Acupoint application method based on midnight-noon ebb-flow

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of senile constipation treatment, and provides an acupoint application method based on midnight-noon ebb-flow, which comprises the following steps: step 1, selecting rheum officinale and astragalus membranaceus according to a weight ratio of 2: 1, grinding into powder, taking 8g of medicine powder each time, adding honey into the medicine powder, blending into paste, and uniformly applying the paste to the center of an application to form a medicine cake with the size of 2cm * 2cm and the thickness of 0.3 cm; and step 2, disinfecting by using an alcohol cotton ball, applying the prepared medicine cake after the alcohol is volatilized, fixing by pressing, applying for 2-4 hours each time, and closely observing during the applying period. Through midnight-noon ebb-flow time sequence adaptation, abdominal massage and acupoint application are matched with the large intestine channel and bladder channel regulation time period, medicine absorption and qi and blood circulation collaboration are improved, the total effective rate is remarkably improved compared with that of physiotherapy without time selection, the problem that traditional physiotherapy is insufficient in pertinence is solved, natural medicine application and physical massage replace part of western medicine, and the treatment effect is good. Adverse drug reaction and dependence risks are avoided, the effect is consolidated in cooperation with basic nursing, and the subjective difference influence of operators is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of constipation treatment technology in the elderly, specifically to an acupoint application method based on the meridian flow theory. Background Technology

[0002] Constipation in the elderly is a common chronic digestive symptom, mainly manifested as decreased bowel movement frequency, hard stools, and difficulty in defecation. Long-term constipation can easily lead to intestinal diseases and cardiovascular complications, seriously affecting the physical and mental health and quality of life of the elderly. With the increasing aging of the population, the prevention and treatment of constipation in the elderly has become an important issue in clinical nursing. Traditional Chinese medicine external treatments are widely used in this field due to their safety and minimal side effects.

[0003] Current physiotherapy techniques for constipation in the elderly mainly fall into two categories: one is simple acupoint application or abdominal massage. Acupoint application is often performed without regard to timing, and the drug combination and acupoint selection lack specificity; abdominal massage focuses only on the manipulation technique without incorporating traditional Chinese medicine's theory of timing. The other category involves Western medicine treatment combined with basic nursing care, relying on prokinetic drugs or laxatives to relieve symptoms, supplemented by dietary and exercise guidance. However, long-term medication use can easily lead to adverse reactions. Both types of techniques can improve constipation symptoms to some extent and are commonly used in clinical practice.

[0004] Existing technologies have significant drawbacks: simple acupoint application or abdominal massage does not incorporate the theory of meridian flow and ignores the diurnal rhythm changes of the body's Qi and blood, resulting in insufficient targeted therapy and limited efficacy; although Western medicine treatments are fast-acting, long-term use can easily cause adverse reactions such as abdominal pain and diarrhea, and cannot fundamentally regulate intestinal function; although some comprehensive physiotherapy programs combine two methods, they lack standardized timing, acupoint location, and treatment course settings, resulting in poor operational standardization, large differences in efficacy among different operators, and difficulty in forming standardized programs that can be promoted, thus failing to meet the safe and long-term physiotherapy needs of elderly patients with constipation. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides an acupoint application method based on the meridian flow theory. This method solves the problems of simple acupoint application or abdominal massage failing to incorporate the meridian flow theory, neglecting the diurnal rhythm of Qi and blood, resulting in insufficient targeted therapy and limited efficacy. While Western medicine treatments are fast-acting, long-term use can easily cause adverse reactions such as abdominal pain and diarrhea, and can lead to drug dependence, failing to fundamentally regulate intestinal function. Some comprehensive physiotherapy programs, although combining two methods, lack standardized timing, acupoint location, and treatment course settings, resulting in poor operational standardization, significant differences in efficacy among different operators, and difficulty in forming standardized, scalable protocols. These methods fail to meet the safe and long-term therapeutic needs of elderly patients with constipation.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: an acupoint application method based on the meridian flow theory, comprising the following steps: Step 1: Select subjects who meet the diagnostic criteria for constipation in the elderly, assess their skin condition, underlying diseases and bowel movements, and rule out constipation caused by organic diseases; Step 2: Select rhubarb and astragalus in a weight ratio of 2:1, grind them into powder, take 8g of the powder each time, add honey to make a paste, and spread it evenly in the center of the patch to form a 2cm×2cm, 0.3cm thick medicated cake; Step 3: Select the Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming (Tianshu), the Ren Meridian (Shenque), and the Guanyuan acupoint as the main acupoints. Use the anatomical location method: Tianshu is located 2 cun lateral to the umbilicus, Shenque is located in the center of the umbilicus, and Guanyuan is located 3 cun below the umbilicus. Step 4: Abdominal massage and acupoint application should both be performed at the time of Mao (5-7 AM) when the Large Intestine Meridian is in power according to the Meridian Flow Theory, and massage should be performed again at the time of Shen (3-5 PM) when the Bladder Meridian is in power. Step 5: The subject lies supine. The operator places the index, middle, and ring fingers of both hands on the Zhongwan acupoint, with the thenar and hypothenar eminences of the palms overlapping. Massage in a clockwise circular motion along the colon for 10-15 minutes each time, with the intensity adjusted to the subject's tolerance. Step 6: After the massage, disinfect the selected acupoint skin with an alcohol swab. After the alcohol evaporates, apply the prepared medicated cake to the acupoint and press it in place. Each application should last 2 to 4 hours. Closely observe the subject's skin reaction during the application period. Step 7: Set the treatment course and provide treatment guidance to the subject during the physical therapy period. After the course of treatment, use a four-level score based on defecation interval, defecation speed, defecation characteristics, and defecation difficulty, combined with Bristol... The efficacy was evaluated using stool characteristics classification and a quality of life scale for constipation patients, and the details of physical therapy were adjusted based on the assessment results.

[0007] Preferably, the inclusion criteria for subjects in step one are: age 60-80 years, meeting the diagnostic criteria for constipation in the elderly according to both traditional Chinese and Western medicine, and having complete clinical data. The exclusion criteria are: having serious diseases such as intestinal stenosis, malignant tumors, or renal failure, having broken skin or allergies, or having poor treatment compliance.

[0008] Preferably, in step two, the particle size of the ground medicine is ≤100 mesh, mature honey is selected, and the medicine cake is used within 1 hour after preparation to avoid the medicine drying out and affecting transdermal absorption.

[0009] Preferably, the abdominal massage intensity in step five is controlled at 3–5 kg / cm². 2 The massage speed should be 60-80 circles per minute, ensuring that the massage covers the entire colon and avoiding excessive force in any area.

[0010] Preferably, in step six, 75% medical alcohol is used for skin disinfection, the disinfection area has a diameter of ≥ 5cm, and the patch is fixed with medical tape after application to ensure that the patch adheres tightly to the skin without air bubbles.

[0011] Preferably, the skin reaction monitoring in step six is ​​performed every 30 minutes, and the time for symptom relief is recorded after allergy symptoms are treated. Subsequently, the application time is adjusted to 2 hours, or a less irritating excipient is used.

[0012] Preferably, the treatment guidance in step seven includes: guidance on a high-fiber diet, guidance on regular daily bowel movements, guidance on moderate exercise half an hour after meals, and psychological counseling.

[0013] Preferably, the dietary guidance specifically includes: daily dietary fiber intake ≥25g, avoiding spicy and irritating foods; the defecation guidance includes: guiding the subject to defecate immediately after massage at 5:00 AM every day to establish a conditioned reflex.

[0014] Preferably, the efficacy evaluation standard in step seven is: efficacy index = (pre-treatment score - post-treatment score) ÷ pre-treatment score × 100%; A score of ≥80% indicates significant effect, 50% ≤ score < 80% indicates progress, and score < 50% indicates ineffectiveness.

[0015] Preferably, if the subject in step one has constipation due to deficiency of qi and blood, moxibustion pretreatment is added to the Guanyuan acupoint before applying the plaster; if the subject has constipation due to deficiency of yang and cold stagnation, 2g of dried ginger powder is added to the medicated cake to adjust the medicinal properties.

[0016] This invention provides a method for acupoint application based on the meridian flow theory. It has the following beneficial effects: 1. This invention follows the timing of the large intestine and bladder meridians according to the meridian flow, so that the drug stimulation matches the rhythm of qi and blood circulation. Combined with precise acupoint positioning, the overall effective rate is significantly improved compared with non-timing physiotherapy, and the intestinal function is regulated from the root.

[0017] 2. This invention uses the synergistic effect of natural drug application and physical massage to replace some of the Western medicine laxatives, avoiding the adverse reactions caused by long-term medication. At the same time, basic nursing care is used to further consolidate the physiotherapy effect.

[0018] 3. This invention establishes a standardized physiotherapy process by clarifying key parameters such as drug compatibility, acupoint location, operation techniques, and treatment course settings, thereby reducing the impact of operator subjectivity on efficacy and ensuring consistent physiotherapy effects in different scenarios.

[0019] 4. This invention is only applicable to common constipation in the elderly. By adjusting the drug combination, it can be adapted to different types of constipation. Furthermore, it is simple and easy to operate, requiring no complex equipment, and can improve patients' bowel-related quality of life and reduce the risk of complications. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] This invention provides an acupoint application method based on the meridian flow theory, comprising the following steps: Step 1: Select subjects who meet the diagnostic criteria for constipation in the elderly. For subjects with constipation due to deficiency of Qi and Blood, moxibustion pretreatment is added to the Guanyuan acupoint before applying the plaster. For subjects with constipation due to deficiency of Yang and cold stagnation, 2g of dried ginger powder is added to the medicated cake to adjust the medicinal properties. Assess the subjects' skin condition, underlying diseases, and defecation status, and exclude constipation caused by organic diseases. The inclusion criteria for subjects are: age 60-80 years, meeting the diagnostic criteria for constipation in the elderly in both traditional Chinese and Western medicine, and having complete clinical data. The exclusion criteria are: serious diseases such as intestinal stenosis, malignant tumors, and renal failure, skin damage or allergies, and poor treatment compliance. Step 2: Select rhubarb and astragalus in a weight ratio of 2:1, grind them into powder, and take 8g of the powder each time. Add honey to make a paste, spread it evenly in the center of the patch to form a 2cm×2cm, 0.3cm thick medicine cake. The particle size of the medicine should be ≤100 mesh. Use mature honey. Use the medicine cake within 1 hour after preparation to avoid the medicine drying out and affecting transdermal absorption. Step 3: Select the Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming (Tianshu), the Ren Meridian (Shenque), and the Guanyuan acupoint as the main acupoints. Use the anatomical location method: Tianshu is located 2 cun lateral to the umbilicus, Shenque is located in the center of the umbilicus, and Guanyuan is located 3 cun below the umbilicus. Step 4: Abdominal massage and acupoint application should both be performed at the time of Mao (5-7 AM) when the Large Intestine Meridian is in power according to the Meridian Flow Theory, and massage should be performed again at the time of Shen (3-5 PM) when the Bladder Meridian is in power. Step 5: The subject lies supine. The operator places the index, middle, and ring fingers of both hands, overlapping, and the thenar and hypothenar eminences of the palms on the Zhongwan acupoint. Massage in a clockwise circular motion along the colon for 10-15 minutes each time. The pressure should be adjusted to the subject's tolerance, with the abdominal massage pressure controlled at 3-5 kg / cm². 2 The massage speed should be 60-80 circles per minute, ensuring that the massage covers the entire colon and avoiding excessive force in any area. Step Six: After the massage, disinfect the selected acupoint skin with an alcohol swab. After the alcohol evaporates, apply the prepared medicated cake to the acupoint and press it in place. Each application should last 2-4 hours. Closely observe the subject's skin reaction during the application period. Use 75% medical alcohol to disinfect the skin, with a disinfection area diameter ≥5cm. After application, fix it with medical tape to ensure that the medicated cake adheres tightly to the skin without air bubbles. Monitor skin reaction every 30 minutes. Record the time when allergic symptoms subside after treatment. Subsequently, adjust the application time to 2 hours or change to a less irritating excipient. Step 7: Set the treatment course and provide the subject with treatment guidance during the physiotherapy period. The treatment guidance includes: high dietary fiber diet guidance, daily regular bowel movement guidance, moderate exercise guidance half an hour after meals guidance, and psychological counseling. The dietary guidance specifically includes: daily dietary fiber intake ≥25g, avoiding spicy and irritating foods; the bowel movement guidance includes: guiding the subject to defecate immediately after massage at 5 am every day to establish a conditioned reflex. After the treatment course, the efficacy is evaluated by a four-level score based on bowel movement interval, bowel movement speed, bowel movement characteristics, and bowel movement difficulty, combined with the Bristol Stool Characteristics Classification and the Constipation Patient Quality of Life Scale. The physiotherapy details are adjusted according to the evaluation results. The efficacy evaluation criteria are: efficacy index = (pre-treatment score - post-treatment score) ÷ pre-treatment score × 100%; a score ≥80% is considered significant effect, 50% ≤ score < 80% is considered improvement, and a score < 50% is considered ineffective.

[0022] The following is a description with reference to specific embodiments: 1. Subject screening and evaluation Eighty-eight elderly patients with constipation were selected and randomly divided into an experimental group (n=44) and a control group (n=44). The specific screening process is as follows: Inclusion criteria: meeting the diagnostic criteria for constipation in the elderly as outlined in the "Consensus Opinion on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Constipation in Traditional Chinese Medicine"; aged 60-80 years; complete clinical data; clear consciousness and able to cooperate with physical therapy and assessment; and signing an informed consent form.

[0023] Exclusion criteria: Constipation caused by organic diseases such as intestinal tumors, intestinal obstruction, and irritable bowel syndrome; skin lesions, eczema, or allergy to rhubarb or astragalus; concurrent malignant tumors, renal failure, or severe cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases; use of long-acting laxatives such as polyethylene glycol 4000 powder within the past month.

[0024] Baseline assessment: The "Constipation Symptom Rating Scale" was used to record the defecation interval, defecation speed, defecation characteristics, and defecation difficulty of the two groups of subjects before treatment. Each item was scored from 0 to 4 points, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms. The Bristol Stool Characteristics Scale (Types I-VII) was used to assess stool characteristics. The quality of life of constipation patients was assessed using the Constipation Patient Quality of Life Scale to ensure that there were no statistically significant differences in baseline data between the two groups.

[0025] Medicines and dressing materials: Rhubarb with a particle size ≤100 mesh after processing and raw Astragalus with a particle size ≤100 mesh are both purchased from regular Chinese medicine processing plants. The honey is mature acacia honey. The dressing uses medical non-woven fabric with a diameter of 5cm and a 2cm×2cm medicated cake area reserved in the center. 75% medical alcohol, sterile cotton balls, medical adhesive tape, and skin reaction assessment form are provided.

[0026] Auxiliary tools: abdominal massage gloves, timer, acupoint location chart, and bowel movement diary.

[0027] Environmental preparation: The temperature in the physiotherapy room is controlled at 22-25℃ and the humidity is 50%~60%, avoiding direct cold air; privacy curtains and comfortable reclining chairs are provided to ensure that the subjects are relaxed during physiotherapy.

[0028] I. Experimental Group: Acupoint application and abdominal massage based on the Meridian Flow Theory 1. Complete the preparation of the patch medication before 4:30 AM daily. Weigh out the medicinal materials according to the ratio of rhubarb to astragalus in a ratio of 2:1, using 8g of rhubarb and 4g of astragalus. After mixing, grind them in a Chinese medicine grinder at 3000r / min for 2 minutes, and then pass them through a 100-mesh sieve to remove coarse residue. Place 8g of the mixed powder in a sterile bowl, add 3mL of honey, and stir clockwise with a sterile glass rod for 3 minutes to make a uniform paste. The consistency should be such that it does not drip when inverted. Spread the paste evenly in the center of the patch to form a 2cm × 2cm, 0.3cm thick medicated cake. After application, store it temporarily in a refrigerator at 4℃.

[0029] 2. From 5:00 to 5:15 AM, perform abdominal massage. Positioning and disinfection: Instruct the subject to lie supine with the abdomen exposed. The operator should wash their hands, wear special massage gloves, and disinfect their palms with 75% alcohol cotton balls. The operation will begin after the alcohol has evaporated.

[0030] Massage technique: Overlap the index, middle, and ring fingers of both hands, place the thenar and hypothenar eminences of the palms on the Zhongwan acupoint, and apply pressure at 3 kg / cm². 2 Initial pressure; massage in a clockwise circular motion following the anatomical direction of the colon, controlling the massage speed at 70 circles per minute, gradually increasing the pressure to 5 kg / cm² per circle. 2 Continue massaging for 15 minutes, asking the subject how they feel every 5 minutes and adjusting the intensity accordingly.

[0031] Shen Shi (3:00-3:10 PM): Supplementary massage: The procedure is the same as Mao Shi (5:00-7:10 AM), but the massage time is shortened to 10 minutes, and the pressure is maintained at 3-4 kg / cm. 2 Focus on massaging the descending colon and sigmoid colon to help expel intestinal "heat".

[0032] 3. Apply acupoint patches between 5:15 and 5:20 after the massage at 5:00 AM. Acupoint location and disinfection: Use an acupoint location atlas for assistance. With the navel as the reference, the Tianshu acupoint is located 2 cun lateral to the navel, the Shenque acupoint is located in the center of the navel, and the Guanyuan acupoint is located 3 cun below the navel. Use 75% medical alcohol cotton balls to disinfect in a spiral motion around the acupoints, with a disinfection area in diameter of 5 cm, and wait for the alcohol to completely evaporate.

[0033] Application and fixation: Take the medicated patch out of the refrigerator, peel off the protective film, align the patch with the acupoint, press the edge of the patch with your finger for 30 seconds to ensure that the patch adheres tightly to the skin without air bubbles; then wrap the patch around the skin with medical tape for reinforcement to prevent it from falling off during movement.

[0034] Post-application instructions: Instruct the subject to avoid strenuous activity and keep the abdomen warm during the application period; observe the skin condition 2 hours after application. If there is no discomfort, the application time can be extended to 4 hours. If itching, redness and swelling occur, remove the patch immediately and clean the skin with water.

[0035] 4. Treatment course and basic nursing care 5. Treatment course management: Follow the procedure of "massage at dawn, application of plaster, massage at dusk" every day for 5 consecutive days as one course of treatment. Rest for 2 days between courses, and intervene for a total of 3 courses of treatment. After each course of treatment, stop the physiotherapy for 1 day and conduct efficacy evaluation.

[0036] Basic nursing care assistance: (1) Diet: Daily intake of dietary fiber is 25g, such as oats, celery and apples, and water intake is 2000mL. (2) Defecation: After the massage at 5:00 a.m. every day, the subjects were guided to defecate in the toilet, creating a quiet environment for defecation and avoiding looking at their mobile phones while defecating; (3) Exercise: Half an hour after meals, instruct subjects to walk slowly for 10 minutes and avoid prolonged sitting; (4) Psychological: Communicate with the subjects for 10 minutes every day to alleviate the anxiety caused by difficulty in defecation.

[0037] II. Control group: Acupoint application and abdominal massage at any time Operational differences: Abdominal massage and acupoint application times were randomized and did not follow the meridian flow sequence; drug preparation, acupoint selection, massage techniques, treatment course, and basic nursing care were consistent with the experimental group.

[0038] Treatment efficacy monitoring and safety management 1. Treatment efficacy monitoring Symptom scoring: The total symptom score was calculated using a four-point scoring system, as shown in the table below:

[0039] Stool characteristics: Based on the Bristol classification, the daily stool characteristics of the subjects were recorded. Type IV (soft stool in a string) was considered normal, and the percentage of bowel movements with normal characteristics was counted.

[0040] Quality of life: The PAC-QOL scale was used for assessment, which includes four dimensions: physical discomfort, psychosocial impact, worries and satisfaction. The total score of the scale was calculated (the lower the score, the higher the quality of life).

[0041] 2. Safety Management Skin reaction monitoring: Check the skin every 30 minutes during the application period and record any adverse reactions such as redness, swelling, itching, and rash. If mild itching occurs, the application time can be shortened to 2 hours. If redness and rash occur, remove the patch immediately, clean the skin with saline solution, apply calamine lotion, and record the time it takes for the symptoms to subside.

[0042] Bowel movement assistance: If the subject has not had a bowel movement for 3 consecutive days, administer lactulose oral solution as prescribed by the doctor. Record the time of medication and the time of bowel movement to avoid confusion with the effect of physical therapy.

[0043] Emergency treatment: If the subject experiences abdominal pain, dizziness or other discomfort during the massage, stop the procedure immediately, assist the subject to assume a semi-recumbent position, measure blood pressure and heart rate, and notify a doctor if necessary.

[0044] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for applying acupoint patches based on the meridian flow theory, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step 1: Select rhubarb and astragalus in a weight ratio of 2:1, grind them into powder, take 8g of the powder each time, add honey to make a paste, spread it evenly in the center of the patch to form a 2cm×2cm, 0.3cm thick medicated cake; Step 2: Disinfect with alcohol swabs. After the alcohol has evaporated, apply the prepared medicated cake and press it in place. Each application should last 2-4 hours, with close observation during the application period. Step 3: Set the treatment course and evaluate the efficacy during and after the treatment. The evaluation is based on a four-level scale of defecation interval, defecation speed, defecation characteristics, and defecation difficulty, combined with the Bristol Stool Characteristics Classification and the Constipation Patient Quality of Life Scale. Adjust the details of the treatment according to the evaluation results.

2. The acupoint application method based on the meridian flow according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step two, the particle size of the medicine should be ≤100 mesh, and mature honey should be used. The medicine cake should be used within 1 hour after preparation to avoid the medicine drying out and affecting transdermal absorption.

3. The acupoint application method based on the meridian flow according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step two, the area where the medicated cake is applied needs to be massaged, with the pressure controlled at 3-5 kg / cm. 2 The massage speed should be 60-80 circles per minute, ensuring that the massage covers the entire colon and avoiding excessive force in any area.

4. The acupoint application method based on the meridian flow according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step two, 75% medical alcohol is used for skin disinfection, with a disinfection area diameter ≥ 5cm. After application, it is fixed with medical tape to ensure that the medicated patch adheres tightly to the skin without air bubbles.

5. The acupoint application method based on the meridian flow according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step three, skin reaction monitoring is performed every 30 minutes. After allergy symptoms are treated, the time for symptom resolution is recorded. Subsequently, the application time is adjusted to 2 hours, or a less irritating excipient is used.

6. The acupoint application method based on the meridian flow according to claim 1, characterized in that, The treatment guidance in step three includes: guidance on a high-fiber diet, guidance on regular daily bowel movements, guidance on moderate exercise half an hour after meals, and psychological counseling.

7. The acupoint application method based on the meridian flow according to claim 6, characterized in that, The dietary guidance specifically includes: daily dietary fiber intake ≥25g, and avoidance of spicy and irritating foods; the defecation guidance includes: guiding the subject to defecate immediately after massage at 5:00 AM every day to establish a conditioned reflex.

8. The acupoint application method based on the meridian flow according to claim 1, characterized in that, The efficacy evaluation standard in step three is: Efficacy index = (Pre-treatment score - Post-treatment score) ÷ Pre-treatment score × 100%; A score of ≥80% indicates significant effect, 50% ≤ score < 80% indicates progress, and score < 50% indicates ineffectiveness.

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