Observation on therapeutic effect of warming needle therapy on chronic colitis

OBJECTIVE: To search for a better method for increasing clinical therapeutic effect on chronic colitis. METHODS: One hundred and seventeen cases were randomly divided into a warming needle group (n = 46), an acupuncture group (n = 39) and a medication group (n = 32). The warming needle group and the acupuncture group were treated with warming needle moxibustion and acupuncture on Tianshu (ST 25), Zhongwan (CV 12) and Guanyuan (CV 4), etc. for 30 min, respectively; the medication group with oral administration of Salicylazosulfapyridine tablets and Azathiopurine. After they were treated for 3 courses, the therapeutic effects were observed. RESULTS: The total effective rate was 93.5% in the warming needle group, 76.9% in the acupuncture group and 75.0% in the medication group, the warming needle group being better than the acupuncture group and the medication group (both P < 0.05) and the acupuncture group being similar to the medication group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Warming needle moxibustion is a better therapy for chronic colitis with no side effects.