MICRO-INVASIVE THREAD EMBEDDING:A NEW APPROACH FOR ACUPUNCTURE MEDICINE

Instead of filiform needles, micro-invasive thread-embedding therapy treats diseases by implanting biomaterials into acupoints for producing a long-time stimulation.It not only achieves long-term acupoint stimulation, but also reduces the visiting frequencies and pain of patients in comparis on to filiform needles.By using the specially made disposable embedding needles, the operation can be completed swiftly and conveniently in the way of injection.The whole operation only takes 5-10 min, as only the thread not the needle needs to be retained.The stimulation produced by the retained thread can last for 1-2 weeks, during which time the patients can move freely without any influence on their life.Therefore, this method can be applied in clinic safely for its convenience and less pain.The material used in microinvasive thread embedding is poly glycolic-lactic acid(PGLA) extracted from corn and beet.It is simple in composition without bioproteins, and is now widely used as embedding material for its proper rigidity.When implanted in the acupoint of human body, PGLA can produce a long-time stimulation which is similar to that produced by a filiform needle.By the action of hydrolytic enzyme, PGLA can be gradually decomposed to CO2 and H2 O, suggesting fine histocompatibility and safety, and hence it is an ideal embedding material.Compared with the traditional acupuncture method, micro-invasive thread-embedding therapy is easier and more convenient in operation and can produce a longer effect.Patients only need to come for the embedding treatment once every 1-2 weeks.For its convenience, it has become more and more popular in clinic, for treatment of diseases such as pain, allergic rhinitis, asthma, gastritis, obesity, insomnia, chronic enteritis, epilepsy, and post-stroke hemiparalysis.