Series electro-acupuncture helps fight Poliomyelitis
The sequelae of poliomyelitis, belonging to ‘Flaccidity syndrome’ in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), are common afflictions that seriously affect the mental and physical health of children and youths. Clinically, the affected limbs are flaccid—muscles are weak or have no strength at all. There are atrophy, paralysis and deformity of the extremities. Clinical cure is rare due to the long course and severity of the disease. The TCM treatment usually used today with some effects is acupuncture, ligature on acupoints, puncture to bleed, and massage, together with Chinese herbs taken orally according to differentiation of syndrome.
Satisfactory results were obtained between 1972 and 1985 in a special out-patient department and wards where series electro-acupuncture was used to treat 1,000 patients with the sequelae of poliomyelitis. The study was conducted at affiliated Acupuncture Hospital, Anhui College of TCM in China.
Electromyography, blood NE, DA, 5-HT, 5 HIAA, cholinesterase, creatinine, inorganic phosphorus, muscle phosphokinase, and lactic dehydrogenase were examined in parts of the cases before and after treatment for studying the mechanisms of series electro-acupuncture.Among the 1,000 cases, males were 619 and females 381. Age distribution in 420 patients was above five years and in 580 patients under five years.
Method of treatment
The cause of the disease are evil factors invading viscera and bowels connected with channels and collaterals, and affecting circulation of qi (energy) and blood, causing atrophy. Treatment should, therefore, be applied along the channel, dredging it and activating the collaterals. Application of series electro-acupuncture is according to the distribution of channels and collaterals, its direction according to the location of the lesions considering the distribution of the paralysed muscles and their functional state. Prescriptions for treatment are based on the action of channels and collaterals—the aim being to clear the channels and allow qi to flow—for example, in injuries such as glutaeus maximus, medius and minimus, which causes difficulty in posterior extension of the thigh and abduction. They are located along Taiyang and Shao Yang channels, so points of urinary bladder and gall bladder are chosen. Points of the two patients’ groups were applied alternately.
Electro-acupuncture Manipulation
Points of one channel in a group were chosen according to the location of the lesion, two related channels being selected each time. The first point to be needled was at the beginning of the channel on the lesion, followed by the second, third, etc. The needles are inserted in the direction of the channel just three cun apart.
Results of application
Among the 1,000 cases, 360 basically recovered, 340 showed marked improvement, 260 improved, 40 showed no improvement. Total effective rate was 96 per cent.
The author is Head of the Department of Acupuncture, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi