Effects of acupuncture and acupressure of the acupoint compared to the tendon on the blood circulation of human tendon in vivo

Abstract

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of acupuncture and acupressure of acupoints on tendon blood circulation with those of both types of stimulation of tendon itself. Methods Before, during (except for acupressure), and after acupuncture and acupressure of the tendon and acupoint, blood circulation of the Achilles tendon was measured using red laser lights. Results The blood volume of the treated and non-treated tendons increased after acupuncture of the tendon (effect of time p = 0.030), whereas that tended to increase after acupuncture of the acupoint (effect of time p = 0.063). In addition, no significant difference in the increases in blood volume was found among the four conditions, i.e., after acupuncture stimulation of the tendon and acupoint for the treated and non-treated tendons (p = 0.492). The blood volume of the treated tendon significantly increased after acupressure of the tendon (effect of time p < 0.001), but not of the acupoint (effect of time p = 0.260), whereas that of the non-treated tendon did not change after acupressure of both the tendon and acupoint. Conclusion These results suggested that acupuncture of the tendon and acupoint acted centrally to enhance blood circulation of both the treated and non-treated tendons during the recovery period, whereas acupressure of the tendon locally increased blood circulation of the treated tendon only, but not the non-treated tendon and both the treated and non-treated tendons after acupressure of acupoint.