The Ashi Points Distribution And Clinic Research Of Chronic Neck Pain

ObjectiveThe aim of the present study is to describe the prevalence and anatomical location of ashi points in adults with chronic nonspecific neck pain.To observe the difference of clinical effects of ashi points and local coventional acupoints method for chronic neck pain treated with electro acupunture.MethodsThis is a clinical research and has been approved by the ethics committee of Guangdong Province Hospital of traditional chinese medicine ethical review board,and registered in the chinese clinical trial register center,regis-tration number for the ChiCTR-IOR-16009268(AMCTR-IOR-16000016).This reseach has two parts.1.Prevalence and anatomical location characteristics of ashi point research:The frist research is a Clinical neck/shoulder examination,68 patients with chronic nonspecific neck pain participated in the study,they were recruited from the acupuncture department of Guangdong TCM hospital.Using a standardized finger pressure of 2 kg,palpable ashi points were performed of anatomical neck/shoulder locations,evaluate the frequency and the VAS scale of ’0-10’ and the Pressure Pain threshold.Use Excel spreadsheets to collect data.statistic and analyse data,Describe the results.analyse the relationship between the ashi points and the meridians and the acupoints.2.Clinical effects of ashi points to treat chronic neck pain:The second research recruited 68 patients with chronic nonspecific neck participated in the study,with randomized controlled clinical method,subjects were assigned to two groups:ashi points group and classical acupoints group.ashi points group needle at the four ashi points(the most painful ashi points),while the classical acupoints group needle at Bailao and jianzhongshu acupoints.three times a week,2-3 days one time,every time the stimulatin period lasted 30min.The outcome variables were the VAS and pressure pain threshold measured before and after every treatment,and NPQ、McGill scores recorded at pre-treament、the fifth and post-treatment.Data were applyed and analysed by SPSS 21.0 software.Results1.Prevalence and anatomical location characteristics1)ashi point’s prevalence characteristics:68 patients occur 70 ashi point locations,totally 879 amount,the average number of patients was 12.6.2)ashi point’s distribution characteristics:① anatomical location:mainly distribute in the upper trapezius,infraspinatus,levator scapulae,and neck extensors muscles,medial margin of scapula,pillow neck borde,are the focal points of stress and their positive reaction points.② Meridians distribution analysis:the number of acupoints the ashi points emerge top meridians were:Gallbladder Meridian of Foot-shaoyang(23.43%),bladder Meridian of Foot-tai yang(22.75%),Du Meridian(21.50%),Small intestine Meridian of Hand-Taiyang,(18.89%).③Distribution relationship with conventional acupoints:53.47 percent of the ashi points are in the acupoint locatin,46.53 percent of the ashi points are in the non-acupoint location.④The most frequent number of acupoints the ashi point were Jingjiao(75.0%),Fengchi(73.5%),Tian-zong(72.1%),Tianliao(70.1%),Jianjing(63.2%),tianzhu(58.8%),Wangu(54.4%),Fengfu(52.9%),Yamen(44.1%),middle line of pillow neck borde(39.7%).3)The pain degree of ashi point:①The pain-sensitive ashi points are Jingjiao,Tianzong,Zhengguculong,Fengchi,Tianliao,Jianjing,Fengfu,Yamen,Th e posterior midline occipital juncction,tianzhu,Wangu、Beside C5 the spine,C2 Transverse process.②The pressure Pain threshold of the neck pain patients:The sensitive ashi points are Jingjiao,Quyuan,Jianjing,Fengchi,Jianliao,Gaohuang,C2 Transverse process,the lateral margin of the scapula Inside one inch of Jianjing,Fengmen,Tianzhu,Jugu,Jianzhen,Outside one inch of the Jianjing,Under the shoulder blade Angle,Wanggu and so on.2.In this study,we recruited 68 cases,6 cases were dropped,no count.62 cases of chronic neck pain were completed the treatment,including 31 cases of ashi point group and 31 cases of acupoint group.With group comparison:(1)Ashi point group:VAS(P<0.05)、NPQ(P<0.05)and McGill(P<0.05)decreased significantly in ashi point group after the fifth and the tenth treatments.pain threshold(P<00 05)increased significantly in ashi point group after the fifth and the tenth treatments.(2)Acupoint group:VAS(P<0.05)、NPQ(P<0.05)and McGill(P<0.05)decreased significantly in ashi point group after the fifth and the tenth treatments.pain threshold(P<0.05)increased significantly in ashi point group after the fifth and the tenth treatments.Between groups comprison:No significant differences were found between the two groups after the treatment.Conclusion(1)The ashi points of chronic neck pain are the focal points of stress,mainly distribute in the gallbldder Meridian of Foot-shaoyang and bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang.The number of ashi points on acupoints location and non-acupoints location are nearly aqual.The ashi points of chronic neck pain has its distribution law and feature.The importance of tenderness points should be considered seriously during diagnosis and treatment.(2)Electro acupuncture ashi point and local conventional acupoints are effective in treating chronic neck pain.There was no significant difference between the two methods.