Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of Fengchi (GB 20) to Fengchi needling on brain blood flow.

Methods: 95 ischemic encephalopathy patients including 44 males and 5l females were randomly divided into control group (n=48, mean age was 44 years) and treatment group (n=47, the mean age was 43.5 years). In treatment group, the needle was inserted into Fengchi (GB 20) through Fengfu (Du 16) toward the contralateral Fengchi and manipulated rapidly for 1 minute. The needle was withdrawn immediately when the patient felt a distending sensation on the head, in the eyes and the neck part. In control group, two needles were inserted into bilaleral Fengchi (GB 20) respectively, with the needle tip forward the nose-tip, and twirled rapidly for a while. When the patient felt numbness and distending sensations in the local area, the needle was removed immediately. Changes of the cerebral blood flow were determined with a Doppler, Velocimeter.

Results: After acupuncture stimulation, the blood flow of the left and right vertebral arteries and basilar artery increased in both groups, but the values of blood flow in the treatment group were all bigger evidently than those of the control group (P<0.001).

Conclusion: Fengchi (GB 20) to Fengchi needling was superior to traditional Fengchi needling in increasing cerebral blood flow.

By Xu Jianzhong & Wang Fusheng