• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.39-61
• /
• 2008

Objectives : The present study was performed to investigate whether acupuncture stimulation in the rats affected regeneration properties of the injured sciatic nerve. A differential effect of acupuncture stimulation on the one point near the spinal nerve root controlling sciatic nerve activity and the other point in the peripheral area subordinated by injured nerve was compared. Materials and Methods: Rat sciatic nerves were injured by crush, and the effects on axonal regeneration on injured sciatic nerves were evaluated by acupuncture stimulation at two different regions. In proximal acupuncture stimulation group, acupuncture stimulation was performed on Huatuo Jiaji(EX B2) points located from L5 to S1 vertebral levels to stimulate the nearest spinal nerve root that innervates sciatic nerves. In distal acupuncture stimulation group, acupuncture stimulation was performed on Zusanli(ST 36) and Weizhong(BL 40) points to stimulate at peripheral area dominated by injured sciatic nerves. Acupuncture stimulation was given every other days for 1 or 2 weeks. Sciatic nerve tissues collected from acupuncture stimulation experimental groups, injury control group, and intact animal group were used for protein analysis by Western blotting or Hoechst nuclear staining. To determine axonal regeneration, Dil fluorescence dye was injected into the sciatic nerve 0.5 cm distal to the injury site in individual animal groups and Dil-labeled cells by retrograde tracing were measured in the DRG at lumbar 5 or in the spinal cord. DRG sensory neurons prepared from individual animal groups were used to measure the extent of neurite outgrowth and for immunofluorescence staining with anti-GAP-43 antibody. Results : Animal groups given proximal or distal acupuncture stimulation showed upregulation of GAP-43 and Cdc2 protein levels in the sciatic nerve at 7 days after injury. Cdk2 protein levels were strongly induced by nerve injury, but did not show changes by acupuncture stimulation. Phospho-Erk1/2 protein levels were elevated by acupuncture stimulation above those present in the injury control animals. These increase in regeneration-associated protein levels appeared to be related with increase cell proliferation in the injured sciatic nerves. Hoechst 33258 staining of sciatic nerve tissue to visualize nuclei of individual cells showed increased Schwann cell number in the distal portion of the injured nerve 7 and 14 days after injury and further increases by acupuncture stimulation particularly at the proximal position. Measurement of axonal regeneration by retrograde tracing showed significantly increased Dil-labeled cells in proximal acupuncture stimulation group compared to distal acupuncture stimulation group and injury control group. Finally, an evaluation of axonal regeneration by retrograde tracing showed increased number of Dil labeled cells in the DRG at lumbar 5 or in the ventral horn of the spinal cord at lower thoracic level at 7 days after nerve injury. Conclusions : The present data show that the proximal acupuncture stimulation at Huatuo Jiaji(EX B2) points governing injured sciatic nerves was more effective for axonal regeneration than the distal acupuncture stimulation. Further studies on functional recovery or associated molecular mechanisms should be critical for developing animal models and clinical applications.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.55-67
• /
• 2001

Objective : This study was performed to evaluate result of thoracolumbar compression fracture patient treated with Hua-Tuo-Jia-Ji-Xue(華佗夾脊穴) acupuncture. Methods : This clinical study was carried out 50 cases with thoracolumbar compression fracture, who had been admitted from January, 2000 to February, 2001, in the department of acupuncture and moxibustion, Hanseo University Oriental Medical Hospital. We divided two groups; A group, without using Hua-Tuo-Jia-Ji-Xue(華佗夾脊穴) acupuncture and the other group is B group, by using Hua-Tuo-Jia-Ji-Xue(華佗夾脊穴) acupuncture. Results : 1. The distribution of sex and age, 78% were female, and 84% were most above there sixties. 2. In the duration of symptom, the largest group was over 4 weeks. 3. In the distribution of cause, the largest group was "lifting heavy object"(32%) and the next was "slip down"(26%). 4. In the distribution of injured level was L1 body the most(19.6%) and T12 body was the next. 5. In the distribution of clinical symptoms on the admission, the largest group was lumbosacral pain(18%). 6. The result of treatment due to the duration of admission, 17case(34%) was the most above "Fair" during the 2~3 weeks. 7. The result of treatment, Good and Fair were the same in 24case(48%). 8. The duration of treatment was longer in high grade of clinical symptom. 9. B group discharged above good state 60% higher than A group.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.59-66
• /
• 2009

Objectives : This study was designed to evaluate clinical effects of Hua-Tuo-Jia-Ji-Xue acupuncture to the patients with herniation of nucleus pulposus(HNP) of lumbar. Methods : Total of 40 patients with HNP of lumbar were participated in this study. We divided them into two group; A group using conventional acupuncture and B group using conventional acupuncture and Hua-Tuo-Jia-Ji-Xue acupuncture at the same time. All the subjects were asked to complete the VAS(visual analogue scale) and ODI(Oswestry disability index) before and after treatment. Results : Both A and B group represented effective improvement in VAS and ODI. And, B group is more effective than A group statistically. Conclusions : A comparision of VAS and ODI results of the two groups show that Hua-Tuo-Jia-Ji-Xue acupuncture trement can give be more effective method on lumbago patients, if it is added conventional acupuncture. Further clinical studies are needed to verify these findings.

• The Journal of Korea CHUNA Manual Medicine
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.77-84
• /
• 2004

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate the correlation between thoracolumbar junction and back-su points, Hwatahyeopcheok points for treatment of low back pain in the thoracolumbar junction syndrome that was suggested by Maigne R. Method : We Investigate the acupuncture points that was correlated with the location of thoracolumbar junction area. And We tried to find out a common point between thoracolumbar junction and back-su points, Hwatahyeopcheok points for treatment of low back pain. Results and Conclusion : 1. It is considered that these points such as $BL_{20}$, $BL_{21}$, $BL_{22}$, and Hwatahyeopcheok points that are located from 11th thoraic spinous process to 2nd lumbar spinous process are correspond to the thoracolumbar junction area. 2. It is suggested that acupuncture treatment on $BL_{20}$, $BL_{21}$, $BL_{22}$, and Hwatahyeopcheok points can release the tenderness of the muscles, recover autonomic nervous function and release smooth muscles and vascular contraction, so it can treat low back pain caused by thoracolumbar junction.