Objective: To compare therapeutic effects of Shu-Mu point combination, routine needling method and western medicine treatment on endometriosis (EM).
Methods: Ninety cases were randomly divided into a Shu-Mu point combination group (n = 30) treated with acupuncture at Ganshu (BL 18), Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Qimen (LR 14), Zhangmen (LR 13), Jingmen (GB 25); a routine needling group (n = 30) treated with acupuncture at Hegu (LI 4), Zhongji (CV 3), Guanyuan (CV 4), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and a western medicine group treated with oral administration of Danazol. Clinical symptoms and signs, tumor marker serum CA125 values and adverse effects in the three groups were investigated before and after treatment.
Results: The total effective rate was similar in the three groups. The Shu-Mu point combination group was superior to other two groups in improvement of dysmenorrhea, irregular menstuation, lumbago and sacrodynia, anus engorge, etc. (P < 0.01). After treatment, serum CA125 in the Shu-Mu point combination group significantly decreased (P < 0.01).
Conclusion: Shu-Mu point combination needling method has an obvious therapeutic effect on endometriosis, with lower adverse effect than that of the western medicine group.