Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture combined with Chinese decoction on angioneurotic headache, and to make a comparison with that of simple acupuncture.

Methods: Both head-acupoints and body acupoints were used. Bilateral upper two thirds and lower one fifths of the sensory area on the head and Shangxing (GV23), Baihui (GV20), Yintang (EX-HN3), Fengchi (GB20), Hegu (LI4) and Lieque (LU7) of the body points were selected. The Yunting area on the head was added for those with vertigo, Ashi points and Sanyinjiao (SP9) were added for blood stagnation -caused headache to promote blood circulation. For the headache due to phlegm, Fenglong (ST40) and Zhongwan (CV12) were added for strengthening Spleen and Stomach, descending the turbidity and resolving phlegm. For the headache due to exuberance of Yang of the Liver, Taixi (KI3) was added for subduing the Yang of the Liver induced by deficiency of blood. Zusanli (ST36) was added for nourishing the Stomach and promoting blood circulation. In addition, for the headache at the vertex, Taichong (GB3) and Tongtian (BL7) were added, at the frontal part Zusanli (ST36), Netting (ST44) added, at the temporal part Shuaigu (GB5) and Taiyang (EX-HNS) added, at the occipital part Tianzhu (BL10) and Kunlun (BL60) added. Acupuncture was given once daily, and head acupuncture needles were remained for 24 hours and body acupuncture needles for 30 minutes. Ten treatments made a course, and an interval of 5 days was allowed between 2 courses. A decoction Chuan Xiong Xiao Tong Yin made by the authors including Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong (50g), Radix Puerariae (30g), Rhizoma Gastrodiae (10g), Lumbricus (15g), Radix Angelicae Dahuricae (10g) and Radix Glycyrrhizae (6g) was administered at the same time. For the headache due to cold Radix Ledebouriellae, Rhizoma Ligustici and Rhizoma seu Radix Notopterygii were added, due to blood stagnation Semen Persicae and Flos Carthami added, due to phlegm Cortex Magnoloae Officinalis, Rhizoma Atractylodis Macorcephalae, and Poria added, due to exuberance of Yang of the Liver Ramulus Uncariae cum Uncis and Concha Haliotidis added, due to blood deficiency Radix Angelicae Sinensis, Flos Chrysanthemi, Radix Rehmanniae Praeprta, and Radix Astragali seu Hedysari added. Besides, various drugs entering into certain channels were added according to the location of headache for enhancing curative effects. For instance, Fructus Enodiae and Rhizoma Ligustici were added for vertex headache, Rhizoma anemarrhenae for frontal headache, Radix Bupleuri for temporal headache, and herba Schizonepetae for occipital headache. Chinese decoction was mixed with water and boiled for a period of time. It was orally administered once daily. 10 decoctions made a course and an interval of 5 days was allowed between two courses. There were 2 control groups: The simple acupuncture and simple decoction groups.

Results: Among the 62 cases treated by acupuncture combined with Chinese decoction, 36 cases were cured, 18 cases markedly improved, 7 cases improved and 1 case unimproved with a total effective rate of 98.4%. Among the 50 cases treated with simple acupuncture, 23 cases were cured, 13 cases obviously improved, 10 cases improved and 4 cases unimproved, being 92.0% in the total effective rate. Among the 45 cases treated with Chinese decoction, 20 cases were cured, 11 cases obviously improved, 10 cases improved, and 4 cases unimproved, being 91.l% in the total effective rate.

Conclusion: In the treatment of angioneurotic headache, the therapy of acupuncture combined with Chinese decoction provides both dredging meridians to alleviate pain by acupuncture, and regulating Zang-Fu organs and promoting Qi flow and blood circulation to suppress pain by Chinese decoction. The therapy can produce satisfactory remote curative effects, low recurrence, less side effects, and especially good for intractable cases.

By Cai Zhaorong