The number of hospital files for patients who have visited the therapeutic clinic of the Juridical Foundation and Educational Promotion Foundation for Oriental Medical Science Techniques during the period between 1979, when the institute was established, and March 1988 has exceeded 3, 000, among which the proportion of patients with athletic disorders-has been increasing annually. The percentage of hospital files for patients with a chief complaint of athletic disorder among those numbered 1 through 2, 000 was very low, 6.0%, but subsequently increased rapidly to 9.1% among the 1, 000 files numbered 2, 000 through 3, 000. Of these patients, only a few have occupations related to the athletic field, or are so-called top athletes, and most are “weekend athletes” or students. Therefore, they play various types of sports, leading to the occurrence of disorders at various sites of the body. The incidence of traumatic injury is low, whereas the incidence of conditions due to fatigue-related changes is high. These characteristics of injury seem to represent the usual pattern from the viewpoint of the age structure of our patients. In the present report we describe our acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for disorders of the shoulder and elbow, among the various types of motility disturbance treated in general institutes providing acupuncture and moxa therapy, not merely as a palliative, but also a prophylactic approach. We also present the results of basic studies, which have provided evidence of therapeutic effects of our treatment, together with details of the therapeutic procedures employed.

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[in Japanese]

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In recent times it is generally customary to assume that the HACHIRYO points correspond with the posterior sacral formina. In order to find a way to locate these points in accordance with this general practice we took X-rays of the sacral area of 23 subjects and conducted this study. Results showed that the standard height for the distribution of the HACHIRYO points was a point halfway between the spinous process of the 5th lumbar vertebra and the superior ridge of the middle sacral crest. We called this point the “17th vertebra”. Also the midpoint between the inferior ridge of the left and right sacral angles was determined as the “sacral angle midpoint”.
One-fourth of the way from the 17th vertebra to the sacral angle midpoint was considered the height of B-31. In the same area onetenth of the way from the sacral angle midpoint to the 17th vertebra was determined as the height of B-34. The area between B-31 and B-34 is divided into thirds to determine the heights of B-32 and B-33.
Next to determine the lateral distribution the area between the inferior ridge of the posterior-superior iliac spine and the posterior median line is used. The point laterally 3/4 of the way between these which coincides with the predetermined height of B-31 is the location of B-31. Likewise the point halfway between the inferior ridge of the posterior-superior iliac spine which coincides with the determined height of B-34 is the location of B-34. Next a slanted line is used to connect B-31 and B-34. The points along this line which coincide with the previously determined heights of B-32 and B-33 are considered the locations of these points.

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A pressure pain, frequently associated by an induration, is usually perceptible in the suprascapular region of the normal subjects. We considered the relation of the pressure pain with the anatomical structures of that region, firstly by investigating the locus of the pressure pain and whether it is associated by an induration or not, using the living subjects and in several cases, followed by a X-ray examination of the final destination of the needle which was inserted in the pressure pain zone; and lastly by dissecting the anatomical structures penetrated by that needle in a woman's cadaver.
We obtained the follwing three results from the above investigation and observations. (1) The most conspicuous pressure pain was perceptible in the middle of the upper margin of the suprascapular region, and a long and slender induration extending sagitally was palpable there. (2) The second rib lay in the deepest layer of the pressure pain zone, the layer which were overlain by the serratus posterior superior muscle, the serratus anterior and the omohyoid, many branches of the transversus colli artery and vein and the accessory nerve, and the trapezius muscle with the posterior suprascapular nerves running on its superficial surface, in order of lower to upper layer. (3) The transversus colli vessels, which forms a complex network of branchings crossing sagitally above the second rib, was suggested to have some relationship to the occurence of the pressure pain associated by the induration, because only the formation of such vascular network was peculiar to the pressure pain zone.

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Recently it is well known that human immune system is regulated by various other biological response systems; endocrine and nervous system. We have investigated the effect of electric acupuncture on human immune system for several years. Those studies suggest that electric acupuncture affects human immune system via neuro-immune system. In the present study we investigated the effect of endorphin on human peripheral lymphocytes.
At the present concentration of endorphin and naloxone there were no effect on viability of lymphocytes. ³H-thymidine up take of unstimulated lymphocytes were suppressed by a appropriate concentration of endorphin or naloxone. The mitogenic responsiveness of peripheral lymphocytes was suppressed at usual concentration of naloxone and higher concentration of endorphin.
In these data suggested that both of intrisic and extrinsic endorphin regulated human lymphocyte responsiveness.

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From our studies it appears that the Yuketsu (Ketsuinyu) and Boketsu (Danchu) of the Shinpo heve a big influence on heart function. In our test, we measured heart rate and performed the dynamic autonomic nervous function test as described by Nishijo et. al., after acupuncture stimulus was given to both points. The measurement schedule was as follows, while stimulus was being given, measurements were taken for a two minute period. After stimulus was given, the samples were made to lie down and rest for three minutes after which measurements were taken for a one minute period in this position. Next the samples were made to stand for three minutes after which measurements were taken in this position. This cycle of lying down, measurement, standing measurement was repeated three times. Differences in the results, before and agter stimulus was given, were compared. In the first measurement after stimulus, there was almost no detectable defference at both the Ketsuinyu and Danchu points, concerning the direction and size of the related degree of the autonomic nervous function.
On the third measurement a detectable difference was observed. At the Ketsuinyu point, there was only a small change. But at the Danchu point, a heightened value for the related degree of the autonomic nervous function was observed. It was a large, stable change.

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This study was performed to clarify whether local anesthesia or sympathetic ganglion block abolishes the effects of electrical acupuncture (EA) on the autonomic nervous system or not.
Twelve healthy adult volunteers and 24 patients are divided into the following three experimental groups of each 12. EA was performed to the traditional acupuncture points on the meridians (H7; SHENMEN and CX4; HSIMEN). (1) In control group, only EA was performed. (2) In stellate ganglion block (SGB) group, EA was performed after unilateral SGB. (3) In local anesthesia (LA) group, EA was performed after local anesthesia on the same acupuncture points. The measured parameters on the autonomic nervous system functions were heart rates, R-R intervals in ECG, blood pressure and deep tissue temperature.
Results are as follows; Means of heart rate decreased significantly by EA in both control and SGB groups. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and RR-CV showed no significant changes by EA in all groups. Deep tissue temperature of the anterior forearm ipsilateral to the stimulation side decreased significantly by EA in SGB group. Deep tissure temperature of the anterior forearm contralateral to the stimuli decreased significantly by EA in both control and SGB groups. In LA group, however, all parameters were not changed by EA.
In summary, the effects of electrical acupuncture on the autonomic nervous system were not much different between control and SGB groups. It seems that one side of stellate ganglion block dose not interfere with the effects of acupuncture. On the other hand, any changes on the autonomic nervous system by electrical acupuncture were not observed in LA group. The fact showed that local anesthesia abolishes the effects of acupuncture on site. Local anesthesia blocks peripheral nerves and nerve endings. Therefore, we conclude that the effects of acupuncture on the autonomic nervous system are transmitted through the peripheral nerves, especially through the sensory nerves.

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During and after the “Toshi” which is the acupuncture of the carotid sinus, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured in the basal pharanx of finger arteries by means of indirect sphygmomanometer called the “volume compensation method”. After 15 minutes resting, 2 minutes acupuncture on both sides of the carotid sinus was carried out in 16 hypertensive subjects. Finger arterial pressure showed a significant decrease by about 14mmHg (mean) in systolic pressure and by 9mmHg (mean) in diastolic pressure during and after the acupuncture (p<0.05). The decrease in blood pressure showed a maximum at 15-20 minutes after the withdrawal of needles. Pulse pressure and heart rate did not show a significant change. These results were almost similar to those obtained in normotensive subjects. These data suggests that hypertensive subjects are also responsible to “Toshi” and that this effect may not be caused by the cardiac inhibition refrex but the change in vascular tonus.

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Indirect moxibustion has been found to have the effects of thermal stimulation and pharmacological effects as we analyzed the intercalated substance with thin layer chromatography, 6-gingeol from zingiberis Rhizoma and allicin from Allis Bulbus were detected.
It is suggested that pharmacological effects of intercalated substance were significant in indirect moxibustion.

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We conducted acupuncture and moxibustion treatment to 21 patients with cold sensitivenees. They also had some sort of basal disorder and mainly claimed of coldness in the hands and feet. We compared the subjective and objective findings of the first visit and the tenth treatment.
Following were the results: 1) Along with 55.9% effectiveness of improvement in hand and feet coldness on a subjective basis, concomitant symptoms were also reduced. 2) Generally, those with cold sensitiveness have a lower skin temperature from the crus to the podalgia compared to the healthy, and we have also found that the parts of the body where the patient claimed had coldness indicated lower temperature. 3) Acupuncture and moxibustion stimulus has a strong impact on the peripheral circulation flow.
Thus the acupuncture and moxibustion treatment can be considered as one of the effective methods in relieving the subjective symptoms of cold sensitiveness.

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From the clinical point of view of the acupuncturist 105 cases of sciatica were classified according to Interview Impressions (age, sex, affected limb, degree of pain in local areas, motor pain in lumbar vertebrae); Observation Impressions (structural disorders of lumbar vertebrae); Palpation Impressions (tenderness, sensitivity disorders); Special Test Information (SLR, Bonnet Test, ATR, PTR, muscular strength disorders, etc.); and the original disease assumed.
It was possible to assume the original disease in a high percentage -68%- that is 71 of 105 cases. Spondylosis deformans occurred in patients middle aged or over and was characterized by pain upon walking, spinous process irregularities, etc., Lumbar hernia occurred in young patients and was characterized by remarkable SLR results, tenderness between the spinous processes, etc., Slipped disc was characterized by deformation of lumbar disc arrangement, ATR disturbances, palpation disturbances, etc., Spinal canal stenosis was characterized by intermittent claudication, pain relief with anterior bending of the lumbar spine, sensory disturbance in the lower limbs, etc. In piriformis muscle syndrome cases Bonnet Test results were positive, SLR light and ATR normal.

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We proved that acupuncture insertion at a 45 degree angle to the path of the gastrocnemius muscle tissue of animals serves to relieve muscle fatigue. This was done as preparatory research to determine whether good results could be obtained using this insertion method in the treatment of peripheral facial nerve paralysis. Acupuncture points used were GB-14, TAIYO, SI-18, ST-4, ST-6, ST-5 and TE-17 on the face and GB-20, GB-21, BL-38 and LI-11. Stationary insertion was administered for a period of 15 minutes using 50mm No. 20 stainless steel needles.
No results were obtained with acupuncture therapy in 2 cases in which the symptoms were the after-affects of surgery, however results were obtained in 80% of Bell's Palsy cases and 70% of Hunt Syndrome cases. Fewer treatments were required in Bell's Palsy cases. Moreover a comparison of results in a former acupuncture therapy methods group in which insertion was performed without considering the muscle path, and the cross-insertion group, showed cure in 5 Bell's Palsy cases or 42% in the former group and 8 cases or 62% in the cross-insertion group. From the fact that results were obtained in the cross-insertion group with significantly fewer treatments it was indicated that the direction of acupuncture insertion is extremely important.

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Nouns that blood vessel and nerve are the terms of western medical science and not those of ancient oriental medical science. What is found in ancient oriental medical science is only MYAKU (KEIMYAKU, RAKUMYAKU, SONMYAKU) which is called KEIRAKU. Terefore, unless this KEIRAKUMYAKU implies blood vessel and nerves, anatomically there are no blood vessel and no nerve in ancient oriental medical science. KEIRAKU which ancient chinese said means blood vessel and nerve.

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