ABSTRACT
[Objective] To clarify the utilization of characteristics and reactions of acupuncture points, and the frequency of using acupuncture points in acupuncture and moxibustion treatment in Japan.[Methods] We conducted a questionnaire survey involving members of the Japan Society for Oriental Medicine and those of the Japan Society of Acupuncture Course in Universities. The contents of the questions included age, sex, profession, length of clinical experience of acupuncture/moxibustion, treatment method, utilization of characteristics and reactions of acupuncture points, and frequency of using acupuncture points in both acupuncture and moxibustion treatment.[Results] The number of valid questionnaires was 59 (59 for acupuncture treatment and 50 for moxibustion treatment). The respondents were as follows : average age of 52 ± 12 years, 45 males and 14 females, 13 medical doctors and 46 acupuncturists, clinical experience of 21.1 ± 11.5 years. Most practitioners utilized ill ness-specific features of acupuncture points, de qi, and reactions they feel with their needling and pressing hands. Ten acupuncture points were used in 50% of patients in acupuncture treatment, and ST 36 and SP 6 were the most frequently used. On the other hand, no single acupuncture point was used in more than 50% of patients in moxibustion treatment. Thirteen acupuncture points were used in 30% of patients in moxibustion treatment, and BL 23, SP 6, and ST 36 were the most frequently used.[Conclusion] Our survey clarified the usage of acupuncture points in acupuncture and moxibustion treatment in Japan.
ABSTRACT
If a spectrum of fluctuations in peripheral blood flow is used as an objective index to assess the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion, physiological changes need to be known. We studied the spectra of such fluctuations in healthy subjects under various situations occurring in daily life in association with physiological changes and the symptoms patients complained of. The results are shown as follows.<br>1) When the autonomic nervous system is well balanced, the fluctuation spectra displayed a pattern where the intensity of the fluctuation frequency components was inversely proportional to the frequency (f), namely a 1/f type.<br>2) When the sympathetic tone was enhanced or the sympathetic control was not working at the conscious level, the spectrum was close to a pattern where the intensity of fluctuation frequency components was constant and proportional to 1/f<sup>0</sup> regardless of the frequency.<br>3) During deep sleep, the spectrum was close to a pattern where a long fluctuation was proportional to 1/f<sup>0</sup>, suggesting that the central conscious level has a great influence on the spectrum.<br>4) It was suggested that these fluctuations in blood flow take place at the level of arterioles in the corium. Therefore, with a prototype flowmeter produced by the Institute of Applied Electric Science of Hokkaido University, which can measure to a depth of 0.5mm, we were able to measure the spectra of blood flow fluctuations without being limited by the sites of the measurements. However, with a Canon LC-1, which is available on the market, and can only measure to a depth of 0.25mm, we were only able to measure the spectra on the inside of the fingers where the skin is thin.
ABSTRACT
The studies were carried out on 54 patients in Nagumo Acupuncture Clinic. Four techniques of acupuncture were applied; acupuncture, low-frequency electroacupuncture, moxibution, and chiropractic.<br>Systolic blood pressures and pulses were mesured by using an auto-sphymomanometer on the upper arm in the following three groups; for 15 to 20 minutes before therpy (supine position), for 30 to 60 minutes during therapy, for 30 to 60 minutes after therapy.<br>Blood pressures during therapy exhibited individually specific variations compared with those before therapy and were classified into following four patterns with 5% significance by t-tests;<br>1. increasing group with 5% significance<br>2. decreasing group with 5% significance<br>3. group with broad variations<br>4. group without significant variations.<br>Pulses exhibited generally reducing tendencies with similar variation patterns to those of blood pressure.<br>During therapy, the patients with low blood pressure have increasing tendency and those with high blood pressure have decreasing tendency.<br>From the standpoint of variations of blood pressure, acupuncture influenced physiologically favourable effects on the automatic nerve reflexes and revealed safe and effective clinical results.
