Bloodletting
(1) Acupoint Selection
Weizhong (BL40).
(2) Treatment Method
Have the patient lie prone, disinfect the popliteal fossa routinely, and apply a tourniquet or finger pressure about 4 cm above the Weizhong (BL40) acupoint to cause the superficial small veins at or near the Weizhong (BL40) acupoint to become engorged. Then, using a disinfected No. 7 injection needle, insert perpendicularly into the skin and then transversely into the blood vessel to a depth of about 2-3 mm. Quickly withdraw the needle, allowing 8-10 drops of blood to flow. Repeat every 4-6 days. Both legs can be treated simultaneously or alternately.
(3) Efficacy Evaluation
A total of 63 cases of various types of alopecia areata were treated, including patchy alopecia, universal alopecia, and total alopecia. The cure rate was 75.7%, with an overall effective rate of 94%. For seborrheic alopecia areata, the cure rate was 38.5%, with an overall effective rate of 88.4%. Patients with alopecia areata lasting more than one year had a lower efficacy rate (14).
Dermal Needle
(1) Acupoint Selection
Common acupoints: ashi point, positive reaction points, Fengchi (GB20).
Supplementary acupoints: Taiyuan (LU9), Neiguan (PC6), neck, sacral region, lumbar region.
ashi point location: the alopecia areata area.
Positive reaction point location: mostly located on both sides of the spine, or as palpable cord-like, nodular, vesicular soft masses, or as positive reactions with soreness, numbness, and distension upon pressure.
(2) Treatment Method
Each session must include the ashi point and Fengchi (GB20) acupoint. Supplementary acupoints are often selected from the neck, lumbar, and sacral regions. The positive reaction points are the focus of tapping. Use either a regular dermal needle or an electric plum-blossom needle. Before tapping, if using a single-head electric plum-blossom needle, have the patient hold a copper rod; if using a double-head electric plum-blossom needle, the practitioner should hold both. Turn on the device, adjusting the current intensity to the patient's tolerance, with a frequency of 70-90 times per minute. The tapping method is the same for both electric plum-blossom needles and regular dermal needles. First, densely tap the alopecia areata area, with uniform needle placement, starting from the edge of the alopecia areata area and spiraling towards the center, then from the non-alopecia areata area towards the center of the alopecia areata area. Next, tap the Fengchi (GB20) acupoint, densely tapping within a 0.5-1 cm diameter on the acupoint surface, gradually increasing from about 20 taps in the initial stage to 40-50 taps, until the skin turns red or slightly bleeds. Other acupoints are tapped similarly to Fengchi (GB20). The back tapping method involves tapping along both sides of the spine and the midline from the back of the neck to the sacral region, repeating several times. Transversely insert 3 taps between each vertebra. After completing all tapping, to enhance efficacy, rub the alopecia areata area with a slice of old ginger or apply compound Blister Beetle tincture. After application, there may be slight pain and a burning sensation. Dermal needle treatment is performed daily or every other day, with 15 sessions constituting one course, and a 5-7 day interval between courses.
Preparation of Compound Blister Beetle Tincture: 20 whole Blister Beetles, 20-30 grams of red hot pepper, 30 grams of fresh ginger, 50 grams of chloral hydrate, 10 grams of camphor powder, 50 ml of glycerin, 1 ml of mercuric chloride, and 2 grams of quinine powder, placed in 1000 ml of 75% alcohol.(3) Efficacy Evaluation
Efficacy criteria: Cure: complete regrowth of hair, normal scalp thickness (5-7 mm), and normal scalp temperature (30-434℃); Significant effect: 80% regrowth in the alopecia areata area, cessation of alopecia, normal scalp thickness and temperature; Effective: 50% regrowth in the alopecia areata area, reduction or cessation of alopecia, and essentially normal scalp thickness and temperature; Ineffective: no significant improvement before and after treatment.
A total of 996 cases were treated, with an effective rate ranging from 87.7% to 97.2%. Among them, 821 cases were treated with the electric plum-blossom needle, with 742 cases cured (90.3%), 4 cases showing significant improvement (0.5%), 52 cases effective (6.4%), and 23 cases ineffective (2.8%), resulting in a total effective rate of 97.2%. For the 53 cases treated with the dermal needle alone, 36 cases showed significant improvement (67.9%), 13 cases were effective (24.5%), and 4 cases were ineffective (7.6%). For the 122 cases treated with the dermal needle plus topical medication, 62 cases were cured (50.8%), 21 cases showed significant improvement (17.2%), 24 cases were effective (19.7%), and 15 cases were ineffective (12.3%), resulting in an effective rate of 87.7%. Although the effective rate of the latter is not high, the cure and significant improvement rate is significantly higher than that of the dermal needle alone (2-8).
Body Acupuncture(1) Point Selection
Common Points: Baihui (GV20), Touwei (ST8), ashi point, Hair Growth Point, Anti-Aging, Brain Health.
Reserve Points: Yiming (EX-HN14), Shangxing (GV23), Taiyang, Fengchi (GB20), Waiguan (TE5), Tianjing (TE10).
Hair Growth Acupoint Location: Midpoint between Fengchi (GB20) and Fengfu (GV16).
Anti-Aging Acupoint Location: 1 inch behind Baihui (GV20).
Brain Health Acupoint Location: 0.5 inches below Fengchi (GB20).
(2) Treatment Method
Select 2-3 main points each time (ashi point is mandatory), and add reserve points as needed if the effect is not obvious. ashi point refers to the alopecia areata area, transverse insertion, can penetrate towards the center of the alopecia areata area, the needle tip of the Anti-Aging point is inclined forward, the needle handle is parallel to the patient's scalp, insert the needle 0.1 inches along the skin, with a strong needling sensation; the needle tip of the Brain Health point is inclined downward, insert the needle 0.2 inches, this point is at the scalp, it must be just right, too deep or too shallow will affect the efficacy. Fengchi (GB20) point, insert the needle 1.0-1.5 inches downward, until obtaining qi, other points are inserted until obtaining qi and then retaining the needle. The retaining needle time is 15-20 minutes. Acupuncture once a day, 10 times as a course of treatment.
(3) Efficacy Evaluation
A total of 1345 cases of alopecia areata (including a small amount of other alopecia areata) were treated with the above method, 913 cases were cured (67.8%), 236 cases showed significant effect (17.6%), 127 cases were effective (9.5%), 69 cases were ineffective (5.1%), the total effective rate was 94.9%. Generally, 2-3 courses of treatment (9-11) are required.
Acupoint Injection(1) Point Selection
Common Points: ashi point, Quchi (LI11), Zusanli (ST36).
Reserve Points: Touwei (ST8), Baihui (GV20), Fengchi (GB20), Pishu (BL20).
(2) Treatment Method
Vitamin B12, Adenosine Triphosphate. Use 1 common point each time (bilateral), ashi point refers to the alopecia areata area, for multiple alopecia areata, select 2-3 each time. Add 1-2 pairs of reserve points if the effect is not obvious. Use a No. 4 needle to insert into the common point (ashi point from the edge of the alopecia areata area to the center with transverse insertion), when the patient feels a swelling sensation, inject 0.5 ml of Vitamin B12 injection (100 micrograms/1 ml). Use a No. 5 dental needle to quickly insert into the reserve points, until obtaining qi, then inject 5-10 mg of Adenosine Triphosphate (per point). Once a day or every other day, 10 times as a course of treatment. The interval between courses is 3-5 days.
(3) Efficacy Evaluation
A total of 98 cases were treated, 2 cases were individual cases, all cured. The remaining 96 cases, 68 cases were cured, 20 cases were effective, 8 cases were ineffective, the total effective rate was 91.7% (12, 15).
Catgut Embedment in Acupoint
(1) Point Selection
Common Point: ashi point.
(2) Treatment Method
Fully expose the alopecia areata area, under local anesthesia, use a triangular suture needle to embed 0-1 catgut in a "cross" shape, for large areas, embed in a double "cross" shape. Note that it must be embedded to the edge of the alopecia areata area, the thread head is implanted under the skin and not exposed, bandage with gauze and hemostatic fiber, generally only treat once.
(3) Efficacy Evaluation
A total of 60 patients were treated with the above method, 54 cases were cured, 4 cases were effective, 2 cases were ineffective, the total effective rate was 96.7% (16).
Acupoint Laser Irradiation
(1) Point Selection
ashi point.
(2) Treatment Method
Irradiate with a helium-neon laser therapy instrument, wavelength 6328A angstrom, output power 8 millivolts, spot diameter 2 cm, directly irradiate ashi point, distance 10 cm. Each alopecia areata area is irradiated for 10 minutes, for multiple alopecia areata, each area can be irradiated for 5 minutes. If the alopecia areata area exceeds 4×4 cm, irradiate in sections. Once a day, stop irradiation once after 6 times, 30 times as a course of treatment.
(3) Efficacy Evaluation
A total of 90 cases were treated, with 64 cases (71.1%) cured, 20 cases (22.2%) effective, and 6 cases (6.7%) ineffective. The total effective rate was 93.3%, with all ineffective cases being multiple alopecia areata (13).
Main References
(1) Li Dingzhong, et al. Preliminary application of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy in the treatment of skin diseases. Chinese Journal of Dermatology 1958; (6): 468.
(2) Hua Zhiyu. Treatment of 105 cases of alopecia areata with plum-blossom needle combined with compound Blister Beetle tincture. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion 1982; 2(4): 13.
(3) Du Shulan. Treatment of alopecia areata with plum-blossom needle combined with Fresh Ginger Rhizome and moxa sticks. Shaanxi Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1982; 3(5): 46.
(4) Jia Baoru, et al. Preliminary report on the treatment of 23 cases of alopecia with plum-blossom needle stimulation. Shanxi Medical Journal 1964; (1): 64.
(5) Wu Mingda, et al. Treatment of 30 cases of alopecia areata with plum-blossom needle. New Chinese Medicine 1985; 17(11): 32.
(6) Gong Dongfang, et al. Clinical and experimental research on the treatment of alopecia areata with electric plum-blossom needle—report on the efficacy of 553 cases. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion 1988; 8(6): 3.
(7) Yan Cuilan. Treatment of 28 cases of alopecia areata with electric plum-blossom needle. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion 1986; 6(1): cover 4.
(8) Zhang Ziwei, et al. Treatment of 240 cases of alopecia areata with electric plum-blossom needle. Abstracts of the Second National Acupuncture and Moxibustion Anesthesia Academic Conference 1984: 102, Beijing.
(9) Yan Shixie. Clinical report on the treatment of 108 cases of alopecia areata with head three needles. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion 1988; 8(4): 13.
(10) Zhang Cuiping. Clinical experience in the treatment of 880 cases of alopecia areata with acupuncture. Jiangsu Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1988; (6): 17.
(11) Han Liding. Clinical efficacy observation of acupuncture treatment for 60 cases of alopecia areata. Heilongjiang Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1988; (1): 352.
(12) Wang Fuchun, et al. Treatment of 36 cases of alopecia areata with acupoint injection. Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture and Moxibustion 1988; (2): 30.
(13) Sun Xun, et al. Clinical and experimental observations on the treatment of alopecia areata with helium-neon laser irradiation. Chinese Journal of Physical Therapy 1986; 9(1): 17.
(14) Li Yuqin. Report on the treatment of 63 cases of alopecia areata with acupoint bloodletting. Journal of Clinical Dermatology 1985; (3): 215.
(15) He Huiying, et al. Clinical observation on the treatment of 60 cases of alopecia areata with acupoint injection. Journal of Zhejiang College of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1990; 14(3): 48.
(16) Men Yansong, et al. Treatment of 60 cases of alopecia areata with catgut embedding. Shandong Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1989; 8(5): 28.