Long-lasting effect of penetrating acupuncture among responders: Double-blind RCT of acupuncture for vulvodynia.

Background: Gastritis is a common disease in the community caused by unhealthy lifestyles. Long-term repeated use of stomach medication has the potential to cause side effects and organ damage. Acupuncture is an effective therapy for chronic pain that has long-lasting effects without side effects. This study aims to determine the effect of Jin's Three Needle acupuncture and moxibustion therapy on pain intensity in gastritis patients. Methods: This study used a true experimental design with a two-group pretest-posttest design. The sample consisted of 30 respondents who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, divided into two groups. Group 1 received Jin's Three Needle acupuncture and moxibustion therapy, while group 2 received only Jin's Three Needle acupuncture therapy. The measurement instrument used a pain scale. Data analysis used the Shapiro-Wilk normality test, followed by an independent t-test and Mann-Whitney test. Results: The analysis showed that the group receiving Jin's Three Needle acupuncture and moxibustion therapy experienced a more significant reduction in pain scale compared to the acupuncture-only therapy group with a p-value of <0.001. Conclusion: Jin's Three Needle acupuncture therapy combined with moxibustion is effective in reducing the intensity of gastritis pain. The combination of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy is recommended as an alternative treatment for gastritis to increase effectiveness and reduce the side effects of gastric medication.

M2 Macrophage-Derived TGF-β1 Drives Tendon Fibrosis in Rodent Tendinopathy Models.

To observe the effect of the direct stimulation of acupuncture at extraocular muscle attachment point on acquired extraocular muscle palsy. Thirteen patients with acquired extraocular muscle palsy were treated with acupuncture directly at extraocular muscle (paralytic muscle) attachment point. Firstly, the intraocular conjunctival sac drops of topical anesthetic (procaine hydrochloride eye drops) were administered, 0.2 mL each time, once every 10 minutes, for a total of 3 times. Acupuncture was delivered immediately after the third drop. The sterile acupuncture needle for single use, 0.25 mm×25 mm, was inserted at the anatomical location of the corneal limbal attachment of paralytic extraocular muscle, with an angle of 10° to 15° formed between the needle tip and extraocular muscle, and a depth of 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm. Pivoted by the needle tip, the eyeball was moved passively towards the direction of normal action of orbital muscle, 30 to 50 times until the patient felt soreness of the eyeball; afterwards, the needle was removed. After acupuncture, levofloxacin eye drops were administered once (0.2 mL) at the affected eye. The treatment was given twice a week, and completed when diplopia disappeared. Before and after treatment, the diplopia and the synoptophore circumference were observed respectively. After 7 to 24 (15.46±5.56) times of direct stimulation with acupuncture at extraocular muscle attachment point, the symptoms of diplopia disappeared in 13 patients, the eye position restored to orthophoria, and the circumference of synoptophore was reduced to be (4.04±0.82)° from (19.38±3.98)° detected before treatment (P<0.05). Acupuncture directly at extraocular muscle attachment can attenuate diplopia and improve ocular muscle function in patients with acquired extraocular muscle palsy.

Nanostructured acupuncture needles: recent progress in surface engineering and biomedical and electrochemical applications

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of acupuncture on pain, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) levels during septorhinoplasty surgeries.Materials and MethodsThis randomized, controlled study included 70 patients. The patients were divided into two groups: an acupuncture group (n = 35) and a control group (n = 35). The acupuncture group received bilateral press needle acupuncture at the PC 6 and ST 36 points 24 h before surgery. Blood samples were collected for analysis and comparison of preoperative and postoperative levels of IL‐6 and PGE2. The primary outcomes were the postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) scores.ResultsIn terms of evaluating postoperative pain, no statistically significant differences were observed between the study groups with regard to VAS scores. At 30 min after surgery, fewer patients in the acupuncture group needed analgesics than in the control group (p = 0.044). Postoperative IL‐6 levels were lower in the acupuncture group than in the control group (p = 0.014). There was no significant difference in postoperative PGE2 levels between the groups (p = 0.568). The acupuncture group had lower diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) at 30 min intraoperatively and lower DBP at 60 min (p = 0.012, p = 0.026, and p = 0.012, respectively). At 15 min into the operation, the heart rate was higher in the acupuncture group than in the control group (p = 0.039). After surgery, the acupuncture group had lower blood pressure at 5 min and 6 h after surgery than the control group (p = 0.034 and p = 0.041, respectively).ConclusionsThe evidence from this study suggests that acupuncture can reduce the need for pain medication after septorhinoplasty surgery, and by decreasing IL‐6 levels, it may contribute to the inflammatory process.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04009070

The cellular and molecular mechanisms of acupuncture have been investigated across various tissues in multiple animal models. However, the dynamic cellular and molecular changes at human acupuncture points remain unexplored. The primary challenge preventing such a study is the practical difficulty of obtaining sufficient cells from acupoints. To address this, we developed a new needle manipulation technique that enables the collection of sufficient cell number from the acupuncture needle during the treatment. Using this approach and single-cell technology, we identified eight cell types at the acupoint BL23: inflammatory fibroblast, myofibroblast, skeletal muscle cell, endothelial cell, smooth muscle cell, adipocyte, macrophage, and a novel cell type characterized by marker genes CNTNAP2 and CSMD1. Remarkably, this novel cell population was significantly enriched during the pain relief phase compared to the pain state, while the other seven cell types were significantly reduced following acupuncture analgesia. Transcriptomic analysis suggested that these novel cells are involved in synapse assembly and synaptic plasticity. This study presents the first characterization of cellular and transcriptional dynamics at the acupoint BL23, offering new insights into the mechanism underlying acupuncture-induced pain relief.

Abstract Background Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common degenerative joint disease that causes significant pain and functional limitations in older adults. Traditionally, warm needle acupuncture is used for musculoskeletal pain, but the technique is associated with risks, such as burns and inconsistent thermal control. The study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of electrical warm needle acupuncture (EWNA). Methods This is a pilot two-armed assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial that compares EWNA, which aims to provide precise and consistent thermal stimulation, with electrical moxibustion for patients diagnosed with KOA based on clinical symptoms and radiographic findings. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the EWNA or the electrical moxibustion group. Both treatments will be administered in 12 sessions over 6 weeks. Results The primary outcome measure is the change in the pain score, measured via a numeric rating scale, from baseline to the end of treatment. Secondary outcomes included measured changes in the visual analog scale, K-WOMAC score, Patient Global Impression of Change score, and 5-Level EuroQol-5 Dimension score. An independent blinded evaluator will assess all the outcomes. Adverse events will be monitored and recorded throughout the trial. Conclusions This pilot trial provides preliminary evidence of the feasibility and therapeutic potential of EWNA for KOA. Trial registration This protocol has been registered with the Clinical Research Information Service (KCT0010600) and approved by the Institutional Review Board of Dongguk University Bundang Oriental Hospital (DUBOH 2025-0002). Graphical Abstract

BackgroundThe sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) plays a pivotal role in regulating various head and facial diseases, such as cluster headaches, allergic rhinitis, and cerebral ischemia, through its neuroregulatory functions. Current interventions targeting SPG, have certain limitations, such as invasiveness and high cost. Acupuncture, which shows unique advantages, lacks standardized animal models for experimental research.ObjectiveTo investigate the spatial anatomical localization of the SPG in Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats and to establish an effective acupuncture pathway for SPG.MethodsA total of 12 SPF-grade SD rats (6 males and 6 females) were randomly divided into dissection and acupuncture groups. The SPG was microanatomically localized relative to bony landmarks (e.g., sphenopalatine foramen, foramen rotundum). An acupuncture pathway was designed based on anatomical data and validated using digital X-ray fluoroscopy. Serial staining (HE staining, Nissl staining, immunofluorescence staining) was employed to analyze the neural architecture and status within the pterygopalatine fossa region.ResultsThe SPG was located laterally to the sphenopalatine foramen, with coordinates for males being X = +0.05 ± 0.03 mm, Y = −0.62 ± 0.08 mm, and for females X = +0.04 ± 0.01 mm, Y = −0.54 ± 0.06 mm. The acupuncture needle was inserted at the outer canthus, 0.8–1.0 cm from the eye’s lateral canthus, at a sagittal angle of 30–45° and a coronal angle of 45°, reaching a depth of approximately 1 cm. X-ray fluoroscopy confirmed that the needle tip successfully reached the SPG area. Serial staining results indicated a normal distribution of the neural network in this area and showed no significant structural damage caused by the acupuncture intervention.ConclusionThis study successfully established a precise anatomical coordinate system and a reproducible acupuncture pathway for the SPG in SD rats. These findings provide a technical foundation for experimental acupuncture interventions targeting SPG, which may be beneficial for treating head and facial diseases, such as cluster headaches and allergic rhinitis.

Traditional acupuncture training often lacks consistent, objective feedback, while current extended reality (XR) solutions rarely include quantitative assessment. This study developed and evaluated a feedback-enabled mixed reality (MR) acupuncture simulator to improve skill acquisition through depth-responsive guidance. The system, used on Microsoft HoloLens 2, combines a MetaHuman-based virtual patient with expert-designed acupoint geometries. It provides depth-dependent vibrotactile cues via a wearable haptic device and calculates a composite score from normalized metrics, including insertion depth, angular deviation, tip-to-center distance, and task duration. Ten participants (eight novices and two experts) performed needle tasks at LI4, LI11, and TE3 across two sessions. Mean depth error decreased from 6.41 mm to 3.58 mm, and task time from 9.29 s to 6.83 s. At LI11, beginners improved in achieved depth (16.24 ± 1.88 mm to 19.74 ± 1.23 mm), reduced angular deviation (27.83° to 15.34°), and shortened completion time (38.77 s to 13.28 s). Experts outperformed novices (69.25 ± 21.64 vs. 56.26 ± 23.37), confirming construct validity. Usability evaluation showed a mean overall score of 4.46 ± 0.51 and excellent reliability (McDonald’s ω = 0.93). These results demonstrate that expert-informed scoring and depth-responsive haptic feedback substantially enhance accuracy, efficiency, and learning confidence, validating the system’s technical robustness and educational readiness for clinical acupuncture training.

During the operation of warm needling, the needle may be tilted and bent to a large degree, which will cause high temperature of moxibustion on the skin surface around, and even burns in patients. To solve this problem, the team developed a balance fixator for acupuncture needle that can be used at acupoints in various parts of the body, such as on the abdomen, waist, limbs and face. The device is composed of 3 parts, including three (or more)-bifurcated sleeve, cushion pad, and circular fixed base-plate, forming an integrated structure. The three (or more)-bifurcated sleeve increases the contact area with the filiform needle body, which can quickly and easily reduce the curvature of the needle body and fix the filiform needle. According to the different locations of acupoints in clinical practice, the cushion pad is designed as three types, i.e. rectangle, large circle, and small circle. It can not only balance needle body, but also prevent skin burns to a certain extent. This device is simple to manufacture, lightweight in material, and environmental friendly; and is applicable to a simple and safe operation in clinical practice.

Introduction: Health care workers on the frontline of a pandemic may experience insomnia. Acupuncture can be a nonpharmacological therapy option in treating insomnia. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of manual acupuncture with press needle and filiform needle modalities in treating insomnia symptoms. Methods: The study design was a single-blind randomized controlled trial. A total of 34 subjects, all health care workers and experiencing symptoms of insomnia, were randomly allocated to a press needle group ( n = 17) and a filiform needle group ( n = 17). Subjects in the press needle group received press needle application, followed by pressure stimulation three times a day for 2 weeks. Press needles were replaced every 5 days or as needed. The filiform needle group received treatment three times a week for 2 weeks. The same acupuncture points were used for the two groups and for each treatment. Assessments with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores were obtained before and after intervention and at 2 and 4 weeks after therapy, and serum melatonin levels were obtained before and after therapy. Results: There was a decrease in PSQI scores after intervention in the press needle and filiform needle groups ( p &lt; 0.001), and the effect of acupuncture therapy in both groups persisted 4 weeks post-therapy. There was no significant difference in post-therapy melatonin in each group. An analysis of the PSQI component between the two groups showed significant differences in sleep duration and sleep efficiency. The filiform needle group experienced significantly longer sleep duration and improved efficiency. Discussion: Our study indicates that press needle may be an option in treating patients with symptoms of insomnia.

ObjectiveChronic non-specific neck pain (CNNP) is a prevalent cause of disability worldwide, yet effective and safe treatment options remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Fu’s Subcutaneous Needling (FSN) therapy compared with standard acupuncture and to explore its effect on muscle elasticity using shear wave elastography (SWE).MethodsIn this randomized controlled trial, 70 patients with CNNP were assigned to receive either FSN therapy (n = 35) or filiform needle acupuncture (n = 35). Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) before and after treatment and at one-month follow-up. SWE was used to quantify the elasticity modulus of the upper trapezius muscle.ResultsBoth groups showed significant improvement after treatment; however, the FSN group demonstrated greater reductions in NDI and VAS scores (p < 0.05). SWE values decreased significantly following FSN therapy (p < 0.05) but not after filiform acupuncture. Moreover, SWE values correlated strongly with NDI and VAS scores (p < 0.05). No adverse events were reported.ConclusionFSN therapy is a safe and minimally invasive treatment that provides a relatively good improvement in pain and disability compared with standard acupuncture, while simultaneously restoring muscle elasticity. The integration of SWE as an objective biomarker highlights both the clinical effectiveness and mechanistic insights of FSN, supporting its role as a relatively effective non-pharmacological intervention for CNNP.Clinical trial registrationIdentifier ChiCTR2200062436.

The sterile electrode acupuncture needle for single use is an innovative product that combines traditional acupuncture with modern electronic technology, and it has obtained Class Ⅱ medical device registration certificate. This acupuncture device consists of a needle body and a handle. The diameter of the needle body ranges from 0.16 mm to 0.55 mm, and the length from 7 mm to 150 mm. The spiral spray technology is adopted to modify the micron-level insulating coat on stainless steel needle body. The needle holder is connected to the electroacupuncture device (conductive), the micro-film insulated needle body (non-conductive) and the membrane-free needle tip (conductive) can provide a precise electrical stimulation for different tissue layers of acupoints (such as deep nerves and fascia). The intradermal stimulation test, cytotoxicity test and hypersensitivity reaction test have showed a favorable biocompatibility, laying a solid and reliable safety for clinical application. This acupuncture device is suitable for the in-depth invasive stimulation at the sites of human body surface in combination with electroacupuncture equipment in medical institutions.

BACKGROUND Despite advances in conservative back pain treatments, optimal methods for restoring multifidus muscle function - especially via neuromodulation like intramuscular electrical stimulation (IMES) - remain under investigation. This study evaluated the effects of a 6-week IMES protocol on multifidus muscle properties in individuals with chronic low back pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS In a randomized controlled trial, 29 participants (mean age: 39.2±10.9 years) were assigned to either a control group (receiving transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS], myofascial trigger point therapy, and exercise), or an experimental group (same therapy but with IMES replacing TENS, applied via acupuncture needles under ultrasound guidance). Outcomes included muscle stiffness (MS), tension (MT), tissue perfusion (TP), pressure pain threshold (PPT), pain rating (NRS), postural stability (PS), range of motion (ROM), and maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Assessments were conducted at baseline, immediately after treatment, and at follow-up 4 weeks later using validated instruments. RESULTS Compared to controls, the IMES group showed significant improvements after treatment and at follow-up in MT right, TP (right and left), PPT left, NRS, ROM, and PS (P values ranging from <0.001 to 0.006). No significant changes were found in MS (right or left) or MVC at any time point, nor in TP (right and left) at 4 weeks. CONCLUSIONS IMES combined with standard therapy significantly improves muscle tension, perfusion, pain threshold, intensity, ROM, and postural stability in chronic low back pain patients, outperforming standard therapy with TENS. However, causality remains uncertain due to both protocols being embedded in multimodal treatment.

Measurement of lactate concentration using a minimally invasive needle with non-planer optical waveguides.

A Scoping Review of Ultrasound Visualization of Thin Acupuncture Needles Inserted into the Human Body and Reporting of Imaging Conditions

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy and safety of combined acupuncture and scalpel therapy with celecoxib capsules for discogenic low back pain, and to explore its effects on patients' neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and C-reactive protein (CRP). Method: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with discogenic low back pain treated with combined suture-needle knife therapy and celecoxib at our hospital. Paired-sample t-tests were used to compare changes in pain scores, lumbar function, and clinical symptom improvement before and after treatment. Concurrently, changes in peripheral blood inflammatory markers—neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and C-reactive protein (CRP)—were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Results: Of the 40 patients, 23 meeting the criteria were included in the analysis. Following two courses of acupuncture with thread implantation therapy, all patients demonstrated improvement in clinical symptoms, with significant reductions in pain NRS scores and OID indices compared to pre-treatment levels. One patient experienced needle syncope during treatment, which resolved after needle removal and rest; no other adverse events were observed. Following two treatment cycles, patients exhibited significantly reduced serum NLR and PLR levels, though CRP levels showed no marked decrease. Conclusion: The combination of acupuncture needle knife therapy with celecoxib proves safe and effective for treating discogenic low back pain, while also reducing changes in peripheral blood inflammatory markers. This suggests the treatment may exert its therapeutic effect on discogenic low back pain by modulating the inflammatory response.

The study was carried out to inform Medicare acupuncture coverage decisions addressing the gap in evidence on acupuncture effectiveness, specifically for older adults with chronic low back pain (CLBP). To determine the effectiveness of standard acupuncture (SA) or SA plus maintenance (enhanced acupuncture [EA]) to improve CLBP-related disability relative to usual medical care (UMC) at 3, 6, and 12 months after randomization. This multisite, 3-arm, parallel-group randomized clinical trial of older adults with CLBP collected data from 4 US health care systems in 3 geographic areas and compared SA and EA treatment with UMC only. Study enrollment was conducted from August 12, 2021, to October 27, 2022; follow-up concluded on November 7, 2023. Both SA (8-15 treatment sessions over 12 weeks plus UMC) and EA (SA plus 4-6 maintenance sessions during the next 12 weeks) were provided by experienced, community-based licensed acupuncturists. Participants were randomized 1:1:1 to the 3 groups. The primary outcome was CLBP-related disability measured by a baseline-to-6-month change in the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) score. Secondary outcomes included pain intensity and the percentage of participants with clinically meaningful (≥30%) improvements. The trial identified 800 individuals who were randomized to 3 groups (mean [SD] age, 73.6 [6.0] years; 496 females [62.0%]). At 6 months, RMDQ change scores were significantly better in both the SA and EA groups compared with the UMC only group (SA vs UMC: adjusted mean difference, -1.0 [95% CI, -1.9 to -0.1] and EA vs UMC: adjusted mean difference, -1.5 [95% CI, -2.5 to -0.6]). SA and EA change scores did not differ significantly from one another. The relative benefit of acupuncture compared with UMC on disability persisted at 12 months. Pain intensity exhibited a relative benefit of EA over SA at 6 months, and both acupuncture groups had significant improvement over UMC. The adjusted percentage with clinically meaningful improvements in RMDQ at 6 months was greater for SA (39.1% [95% CI, 33.1%-46.1%]; adjusted relative risk, 1.33 [95% CI, 1.04-1.70]) and for EA (43.8% [95% CI, 38.0%-50.4%]; adjusted relative risk, 1.49 [95% CI, 1.19-1.86]) compared with UMC (29.4% [95% CI, 24.3%-35.5%]) and persisted at 12 months. Rates of serious adverse events were low and similar among groups, with less than 1% that was possibly acupuncture-intervention related. The findings of this randomized clinical trial of older adults with CLBP suggest that acupuncture needling provided greater improvements in back pain-related disability at 6 months and at 12 months compared with UMC alone. These findings support acupuncture needling as an effective and safe treatment option for older adults with CLBP. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04982315.

The paper introduces Professor JI Laixi's academic thought and clinical experience in treatment of primary open angle glaucoma with "nape-eight-needle" acupotomy. Professor JI Laixi believes that the key pathogenesis lies in "occlusion of xuanfu (subtle orifices) within the eyes and obstruction of meridian pathways". Using the unblocking principle of treatment, taking meridian theory of traditional acupuncture as the core and based on the anatomical principles of structural acupuncture, Professor JI has proposed his academic thought, "treating eye diseases from the nape". In treatment, "nape-eight-needle" acupotomy is adopted, combined with filiform needle acupuncture. It is the advantageous compound therapeutic method, aiming to open xuanfu, restore brain-eye meridian connectivity, harmonize body, qi and mind through systemic regulation, address both the causative factors and symptoms and prevent from blindness. This therapeutic approach provides a new idea for clinical treatment of primary open angle glaucoma.