[A case of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) successfully treated by acupuncture].
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) involves a decrease in respiratory function and limits daily activities. We report a COPD patient whose respiratory symptoms were improved by acupuncture treatment. A 66-year-old man visited Gifu University Hospital with breathlessness on exercise. Despite medication, his general condition worsened. A series of acupuncture treatments was subsequently started on October 27, 2001. He had level III breathlessness on JRS classification prior to acupuncture treatment, and his respiratory function parameters were VC: 3.54 L, FEV1: 1.19 L, FEV1% (G): 33.6% and %FEV1: 45%. The basic meridian points used were KI 3 (Fuliu), LU 9 (Taiyuan), LU 1 (Zhongfu), CV 12 (Zhongwan), CV 4 (Guanyuan), BL 13 (Feishu), and BL 23 (Shenshu). The acupuncture needles were retained for ten minutes in each session. This research design was used to detect the specific efficacy of acupuncture treatment After ten acupuncture treatments over two months, his walking distance, Borg scale and respiratory function were improved compared with before treatment. These findings suggest that acupuncture treatment may be efficacious for advanced cases of COPD.
Suzuki
Masao
M
Department of Oriental Medicine, Gifu University of Medicine.
Ohno
Yasushi
Y
Namura
Kenji
K
Asai
Toshihiro
T
Yuugetu
Hideyuki
H
Sawada
Masahiro
M
Akao
Seigo
S
Gotou
Kouji
K
Fujiwara
Hisayoshi
H
D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016740:Meridians; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012119:Respiration