ABSTRACT
In the previous paper, the authors reported that there was a correlation between the length of guide-tubes and tapping pain, and that a correlation between guide-tube lengths and early pain following the tapping was noted when the length difference between the needle and the tube was less than 3mm, whereas no correlation when the differnece was more than 3mm. In the present paper we report the relationship between sticking pain and caliber of guide-tubes.<br>MATERIAL & METHOD<br>1. Guide-tubes: 18 types of guide-tubes of different caliber (1.0-2.2mm) were specially made for this experiment. They are made of silver and have a standard octagonal cross section (external diameter: maximum 5.4mm, minimum 4.6mm, length: 53.5mm, weight: 7.3-9.1g).<br>2. Needles: Stainless steel needles (length: 58.0mm, body diameter: 0.18mm, head diameter: 1.27mm) were used. In some special conditions, silver needles of the same dimension or thin head need (head diameter: 0.75mm) were used.<br>3. Acupuncturists and subjects: A half of twelve teachers of our school participated as acupuncturists, and the other half as subjects.<br>4. Procedure: Needle tapping was performed 360 times (10 times per subject by each acupuncturist) by each guide-tube on the front part of the crus. Sticking pain caused by the tapping was rated on a 5 grade (0-4) basis.<br>RESULT<br>1. Among the guide-tubes of 1.35, 1.4, 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2mm caliber (with stainless steel needles of 1.27mm head diameter) and the guide-tubes of 1.0mm caliber (with stainless steel needles of 0.75mm head diameter), the 1.35mm caliber tubes caused significantly less sticking pain than the rest.<br>2. Sticking pain was sigificantly severe when a 1.35mm caliber tube and a thin head (0.75mm) needle were used, or when a thin head (0.75mm) needle was tapped in as slantingly as possible in a 1.8mm caliber tube.<br>3. Based on these results, one can conclude that guide-tubes whose caliber is very close to the needle head diameter are effective in lessening sticking pain.
ABSTRACT
In a preceeding report, we studied the blood pressure response to electro-acupuncture, to situ stiumlation, and to spotted skin electrical stimulation. In this paper we report the effects of various acupuncture techniques on instantaneous heart rate and finger pulse wave height.<br>METHOD<br>Each of the ten healthy adults was seated in a chair. The following six techniques were separately applied to right VF<sub>20</sub> Fengchi with a hard silver no. 3 needle for one minute.<br>1) To touch the skin with the needle tip lightly (Needle contact).<br>2) To tap in and take out the needle twenty times (Gentle tapping).<br>3) To insert the needle and leave it there (In situ).<br>4) To insert the needle and give it quick vertical motion (Sparrow pecking).<br>Heart rate tachogram and finger pulse wave height were recorded with a polygraph. In addtion to the four techniques, the responses to “Hand pressure” and to “No stimulation” were recorded and analysed.<br>RESULT<br>I. The common tendency of the responses to all the techniques is as follows:<br>a) The heart rate showed no marked change during stimulation, and then a significant decrease after stimulation.<br>b) The pulse wave height showed a significant decrease during stimulation, and then a significant increase after stimulation.<br>II. However, there are some differences in the response between the techniques:<br>1) Hand pressure: The heart rate showed a significant decrease during and after stimulation. The pulse wave height showed no marked change.<br>2) Needle contact: The heart rate showed no significant increase after the stimulation.<br>3) Gentle tapping: The heart rate showed a significant increase during stimulation, and then returned after stimulation.<br>4) In situ: The pulse wave height showed a significant increase shortly after stimulation through till the end.<br>5) Sparrow pecking: This technique evoked a typical response as described above (I-a, b).
