Objective: To compare the therapeutic effect of Mang Zhen (long needle) point penetration method with that of conventional acupuncture.

Methods: (1) Acupuncture with Mang Zhen penetrating method (Group 1) Fengchi (GB20) penetrating Fengchi (GB20), Quchi (LI11) penetrating Binao (LI14), Waiguan (TE5) penetrating Neiguan (PC6), Hegu (LI4) penetrating Houxi (SI3) for disability of the upper limbs, Liangqiu (ST34) penetrating Biguan (ST31), Zusanli (ST36) penetrating Chengshan (BL57), Taichong (LR3) penetrating Yongquan (KI1) were selected. Quanliao (SI18) penetrating Dicang (ST4) and Jiache (ST6) Penetrating Dicang (ST4) were added for the patients with Wry tongue and mouth, and Lianquan (CV23), exterior Jinjin (EX-HN12) and Yuye (EX-HN13) for those with linguistic disturbance. The patients were asked to lie laterally with the affected side on the above, and 26 -28 gauge filiform needles of 2.0 -6.0 cun in length were used. Needle insertion was performed as follows: using the thumb and index fingers of the left hand to hold the part right above the needle tip. After the tip of the needle had touched the acupoint selected, the handle of the needle was twisted by the right hand and the needle was pushed and twisted downward forcefully by the thumbs and index fingers of both hands through the skin and gradually reached the depth required. With the help of the left hand holding along the needle shaft, the needle was penetrated by the right hand in various radiated directions for expending needling sensation. After needing sensation was obtained immediately or 20 -30 minutes later the needle was withdrawn slowly through the skin, and a sterilized cotton was put on the locus to prevent bleeding. The needling was employed once daily, and 10 treatments made a course. An interval of 2 -4 days was allowed between two courses of treatments with 2 courses, on average, in this group; (2) Control group (Group 2). Quchi (LI11), Hegu (LI4), Hnantiao (GB30), Zusanli (ST36) and Yinlingquan (SP9) were chosen as main acupoints. Jianyu (LI15), Waiguan. (TE5) and Houxi (SI3) were added for those with dysfunction of the upper limbs. Yanglingquan (GB34), Juegu (GB39), Taixi (KI3) and Kunlun (BL60) were added for dysfunction of the lower limbs, Lianquan (CV23) and Chengjiang (CV24) for those with linguistic disturbance and central facial paralysis. The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant in the therapeutic effect (P>0.05).

Conclusion: Needling with Mang Zhen is rather effective in treating apoplexy-induced hemiplegia, showing rapid efficacy with less courses of treatments.

By Huang Xiaojie, Ge Jikui, Yin Libo , Zhang Hongyan & Ge Shuhan.