).
1. Material preparation
<ol>
	<li>Moxa Stick: Please ensure that the items listed below are available: 
	-Moxa sticks (made of moxa; their specifications are as follows: 200 mm in length and 18 mm in diameter [Table of Materials]). 
	-Ignition device (lighter [Table of Materials]) 
	-Surgical curved plate (200 mm in length and 125 mm in width [Table of Materials]) with water 
	-Gauze (minimum specification: 80 mm x 80 mm-8P [Table of Materials]) 
	-Forceps (all sterile medical forcipes are acceptable and nonessential. No special requirements [Table of Materials]) 
	NOTE: The ignition devices include matches, alcohol lamps, and lighters, according to the medical production standards, and any of them can be selected during operation. The ignition devices will extinguish the flame in time according to its manual after use. The surgical curved plate with water is to extinguish the moxa stick fire and clean the ashes after burning.</li>
	<li>Gather all the materials mentioned in steps 1.1 and put them in a medical cart for use in the procedure room (Figure 1).</li>
</ol>
2. Patient assessment
<ol>
	<li>Inclusion criteria
	<ol>
		<li>Include patients diagnosed with bronchial asthma according to diagnostic criteria8. 
		NOTE: Fully communicate with the patient and inform them of the risks brought by the operation. Have the patient sign the informed consent form. Moxibustion should be applied cautiously to those who are afraid of moxibustion. The skin area to be operated on should be complete.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Exclusion criteria
	<ol>
		<li>Exclude pregnant women, children, and other special groups who should not be operated on.</li>
		<li>Exclude people allergic to argyi, alcohol, and other materials. 
		&#8203;NOTE: The purpose of patient assessment is to judge whether the patient is in the appropriate condition for a moxibustion operation.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
3. Preoperative preparation
<ol>
	<li>Cleaning the skin area
	<ol>
		<li>The day before the operation, clean the skin area where the operation site is located two or three times with clean water to ensure that surface contaminants are removed. The radius of the cleaning range should be greater than 10 cm. Keep the skin dry after cleaning.</li>
		<li>If conditions permit, bathe and clean the skin. Ensure the water temperature is comfortable for the patient.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>After selecting the point, use an iodophor cotton swab to disinfect the skin from inside to outside two or three times, with the acupoint as the center. The area of the sterilized skin should not be less than 5 cm x 5 cm.</li>
	<li>Before the operation, the operator must clean their hands with soapy water, according to the specification of hand hygiene for healthcare workers16.</li>
</ol>
4. Operation procedure
<ol>
	<li>Body position selection: Select the supine position or prone position for this procedure. 
	NOTE: The body position should be correctly selected according to the position of the acupoints to expose the acupoints fully.</li>
	<li>Acupoint selection
	<ol>
		<li>Locate the following acupoints according to Meridians and Acupoints17 (version 2016, published by China Traditional Chinese Medicine Publishing House): Dingchuan (EX-B1), Feishu (BL13), and Zhongfu (LU1).</li>
		<li>Locate EX-B1 at the nape back, on both sides of the midpoint of the lower edge of the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra 0.5 F-cun18 (Figure 2).</li>
		<li>Locate BL13 on the back side, on both sides of the midpoint of the lower edge of the spinous process of the third thoracic vertebra 1.5 F-cun (Figure 3).</li>
		<li>Locate LU1 on the chest, parallel to the first rib gap, on both sides of the anterior median line 6 F-cun (Figure 4). 
		NOTE: Take the width of the interphalangeal joint of the patient&#39;s thumb as 1 F-cun (Figure 5).</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Light the moxa stick
	<ol>
		<li>Hold the middle and upper 1/3 of the moxa stick and light with the lighter. 
		NOTE: No other inflammable is allowed in the surrounding environment.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Selection of moxibustion methods
	<ol>
		<li>Mild moxibustion
		<ol>
			<li>Hold the middle and upper 1/3 of the moxa stick, aim the lighted end above the acupoint 2-3 cm away from the skin, and keep the distance constant during the operation (Figure 6).</li>
			<li>Make the operation position appear warm, local skin flushed, but with no burning pain. Keep moxibustion at each acupoint for 10-15 min; the skin temperature of the acupoint is maintained at 40-45 &#176;C, measured by a portable infrared thermometer. 
			NOTE: The degree is chosen such that the patient feels warm and the skin is slightly red.</li>
		</ol>
		</li>
		<li>Sparrow-pecking moxibustion
		<ol>
			<li>Hold the middle and upper 1/3 of the moxa stick and aim the lighted end above the acupoint, 2-3 cm away from the skin.</li>
			<li>Move the burning end of the moxa stick by moving up and down, perpendicular to the skin above the acupoint (like a bird pecking), and keep the same up and down movement (Figure 7).</li>
			<li>Make the operation position appear warm, local skin flushed, but with no burning pain. Keep moxibustion at each acupoint for 10-15 min; the skin temperature of the acupoint is maintained at 40-45 &#176;C, measured by a portable infrared thermometer.</li>
		</ol>
		</li>
		<li>Convoluted moxibustion
		<ol>
			<li>Hold the middle and upper 1/3 of the moxa stick and aim the lighted end above the acupoint, 2-3 cm away from the skin.</li>
			<li>Apply moxibustion by repeatedly rotating (like drawing a circle); draw a circle with a radius of 2.5 cm centered on the acupoint (Figure 8).</li>
			<li>Make the operation position appear warm, local skin flushed, but with no burning pain. Keep moxibustion at each acupoint for 10-15 min; the skin temperature of the acupoint is maintained at 40-45 &#176;C, measured by a portable infrared thermometer.
			<ol>
				<li>Sense the temperature during the operation. If the patient feels warm and comfortable, keep the distance unchanged. If the patient has a burning sensation, increase the distance between the moxa stick and the skin.</li>
				<li>If the patient&#39;s local skin sensation is weakened, separate the index finger and middle finger and place them on both sides of the acupoint to feel the temperature, adjust the time and distance of moxibustion according to the situation, and avoid burns.</li>
			</ol>
			</li>
		</ol>
		</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Extinguish the fire and clean the ashes.
	<ol>
		<li>After the operation, put the ignited part of the moxa stick into a curved plate filled with water to extinguish the moxa fire. Use forceps to remove the large ash, then gently wipe the residual stains with gauze. 
		NOTE: Small blisters can naturally get absorbed. If the blisters are large, they can be punctured with a syringe or a needle and then an antibiotic ointment applied.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Postoperative care
	<ol>
		<li>Use forceps to remove large ashes and clean the local skin area. Then, gently wipe the residual stains with gauze.</li>
		<li>Do not touch or take cold water within half an hour after the operation. Pay attention to keep the procedure area warm. Seek timely medical advice if the patient is feeling unwell.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
5. Statistical analysis
<ol>
	<li>Express the continuous variables as mean &#177; standard deviation (SD). Use a paired t-test to compare the differences between before and after treatment. 
	NOTE: No categorical variables were involved in this study variable. All statistical tests were two-sided, and p &#60; 0.05 was considered statistically significant. All analyses were performed using statistical software.</li>
</ol>

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

The airway inflammation caused by bronchial asthma is a cascade immune response involving various immune cells, cytokines, and inflammatory mediators19. Bronchial biopsies of asthmatic patients show the presence of eosinophils, activated mast cells, and Th2 cell-based T cell infiltration20. Pulmonary function indexes FEV1 and PEF reflect the severity of airway obstruction, and are the most commonly used indexes for objectively judging and evaluating the condition of asthma<...

The protocol presented here demonstrates the operation of moxibustion in treating bronchial asthma in terms of patient management, material preparation, acupoint selection, operation, and postoperative nursing. The purpose of this protocol is to control the symptoms of patients with bronchial asthma and improve lung function by moxibustion.
Acupuncture and moxibustion are important components of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Concerning bronchial asthma, acupuncture and moxibustion have accumulated extensive clinical experience in treatments, and moxibustion in particular has shown unique advantages1,2,3,4. Modern studies show that the effects of the biological mechanism of warming promotion and supplementation of moxibustion are as follows: moxibustion activates the acupoints (local starting), promotes the movement of qi and blood, regulates the neuroendocrine-immune network (regulatory pathway), and regulates the functions of the viscera (response of the effector organ)5,6,7.
Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airway which can lead to symptoms such as recurrent wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, or cough, due to the increased airway reactivity. These symptoms often occur or worsen at night or in the morning8. Bronchial asthma is one of the most common chronic lung diseases in the world, affecting people of all ages9. In recent years, the prevalence of bronchial asthma in China has been increasing yearly. The latest epidemiological survey showed that the prevalence of asthma in adults over 20 years old is 4.2%10. The disease will lead to airway remodeling and hyperreactivity, which will seriously affect the pulmonary function of patients in the late stage. Currently, the main clinical treatments for bronchial asthma are anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and symptomatic treatments. Nevertheless, the high recurrence rate and intractability outline the main disadvantages, let alone the poor long-term drug efficacy and lack of an ideal therapeutic schedule. Compared with inhaled drugs alone, moxibustion could enhance humoral and cellular immunity, which have a significant immunomodulatory effect during treatment11,12,13. By burning and roasting the Chinese medica above human acupoints, moxibustion is a type of treatment that works through drugs and heat stimulation. It has effects such as dispelling cold sensations by warming the meridians, promoting qi circulation to remove the meridian obstruction, and eliminating stagnation to activate meridians. It is regarded as a TCM characteristic therapy for bronchial asthma14.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Forceps</td>
			<td>Shandong Weigao Group MEDICAL Polymer Co., Ltd.</td>
			<td>Shandong Medical Device Registration Certificate: No.20182640148</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gauze</td>
			<td>Shandong Angyang Medical Co.,Ltd</td>
			<td>Shandong Medical Device Registration Certificate: No.20152140569</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Lighter</td>
			<td>Ningbo Qiant Technology Co., Ltd</td>
			<td>Chaofan-CF-1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Moxa Stick</td>
			<td>Nanjing Tongrentang Lejialaopu Health Technology Co., Ltd</td>
			<td>10028859806337</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Surgical Curved Plate</td>
			<td>Yuekang Hardware Medical Instrument Factory, Caitang Town, Chao&#39;an District, Chaozhou City</td>
			<td>Medium Size</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

a traditional chinese medicine characteristic therapy for bronchial asthma: moxibustion

Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airway which can lead to symptoms such as recurrent wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, or cough, as a result of increased airway reactivity. With high diurnal variation, these symptoms often occur or worsen at night or in the morning. By burning and roasting the Chinese medica above human acupoints, moxibustion is a type of treatment that stimulates the activity of the human meridians through drugs and heat stimulation to prevent and treat diseases. According to the principle of syndrome differentiation and treatment of traditional Chinese medicine, acupoints are selected on the corresponding parts, which has a definite effect. It is regarded as a characteristic traditional Chinese medicine therapy for bronchial asthma. This protocol elaborates the methods and steps of patient management, material preparation, selection of acupoints, operation, and postoperative nursing to ensure safe and effective moxibustion treatment to significantly improve the clinical symptoms and quality of life of patients with bronchial asthma.

Eight patients with bronchial asthma who met the criteria were treated with moxibustion. All patients had the same diagnostic criteria for bronchial asthma, and the patients&#39; pulmonary function FEV1 ratio, PEF ratio (actual/expected; percentage), and asthma control test (ACT) scores were measured before and after the moxibustion treatment in the same way. After one course of treatment, all patients had improved pulmonary function FEV1 ratio, PEF ratio, and ACT scores. Before treatment, the pulmonary function FEV1 rat...

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A Traditional Chinese Medicine Characteristic Therapy for Bronchial Asthma: Moxibustion

This protocol presents a curative procedure of moxibustion in treating patients with bronchial asthma.

Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airway which can lead to symptoms such as recurrent wheezing, shortness of breath, chest ...

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2.7K Views.  Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. This protocol presents a curative procedure of moxibustion in treating patients with bronchial asthma.

Video: A Traditional Chinese Medicine Characteristic Therapy for Bronchial Asthma: Moxibustion

Bronchial Thermoplasty:  A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma

Bronchial thermoplasty is a non-drug procedure for severe persistent asthma that delivers thermal energy to the airway wall in a precisely controlled manner to reduce excessive airway smooth muscle. Reducing airway smooth muscle decreases the ability of the airways to constrict, thereby reducing the frequency of asthma attacks. Bronchial thermoplasty is delivered by the Alair System and is performed in three outpatient procedure visits, each scheduled approximately three weeks apart. The first procedure treats the airways of the right lower lobe, the second treats the airways of the left lower lobe and the third and final procedure treats the airways in both upper lobes. After all three procedures are performed the bronchial thermoplasty treatment is complete.
Bronchial thermoplasty is performed during bronchoscopy with the patient under moderate sedation. All accessible airways distal to the mainstem bronchi between 3 and 10 mm in diameter, with the exception of the right middle lobe, are treated under bronchoscopic visualization. Contiguous and non-overlapping activations of the device are used, moving from distal to proximal along the length of the airway, and systematically from airway to airway as described previously. Although conceptually straightforward, the actual execution of bronchial thermoplasty is quite intricate and procedural duration for the treatment of a single lobe is often substantially longer than encountered during routine bronchoscopy. As such, bronchial thermoplasty should be considered a complex interventional bronchoscopy and is intended for the experienced bronchoscopist. Optimal patient management is critical in any such complex and longer duration bronchoscopic procedure. This article discusses the importance of careful patient selection, patient preparation, patient management, procedure duration, postoperative care and follow-up to ensure that bronchial thermoplasty is performed safely.
Bronchial thermoplasty is expected to complement asthma maintenance medications by providing long-lasting asthma control and improving asthma-related quality of life of patients with severe asthma. In addition, bronchial thermoplasty has been demonstrated to reduce severe exacerbations (asthma attacks) emergency rooms visits for respiratory symptoms, and time lost from work, school and other daily activities due to asthma.

Bronchial thermoplasty is a non-drug procedure for severe persistent asthma that delivers thermal energy to the airway wall in a precisely controlled manner to reduce excessive airway smooth muscle. Reducing airway smooth muscle decreases the ability of the airways to constrict, thereby reducing the frequency of asthma attacks.

Bronchial thermoplasty is a non-drug procedure for severe persistent asthma that delivers thermal energy to the airway wall in a precisely controlled ...

Acupuncture in a Rat Model of Asthma

A high platform can fix rats without restriction and completely expose the acupoints on the back during acupuncture manipulation. This article describes methods for the fabrication of the high platform, establishes a rat model of asthma and measures changes in respiratory function using a noninvasive and real-time whole-body plethysmography (WBP) system.

A high platform can fix rats without restriction and completely expose the acupoints on the back during acupuncture manipulation. This article describes ...

Three-Dimensional Finger Motion Tracking during Needling: A Solution for the Kinematic Analysis of Acupuncture Manipulation

Three-dimensional (3D) motion tracking has been used in many fields, such as the researches of sport and medical skills. This experiment aimed to use 3D motion tracking technology to measure the kinematic parameters of the joints of fingers during acupuncture manipulation (AM) and establish three technical indicators "amplitude, velocity and time". This method can reflect the operation characteristics of AM and provide quantitative parameters along three axes of multiple finger joints. The current evidence shows that the method has great potential for future applications such as the study of the dose-effect relationship of acupuncture, teaching, and learning of AM, and the measurement and preservation of famous acupuncturists' AM.

This experimental method describes a solution for the kinematic analysis of acupuncture manipulation with three-dimensional finger motion tracking technology.

Three-dimensional (3D) motion tracking has been used in many fields, such as the researches of sport and medical skills. This experiment aimed to use 3D ...

Enema of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Patients with Severe Acute Pancreatitis

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is characterized by high mortality rates, numerous complications, and extreme difficulties in treatment. A traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) enema has been widely utilized in clinical and experimental studies of SAP. It has been demonstrated to have beneficial effects in protecting pancreatic function and delaying disease progression. The procedure of TCM enema is to perfuse the Chinese medicinal liquid of raw rhubarb (Rheum officinale Baill. DaHuang) from the anus into the rectum and colon. Basic steps of the procedure include boiling the herbal solution in advance, using a disposable enema kit to assist patients in taking a left lying position, raising the patient's hip 10 cm, and carefully inserting the enema 30-35 cm into the anus, with a drip speed of 60-80 drops/min. The medicine liquid temperature should be equivalent to the patient's body temperature, typically between 37-39 &#176;C. The end of the enema operation should be slow, and Tui na (massage therapy) should be administered before extubation. The medication liquid should be kept in the rectum for more than 1 h. After issuing an enema, it is essential to observe the patient's feces and abdomen, and to evaluate the remission of abdominal signs and symptoms.

An enema is a type of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy used to treat severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). The therapy involves instilling a TCM liquid into the rectum and colon through the anus to keep the liquid in the intestine, absorbing through the intestinal mucosa. This study aims to standardize the enema procedure for SAP patients.

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is characterized by high mortality rates, numerous complications, and extreme difficulties in treatment. A traditional ...

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.

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 ...

Managing Gestational Vomiting with Ear Plaster Therapy

Ear Plaster Therapy as a Safe and Effective Treatment for Gestational Vomiting

Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP) are common symptoms that often complicate early pregnancy for many women. While clinical treatments such as fasting, fluid infusion, and nutritional support are conventionally applied to manage NVP, their effectiveness varies. However, traditional ear plaster therapy offers a promising alternative that effectively relieves symptoms and poses no known risk to the development of embryos or fetuses. This therapy is known for its ease of application, cost-effectiveness, and favorable outcomes. Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of combining ear plaster therapy with conventional treatments in alleviating symptoms of nausea and vomiting in pregnant women, surpassing the results achieved with conventional treatment alone. The protocol presented herein describes a method to relieve NVP using round, smooth, and hard cowherb seeds applied to specific ear points. These seeds are gently rubbed onto the surface of the ear, utilizing the principles of acupressure. By stimulating the designated ear points, this procedure aims to regulate the body's energy flow and restore balance, thereby reducing the severity and frequency of NVP. The application of cowherb seeds on specific ear points is a straightforward technique that healthcare professionals can easily implement or self-administered by pregnant women under appropriate guidance. Overall, ear plaster therapy presents a safe, effective, and economical approach for managing gestational vomiting, offering women a potential solution to alleviate their discomfort during pregnancy.

Author Spotlight: Alleviating Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy with Safe and Effective Auricular Acupuncture 

The presented protocol describes a traditional Chinese medicine treatment procedure known for its safety and effectiveness in managing gestational vomiting.

Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP) are common symptoms that often complicate early pregnancy for many women. While clinical treatments such as ...

Acupuncture Stimulation of Ears to Alleviate Sleeping Disorders in COPD Patients

Auricular Acupuncture as a Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapy for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Combined with Sleep Disorders

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a clinical syndrome characterized by persistent and irreversible airflow limitation and chronic respiratory symptoms. It has a wide spectrum of complications, and sleep disorders, as part of it, are common in severe cases, especially in elderly patients. Long-term lack of sleep may lead to the aggravation of the original disease, reducing patients' quality of life. Benzodiazepines are mainly used for symptomatic treatment of COPD combined with sleep disorders. However, such drugs have the side effect of respiratory central inhibition and could probably aggravate hypoxia symptoms. Auricular acupuncture is a special method of treating physical and psychosomatic dysfunctions by stimulating specific points in the ear. This article explains the specific methods of clinical operation of auricular acupuncture in detail, including assessment of patient eligibility, medical devices used, acupuncture points, course of treatment, post-treatment care, responses to emergencies, etc. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment scale (CAT) were used as the observational index of this method. So far, clinical reports have proved that auricular acupuncture has a definite curative effect in the treatment of COPD combined with sleep disorders, and its advantages of simple operation, few adverse reactions are worthy of further study and promotion, which provide a reference for the clinical treatment of such diseases.

Author Spotlight: Utilizing Traditional Chinese Acupuncture of the Ear to Improve Sleep Disorders 

This protocol introduces an effective method to improve the sleep condition of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and alleviate cough symptoms by using auricular acupuncture techniques to percutaneously stimulate specific acupoints in the patients' ears.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a clinical syndrome characterized by persistent and irreversible airflow limitation and chronic ...

Warm Acupuncture and Moxibustion to Relieve COPD with Abdominal Distension

A Preliminary Study on Warm Acupuncture and Moxibustion for Treating Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with Abdominal Distension

Most patients with COPD have a combination of abdominal distension, which has been shown to adversely affect pulmonary symptoms, frequency of acute exacerbations, and quality of life in patients with COPD. Warm acupuncture and moxibustion have been shown to be effective in relieving symptoms in patients with COPD combined with abdominal distention. Warm acupuncture and moxibustion are highly effective, easy to perform, and inexpensive forms of traditional Chinese medicine treatments. The standardized practice of warm acupuncture and moxibustion is very important for the treatment of COPD combined with abdominal distension. The specific steps include selecting the appropriate acupoints for needling through syndrome differentiation treatment and selecting moxa sticks of appropriate length for moxibustion for about 30 min after the De-qi. The course of treatment lasts for one week. The following indicators are specifically assessed: the score of the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and the abdominal distension visual analog scale (VAS). This article will clearly illustrate how to standardize the manipulation of warm acupuncture and moxibustion to relieve COPD combined with abdominal distention.

Author Spotlight: An Effective Traditional Chinese Medicinal Treatment for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with Abdominal Distension 

Here, we present a protocol to properly manipulate warm acupuncture and moxibustion for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with abdominal distension.

Most patients with COPD have a combination of abdominal distension, which has been shown to adversely affect pulmonary symptoms, frequency of acute ...

Therapeutic Potential of Tuina Massage for Knee Osteoarthritis

Tuina Intervention in Sodium Monoiodoacetate Injection-Induced Rat Model of Knee Osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA), a common degenerative joint disorder, is characterized by chronic pain and disability, which can progress to irreparable structural damage of the joint. Investigations into the link between articular cartilage, muscles, synovium, and other tissues surrounding the knee joint in KOA are of great importance. Currently, managing KOA includes lifestyle modifications, exercise, medication, and surgical interventions; however, the elucidation of the intricate mechanisms underlying KOA-related pain is still lacking. Consequently, KOA pain remains a key clinical challenge and a therapeutic priority. Tuina has been found to have a regulatory effect on the motor, immune, and endocrine systems, prompting the exploration of whether Tuina could alleviate KOA symptoms, caused by the upregulation of inflammatory factors, and further, if the inflammatory factors in skeletal muscle can augment the progression of KOA.
We randomized 32 male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats (180-220 g) into four groups of eight animals each: antiPD-L1+Tuina (group A), model (group B), Tuina (group C), and sham surgery (group D). For groups A, B, and C, we injected 25 &#181;L of sodium monoiodoacetate (MIA) solution (4 mg MIA diluted in 25 &#181;L of sterile saline solution) into the right knee joint cavity, and for group D, the same amount of sterile physiological saline was injected. All the groups were evaluated using the least to most stressful tests (paw mechanical withdrawal threshold, paw withdrawal thermal latency, swelling of the right knee joint, Lequesne MG score, skin temperature) before injection and 2, 9, and 16 days after injection.

Author Spotlight: Treating Knee Osteoarthritis with Tuina - A New Perspective 

This protocol describes the methods of Tuina intervention in sodium monoiodoacetate injection-induced rat model of knee osteoarthritis (KOA), which provides a reference for the application of Tuina in KOA animal models. This protocol also studies the effective mechanism of Tuina for KOA, and the results will help promote its application.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA), a common degenerative joint disorder, is characterized by chronic pain and disability, which can progress to irreparable ...

Standardizing Press Needle Treatment for Myopia with Dry Eye

Press Needle: A Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapy for Myopia Patients with Dry Eye

Most patients with myopia have dry eye, which has been shown to adversely affect ocular symptoms, myopia progression, and quality of life in patients with myopia. Needle prickling has been shown to be effective in providing symptom relief in patients with myopia and dry eye. Press needle is a long-lasting, easy-to-operate, and inexpensive traditional Chinese medicine treatment. The standard practice of needle insertion is very important for the treatment of myopia and dry eye. The specific steps include selecting the appropriate acupoints, piercing them with appropriate needles, and fixing them in the skin or subcutaneously at the acupoints, burying them for 2 days, resting for 1 day; the course of treatment lasts for 2 weeks. Specifically, the following indicators were assessed: uncorrected visual acuity and the ocular surface disease index. This article will explain how to standardize the operation of a press needle in the treatment of myopia and dry eye.

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Most patients with myopia have dry eye, which has been shown to adversely affect ocular symptoms, myopia progression, and quality of life in patients with ...