[Comparative study on therapeutic effect of Ashi-points and anti-ashi-points on external humeral epicondylitis]

To compare the clinical efficacy between Ashi-points and anti-Ashi-points for external humeral epicondylitis.

Sixty-eight cases were randomly devided into an anti-Ashi-points group (group A) and an Ashi-points group (group B), 34 cases in each group. In the group A, anti-Ashi-points (points of pain relief or disappearance after local press) were selected for acupuncture; in the group B, Ashi-points (pain spots) were selected for acupuncture and surrounded needling therapy was added . Once other day, 10 treatments made one session, altogether 2 courses. The clinical effects were observed at the ending day, the 7th day, the 30th day, the 6th months and one year after treatment.

The effective rates at the ending day, the 7th day, the 30th day after treatment in the group A were 100.0% (34/34), 94.1% (32/34) and 91.2% (31/34), which were superior to those of 73.5% (25/34), 70.6% (24/34), 67.6% (23/34) respectively in group B (all P < 0.01). In the group A, the effective rates at the 6 th months and one year after treatment were 73.5% (25/34) and 52.9% (18/34); in group B, they were 64.7% (22/34) and 61.8% (21/34) respectively, there were no significant differences between the two groups (both P > 0.05).

The acupoint selection of anti-Ashi-points has a better transient effect on external humeral epicondylitis, but it's long-term curative effects is similar to Ashi-points.