Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 23 (3): 201-202, 2003 201

Two-hundred and Ten Cases of Shoulder Periarthritis Treated by

Needling Lingxia and Sanjian
Feng Zhen’gen 冯祯根
Jinhua TCM Hospital, Jinhua City 321000, Zhejiang Province

From January of 1996 to June of 2001, the author General Data

treated 210 cases of shoulder periarthritis by
In this series, 272 cases were randomly divided into
needling Lingxia and Sanjian (LI 3), and achieved
two groups: the treatment group of 210 cases and
satisfactory therapeutic results. This is reported as
the control group of 62 cases. Of the 210 cases in
follows.
the treatment group, 134 cases were male and 76
female, ranging in age from 27 to 76 years (mean,
51.3 years), and from 2 weeks to 7 years in the
course of disease (mean, 4.6 months). Of the 62
cases in the control group, 43 cases were male and
19 cases female, ranging in age from 23 to 73 years
Yanglingquan (mean, 53.6 years) and from 1 month to 5 years in
Lingxia
the course of disease (mean, 4.6 months). There
were no statistically significant differences in age,
sex and course of disease between the two groups.

.
Methods of Treatment

1. For the treatment group:

Sanjian (LI 3) on the healthy side and Lingxia on

the affected side were selected. (Lingxia is located 2
cun below Yanglingquan GB 34). The needles were
retained for 30 minutes, and manipulated once
every 10 minutes; meanwhile, the patient was asked
to actively move the shoulder joints in all the
directions.

2. For the control group:

Jianyu (LI 15), Jianliao (TE 14), Jianzhen (SI 9),

Binao (LI 14), Tianzong (SI 11) and Jianjing (GB
21) were selected. After prompt insertion, the
needles were connected to an electric acupuncture
apparatus (Model 6805) with the continuous wave
for 30 minutes.

The treatment was given once daily for both of the

202
groups, 10 sessions constituting one therapeutic
course with a 2-day interval between courses; and
the patients were asked to do functional exercises of
the shoulder joints. The therapeutic effects were
evaluated after 2 courses of treatment.
Criteria for Therapeutic Effects
Cured: Complete restoration of the functions of
shoulder joints, such as lifting, adduction, and
backward extension. Improved: The motion of
shoulder joints obviously increased in lifting,
abduction and backward extension. Failed: No
obvious improvement.
Results of Treatment
Of the 210 cases in the treatment group, 158 cases
were cured, 40 cases improved, and 12 cases failed.
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 23 (3): 201-202, 2003
Of the 62 cases in the control group, 26 cases were
cured, 21 cases improved and 15 cases failed. There
was a significant difference in therapeutic effects
between the two groups (P<0.01).
Comment
We have found in most of the cases that there is a
marked tender point on the affected side, 2 cun
below Yanglingquan (GB 34), which can be pressed
to alleviate the shoulder pain. So, it is named
Lingxia. Lingxia and Sanjian (LI 3) are easy to be
located, and are convenient to actively move the
affected joints, which may help to remove adhesion
of the shoulder joint. As a result, better therapeutic
effects can be expected.
(Translated by Chen Zhengqiu 陈正秋)