Abstract: Objective To explore the effect of characteristic acupuncture and bilateral acupoint selection in patients with thoracic outlet syndrome. Methods A total of 80 patients with thoracic exit syndrome admitted to Yulin Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2019 to April 2023 were selected for study, and divided into observation group and control group, with 40 cases in each group. Both groups of patients were treated with acupuncture, while the control group was treated with ordinary acupuncture. The observation group was treated with acupuncture based on the force and reaction forces, as well as the conduction effect of the force. Bilateral acupoint selection and bidirectional adjustment were used to compare the clinical efficacy of the two groups of patients. Changes in DASH Chinese upper limb function score and Pain Assessment Scale (VAS) scores before and after treatment, and comparing the quality of life level before treatment and after the overall course of treatment. Results The total response rate was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05); after treatment, the scores of upper limb function and VAS decreased, while the observation group was lower (P<0.05); after treatment, mental health (MH), emotional intelligence (RE), social function (SF), vitality (VT), general health (CH), physical pain (BP), physical function (RP) and physical function (RE) related quality of life scores increased, and the observation group was higher than the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Based on the action and reaction of force, as well as the conduction effect of force, acupuncture treatment using bilateral acupoint selection and bidirectional adjustment has a significant effect on the treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome. It can also improve the upper limb mobility function of patients, reduce pain levels, and improve their quality of life.

Key words: acupuncture, thoracic outlet syndrome, clinical efficacy, upper limb function, degree of pain, quality of life