Fu's subcutaneous needling for chronic gastritis with observations on serum gastric function indices: A case report

Fu's subcutaneous needling (FSN) is an innovative acupuncture therapy derived from traditional techniques. It employs disposable floating needles and auxiliary needle guides to conduct a broad, swaying motion. The therapy aims to enhance blood perfusion and oxygen supply to local muscles, activate the body's self-healing mechanisms, and ultimately promote drug-free recovery. This case study examines FSN's application in treating chronic gastritis (CG) and and its effects on serum gastric function indices.

A 44-year-old female patient presented with complaints of epigastric discomfort, nonspecific pain or a burning sensation, along with occasional belching, anorexia, nausea, and vomiting. Additionally, the patient reported poor sleep quality and the presence of formless stools.

The patient was diagnosed with CG by gastroscopy.

FSN was administered 3 times/wk. No adverse or unanticipated events were observed during the treatment period. The entire treatment course spanned a duration of 4 weeks.

Following the treatment, the patient reported the absence of significant discomfort in her epigastrium, and noted the resolution of both vague pain and burning sensation. Additionally, she experienced an increase in appetite, regular bowel movements, and improved sleep quality.

FSN has been demonstrated to significantly alleviate epigastric discomfort associated with CG and to have a positive impact on appetite, sleep quality, and bowel movements. Moreover, FSN demonstrates a significant and sustained improvement in serum gastric function indices, with no observed relapse. However, due to the limitations inherent in a single clinical observation case, further randomized controlled clinical trials are warranted.