Effect of Moxibustion on the Hemodynamics of Cutaneous and Subcutaneous Tissue.-Comparison between Five-cone and Seven-cone Moxibustion- / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

[Objective] Using a near infrared spectrometer and laser Doppler blood flowmeter, we investigated how the number of moxa applications influences blood flow at moxibustion and peripheral sites.<BR>[Method] The subjects were nine healthy adult males, aged 25-28 years (average age 25.4). Skin blood flow was measured with a laser Doppler blood flowmeter while changes in the deep tissue (deep subcutaneous level and muscle surface course level) blood volume were measured with a near infrared spectroscopy. Each of the probes was located at the moxibustion treatment site and 20 mm away from the site.<BR>On different days, measurements were taken from a control group not receiving stimulation, groups receiving five-cone and seven-cone moxibution (2 mg of moxa per application), respectively.<BR>Measurements of the control group were taken for 25 minutes, while measurements for the other two groups were taken for 5 minutes before conducting moxibustion and for 20 minutes directly after completion of moxibustion.<BR>[Results and Discussion] The skin blood flow demonstrated an further increased tendency after seven-cone moxibustion than five-cone moxibustion. This seemed to be due to the strong flare phenomenon affecting cutaneous blood flow quantity by increasing the number of moxibustion cones.<BR>The effect of moxibustion on skin blood flow volume is suggested to be due to the strong flare phenomenon induced by increasing the number of moxibustion. The effect to the deep tissue indicated a tendency for the blood flow volume to decrease.<BR>It is considered that further detailed experiment will be necessary in the future regarding these ambiguous points.