ABSTRACT
[Objective]As fundamental research on the acupuncture treatment to shin-splints, we studied what kind of acupuncture stimulus raises the pain threshold and deep tissue temperature of the periosteal part of the tibia.<BR>[Methods]Twelve healthy subjects (Age: 22 ± 2years old) participated in this study. We recorded how the pain threshold of the periosteum would change under the influence of the kind of stimulus of leaving a needle, sparrow pecking a needle and no stimulation. Simultaneously, we measured the deep tissue temperature near the measured part of pain threshold with a deep tissue thermometer.<BR>[Results]The pain threshold of leaving a needle group rose significantly (p < 0.05) as compared with the control group. The sparrow pecking group showed an upward tendency. There was no significant difference in the deep tissue temperature between each group at all times.<BR>[Conclusion]The leaving the needle technique is suitable for needle stimulus to shin-splints. It was suggested that pain control was expected with a leaving needle stimulus. The needle stimulus did not show a remarkable effect on the reaction of regional circulation.