Objective To observe whether acupuncture of the tender-points of the Spleen Meridian can achieve a better therapeutic effect for primary dysmenorrhea(PD)patients

so as to verify the importance of examining meridian-acupoint reactions in clinical practice.Methods A total of 72PD patients were randomly assigned to tender-point group(observation group)and regular acupoint group(control group

n=36in each).For patients of the observation group

the tender-points around Sanyinjiao(SP 6)

Diji(SP 8)and Yinlingquan(SP 9)were needled

and for those of the control group

the regular SP 6

SP 8and SP 9were needled.After"Deqi"

the filiform needles were manipulated with lifting-thrusting reducing technique for about 30s

repeated once again every 10min during 30min’s needle retention

and the treatment was conducted once daily for 3days during every menstrual cycle

continuously for 3months.The visual analogue scale(VAS)was rated for assessing the pain severity

and the COX menstrual symptom scale(CMSS)consists of 17items and 5grades/item(0-4points)according to the severity of discomfort was rated before and after the treatment.Results After the treatment

the VAS and CMSS scores on the 1

(st )

days of the 1(st )days of the 1

(st)

2(st)

2

(nd )

and 3(nd )and 3

(rd )

menstrual cycles were significantly decreased in both control and observation groups in comparison with their own individual pre-acupuncture(P

<

0.05)

suggesting a marked relief of both pain and discomforts after the treatment

and the therapeutic effect of the tender-point needling was significantly superior to that of the regular acupoint needling in relieving pain in the 2(rd )menstrual cycles were significantly decreased in both control and observation groups in comparison with their own individual pre-acupuncture(P

<

0.05)

suggesting a marked relief of both pain and discomforts after the treatment

and the therapeutic effect of the tender-point needling was significantly superior to that of the regular acupoint needling in relieving pain in the 2

(nd )

and 3(nd )and 3

(rd )

menstrual cycles.No significant difference was found between the two groups in the discomfort severity(P

>

0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture stimulation of the tender points around the SP 6

SP 8and SP 9has a stronger analgesic effect relevant to needling the regular acupoints in PD patients.