Qi Activity Research Articles

LU Yonghui's clinical experience of hierachical acupuncture at acupoints of conception vessel in treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia

The paper introduces professor LU Yonghui 's academic thought and clinical experience in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It is believed that the pathogenesis of BPH includes retarded qi movement of triple energizers and dysfunction of the bladder in qi activity, resulting in impairment of water metabolism, and difficulty in micturition occurs. In treatment, acupuncture is delivered at the muscle region (membrane) of the body to promote qi circulation. The needles are inserted at the acupoints of conception vessel to different depths. The shallow insertion is operated at Qihai (CV 6) and Guanyuan (CV 4) to benefit qi movement of triple energizers, the moderate insertion is at Zhongji (CV 3), the front-mu point of the bladder, to benefit the intersections (membranes) of triple energizers, and the deep insertion is at Qugu (CV 2) to work at the internal organ, regulate qi, remove obstruction. As a result, the qi movement of triple energizers is improved, the function of the bladder in qi activity recovered, urination ameliorated and the retention of urine cured.

Discussion on the essential thought of Ma's warm moxibustion technique for "unblocking fu-organs"

"Unblocking fu organs" is one of the essential principles of Ma's warm moxibustion technique, characterized as "dredging" and "harmonizing" for either deficiency or excess condition. Under the guidance of this therapeutic thought, the acupoints for moxibustion are mainly selected from the middle and lower parts of the body. Regarding the therapeutic approach, the acupoint prescription for moxibustion should be formed in line with warming and promoting circulation of fu organs; the moxibustion degree should be specially considered, in which, the mild moxibustion is recommended to induce promoting action; and the systematic moxibustion technique should be the root for dredging fu organs and regulating zang organs. Ma's mild moxibustion technique stresses on removing the obstruction of fu organs and emphasizes promoting the qi activity of sanjiao (triple energizer) and regulating the balance of five zang organs.

Who Would the Person Be after a Head Transplant? A Confucian Reflection.

This essay draws on classical Confucian intellectual resources to argue that the person who emerges from a head transplant would be neither the person who provided the head, nor the person who provided the body, but a new, different person. We construct two types of argument to support this conclusion: one is based on the classical Confucian metaphysics of human life as qi activity; the other is grounded in the Confucian view of personal identity as being inseparable from one’s familial relations. These Confucian ideas provide a reasonable alternative to the currently dominant view that one’s personal identity “follows” one’s head. Together, these arguments imply that head transplantation is ethically inappropriate.

Exploration on lateral needling technique

Regarding the existing questions of the understanding and application of lateral needling technique in the Chapter 7 of Lingshu (Miraculous Pivot), after analyzing the original meaning of the lateral needling technique and its indication for "tendon bi syndrome" in literature, it is believed that lateral needling technique is the classic manipulation for tendon bi syndrome, mainly for tendon spasticity caused by obstruction of qi activity or retarded qi activity. The filiform needle is used in the operation. The puncture hand and the pressing hand should be cooperated during the manipulation, in which, after detecting the location of tendon disorder by the pressing hand, the needle is inserted from the lateral side of the affected site and is manipulated with the reinforcing technique achieved by lifting and thrusting needle. Afterwards, the needle is withdrawn. The lateral needling technique of acupuncture is one of the mass-loosening techniques in Neijing (Inner Classic). It is a reliable technique of acupuncture in clinical treatment of acute and chronic diseases, such as cervical spondylosis and tendon injury of lumber region and has a stable therapeutic effect.

Professor Ren Xiaofang's Clinical Experience in Treating Essential Hypertension

This paper introduces professor Ren Xiaofang's clinical experience in treating essential hypertension.Professor Ren Xiaofang believes that regulation of qi can relieve the clinical symptoms of patients and effectively regulate blood pressure.This paper discusses professor Ren Xiaofang's experience in treating essential hypertension from the aspects of the association between essential hypertension and qi activity, clinical prescription selection and mechanism of action, and medical records.

Ideas and the Methodology of Information Physical Medicine

Traditional physiotherapy of Chinese medicine, represented by acupuncture and directed by the theory of Chinese medicine, has been improved during its modernization and has become an embryo of modern information physiotherapy. This is a recent achievement of modernization of Chinese medicine, which can be correlated with and complement the mechanical physiotherapy and energy physiotherapy in Western medicine, providing a new system for physiotherapy and creating some conditions for integrating Chinese medicine and Western medicine in terms of science and technology. The system of information physiotherapy needs the technology corporation of therapeutic techniques and effect appraising methods that can be tested and quantified. The therapeutic system consists of electric information therapy (through meridian windows), He-He therapy (based on field effects) and spectrum therapy), while the effect appraising system includes the meridian impedance test, the organ infrared test, and the qi-blood brain image test. The efficacy of both systems has been proven in the cure of some common diseases, such as children myopia, cervical spondylosis, calculosis, astriction, damages of limbs and trunk as well as cerebral palsy. The foundation of the system is information medicine that is based on information tests for meridians, organs, and qi-blood, involving three physiological functions: qi activity, transformation, and catharsis; three pathological mechanisms: deficiency, disorder, and toxin; three cures: tonification, regulation, and purgation. Apart from knowledge propagating, technique training, and environmental protection, the establishment of information physical medicine will solve the contradiction between large scale and individualization in the standard-setting Chinese medicine industry and clear the way for the modernization of Chinese medicine.

Brief analysis on pivot effect of Tianshu (ST 25)

The pivot effect of Tianshu (ST 25) was analyzed, which was explored from 5 aspects, named the ascending and descending of spleen and stomach qi, the smooth flowing of liver and gallbladder, the transmission of intestine, the passage regulation of three jiao (triple energizer) and conducting yang from yin. Tianshu (ST 25) governs qi and is in charge of its ascending, descending, exiting and entering. In order to understand the effect and application of such acupoint, the theoretic source should be interpreted at first. Hence, the exploration on the pivot effect of Tianshu (ST 25) in terms of the ascending, descending, exiting and entering of qi activity may provide the guidance to the clinical treatment.

Professor GAO Zhen-wu's experience in "quick and slow needling technique" of acupuncture

On the base of the theory on "the subtlety of acupuncture relying on the quick or slow needle insertion by the timing" recorded in the Chapter One of Lingshu (Miraculous Pivot) and the clinical application, professor GAO Zhen-wu created three core factors of "quick and slow needling technique" of acupuncture and summarized in the paper. The speed of deqi after needle insertion indicates the rising and falling of vital qi and pathogen in the body, which guides the selection of corresponding reinforcing or reducing needling techniques. At the stage of needle manipulation and the regulation of qi activity, the quick or slow insertion and withdrawal of needle and needle manipulation, as well as the duration of needle retaining may control the speed of qi arrival. At the stage of the change in qi transformation after needling, the speed of qi activity should be observed carefully before and after needling so as to determine the effect of reinforcing and reducing technique of acupuncture. Gao 's idea on "quick and slow needling technique" of acupuncture runs through the whole process of acupuncture. It takes the speed of deqi as the core of reinforcing or reducing effect of acupuncture. This technique of acupuncture simplifies the operation of reinforcing and reducing procedure and is more applicable in clinical practice.

Exploration on the rules of acupoints selection for phlegm disorder treated with acupuncture and moxibustion based on ancient literature study

To analyze the rules of acupoints selection for phlegm disorder in treatment with acupuncture and moxibustion in ancient literature so as to provide guidance to clinical treatment of phlegm disorder. The word "phlegm" was taken as the search term and the relevant articles were retrieved from Zhonghuayidian (Dictionary of Chinese Medicine). According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the articles were screened and the database was set up. The analysis was conducted on acupoint selection, the correlation with meridians involved and distribution location, as well as the use frequency of specific points and acupoint combination. It was found that in treatment of phlegm disorder, the highest frequently used acupoints were Zusanli (ST36) and Zhongwan (CV12). The use frequency of three yang meridians was higher than that of three yin meridians. The commonly involved meridians were the Conception Vessel, Bladder Meridian of Foot-taiyang and the Governor Vessel. The acupoints located in the chest and abdomen were highly used. The use frequency of specific points was higher than that of non-specific ones. The sequence of the use frequency of specific points, from high to low, is the crossing point, the front-mu point and luo-connecting point. The combination of Danzhong (CV17) and Zusanli (ST36) is of the high frequency. Ancient medical scholars focus on regulating spleen and stomach functions, as well as qi activity in treatment of phlegm disorder with acupuncture and moxibustion, which is coincident with the treatment principle of phlegm disorder in traditional Chinese medicine. In treatment, acupuncture-moxibusiton is characterized as laying the emphasis on the specific points, the local acupoints and the holistic idea as " regulation of yang for yin disorder"．.

Professor YANG Jun's clinical characteristics in the treatment of chronic diarrhea with acupuncture and herbal medicine based on qi activity theory in Huangdi Neijing

Professor YANG Jun believes that chronic diarrhea is located in the "intestine" and its pathogenesis focuses on the dysfunction of the spleen and the stomach which results in the impairment of qi activity. In the treatment, the comprehensive therapy is adopted, including acupuncture, moxibustion, herbal medicine, cupping method, etc. Regarding acupuncture therapy, Tianshu (ST 25) is selected specially for regulating the spleen and stomach function, Xiabai (LU4) for dispersing the lung qi to stop diarrhea, as well as Yintang (GV 29), Shuigou (GV 26), Chengjiang (CV 24), Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4) and Zhongwan (CV 12) for promoting the circulation of the conception vessel and the governor vessel. Regarding moxibustion therapy, moxibustion is exerted at the abdominal region to regulate qi and blood circulation and unblocking the meridians. Moreover, the retained cupping method is used at Shenque (CV 8) to consolidate the primary qi and the modified sijunzi tang, the herbal decoction is supplemented to tonify the acquired foundation for assisting the congenital one. All of these therapies co-work on promoting and regulating qi activity so as to stop diarrhea.

Professor LIANG Fan-rong's clinical application of the guiding-qi acupuncture technique

In clinical practice, professor LIANG Fan-rong integrates the guiding-qi acupuncture technique of slow insertion and withdrawal of the needle with the thought of needling sensation reaching the affected site. These two theories were recorded in Lingshu: Wuluan (Chapter 34 of Miraculous Pivot). Professor Liang proposes that in acupuncture, both acupuncture physician and patient should be in a tranquilizing state. Firstly, the needle is inserted slowly so as to conduct the reversed turbid qi in yang back to yin. After arrival of qi, with the compound manipulation for promoting qi, qi is guided to the affected site. When the treatment ends, the needle is removed slowly to guide the reversed clear qi in yin back to yang and to guide qi of nutrient and defensive systems back to the original layers. Such acupuncture technique is applicable for various disorders induced by the impairment of qi activity. In clinical practice, it is adopted for the disorders of heart, lung, stomach, intestines, emotions and nervous system, as well as the obstruction disorders of meridians. The ying-spring and shu-stream points of the affected meridians are selected as the main acupoints in prescription. According the theory of four seas and qi street, the corresponding the front-mu, back-shu and he-sea points are combined. In acupuncture, the needle is inserted and withdrawn slowly. After arrival of qi, the needle is manipulated to guide qi to the pathogenic locations.

Quality improvement of prescribing safety: a pilot study in primary care using UK electronic health records.

BackgroundQuality improvement (QI) is a priority for general practice, and GPs are expected to participate in and provide evidence of QI activity. There is growing interest in harnessing the potential of electronic health records (EHR) to improve patient care by supporting practices to find cases that could benefit from a medicines review.AimTo develop scalable and reproducible prescribing safety reports using patient-level EHR data.Design and settingUK general practices that contribute de-identified patient data to the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD).MethodA scoping phase used stakeholder consultations to identify primary care QI needs and potential indicators. QI reports containing real data were sent to 12 pilot practices that used Vision GP software and had expressed interest. The scale-up phase involved automating production and distribution of reports to all contributing practices that used both Vision and EMIS software systems. Benchmarking reports with patient-level case review lists for two prescribing safety indicators were sent to 457 practices in December 2017 following the initial scale-up (Figure 2).ResultsTwo indicators were selected from the Royal College of General Practitioners Patient Safety Toolkit following stakeholder consultations for the pilot phase involving 12 GP practices. Pilot phase interviews showed that reports were used to review individual patient care, implement wider QI actions in the practice, and for appraisal and revalidation.ConclusionElectronic health record data can be used to provide standardised, reproducible reports that can be delivered at scale with minimal resource requirements. These can be used in a national QI initiative that impacts directly on patient care.

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) quality improvement initiative using Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) data: Lessons learned

BackgroundQuality improvement (QI) is a priority for general practice, and GPs are expected to participate and provide evidence of QI activity. Pressures on the primary care workforce require approaches to QI to prioritise efficiency and effectiveness.AimThis project aimed generate and scale up bespoke QI reports for GP practices contributing data to CPRD.MethodCPRD is a UK government research service facilitating public health research using anonymised primary care data. A pilot report was designed with stakeholders and covered two indicators from the RCGP Patient Safety Toolkit. The reports enabled GPs to identify patients needing case review and to benchmark data on practice-level prescribing. Reports for 12 practices, containing real patient data, were sent to GPs and feedback was obtained via interviews. The report was scaled up to 457 practices and a survey sent out to request feedback.ResultsGPs used the reports to review the care of individual patients, and to implement QI actions such as adding flags to patients notes. One participant used the report as evidence for their annual appraisal. Survey response was limited (n = 31.7%) but overwhelmingly positive. Responders highlighted the importance of clinical input when developing indicators and ensuring the tone of the reports is supportive.ConclusionThe collaborative RCGP/CPRD QI reports are unique in their ability to provide benchmarking and case-finding on a national scale. The indicators selected must lead to actionable reports. Clinical input is required to ensure code lists are appropriate and that reports are clinically relevant. CPRD aims to send out two reports annually.

Clinical experience of professor WANG Ju-yi in channel palpation treatment for polymyalgia rheumatica

Professor WANG Ju-yi has gradually improved the clinical application of channel palpation treatment based on his more than 50 years clinical practice, and has accumulated rich experience in acupuncture treatment of polymyalgia rheumatica. He believes that "wind, cold and dampness" are the external causes of the disease, physical factors, uncomfortable mood and uncontrolled diet are the internal causes. The meridian-collateral theory is utilized in the diagnosis and detection of the disorders of taiyin, taiyang and jueyin meridians, internal and external causes are solved by expelling the wind, warming the channel to eliminate the coldness, transforming the dampness to relieve pain and regulating the qi activity. Three cases of clinical application on polymyalgia rheumatica were included in this paper.

Non-acupoint effects: based on the analysis of traditional acupuncture-moxibustion theory

Based on the traditional theory in Neijing (The Yellow Emperor's Internal Classic), the acupuncture effects of non-acupoints on the body surface were explored. There are the effects of the non-acupoints on meridians, the effects of five tissues (local effects, resonance effects, five-zang effects and particular effects) and regional effects (nearby effects, structural corresponding effects, holistic effects and the special effects on the specific regions), etc. The innovative recognitions are proposed. ① Stimulating the non-acupoint sites on the body surface generates definite effects, not limited to the local nearby effects. For example, the resonance effects and five-zang effects are generated by stimulating five tissues. The counter-acting force presents between five tissues and five-zang organs. ② The regional effects are rich in content and its mechanisms on the induction, coordination and correspondence are not in reference to zangfu, meridian and collateral, but are related to the characteristics of qi activity of the regional body itself. ③ Acupuncture presents not only the effects of the abstract meridian-collateral and the acupoints, but also the effects of concrete five tissues and regions. Acupuncture therapeutic effects may result from the cumulative effects, especially related to the stimulation of the strength by the needle tip. ④ Regarding the differences in the effects between the meridian points and non-acupoint stimulation, the former attaches the importance on "qi ", which is abstract and dynamic and the later on "shape", which is concrete and static.

Clabsi Reduction Quality Improvement Project on an Adult BMT Inpatient Unit

Topic Significance & Study Purpose/Background/Rationale Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are one of the most significant causes of mortality and expense in hospitals. In an academic medical center our Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) 28 bed BMT unit had the highest annual incidence of CLABSIs of all hospital units. In the literature general CLABSI rates are successfully decreased after implementation of CLABSI prevention bundles; however, challenges are reported in hospitals caring for immunocompromised patients. A multidisciplinary CCC team performed comprehensive CLABSI case reviews. Frequency of specimen collections, volume, concentration, and frequency of IV infusions mandate central lines so CLABSI prevention is an essential priority for BMT nurses. The purpose of this QI activity was to identify and implement best practices for central line care for this patient population to reduce CLABSI rates. Methods, Intervention, & Analysis A subset of data included numbers of cases represented in the CLABSI rate attributed to central line maintenance practices and considered preventable due to the type of organism. Based upon this information, the quality improvement intervention targeted CVAD maintenance skill validation delivered by trained peer evaluators employing a pre/ post skill survey using skill validation to increase adherence to central venous access device (CVAD) maintenance policies and procedures. Peer evaluator volunteers across shifts observed practice deviations from policies and procedures. Observations of procedures also identified a potential source of contamination from bed linens. Plastic bins with a cleanable surface were implemented. Findings & Interpretation CLABSI rates were reduced from a peak of 3.41 per 1000 line days to 1.59 in May 2018. No preventable CLABSIs occurred in June through August 2018. Multiple CLABSI reduction strategies were implemented, so we are unable to attribute the results to a single intervention. Discussion & Implications Based upon the current data, the use of cleanable bins for bedside central access will continue. The decision to embed peer skills validation of CVAD maintenance practices annually is an element for consideration. Ongoing assessment continues to examine other contributing factors to CLABSI incidence.

Analysis on prescription rules of Chen Baogui's prescriptions for treating epigastric fullness based on data mining

To summary and analyze the prescription rules of Professor Chen Baogui, a famous traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) doctor, for treating epigastric fullness. Professor Chen Baogui's prescriptions for treating epigastric fullness were collected and the treatment data were input into traditional Chinese medicine inheritance support system (TCMISS) to analyze the rules of the prescriptions by using data mining methods. Based on the screened 214 cases, the treatment experience of Professor Chen Baogui for treating epigastric fullness was summarized and analyzed. It was found that Professor Chen gave priority to recuperation of Qi activity. The results of four properties and five tastes showed Professor Chen's medication compatibility rules: one was simultaneous use of cold and warm drugs, and the other was simultaneous use of pungent drugs for dispersion and bitter drugs for purgation. In drug use, the basic prescriptions had the efficacy of promoting Qi circulation and regulating viscera function, additionally with the drugs with functions of eliminating digestion and inducing stagnation, activating blood circulation to dissipate blood stasis, replenishing Qi and nourishing Yin, tranquilizing mind, strengthening muscles and bones according to the TCM syndrome type. The clinical experience of Professor Chen for treating epigastric fullness was objectively summarized with the help of TCMISS, which was significant for analyzing and inheriting academic thinking and medication experience from famous TCM doctors.

Study on traditional Chinese medicine treatment of cirrhosis asites from the perspective of Qi activity

The pathogenesis of edema disease is related to the Qi activity. However, in the past the understanding of edema disease is mostly centered on the theory of viscera, and it is less discussed from the perspective of Qi activity. This paper explores the edema disease from the perspective of Qi activity. The relationship can be summarized as Water metabolism depend on the movement of Qi, so the treatment of edema disease should be paid attention to the Qi activity. In the case of digestive diseases, cirrhosis ascites is a common edema disease. This article analyzes the cirrhosis ascites as an example. Key words: Qi movement; Eedema disease; Liver cirrhosis; Ascites; TCM treatment

Investigation on Qidong in Qidongzeyou in Book of Pulse (Maishu), the bamboo slips of Han Dynasty in Zhangjiashan

Qidong ( qi change) in Qidongzeyou (（）, pulse change indicates the abnormal changes inside body) in the Book of Pulse (Maishu), the Bamboo Slips of Han Dynasty in Zhangjiashan is related to the classical thought on qi and the theory on meridians at early era. The connotation of qidong was explored in views of interdisciplinary perspectives, such as Chinese medicine, philology and qi philosophy in the ancient time. It refers to the pulse changes as mentioned in ancient medical books, indicating the abnormal changes in the body. Before the ancient medical canonization marked as sphygmology, the ancient medical scholar focused on qi monism. Based on the thinking mode as analogy and detecting the root from the phenomenon, it is believed that qidong refers to the imbalance of qi activity inside the body, manifested with the abnormal pulse change at relevant pulse region on the body surface. Accordingly, the disorders inside the body are detected by palpation.

Acupoint selection for acupuncture analgesia based on the relationship of "the opening-closing- pivoting theory" with meridians and zangfu organs

"The opening-closing-pivoting theory" recorded in Neijing (Internal Classic) visualizes the qi activity of six meridians and indicates the relationship among the six meridians in physiology and pathology. Through the analysis on the classic medical works and modern literature of TCM by the modern medical masters, a specific relationship is discovered among the hand and foot meridians of the same name and among the zangfu organs. The qi is corresponded and interacted among the hand and foot meridians of the same name. Except the exterior and interior relationship among the zangfu organs, the related communication is also existing. Both meridians and zangfu organs are closely related to "the opening-closing- pivoting" theory. This discovery is the inheritance and development of "the opening-closing-pivoting theory" and plays the important role in the guidance of the acupoint selection of clinical acupuncture analgesia.