Abstract
We report the effect of acupuncture based on the meridian concept by the writing evaluation test and writing pressure in a patient with writer's cramp. The case was a 32-year-old male, who was right-handed. The patient reported feeling a sense of incongruity while playing slot machine, and also in handwriting in X+6 years. When the department of nerve internal medicine at a local hospital was consulted, the problem was diagnosed as dystonic writer's cramp. We started acupuncture treatment in our clinic from X year. Acupuncture was performed once a week. Multiple epidermis penetrating needles were used to treat skin and muscle shortening on the palm and forearm. Retaining needles were used for scalp acupuncture in the upper limb zone, LI4 and ST11. Consequently, although some involuntary movement persisted 10 weeks after the start of treatment, control of handwriting became possible. Moreover, agitation during the application of writing pressure before acupuncture therapy was improved after acupuncture therapy. The results suggest that acupuncture therapy with the retaining needles and multiple epidermis penetrating needles is beneficial for dystonic writer's cramp.
