Objective: To observe the curative effect of acupuncture for gouty arthritis.

Methods: (1) Acupuncture group: The primacy points include Zhigou (TE 6), Zusanli (ST 36),Zhubin (KI 9), and Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Zhigou (TE 6) is performed with even technique while the other 3 are with reinforcing technique. The needles are retained for 30 minutes. The treatment is once for every second day, 10 sessions as 1 course of treatment. If the red painful swelling of joints is associated, Taichong (LR 3), Yanglingquan (GB 34), are added with reducing technique. Taixi (KI 3) is added to those with kidney deficiency, and Yinlingquan (SP 9) is combined to the spleen deficiency. Taixi (KI 3) and Yinlingquan (SP 9) are all manipulated with reinforcing method; (2) Medication group: the allopurinol made in China is administered 0. 1g each time. 3 times a day, and 10 days as a course of treatment.

Results: In acupuncture group, among 39 cases, 27 were cured (69.2%), 9 were markedly effective(23.l%), 2 were improved (5.l%) and 1 unchanged (2.6%). In medication group, also 39 cases were treated, but only 12 were cured (30.8%), 19 were markedly effective (48.7%), 5 were improved (12.8%), and 3 unchanged (7.7%). The cure rate of acupuncture group was noticeably higher than that of the medication group (p<0.01).

Conclusion: To treat gouty arthritis, acupuncture is notably and positively effective, and free from side effect.

By Xuan Lihua