In this study, by means of computerized static posturography, we evaluated the postural changes after acupuncture treatment in a group of 15 patients with balance disorders caused by cervical torsion due to Whiplash Injury (WI). The acupuncture treatment consisted of 3 sessions (one weekly session for 3 weeks) during which the acupuncture points Bladder 10 (BI.10) and Gall Bladder 20 (G.B.20). VB were stimulated by means of piercing with needles, and manipulating the needles for 20 seconds. Each patient underwent posturographic evaluations before and just after each session of acupuncture. The posturographic tests were performed with open eyes (OE), closed eyes (CE) and closed eyes with retroflexed head (CER). As a control group, we used 17 patients complaining of the same symptoms as the study group due to WI, but treated with drugs (FANS and myorelaxing) and physiotherapy only. The patients of the control group also underwent posturographic tests once a week for three weeks. We observed a significant difference between the two groups regarding the reduction of the CER Length of the statokinesigram just before each session of acupuncture and reduction of the frequency oscillations (FFT) of the patients on the sagittal plane in the study group, in CER, whereas in the control group we observed a progressive increase in these values. The high percentage of positive results in our WI patients leads us to advocate the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture for balance disorders due to cervical pathology, where it can be associated with or be a valid alternative to pharmacological treatment.
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OmuraY.Highlights of the forthcoming 1st International Symposium on Acupuncture & Electro-Therapeutics to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Acupuncture & Electro-Therapeutics Research, The International Journal., 1) Stress & Immunity and effects of stimulation of deep peroneal nerve at St.36 on ventricular arrhytmia, heart disease & sudden death. 2)New, simple, accurate and inexpensive imaging technique of internal organs and cancer tissue by a clinical application of “Bi-Digital O-Ring Test” and clinical significance of newly discovered networks of thymus glands in cancer treatment, Acupuncture & Electro-Therapeutics Research, The International JoumaL., Vol. 10: pp. 1–12, 1985.
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