Objective: To observe the effect of acupuncture on primary trigeminal neuralgia and analyze the factors that influence the effect.

Treatment: Trigeminal neuralgia (branch l): Principal the point Yuyao (EX-HN4); combined point Touwei (ST5). Manipulation: A needle was used to puncture point Yuyao (EX-HN4) anterior-downwards at an angle of 30º with the skin, and it was inserted about 0.5 cun deep. When the needling sensation was felt, lift-thrust manipulation was performed for 3-5 times. The needle was retained for 30 minutes. Touwei (ST5) point was needed with common method. Trigeminal neuralgia (branch 2): Principal point: Sibai (ST2); combined point: Quanliao.

Manipulation: A needle was used to puncture the point Sibai (ST2) postero-upwards at an angle of 45 o with the skin to a depth of about 0.5 cun. When the needing sensation of electric shock was felt, lift-thrust manipulation was performed 3 for -5 times and the inserted needle was kept for 30 minutes. Common method was applied to Quanliao (SI15). Trigeminal neuralgia (branch 3 or branch 2 and 3) Principal point: Xiaguan (ST7); combined point: Jiachengjiang. Manipulation: A filiform needle of 2 cun long (No.26) was inserted into point Xiaguan (ST7) of the afflicted side, reaching a depth of 1 .5 cun or so. When the electric shock sensation was felt, lift-thrust manipulation was done 3-5 times and the needle were kept for 30 minutes. A needle was used to puncture the point Jiachengjiang anterior-downwards at 30º angle to a depth of 0.3 cun. After needling sensation was felt, the inserted needle was kept for 30 minutes. One treatment was given every day or every other day, and 10 sessions constituting a course.

Therapeutic Results: In this group of 2100 cases; more pain in 1154 cases (54.9%), marked improvement in 576 cases (27.5%), (3) Some improvement: 348 cases (16.6%), (4) NO improvement: 22 cases (l.0%). Follow-up survey of 245 patients of no more pain for 3 years showed recurrence in 187 cases (76.3%).

Discussion: In the 1154 cases of no more Pain, the shortest treatment course is 10 sessions' treatments; the longest course, 40 sessions'; the average course, 26 sessions. The law of relieving pain by this means: Within 1 course the pain begins to relieve, and is cured completely after about 3 courses. Curative effect of acupuncture is closely associated with acupuncture technique. When the needle is inserted in the Principal point, the sensation of electric shock is felt, that is to say, Qi comes to the afflicted part, a better effect will be obtained. From the analysis of the effect, we can see that good effect happens to patients with severe pain and short clinical course 9<0.01). The effect has little relation to sex, age and the location of the pain.

By Ge Shuhan & Ge Jikui.