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.
