Influence of Electroacupuncture on the Soft Tissue Healing Process

Novel Orthobiologic Preparation and Regenerative Rehabilitation of a Complex Shoulder Injury in a Competitive Adolescent Female Athlete

Background

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and prolotherapy have resulted in promising outcomes in patients with various types of shoulder injuries. However, there is a lack of preliminary evidence supporting preparation of PRP production, timely application of these therapies and regenerative rehabilitation protocols. The purpose of this case report is to describe the distinct method including orthobiologic preparation, tissue-specific treatment and regenerative rehabilitation of an athlete with a complex shoulder injury.

Case Presentation

A 15y/o competitive female wrestler with a complex shoulder injury presented to the clinic after unsuccessful conservative rehabilitation. Unique methods were incorporated to optimize PRP production, specific tissue healing and regenerative rehabilitation. Multiple injuries required different orthobiologic interventions at different time frames, in order to promote optimal healing and stability of the shoulder.

Outcomes

The described interventions resulted in successful outcomes including pain, disability, full return to sport, and regenerative tissue healing confirmed with diagnostic imaging.

Level of Evidence

5.

Neuropathic Pain Creates Systemic Ultrastructural Changes in the Nervous System Corrected by Electroacupuncture but Not by Pregabalin

Purpose

It is unclear whether neuropathological structural changes in the peripheral nervous system and central nervous system can occur in the spared nerve injury model. In this study, we investigated the pathological changes in the nervous system in a model of neuropathic pain as well as the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) and pregabalin (PGB) administration as regards pain relief and tissue repair.

Patients and Methods

Forty adult male SD rats were equally and randomly divided into 4 groups: spared nerve injury group (SNI, n = 10), SNI with electroacupuncture group (EA, n = 10), SNI with pregabalin group (PGB, n =10) and sham-operated group (Sham, n=10). EA and PGB were given from postoperative day (POD) 14 to 36. EA (2 Hz and 100 Hz alternating frequencies, intensities ranging from 1–1.5–2 mA) was applied to the left “zusanli” (ST36) and “Yanglingquan” (GB34) acupoints for 30 minutes. The mechanical withdrawal thresholds (MWTs) were tested with von Frey filaments. Moreover, the organizational and structural alterations of the bilateral prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, sciatic nerves and the thoracic, lumbar spinal cords and dorsal root ganglions (DRGs) were examined via light and electron microscopy.

Results

MWTs of left hind paw demonstrated a remarkable decrease in the SNI model (P < 0.05). In the SNI model, ultrastructural changes including demyelination and damaged neurons were observed at all levels of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and central nervous system (CNS). In addition, EA improved MWTs and restored the normal structure of neurons. However, the effect was not found in the PGB treatment group.

Conclusion

Chronic pain can induce extensive damage to the central and peripheral nervous systems. Meanwhile, EA and PGB can both alleviate chronic pain syndromes in rats, but EA also restores the normal cellular structures, while PGB is associated with no improvement.

Electric Factors in Wound Healing

Significance: Electric factors such as electric charges, electrodynamic field, skin battery, and interstitial exclusion permeate wound healing physiology and physiopathology from injury to re-epithelialization. The understanding of how electric factors contribute to wound healing and how treatments may interfere with them is fundamental for the development of better strategies for the management of pathological scarring and chronic wounds. Recent Advances: Angiogenesis, cell migration, macrophage activation hemorheology, and microcirculation can interfere and be interfered with electric factors. New treatments with various types of electric currents, laser, light emitting diode, acupuncture, and weak electric fields applied directly on the wound have been developed to improve wound healing. Critical Issues: Despite the basic and clinical development, pathological scars such as keloids and chronic wounds are still a challenge. Future Directions: New treatments can be developed to improve skin wound healing taking into account the influence of electrical charges. Monitoring electrical activity during skin healing and the influence of treatments on hemorheology and microcirculation are examples of how to use knowledge of electrical factors to increase their effectiveness.

Use of acupuncture as adjuvant analgesic technique in dogs undergoing thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy

The aim of this study was to investigate the analgesic efficacy of a preoperative acupuncture treatment in 24 client-owned dogs undergoing thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy. Dogs were randomly assigned to either group A (Acupuncture) or group C (Control). Before skin incision, group A was treated with acupuncture, performed under general anaesthesia for 30 min. Rescue intraoperative fentanyl was administered following a 20% increase in cardiovascular parameters compared to baseline values, measured before incision. An observer masked to the treatment assessed pain, pre- and postoperatively, with the Glasgow (GCPS), the Colorado (CPS) pain scales and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS); additionally, the mechanical thresholds (MT) were measured with the Electronic von Frey Anaesthesiometer (EVF) at four points located near the herniated disc. The groups were compared with respect to intraoperative cardiovascular and respiratory variables, rescue fentanyl administered in total and at different surgical events (first incision [FI], drilling [DR], disc removal [RE] and skin suturing [ST]), and pre- and postoperative pain scores and MT. Group A received less fentanyl than group C (P = 0.014); this difference was significant at FI P = 0.035) and RE (P = 0.004). The improvement in postoperative CPS score (P = 0.013), VAS score (P = 0.003) and MT (P = 0.001) compared to preoperative values was greater for group A than for group C, whereas the treatment assignment had no effect on postoperative changes in GCPS compared to baseline. Pre-operative acupuncture may help improving perioperative analgesia in dogs with intervertebral disc herniation undergoing thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy.

Beyond the Laboratory, Into the Clinic: What Dogs with Disk Disease Have Taught Us About Photobiomodulation for Spinal Cord Injury

BACKGROUND

For spinal-cord-injured (SCI) patients, integrative medicine approaches such as photomedicine and acupuncture can renew hope and offer previously unrecognized ways to help regain function and improve quality of life.

OBJECTIVE

By understanding the mechanisms of action that these two modalities share, practitioners can better target specific attributes of spinal cord pathophysiology that are limiting recovery. Naturally occurring intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) in dogs affords unparalleled translational opportunities to develop treatment strategies involving photobiomodulation and acupuncture.

CONCLUSIONS

Insights derived through clinical trials of dogs with IVDD have the potential to raise the standard of care for both human and canine SCI patients.

Effects of radiofrequency, electroacupuncture, and low-level laser therapy on the wrinkles and moisture content of the forehead, eyes, and cheek

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of radiofrequency (RF), electroacupuncture (EA), and low-level laser therapy (LLLT), which are used in physical therapies, on facial wrinkles and moisture. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 30 female participants aged 30-55 years participated in this study and the results will be used as a reference for further development of skin physical therapy. Thirty adult females were assigned to an LLLT (n=10), EA (n=10), or RF group (n=10). The intervention was performed in two 15-minute sessions per week for six weeks. Subjects' skin tone and pigmentation were observed before and after the intervention. [Results] Treatment of the under eye area showed that wrinkles were significantly decreased on both sides after RF, EA, and LLLT. Treatment of the eye rims indicated that wrinkles significantly decreased on the right side after RF, EA, and LLLT. [Conclusion] The application of LLLT, EA, and RF had positive effects on wrinkle and moisture content of adult women's faces.

Effects of low-level laser therapy, electroacupuncture, and radiofrequency on the pigmentation and skin tone of adult women

[Purpose] In this study, the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT), electroacupuncture (EA), and radiofrequency (RF), which are used in physical therapy, on the pigmentation and skin tone of adult women’s faces were investigated to provide basic data for skin interventions. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty adult females were assigned to either an LLLT group (n=10), an EA group (n=10), or an RF group (n=10). The intervention was performed in two 15-minute sessions per week for six weeks. Subjects’ skin tone and pigmentation were observed before and after the intervention. [Results] The EA group showed significant reductions in pigmentation in the left and right eye rims, as well as in the left cheek. The RF group showed significant post-intervention reductions in pigmentation under the left eye, as well as in the left and right eye rims and the left cheek. The LLLT group showed significant increases in skin tone in the forehead and both eye rims. The RF group showed significant increases in skin tone under both eyes. [Conclusion] The application of LLLT, EA, and RF had positive effects on pigmentation and skin tone of adult women’s faces.