Effects of Needle Stimulation of Acupuncture Loci Nei-Kuan (EH-6), Tsu-San-Li (St-36), San-Yin-Chiao (Sp-6) and Chu-Chih (LI-11) on Cutaneous Temperature and Pain Threshold in Normal Adults

Abstract

The effects of stimulation of acupuncture loci Nei-Kuan (EH-6), Tsu-San-Li (St-36), San-Yin-Chiao (Sp-6) and Chu-Chih (LI-11) on cutaneous circulation and/or pain threshold were assessed in eight normal adults. Stimulation of acupuncture locus San-Yin-Chiao (located in the right leg) produced vasoconstriction in the right leg skin temperature (Tright leg) and in the left leg skin temperature (Tleft leg). There was no change in either right arm skin temperature (Tright arm), left arm skin temperature (Tleft arm), metabolic rate, or respiratory evaporative heat loss. Stimulation of Nei-Kuan (located in the right arm) produced vasoconstriction only in both Tright arm and Tleft arm without changes in Tright leg and Tleft leg. Stimulation of acupuncture locus Tsu-San-Li (located in the left leg) produced vasoconstriction in both Tleft leg and Tright leg without changes in either Tright arm or Tleft arm. Stimulation of acupuncture locus of Chu-Chih (located in the left arm) produced vasodilatation in both Tleft arm and Tright arm without changes in either Tright leg and Tleft leg. On the other hand, stimulation of acupuncture locus San-Yin-Chiao (right side) produced analgesia only in the right foot sole, while stimulation of acupuncture locus Chu-Chih (left side) produced analgesia only in the left hand palm. Thus, the data indicate that each acupuncture locus may have its own way topographical representation with special reference to both cutaneous circulation and pain threshold in normal adults.