Patterns of acupuncture practice and acupoint usage in Brazil: the Fortaleza experience

Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies
Sergio Botelho GuimarãesJorge Montenegro Braga

Abstract

This study is aimed at providing quantitative data on acupoint usage in Fortaleza, Brazil. Medical records from 100 patients subjected to acupuncture treatments from January 2005 through June 2006 were randomly selected for study. Data collected included sex/age, visit numbers, acupoints used and point combination usage. The Meireles Acupuncture Outpatient Clinic is part of the Brazilian Health System (SUS) and offers free acupuncture therapy to people living in Fortaleza, the fifth largest city in Brazil. Analysis of sex/age distribution showed that female patients were the majority (78%). Ages ranged from 15-88 years (mean, 52 years). The acupoint data were compiled to produce a histogram of the 30 most commonly used acupoints. These 30 points represented 68% of the total number of acupoints needled in Fortaleza. The same value was found in China Beijing Hospital of TCM. The total number of unique points used was 136 in different combinations, totaling 1109 acu-points (average usage, 11 points per patient). Taichong (67%) and Taixi (63%) were the most needled acupoints. The data collected demonstrate that Brazilian medical acupuncturists have a clear cut preference for some specific acupoints, as do their Chinese colleagues.

References

Jul 16, 2004·The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine : Research on Paradigm, Practice, and Policy·Vitaly Napadow, Ted J Kaptchuk
Jan 15, 2005·Complementary Therapies in Medicine·Vitaly NapadowTed J Kaptchuk

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Aug 24, 2013·Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : ECAM·Chun-Chuan ShihChien-Chang Liao

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine : Research on Paradigm, Practice, and Policy
Fang-Pey ChenShinn-Jang Hwang
Jornal brasileiro de nefrologia : ʹorgão oficial de Sociedades Brasileira e Latino-Americana de Nefrologia
Silvia Fernandes Ribeiro da SilvaCarlos Antônio Bruno da Silva
Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontics
Rafael Lima Verde OsterneFabrico Bitu Sousa
Jornal brasileiro de pneumologia : publicaça̋o oficial da Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisilogia
Maria de Fátima Gomes de LunaMarcelo Gurgel Carlos da Silva
Revista Da Sociedade Brasileira De Medicina Tropical
Renata Albuquerque CostaRegine Helena Silva dos Fernandes Vieira
© 2021 Meta ULC. All rights reserved