Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of ce ntro-square needling combined with moxibustion for “Jinbi” (muscular rheumatism). Methods: A total of 74 “J inbi” outpatients including tenosynovitis of long head of biceps brachii

external humeral epicondylitis

injury of medical and/or lateral collatera l ligament of knee and joint

and tenosynovitis stenosans of styloid process or radius were randomly allocated to treatment group (n=40) and con trol group (n=34 ). In treatment group

Ashi-point was punctured first

then its superior

inf er ior

left and right borders in the tenderpoint region were punctured respe ctivel y combined with ignited moxa cones (attached to the needle-handle). Acupoints u se d in control group were Ashi-point

Jianliao (TE 14)

Quchi (LI 11)

Yinlingq ua n (SP 9)

Lieque (LU 7)

etc.

combined with local TDP irradiation. The treatmen t was given once daily in the first 5 days

and then once every other day

with 15 sessions being a therapeutic course. Then the therapeutic effects of the two groups were compared. Results: After one course of treatment

in treatment and control groups

25 and 8 cases were cured

8 and 7 cases had marked improvement

6 and 13 had improvement

and 1 and 6 failed

with the effective rates being 97 .5% and 82.3% respectively. There was a significant difference between the two g roups

i.e.

the effective rate of treatment group was much higher than that of control group (P<0.01). Conclusion: Centro- square needling combined with moxibustion is effective in the treatment of muscular rheumatism.