Effects of Acupuncture at the Posterior Sacral Foramen II on the Circulation in the lower Limbs / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

In the acupuncture-moxibustion clinic there are cases in which acupuncture insertion in the lumbar-sacral area on patients with coldness of the lower limbs results in a feeling of warmth in the legs.<br>We formerly reported that based on observations of the peripheral temperature, the fluctuation curve of the profound temperature and the hunting reaction we learned that acupuncture-moxibustion stimulation at LV-3 and SP-6 improved circulation in the lower limbs. This time we examined the influences of acupuncture insertion in the sacral area on the circulatory system. The insertion area was BL-32 (posterior sacral foramen II). After the patient had rested in a prone position for 30 minutes insertion of a stainless steel 1.6 TSUN 3 needle was administered to the depth at which the acupuncture sensation toward the lower limbs was felt. Pecking techniques were administered several times followed by 30 minutes of stationary insertion.<br>The objects of measurement were cutaneous temperature (Back of 1st toe, KI-1, BL-59) the subcutaneous (1cm) profound temperature (Center of bottom of foot, BL-56 at the center of the gastrocnemius muscle), pulse (2nd toe) and heartbeat. Also using a water plethysmograph the amount of blood circulating in the entie leg was measured. The cutaneous temperature was measured using a thermo-couple. the profound temperature using the KOATEMP by Thermo. A recorder was attached and temperature reading recorded continuously beginning 20 minutes before acupuncture insertion and continuing until 20-30 minutes after withdrawal. The number of subjects was 14.<br>The results of the experiment showed differeces in about half of the cases. A step style increase of 0.3-1°C in the temperature of the feet during stationary insertion was indicated. A tendency for bradycardia in the heartbeat 10 seconds-several minutes after acupuncture insertion was also indicated.<br>From the above results it was learned that acupuncture insertion and stationary insertion at BL-32 served to expand the peripheral blood vessels of the lower limbs and improve circulation in some cases.