Traumatic paraplegia is commonly seen in spinal cord injury. 261 cases were diagnosed as complete traumatic paraplegia and treated by acupuncture with certain effectiveness. The diagnosis was made by a comprehensive analysis of clinical signs, physical findings, X-ray film of the spinal column and findings in operative exploration. TCM holds that traumatic paraplegia is the consequence of damages in GV meridian. The treatment principle should be clearing and activating the meridians and collaterals, promoting blood circulation to dissipate blood stasis, reinforcing the kidney and supporting yang.
The acupoints selected for the systemic symptoms and signs: The first group: Hua Tuo Jia Ji between the 1-2 spinal processes above and below the level of injury, Shenshu (BL23), Mingmen (GV4), Pangguangshu (BL28), Dachangshu (BL25), Ciliao (BL32), Huantiao (GB30 ), Weizhong (BL40) He-Sea Point, Lower Confluent Point, Yinmen (BL37), Chengfu (BL36), Chengshan (BL57) and Kunlun (BL60) Jing-River Point. The second group: Guanyuan (CV4) Front-Mu Point of the SmallIntestine, Zhongji (CV3) Front-Mu Point of the Bladder, Zhongwan (CV12) Front-Mu Point of the Stomach, Qihai (CV6), Tianshu (ST25) Front-Mu Point of the Large Intestine, Fengshi (GB31), Yanglingquan (GB34) He-Sea Point, Influential Point of Tendon, Zusanli (ST36) He-Sea Point, Sanyinjiao (SP6), Qiuxu (GB40) Yuan-Primary Point and Taichong (LR3) Shu-Stream, Yuan-Source Point. For patients with 4 limbs paralysis, the following acupoints were added: Hegu (LI4) Yuan-Source Point, Yangchi (TE4) Yuan-Source Point, Waiguan (TE5) Luo-Connecting Point the Eight Confluent Point, Quchi (LI11) He-Sea Point, Jianyu (LI15), Zhongzhu (TE3) Shu-Stream Point and Fengchi (GB20). The two group of points were applied alternately every other day with the uniform reinforcing-reducing method, and the needles were retained for 30 minutes. 12 sessions considered one course. The points selected for treatment of urinary incontinence: Group 1: BL23, BL28, BL25, BL32, BL40, BL57 and BL60. Group 2: CV4, CV3, CV12, CV6, ST25, Yinlingquan (SP9) He-Sea Point, GB34, SP6 and LR3.
Results and Comments: 8 cases (3.1%) were essentially cured, 92 cases (35.2%) markedly effective, 149 cases (57.1%) improved, and 12 cases (5.0%) ineffective among the 261 cases. The total effectiveness was 95.0%. The more prompt the adoption of acupuncture in traumatic paraplegia patients, the sooner the recovery of their functions, it might relate to the regenerative potential of the injured spinal cord.
Key Words: Traumatic paraplegia, acupuncture
Writer: Xipeng Gao, Chenming Gao, Jincui Gao, Chenggang Han, Fei Han
Paralysis Institute, Yuci 030610, Shanxi Province
Writer: Bing Han
Shanxi Medical College
Writer: Ling Han
Guangzhou College of TCM
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