Refractory diabetic ulcer induced by recurrent herpes simplex treated with shallow lining-up fire needling therapy with filiform needle

The paper introduces one case of refractory diabetic ulcer induced by recurrent herpes simplex treated with shallow lining-up fire needling therapy with filiform needle. In pathogenesis, the case was caused by damp-heat stagnation failing to heal the open wound. In treatment, 5 to 15 filiform needles, 0.30 mm×40 mm, lined-up, were burned and pricked into the wound quickly and shallowly; cupping was combined. This therapy was operated once every 3 days, twice weekly. The incrustation was presented on the wound after 3 days of first treatment. The ulcer was significantly reduced in size with new granulation tissue formed after 2 weeks of treatment. The wound was completely healed, only with pigmentation left after 3 weeks of treatment. During treatment, blood glucose level decreased steadily. No recurrence was observed during one-month follow-up. This case demonstrates the unique advantages of fire needling therapy with filiform needle in treatment of refractory wound, providing a safe and effective therapeutic approach to relevant conditions with traditional Chinese medicine.