Objective: To compare therapeatic effects of puncturing couple points and routine acupoints to treat infectious peripheral facial paralysis.

Methods: (l) Observed group puncture Shenting (GV 24) first (horizontally with downward direction of the tip of the needle), with even reinforcing and reducing techniques by twirling and rotating the needle. Then puncture Chengjiang (CV 24) (horizontally with upward direction of the tip of the needle), with reinforcing technique by twirling and rotating the needle, expecting a comfortable feeling in the face of the patient. Puncture Fengchi (GB 20) (Perpendicularly), with reducing technique by lifting, thrusting, twirling and rotating the needle. Let the needling sensation reach the affected facial region. Puncture Waiguan (TE 5) (Perpendicularly), with reducing method by lifting, thrusting, twirling and rotating the needle. Puncture Xiaguan (ST 7) (Perpendicularly), using reducing technique by twirlning, rotating, lifting and thrusting the needle and puncture Hegu (LI 4) (Perpendicularly), reinforce the point by twirling and rotating the needle. At the same time, puncture Yangbai (GB 14) with downward direction of the tip of the needle and Sibai (ST 2) (With upward direction of the tip of the needle). Dicang (ST 4) (towards Jiache (ST 6), and Jiache (ST 6) towards Dicang (ST 4) respectively. These two groups of points are punctured horizontally by even reinforcing and reducing method.. After the arrival of qi, all the above mentioned points should be kept on manipulating for 0.5-l min, and retained for 30 min. One course consists of 6 treatments. The second course starts after an interval of one day; (2) Control group: Puncture Fengchi (GB 20),Yifeng (TE 17) and Taichong (LR 3) on the affected side with reinforcing method; puncture Jiache (ST 6), Dicang (ST 4) horizontally with penetrating technique. Puncture Hegu (LI 4) on the opposite side with even reinforcing and reducing method. Add Yingxiang (LI 20) in case the nasolabial groove becomes shallow; Yangbai (GB 14) in case the eye fails to close; Juliao (ST 3) for dull expression with even reinforcing and reducing method. After the arrival of qi, keep on manipulating all the above mentioned points for 0.5-1 min and retain the needles for 30 min. One course consists of 6 treatments. The second course starts after an interval of one day.

Results: The curative rate of observed group is 77%, effective rate 96%; The curative rate of control group is 36%, effective rate 94%. According to statistics U analysis on the difference of curative rate between the observed group and control group, p0.05, there is no markedly significant difference. Although there is no markedly significant difference of the effective rate between the two groups, the difference of the curative rate between the two groups is of markedly statistical significance. So acupuncture of couple points is superior to traditional acupuncture.

By Zhou Wenjun