What is Tourette’s Syndrome

  Tourette’s syndrome refers to motor tics and vocal spasms lasting at least 1 year that occur before the age of 18 years. The disease is characterized by easy recurrence, prolonged course and diversity of symptoms, which affects the normal progress of study, work and life of patients. The pathogenesis of the disease is unclear and may be related to abnormal gene expression, neurological abnormalities, infection, immunity, emotion, and environment.  The European Association for Tourette Syndrome published new guidelines in 2011, recommending four medications, all of which are psychiatric drugs. However, it also points out that medication has shortcomings. For example, the medications do not completely eradicate the tic episodes, typical psychiatric drugs are associated with drowsiness and extrapyramidal reactions, and sulpiride causes adverse effects such as sedative state, drowsiness (>25%), and depression, among others.  In recent years, non-pharmacological therapies have gradually gained the attention of healthcare professionals, and the 2011 European guidelines also clearly recommend that physiotherapy should be an option for patients with TS.  Plum Blossom Acupuncture is part of the heritage of Chinese medicine, with a long history of more than 2000 years. Our department has been using plum blossom acupuncture for about 50 years, and our veteran specialists use plum blossom acupuncture to treat myopia, amblyopia and strabismus in children, which enjoys a high reputation in China. Plum Blossom Acupuncture treatment is characterized by being light, shallow, quick, painless or minimally painful, and well accepted by children.