[Analysis on indications and dominant diseases of acupotomology].

To analyze the indications and dominant diseases of acupotomology by literature research. The findings reveal that the 64.4% of all literature focused on eight categories of diseases, including the third lumbar vertebrae transverse process syndrome, tendinitis stenosans, cervical spondylosis, heel pain, scapulohumeral periarthritis, external humeral epicondylitis, lumbar disc herniation and osteoarthritis.

[Effect of acupotomy lysis on serum matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3 and MMP-13 contents in osteoarthritis rabbits].

Objective: To observe the effect of acupotomy lysis on serum matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3 and MMP-13 contents in osteoarthritis (OA) rabbits.

Methods: A total of 34 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into normal group (n = 7), model group (n = 7), acupotomy group (n = 10) and electroacupuncture (EA) group (n = 10). OA model was established by left-hindlimb-joint-immobilization method.

[Advances of studies on acupuncture reinforcing-reducing of twirling-rotating the needle].

The theories and clinical and experimental studies about reinforcing-reducing manipulation of twirling rotating the needle in recent 15 years are reviewed and a brief account of manipulation methods, mechanisms and effects of reinforcing-reducing manipulation of twirling-rotating the needle is given, and it is indicated that the following several aspects in the studies at present need to be completed. Standardization and establishment of national standard of acupuncture manipulation must be enforced; quantitative parameters of acupuncture manipulation and mechanisms of acupuncture reinforcing-reducing of twirling-rotating the needle need to be further studied.

[Effects of needle knife relaxing therapy on tension of local soft tissue and pain of osteoarthritis of knee].

Objective: To probe into the mechanism and methods of needle knife relaxing therapy for treatment of osteoarthritis of knee from biomechanical view.

Methods: Needle knife relaxing therapy was given to 92 pain points around the knee joint in 14 cases of osteoarthritis of knee, and the displacement of the local pain point under the stress of 500 g (L500 g) was measured and the VAS scores were recorded before and after treatment.

Results: L500 g of the pain point was (4.