Pigmentation of the skin after electroacupuncture (EA) or acupuncture in patients is not well recognised. Reporting and studying skin changes after acupuncture or EA would increase awareness among health services providers. This case series includes four cases of short-lived or long-term skin pigmentation after EA or acupuncture. Skin pigmentation or dark spots appeared in these four cases: after 12 treatments in Case 4, during the 14 treatments in Case 3, after one treatment course (16 treatments) in Case 1 and during the sixth month in a long-term treatment of duration 2 years (one or two treatments per week) in Case 2. These skin changes faded gradually after cessation of a course of acupuncture or EA. Skin pigmentation was hardly seen in one case after 14 days, and in another case after 42 days. Pigmentation of the skin could still be seen in one case after 42 days and could still be seen in another case after 2 years, however, in both cases, pigmentation has reduced in size and colour intensity by more than 50%. It is likely that pigmentation of the skin is a specific consequence of needling and may be closely linked to acupuncture dosage regardless of whether stimulation is given manually or by EA.

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Finally, a diagnosis of basilar invagination was confirmed by a private health service provider team separate from several public hospitals' specialist teams.

This study investigated the efficacies of electroacupuncture and electroacupuncture combined with Tao Hong Si Wu Wan in treating primary dysmenorrhea and compared the results with those obtained using conventional medical treatment. One treatment group, group 1, was administered Tao Hong Si Wu Wan (2625 mg) while the other, group 2, was administered a placebo (2625 mg) twice daily for 3 months. Electroacupuncture was used in both treatment groups: two sessions per menstrual cycle for three menstrual cycles. The reference group, group 3, was administered ibuprofen, 600 mg, twice daily, for five menstrual cycles. Uses of the herb, placebo and ibuprofen were blinded. A ridit analysis was used for testing and interpreting the effects of treatment. Pain intensity was determined using a qualitative grading method in a blinded manner. The ridit scores in groups 1 and 2 were significantly higher than those in reference group immediately after treatment and three months later. Twelve months after the treatment, group 1 had a higher ridit score than group 2. In comparison to the reference group, groups 1 and 2 achieved better menstrual pain relief both immediately and 3 months after treatment. In addition, group 1 had better long-term pain relief than group 2.