Résumé
[Introduction] Heating of the skin by moxa needle depends on the amount of radiated-light absorbed during combustion. In this paper, the absorption characteristics of radiated-light were revealed in each skin layer. [Method] A moxa ball (1 g, 10 mm-radius) was attached to a needle (50 mm-long, 0.25 mm-diameter), and K-type thermocouples were used to measure the temperatures (top, center, bottom, side) inside the moxa ball and temperature-increase on the cypress board directly below the moxa ball (board-temperature). The smoke-loss time taken for the moxa to stop smoking was also measured. The distances between the moxa ball and the cypress board were 30, 40, and 50 mm. Four types of ignition positions (upper, lower, upper & lower, and left & right) of the moxa ball were employed. Measurement was carried out for five trials. The significance level was 5%.[Results] The maximum values of the board-temperature equivalent to the skin temperature were not significantly different with respect to the ignition positions. The correlation coefficient of 0.82 was the highest for each time when the board-temperature and bottom-temperature were the highest. The amount of radiation calculated from the bottom-temperature was the highest in right & left-ignition, but there was no significant difference in ignition positions. Thirty seconds after smoke-loss, the cumulative radiation-amount was as high as 77% of total radiation-amount in lower-ignition, therefore, the time for smoke-loss became a guide for when to finish the treatment.By the absorption characteristics of water based on human skin, the absorption-amount of radiated-light was calculated. When bottom-temperature increased from 500°C to 700°C, the absorption-amount increased 1.3 times in the dermis and 4.1 times in the subcutaneous tissue. In the deepest part of the skin, it was expected that the higher the bottom-temperature, the higher the heating effect would be. Due to the existence of temperature sensitive nerves in the epidermis, lower thermal sensation was expected in lower-ignition and strong thermal sensation was expected in right & left-ignition based on the absorption characteristics of the skin. The highest thermal-effectiveness was expected in both types of ignition. [Conclusion] Board-temperature had an excellent correlation with bottom-temperature. In the deepest part of the skin, a higher heating effect was expected at higher bottom-temperatures. In lower-ignition, the smoke-loss became a guide to when to finish the treatment, and the thermal sensation was lower, but the highest thermal-effectiveness was expected.
Résumé
[Objective]The aim of this study was to prevent accidental burns caused by touching a heated needle shaft or by a burning moxa ball falling from a moxa needle. Therefore, we measured the central temperature (Tc) of a burning moxa ball and the temperature at the landing point (Td) of a falling moxa ball.<BR>[Methods]Stainless steel acupuncture needles and unrefined moxa for moxa needles were used. The moxa balls weighed 0.15 g (diameter, 13± 1mm), 0.30 g (diameter, 16 ± 1mm), and 0.60 g (diameter, 24 ± 1mm). To measure the Tc of a moxa ball, a K-type thermocouple temperature probe was inserted into the centre of the ball. The Td of a moxa ball was measured by placing the probe 2 mm directly below the moxa ball. At each point in time, the moxa ball was forced to drop after ignition. Each measurement was repeated 5 times. The data were expressed as mean ±standard deviation.<BR>[Results]The maximum Tc of the 0.15, 0.30, and 0.60 g moxa balls was 569 ± 26°C at 72 ± 8s after ignition, 606 ± 26°C at 109 ± 4s, and 624 ± 48°C at 167 ± 14 s, respectively. Tc of each ball decreased to less than 45°C at 180 ± 8s, 225 ± 4s, and 345 ± 13s after ignition, respectively. When a 0.15 g moxa ball was dropped 30 s after ignition, Td measured 1, 5, and 10 s after the drop was 60 ± 6°C, 97 ± 7°C, and 137 ± 31°C, respectively. Td was less than 45 degrees 120 seconds after ignition. When a 0.30 g moxa ball was dropped 120 s after ignition, Td measured 1, 5, and 10 s after the drop was 66 ± 7°C, 96 ± 6°C, and 129 ± 2°C, respectively. Td was less than 40 degrees 120 seconds after ignition. Td was less than 45 degrees 180 seconds after ignition. When a 0.60 g moxa ball was dropped 180 s after ignition, Td measured 1, 5, and 10 s after the drop was 69 ± 3°C, 96 ± 14°C, and 135 ± 20°C, respectively. Td was less than 45 degrees 270 seconds after ignition.<BR>[Conclusion]For 0.15, 0.30, and 0.60 g moxa balls, if Tc, that is the temperature of the probe, is considered to be the temperature of the needle shaft, burns may be caused by touching the heated shaft up until about 180, 240, and 360 s after ignition, respectively. Furthermore, there is a risk of burns caused by dropping a burning 0.15, 0.30, or 0.60 g moxa ball before 120, 180, or 270 s after ignition, respectively.
Résumé
[Objective]To clarify that acupuncture of Cu and Zn at dynamic acupoints had significantly decreased oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) in the local epidermis. In this study, we evaluated the influences of moxibustion on the ORP and hydrogen ion concentration (pH) in the local epidermis.<BR>[Methods]In volunteers and patient groups, direct moxibustion, moxa-needle and BANSHIN were performed.<BR>[Results]In all stimulation methods, the ORP showed no changes at non-acupoints, but it significantly decreased at dynamic acupoints. A significant decrease in pH was observed after direct moxibustion at both non-acupoints and dynamic acupoints. On the contrary, pH showed a significant increase after moxa-needle, and radiant heat of which had been cut off.<BR>[Conclusion]Direct moxibustion at plus points and moxa-needle at minus points clarified a part of the mechanisms of the effects of direct moxibustion and moxa-needle.
Résumé
Introduction:<br>The mechanism of moxa-needle therapy is unknown to us in spite of its significant effect. We observed variations in the temperature of the moxa-needle and that of the microwave-applied needle.<br>Method:<br>Chinese needles of the said two types were inserted into meat specimens (3×3×2cm) nd a house rabbit to the depth of 1.0cm and 1.5cm, respectively, and temperature was taken by a thermister around the needles at the depth of 15, 10, 5, and 1.0mm, respectively.<br>Effect:<br>1. In the moxa-needle, the temperature went up mainly at the top surface of the specimen or the surface of rabbit skin.<br>2. In the microwave-applied needle, from the beginning the temperature increased and as it plateaued, the heat was transmitted to the needle tip.<br>3. Typical temperature curve of the rabbit was found rather flat as compared with the same of meat specimen.<br>Conclusion:<br>1. In the moxa-needle, a rise in the temperature was limited under the subcutaneous area, it was not transmitted to the acupoint.<br>2. In the microwave-applied needle, it elevated the temperature around the needel; therefore, we believe that it stimulated the acupoint greatly.<br>3. In the light of the foregoing observations, it may be concluded that the microwave-assisted acupuncture would be significantly useful.