ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effects of different acupuncture manipulations on Deqi sensations and surface myoelectricity, and explore the correlation between Deqi sensations and needling manipulations.@*METHODS@#Forty-five healthy participants accepted twirling, lifting-thrusting, and twirling plus lifting-thrusting manipulanions at right Zusanli (ST 36), respectively. The acupuncturist's and participants' Deqi sensations were collected by MGH Acupuncture Sensation Scale (MASS). The intensity and occurrence rate of soreness, dull pain, pressure, heaviness, fullness, numbness, sharp pain, warmth, coolness, and throbbing feelings of participants, and tightness, smooth, and tangle feelings of acupuncturist were measured. The correlation between the acupuncturist's and participant's Deqi sensations was analyzed. Surface electromyogram (EMG) were recorded before, during and after needling in 30 participants. The integrated EMG (iEMG), mean power frequency (MPF) and media frequency (MF) were analyzed.@*RESULT@#Both fullness and soreness of participants and tightness of acupuncturist were the most frequently occurred ones. A positive correlation between participants' fullness and acupuncturist's tightness was observed during the three aforementioned needling manipulations (P1). Almost all the needling sensations measured in the present study could be induced by the three needling manipulations. However, strength of Deqi sensations was exhibited as lifting-thrusting > twirling plus lifting-thrusting > twirling according to MASS index. The iEMG values were increased and MPF, MF values were decreased during needling compaired to those before needling, especially during lifting-thrusting (P<0.01).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The intensity and occurrence rate of the different Deqi sensations induced by different needling manipulations were basically similar. The fullness and soreness were both the most frequently induced Deqi sensations. The strongest Deqi sensation could be induced by lifting-thrusting manipulation. There is a positive correlation between participants' fullness and acupuncturist's tightness during the three needling manipulations. The myoelectricity around the acupoint is related to Deqi responses. (Registration No. AMCTR-IOR-20000314).
ABSTRACT
There are some records about the needling and moxibustion sensations in Chinese ancient medical literature, in which, the concept of Deqi (qi arrival) and its relationship with the production of therapeutic effects were put forward. The generation of needling or moxibustion sensations is one of the symbol for qi reaching the affected site during the manipulation and is also related to the treatment outcomes. In the present paper, we reviewed current situations about the mechanisms of acupuncture and moxibustion stimulation induced sensations and their relation to the propagated sensation (PS) published in recent 10 years from the following four aspects: 1) the patterns of manifestation of needling sensations (including general sensations, and specific sensations, as well as the practitioner's hand felt heavy, tight, hard-going senses, etc.) and moxibustion sensations (local superficial and deep warmth); 2) modern anatomical and physiological basis (skin, loose and dense connective tissue, free nerve ending, various receptors); 3) neurohumoral mechanism of acupuncture stimulation induced PS phenomenon (mechanical receptors, afferent and efferent nerve fibers, neural center, various neurotransmitters/modulators, chemical substances, etc.); 4) neurohumoral mechanism of moxibustion stimulation induced channel transmission (transient receptor potential vanilloid receptors－heat sensitive receptors, heat-shock protein, immunocytes, etc.). Additionally, the authors also put forward some suggestions about future researches on acupuncture-moxibustion sensations.
ABSTRACT
Based on the(literally three talents referring to "earth", "human" and "heaven") and(literally five organs referring to skin, muscle, vessel, tendon and bone, which correspond to five internal organs: lungs, spleen, heart, liver and kidney respectively) in(), as well as the tissue structure theory of modern anatomy, and in combination with the clinical practice of acupuncture by the author in the past over 30 years, it is proposed that four layers are divided in needling depth of acupuncture. The different needling sensations are induced at different layers. The first layer is the skin. When the needle is inserted into the skin, the main sensation is "pain". The second layer is the subcutaneous layer (superficial fascia). The needle tip at this layer generates a strong "swelling" sensation, which radiates along a certain direction. The third layer is the deep fascia and muscle layer. If the needle tip touches the deep fascia, there is a "heavy" feeling. If the needle tip goes into the muscle, an "acid" sensation will occur. The fourth layer is the periosteum and bone layer, which produces a strong sensation of "pain" when touched by the needle tip. In addition, each layer has blood vessels and nerve distribution. When the needle tip touches the blood vessels, a sense of "pain" happens. If the needle tip touches the nerve, there will be a sensation of numbness, which spreads along the direction of nerve conduction. On the contrary, through the patient's needling sensations, we can roughly know which layer and direction the needle tip goes. Better understanding of the relationship between the needling layers and needling sensations contributes to the further study of needling techniques, therapeutic effects of acupuncture and patient's sensations. It is significant for the regulations of needling sensations in patients.
ABSTRACT
Several experiments were conducted to explore the relation between acupuncture manipulations and needling sensations based on M-QNS by describing needling intensity at quantification. The results indicated that the relation between acupuncture manipulations and peak value of needling sensation could not be confirmed when needling intensity and electric intensity were variables, and the peak value of needling sensation produced by manipulations should be a random variable under a certain circumstance. Sham acupuncture didn’t necessarily mean absence of stimulating intensity. Therefore, the subjects of acupuncture-moxibustion and medication are kind of heterogeneous, while acupuncture research should adopt observation of needling sensation and the peak value of needling sensation as the major research method as the basic action mechanism of acupuncture mainly involves neuroscience.
ABSTRACT
Acupuncture-moxibustion theory believes that needling sensation is a crucial factor in influencing acupuncture efficacy. Judgment of occurrence of needling qi (qualitative measurement) and the intensity of needling qi (quantitative measurement) is the key section in studying the relationship between needling qi and efficacy. According to the relevant literatures, the judgment of the occurrence of needling qi mostly depended on the needling sensations, while a small amount of researches mentioned self-determined threshold or range of needling qi; the quantity of needling qi was measured by factor analysis, Massachusetts General Hospital Acupuncture Sensation Scale (MASS) based on exponential smoothing method, weighted average, addition of needling sensation score, etc. This article holds that the needling qi should be divided into two parts: overall needling qi and needling sensation components, the former referring to the occurrence and intensity of needling qi, and the latter for judging the different sensations and intensity. Currently, the studies on needling qi and efficacy should begin with single treatment at single point and multiple treatments at multiple points, to generally estimate the quality and quantity of needling qi, for seeking a qualitative and quantitative measurement in accordance with both acupuncture-moxibustion theory and clinical practice.
ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the tissue displacements between the acupoints and non-acupoints using tissue Doppler imaging.Methods Acupuncture bilaterally were performed at Zusanli,Qvchi and corresponding control points 1 cm lateral to them in 30 healthy human subjects.Monitored by the dynamic system for detecting the force of acupuncture needle during the acupuncture process,tissue Doppler imaging was recorded on the condition of keeping the depth of needle insertion and the rotational torque at the same level approximately.Tissue Doppler imaging was also recorded before and after the acupuncture.Results The mean tissue displacements of the aforementioned 2 acupoints were all significantly greater than those of the corresponding non acupoints(P＜0.05).The mean tissue displacements after the acupuncture were all significantly greater than those before the acupuncture(P＜0.001).Conclusions Tissue Doppler imaging provides a new thought and method for the research of the acupoints.