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Objective: To observe the clinical therapeutic effects of the thermo-acupuncture in the treatment of calcific tendinitis and to explore its mechanism. Methods: This clinical study was the application of thermo-acupuncture treatment in 100 cases of calcific tendinitis in 5 different joints of shoulder, hip, knee, elbow and foot. Apply acupuncture with the neutral reinforcement and reduction method on the common acupoints suitable for various types of calcific tendinitis, such as Taichong, Yanglingquan, Xuehai, Fenglong of both sides. Apply thermo-acupuncture with the neutral reinforcement and reduction methodon specific points of calcific tendonitis in 5 different joints. For calcific tendinitis of the supraspinatus, we take Jianliao, Jugu, Naohui and Ashi points of affected side; for calcific tendinitis of the biceps brachii tendon, we take Jianyu and Binao of affected side; for calcific tendinitis of the hip joint, we take the tender point or hard nodules around the lateral trochanter; for calcific tendinitis of the ligamentum patellae of the knee, we take Waixiyan from the lateral knee of affected side toward Neixiyanpiont with Touci (thorough-punch method), and take the patella tip point; for calcific tendon of the elbow joint, we take the tender point around the external humerus of affected side; and for calcific tendinitis of the achilles’ tendon, we take Nuxi, and the most obvious swelling and pain point.Thermo-acupuncture includes warm needling method and fire needling method. In the warm needling method, firstly pinch the moxa into a 2 cm long, then coil or roll it on the needle handle that has been pierced into the acupoint, keeping an optimal distance of 2–3 cm between the moxa and the acupoint, and burn a moxa seed/roll every 5 min and repeat 3 times during the needle retention. The fire needling method: it is quickly pierced to the acupoint, stoppingat the location of the calcification. 1–2 needles are manipulated on needle retention for 2–3 min and are released when the needle cools down. The treatment includes two stages. The first stage is the initial stage of the treatment, with severe pain and significant functional limitation. Apply neutral reinforcement and reduction method on the common acupoints. Meanwhile, apply warm needling method and neutral reinforcement and reduction on the specific acupoints, according to different joints with a frequency of one time per 4 to 5 days, for 2 to 4 times. In the second stage, when the pain reduced and functional limitation improved, apply fire needling method on the specific acupoints once a week, a total of 8 treatments in the two stages. The Visual analogue scale (VAS), joint functional assessment and imaging examination of each joint pain were compared and analysed before and after treatment. Results: Comparison of changes before and after 8 treatments, the VAS scores decreased significantly (P < 0.05), joint function improve significantly (P < 0.05), and 82 cases of calcification disappeared (82%), 13 cases of calcification reduced (accounting (13%), 4 cases of calcification are the same as before (4%), 1 case of calcification enlarged (1%). there were 80 cases of recovery (80%); 14 cases of significant efficacy (14%); 4 cases of efficacy (4%); 2 cases without efficacy (2%). The obvious curative rate is 94%, and the total clinical effective rate is 98%. The cure rate was 94% and the total effective rate was 98%. Conclusion: Thermo-acupuncture, the combination of warm needling method and fire needling method, is an acupuncture treatment with high curative effect, no trauma, short-treatment term and low cost in curing calcific tendinitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]