Treatment of Arthralgia Syndrome with Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine in China

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of self-formulated prescription, Wanbi Decoction (WBD, decoction of Protracted Block-Syndrome), in treating rheumatoid Arthritis.

Methods: (l) Referring to the diagnostic Standard for rheumatoid arthritis proposed by American Rheumatism Association, l987; (2) 60 patients were diagnosed and treated with WBD (Radix Astragalus 30-60g, Radix Paeoniae lactiflora Alba 20g, Radix Angelica Sinensis l2g, Rhizoma Ligusticum Wallichii l2g, Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygium l2g, Radix Angelica Pubescens l2g, Ramulus Loranthi 20g, Cortex Eucommia l2g, Radix Gentiana Macrophylla l2g, Radix Stephania Tertrandra l2g, Poria l5g, Rhizoma Atractylodes Alba 12g, Pericarpium Citrus Reticulata l2g, Caulis Spatholobus 30g & Radix Salvia Miltiorrhizae l5g, Herba Epimedium l2g, Radix Glycyrrhiza l0g), one dose per day by boiled in water, Per Os' for 2 weeks as a therapeutic course. The prescription would be modified depending the symptom or Syndrome: Site of disease on upper limbs, Ramulus Morus and Rhizoma Curcumae wenchowensis were added; on lower limbs, Fructus Chaenomeles and Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae added; for Syndrome of Heat dominant, Caulis Tripterygium Wilfordii, Rhizoma Rhemarrhena and Caulis Lonicerae added; for Kidney deficiency with Cold-dampness, Radix Rehmannia, Fructus Psoralae, Semen Cuscutae, Ramulus Cinnamomum and Radix Aconitum Carmichaeli Praeparata added; with prominent swelling joint, increase the dose of Poria and Rhizoma Atractylodes Alba, and Semen Coicis and Rhizoma Atractylodes added; with long course of disease and joint deformation, Flos Carthamus, Lumbricus, Scolopendra, etc. added; severe joint pain, Resin Boswellia carterii and Resin Commiphora Myrrha might be added. The effect on time of morning stiff number of pain or swelling joints, degree of arthralgia or swelling, function of affected joints, grip strength of hands, time for walking 20 meters, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, rheumatoid factor was observed; (3) The effect was classified into 4 degrees: clinical cured: symptoms and signs disappeared with normal joint function, the accumulative total scores (scoring according to symptoms and signs) lowered to zero. Results of chief Physico-chemical examination restored to normal; markedly effective: symptoms and signs disappeared basically with improved joint function, the accumulative total scores lowered by 2/3 of that before treatment, Results of chief physico-chemical examination restored to normal basically; effective: symptoms and signs improved, the accumulative total scores lowered by l/3 of that before treatment, Results of chief physico-chemical examination improved; ineffective: no improvement was found in symptoms and signs, accumulative total scores unchanged or even increased.

Result: In the 60 patients, 7 were clinically cured, 25 markedly effective, 23 effective and 5 ineffective, the total effective rate being 90.l%.

Conclusion: WBD has effect in treating rheumatoid arthritis, by way of integral regulation, it could promote the restoration of body function, activate blood circulation to remove stasis, improve microcirculation and adjust immune function, so as to reach the aim of treating both the base and superficiality.

(By Wang Jun, from TCM Hospital of Binzhou District, Shandong province 256600, China)

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