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Review
. 2023 Apr;43(2):397-408.
doi: 10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.20230105.002.

Effects of acupuncture on functional gastrointestinal disorders: special effects, coeffects, synergistic effects in terms of single or compatible acupoints

Affiliations
Review

Effects of acupuncture on functional gastrointestinal disorders: special effects, coeffects, synergistic effects in terms of single or compatible acupoints

Zhao Jun et al. J Tradit Chin Med. 2023 Apr.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate how the "special effect"/ "coeffect"/"synergistic effect" can achieve a positive result using an "acupuncture prescription" for functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) in clinical practice, based on the characteristics of single/compatible acupoints and acupuncture techniques.

Methods: According to the search strategy, we searched six electronic bibliographic databases and provided a summary for this overview.

Results: A large body of evidence has shown that acupuncture has positive effects in the treatment of FGIDs. However, the "prescription" intervention involved different single acupoints, compatible acupoints and acupoints based on expert consensus.

Conclusions: The core acupoints, including Tianshu (ST25), Zusanli (ST36), and Shangjuxu (ST37), emphasize the application of special acupoints, meridian points and nerve segments, and the two-way regulatory effect found in this study is often used as the basis of acupoint selection and acupoint prescription for acupuncture treatment of FGIDs.

Keywords: acupuncture; acupuncture points; co-effects; gastrointestinal diseases; special effects; synergistic effects.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Flow diagram of literature search
Figure 2
Figure 2. Venn diagram showing acupoints that were differentially administered across the FD, IBS, functional diarrhea and FC relevant studies
FC: functional constipation; FD: functional dyspepsia; IBS: irritable bowel syndrome. BL20: Pishu (BL20); BL21: Weishu (BL21); BL23: Shenshu (BL23); BL25: Dachangshu (BL25); BL52: Zhishi (BL52); CV6: Qihai (CV6); CV9: Shuifen (CV9); CV12: Zhongwan (CV12); EX-HN3: Yintang (EX-HN3); GB34: Yanglingquan (GB34); GB36: Waiqiu (GB36); GB37: Guangming (GB37); GB40: Qiuxu (GB40); GB41: Zulinqi (GB41); GV20: Baihui (GV20); HT7: Shenmen (HT7); EX-B2: Jiaji (EX-B2); KI3: Taixi (KI3); KI6: Zhaohai (KI6); LI4: Hegu (LI4); LI11: Quchi (LI11); LR3: Taichong (LR3); PC6: Neiguan (PC6); SJ6: Zhigou (SJ6); SP4: Gongsun (SP4); SP6: Sanyinjiao (SP6); SP9: Yinlingquan (SP9); SP14: Fujie (SP14); ST25: Tianshu (ST25); ST27: Daju (ST27); ST32: Futu (ST32); ST33: Yinshi (ST33); ST34: Liangqiu (ST34); ST35: Dubi (ST35); ST36: Zusanli (ST36); ST37: Shangjuxu (ST37); ST38: Tiaokou (ST38); ST40: Fenglong (ST40); ST42: Chongyang (ST42); ST44: Neiting (ST44).

References

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