Syndicated from:  HealthCMI.com

Special acupuncture needles enhance filiform acupuncture to encourage hair regrowth for patients with alopecia (baldness).

Acupuncture produces greater positive patient outcomes than drug therapy for patients with alopecia areata. Specialized acupuncture needle protocols deliver superior patient outcomes over standard acupuncture with herbs. The addition of Qi Xing acupuncture to filiform acupuncture plus herbs significantly increases hair regrowth. Filiform acupuncture combined with Mei Hua acupuncture produces superior patient outcomes over topical minoxidil combined with oral multivitamins. Take a look at two important studies in today’s update, one on generalized baldness and the other on circular patch baldness.

Acupuncture reduces hair loss and promotes hair regrowth for patients with alopecia (baldness). A protocolized investigation by Lin et al. at the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine determined that administering acupuncture with the Qi Xing (seven star) needle increases the rate of positive patient outcomes. Patients receiving only standard acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine had an 84.4% total effective rate. However, adding the Qi Xing needle protocol increased the total effective rate to 90.9%. Moreover, patients receiving Qi Xing acupuncture had a 2.62 ℃ increase in temperature of the scalp. The results were measured at the end of the full treatment course. The researchers note that the application of acupuncture and herbs “can efficiently control hair loss and promote hair growth.”

Inclusion criteria for this study included the Traditional Chinese Medicinal (TCM) differential diagnostic pattern differentiation of spleen and stomach damp-heat. In TCM, heat and dampness may lead to obstruction of meridians. For this reason, alopecia patients with heat and dampness in the spleen and stomach typically have obstructed meridians. This impedes qi and blood circulation to the head, leading to hair follicle malnourishment because vital energy and nutrients are not delivered to the hair. Alopecia treatment in TCM focuses on dredging the meridians and improving qi and blood circulation.

The researchers note that scalp acupuncture and Qi Xing needle acupuncture stimulate neurohumoral and endocrine system responses, thereby initiating restoration of sebaceous gland functioning, which is important for hair health. Additionally, the investigators cite research demonstrating that skin surface temperature is related to local blood circulation. Based on that data, skin temperature was employed as a marker to quantify blood circulation changes to the scalp. The Qi Xing acupuncture protocol caused a 2.62 ℃ rise in scalp temperature.

A total of 65 patients with alopecia due to damp-heat in the spleen and stomach were studied. They were randomly split into 2 groups: treatment group, control group (33 patients in the treatment group, 32 patients in the control group). The control group received standard acupuncture therapy and traditional Chinese herbal medicine. The treatment group received the same treatments with the addition of Qi Xing needle acupuncture.

Qi Xing needle acupuncture was applied to local areas of hair loss. The Kou Ci (tapping) technique was used with consistent and even pressure. The force of tapping was adjusted according to individual skin conditions. Tapping lasted until the treated area was visibly flushed without any external bleeding. Next, the Shengfa acupoints on both sides of the head were tapped 18 times. The Shengfa acupoints are located along the straight path between Fengfu (GV16) and Fengchi (GB20). Treatment was conducted twice a week by an acupuncturist and self-administered by patients once per week. One full treatment course was comprised of 12 weeks of patient care. For standard filiform acupuncture, the primary acupoints were the following:

  • Baihui (GV20)
  • Touwei (ST8)
  • Shuaigu (GB8)
  • Tongtian (BL7)
  • Fengchi (GB20)
  • Quchi (LI11)
  • Hegu (LI4)
  • Zhongwan (CV12)
  • Tianshu (ST25)
  • Xuehai (SP10)
  • Taichong (LV3)
  • Zusanli (ST36)
  • Fenglong (ST40)
  • Sanyinjiao (SP6)

Additional acupoints were selected based on individual symptoms. For excessive scalp oiliness, the following point were added:

  • Shangxing (GV23)

For scalp itching, the following point were added:

  • Dazhui (GV14)

For large-scale hair loss, the following point were added:

  • Ashi

Depending on the acupoint, needles were manipulated using either the Bu (tonify) or Xie (attenuate) technique. For scalp acupoints, needles were manipulated until the patient reported a deqi sensation. A needle retention time of 15 minutes was observed. The traditional herbal decoction included the following ingredients:

  • He Shou Wu (15 g)
  • Ce Bai Ye (15 g)
  • Fu Ling (15 g)
  • Bai Zhu (15 g)
  • Sang Bai Pi (15 g)
  • Huang Lian (6 g)
  • Wu Zhu Yu (2 g)
  • Che Qian Zi (30 g)
  • Zhi Shi (15 g)
  • Pei Lan (15 g)
  • Gan Cao (6 g)

The ingredients were brewed in 400 ml of water. The resulting herbal decoction was consumed at a warm temperature in 2 portions per day, 1 hour after breakfast and dinner respectively. Treatments were administered every day for 12 weeks. Throughout the treatment period, patients were advised to adhere to a bland diet and to avoid spicy and other exacerbating foods. Treatment efficacy was evaluated according to the TCM Clinical Research Guidelines by the Ministry of Health of the People’s Republic of China. There were 4 tiers of efficacy:

  • Recovery: Shedding of hair ceased. Complete regrowth of new hair. Treatment effective rate of ≥95%.
  • Significantly effective: Shedding of hair ceased; ≥70% hair regrowth. Treatment effective rate between 70% – 94%.
  • Effective: Shedding of hair ceased; 30% – 69% hair regrowth. Treatment effective rate between 35% to 69%.
  • Ineffective: Shedding of hair persists; less than 30% hair regrowth. Treatment effective rate less than 35%.

The research of Lin et al. indicates that adding Qi Xing acupuncture to standard acupuncture and herbal medicine treatments produces greater positive patient outcomes for patients with alopecia in cases of spleen and stomach damp-heat. The addition of the Qi Xing (seven star) needle protocol produced a 90.9% total effective rate. Acupuncture and herbs absent the Qi Xing protocol achieved an 84.4% total effective ra