Therapeutic effects of electric heat needling at Shenque (CV 8) point combined with moxibustion and Chinese herbs on ulcerative colitis

Objective To explore the best therapy for improving clinical therapeutic effect on ulcerative colitis with water retention due to hypofunction of the spleen. Methods One hundred and fifty-two cases were randomly divided into 4 groups: Chinese herb group (n=37), western medicine group (n=38), Tianshu (ST 25) point group (n=37) and Shenque (CV 8) point group (n=40). Their therapeutic effects were compared. Results The cured rate was 21.6% in the Chinese herb group, 18.4% in the western medicine group, 46.0% in the Tianshu point (ST 25) group and 75.0% in the Shenque (CV 8) point group; the cured rate in the Tianshu (ST 25) point group was better than that in the Chinese herb group and the western medicine group (P0.05), and there were significant differences in the cured rate when the Shenque (CV 8) point group compared with the other 3 groups (P0.01). Conclusion Electric heat needling at Shenque (CV 8) combined with moxibustion and Chinese herbs is one of the best methods for treatment of ulcerative colitis with water retention due to hypofunction of the spleen.