Acupuncture Points of the Cervical Plexus

Hc, Dung

doi:10.1142/s0192415x84000106

Cited by 9 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…There was no statistical difference between the groups, genders, and mandibular sides. These different nerve branches had approximate and highly variable distribution territories as described in the literature (De Francisco, 1979;Chapnick, 1980;Dung, 1984).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 81%

Transverse cervical and great auricular nerve distribution in the mandibular area: A study in human cadavers

Ella

Langbour²,

Caix³

et al. 2014

Clinical Anatomy

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The angle of the jaw is innervated by the auricular branch of the superficial cervical plexus (SCP). Cervical cutaneous nerves of the CP carry the sensation from the antero-lateral cervical skin. It is clinically relevant to identify the cervical cutaneous nerve distribution and the nerve point using superficial landmarks but published studies describing the emerging patterns and cervical cutaneous nerve branch distributions in the mandible are rare. The overlap between the cervical and trigeminal and facial nerve distributions and anastomoses is highly variable. The objective of this study was to characterize the distribution of the SCP nerves in the different parts of the mandible. Two hundred and fifty fresh and formalin-fixed human cadaver heads were microdissected to observe the distribution of the transverse cervical (TCN) and great auricular (GAN) nerves. Two main groups (G1 and G2) based on the emergence of the TCN and GAN behind the posterior edge of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and three types (T1, T2, and T3) based on their distribution in the different mandibular parts were observed. Statistical analysis showed that parameters related to the mandibular side (P = 0.307), gender (P = 0.218), and group (P = 0.111) did not influence the facial distribution of these nerves. The only parameter influencing the distribution was the type of nerve (GAN and TCN) (P < 0.001). In the face, the SCP reached the mandible in 97% of cases, its distribution and extent were subject-dependent. These results confirmed that the SCP could supply accessory innervation to the mandible through the TCN.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 81%

Transverse cervical and great auricular nerve distribution in the mandibular area: A study in human cadavers

Ella

Langbour²,

Caix³

et al. 2014

Clinical Anatomy

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show abstract

“…For many decades, acupuncture practitioners and anatomists have attempted to correlate the location of acupuncture points to peripheral nerves, spinal segments, and spinal plexuses. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17] This neuroanatomical theory of acupuncture suggests that acupuncture's effect is mediated via afferent input through the peripheral nervous system, eliciting a reflex at the level of the spinal cord via the sympathetic plexuses and via efferent input to the visceral organs and skeletal muscle. 18,19 In the case of local needling in close proximity to a nerve, acupuncture's likely mechanism of action is direct mechanical stimulation, such as pressure on the perineural tissues by the needle in manual acupuncture or electrical current stimulation of the nerve with EA.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Case for Local Needling in Successful Randomized Controlled Trials of Peripheral Neuropathy: A Follow-Up Systematic Review

Dimitrova

Murchison

Oken

2018

Medical Acupuncture

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This work follows-up on a systematic review, published in 2017, of acupuncture for the treatment of mono- and polyneuropathy and associated symptoms. Previously reviewed trials of acupuncture for neuropathy primarily used acupuncture points in close proximity to underlying nerves. Further exploration of point selection for the treatment of each neuropathic condition is needed to assess the anatomical relationships between acupuncture points and peripheral nerves with respect to the treatment of neuropathy. The 13 randomized controlled trials included in the original review studied acupuncture for neuropathy caused by diabetes, Bell's palsy, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and idiopathic causes. The present review reexamines all acupuncture points used, focusing on specific neuropathic condition treated. Anatomical diagrams are presented to highlight acupuncture points underlying the nerves' anatomical relationships. Each selected acupuncture point is reviewed in detail, including its Traditional Chinese Medicine theory-based function, the point's indications for use, and the peripheral nerve most closely associated with it. In Bell's palsy, the majority of selected acupuncture points were associated with the ipsilateral facial nerve. In CTS, the majority of the selected acupuncture points were closely associated with the median nerve and its branches. In polyneuropathy caused by diabetes, HIV, or idiopathic causes, most selected acupuncture points were in close proximity to peripheral nerves. All reviewed trials of acupuncture for neuropathy and neuropathic pain use acupuncture points that are closely associated with the peripheral nerves treated. Local needling is crucial for successful treatment of peripheral neuropathy.

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“…Since the 1980s, acupuncture practitioners and anatomists have attempted to correlate the location of acupuncture points to peripheral nerves, spinal segments, and spinal plexuses. [19][20][21][22][23][24][25] This neuroanatomical theory of acupuncture suggests that acupuncture's effect is mediated via afferent input through the peripheral nervous system, eliciting a reflex at the level of the spinal cord via the sympathetic plexuses and via efferent to the visceral organs and skeletal muscle. 26,27 The neurophysiologic testing to support these theories is lacking so far and further study on the local, direct effects of acupuncture on the peripheral nervous system is needed.…”

Section: A Closer Look At Point Selectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Introducing a Standardized Acupuncture Protocol for Peripheral Neuropathy: A Case Series

Dimitrova

2017

Medical Acupuncture

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Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is defined as damage to the peripheral nervous system caused by a primary lesion or dysfunction. Multiple recent trials have suggested that acupuncture is beneficial for treating neuropathic pain. One challenge in acupuncture research is the lack of standardization of point selection, number of needles used, needle-retention time, needling depth, amount of needle manipulation, and use of moxibustion and electroacupuncture (EA). This article presents a standardized acupuncture protocol for the treatment of PN that incorporates structural acupuncture principles based on proximity to peripheral nerves and on traditional approaches to the treatment of neuropathic pain. Ten consecutive patients diagnosed with large- or small-fiber neuropathy of various etiologies were treated with a standardized protocol, based on anatomical correlations of peripheral nerves and acupuncture points. Manual acupuncture was applied to left LR 4, LU 5; bilateral LI 11, KI 27, ST 36, GB 34, SP 6, SP 9, LI 4, TE 5, and (except for the space between the first and second digits of the toes; LR 3 was used for that space). EA was applied to bilateral KI 3-1 and bilateral ST 41-LR 3. Patients underwent at least six acupuncture sessions, although the total number of sessions varied. Outcomes were measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and clinical signs and symptoms. All 10 patients indicated improvement on the VAS and in clinical presentation. This standardized protocol appears to be effective for the treatment of neuropathy of various causes, including large- and small-fiber involvement. Further studies with larger sample sizes and randomized comparisons against sham acupuncture and other acupuncture regimens will be helpful to determine if this protocol could be established as a guideline for approaching peripheral neuropathy.

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Acupuncture Points of the Cervical Plexus

Cited by 9 publications

References 0 publications

Transverse cervical and great auricular nerve distribution in the mandibular area: A study in human cadavers

Transverse cervical and great auricular nerve distribution in the mandibular area: A study in human cadavers

The Case for Local Needling in Successful Randomized Controlled Trials of Peripheral Neuropathy: A Follow-Up Systematic Review

Introducing a Standardized Acupuncture Protocol for Peripheral Neuropathy: A Case Series

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