Observations On 100 Cases With Traumatic Paraplegia Treated By Acupuncture Therapy

Tianjin Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Tianjin Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Spinal column fracture complicated by paraplegia is a common disease. In 8 years we have obtained some success in its treatment by employing acupuncture therapy.

1. Selection of points and its explanation as follows:

A. Main points, Points on Du-channel or points bilateral to the spinal column (in both cases at a distance one to 2 spinous processes above and below the traumatic level). The explanation is to regulate the vital-energy of the Du-channel and stimulate directly or reflexively the spinal cord.


B. Supporting points:

a) Group 1. Guanyuan, Zhongji, Tianshu

The exploration is to regulate the urination and defecation of the organism.

b) Group 2. Zhibian, Yinmen, Weizhong, Kunlun

The explanation is effective clinical therapy for disabled lower extremities.

c) Group 3. Biguan, Futu, Chongyang, Zusanli

The explanation is according the principle as only the points of the Yanming channels of foot were selected in treatment of paralysis.

d) Group 4 Juegu, Yanglingquan


The explanation is the confluences of muscles and of the marrows.

2. The results of treatment: 22% of the patients (with imcomplete spinal cord trauma) had fundamentally cured, 13% markedly improved, 58% improved and 7% failed to show any effect.

Criteria for assessment of cure effect as follows:

1) "Fundamentally cured". Patient can walk unaided and has regained near-complete control of the bladder.

2) "Markedly improved". Patient can walk on crutches with establishment of reflexive urination.


3) "Improved". Patient can move on crutches instead of actually walking and partial return of the sphincter function.

4) "Ineffective". No restoration of sensation, mobility and sphincter function.