Zhang Jiebin – Master of the School of Tonifying with Medicinals Warm in Nature

Yongxuan Liang, Yinghua Huang

New understanding of using “heart adjusting acupuncture method” to prevent and treat atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

This article explores the foundational research, Chinese medicine theories, and clinical applications of the “heart adjusting acupuncture method” developed by Professor Guanhu Yang to prevent and treat atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Professor Yang established this method based on experimental studies involving electroacupuncture along the horizontal umbilical line, which demonstrated a reduction in infarct area in the myocardial infarction mice model. This method was formulated using acupoints on the horizontal umbilical line: Daimai (GB 26), Tianshu (ST 25), and Daheng (SP 15). Clinical application has shown that it could effectively improve cardiac function and manage various cardiovascular conditions and proposed a new hypothesis for the treatment of myocardial infarction. Further research is required to determine if electroacupuncture stimulation at the site of myocardial infarction or during transportation can extend the critical treatment window, preserve myocardial tissue, and enhance reperfusion therapy prognosis. Professor Yang advocates that, when combined with active Western medicine treatments, the “heart adjusting acupuncture method” offers an effective measure to prevent and treat ASCVD.

Yu Gao, Guanhu Yang, Chao An

Effects of Tai Chi and Qigong on health indicators in people with lumbar disc herniation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of Tai Chi and Qigong on patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH).MethodsRelevant data were retrieved from nine English and Chinese databases, including Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Wanfang Data, etc. from inception to June 2024. All published randomized controlled trials assessing the effect of Tai Chi and Qigong on visual analog scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, and other health indicators in participants with LDH compared to usual medical care or other treatments were included. Grey literature, trials involving the pushing of hands (Tui Shou) or Tai Chi with weapons, and trials with co-interventions (Tai Chi/Qigong plus another treatment) were excluded. Methodological quality was analyzed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool, and evidence quality was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) tool.ResultsFourteen trials (954 patients) were included in this study. Tai Chi and Qigong were associated with lower VAS pain scores (standardized mean difference −0.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.95 to −0.15, P = .01), higher JOA scores (mean difference [MD] 4.40, 95% CI 2.62 to 6.18, P < .001) and straight leg raise test results (MD 9.40°, 95% CI 7.64 to 11.15, P < .001) in patients with LDH. Furthermore, compared with usual care, Tai Chi and Qigong showed enhanced effects on pain and JOA scores. When compared to other exercises or massage, the effect on pain scores was similar but that on JOA scores was significant.ConclusionsTai Chi and Qigong may have favorable effects on VAS pain and JOA scores compared with usual care, and on JOA scores compared with other exercises or massage in patients with LDH. Given the overall poor quality of the evidence, the results of current study should be interpreted cautiously.

Anni Zhao, Junru Mao, Yiqing Cai, Mi'na Wang, Hongguo Rong, Jingjing Huang, Xuanzhi Luo, Xin Liu