Acupuncture accelerating gi-flow along meridians for treating periarthritis of shoulder

ObjectiveTo compare differences in therapeutic effects between acupuncture accelerating qi-flow along meridians (AQF) and conventional acupuncture (CA) in treating periarthritis of shoulder to find better acupuncture methods.MethodsSixty-four patients were randomly divided into two groups: group AQF, and group CA with 32 cases in each group. Jiānyú ( LI 15), Jiānliáo ( TE 14), Jiānzhān ( SI 9), Bìnào ( LI 14), Qūchí ( LI 11) and Wàiguān ( TE 5) on the affected side were used in both groups, and the two acupuncture methods were respectively used in the two groups for consecutive 2 courses. Pain and moving functions of shoulder and ability in daily life (ADL) were used as indices for evaluating therapeutic effects.ResultsThe total effective rate was 96.9% (31/32) and 81.3% (26/32) in group AQF and group CA, respectively, showing superiority of AQF to CA (P<0.05). Scores reflecting pain and moving functions of shoulder and ADL were all improved after treatment in both groups (all P<0.05), and the improvement in group AQF was more obvious than those in group CA (all P<0.05).ConclusionIn treating periarthritis of shoulder, the acupuncture accelerating qi-flow along meridians was better than conventional acupuncture in alleviating pain of the shoulder, improving its moving function and elevating abilities in daily life.