Acupuncture and the Autonomous Reflex (3) / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

Using the peripheral-visceral reflex, one of the peripheral-autonomous reflexes as a clue we grappled with the problem of clarifying or explaining the acupuncture-moxibustion therapeutic effect meridians, acupoints, etc. At this time using principaly the peripheral-cardiac reflex and the circulatory function as an index, a survey examination concerning the differences in peripeheral responses with acupuncture and moxibustion was conducted.<br>Method:<br>Subjects: 32 healthy female and male adults between the ages of 22-40.<br>Method of Observing Physiological Phenomena<br>Changesd in heartbeat were observed using an electrocardiograph (manufactured by Fukuda Electronics Inc.) and a polygraph (Nihon KODEN, Inc.). The pulse wave, respiration curve, etc., were simultaneously measured and recorded on the polygraph. Based on the above the patient was alowed to recline until the heart beat stabilized then stimulation was administered.<br>Area and Method of Stimulation The point of stimulation in all but 2 cases was HC-4. In 2 cases 14 points over the entire body were used. Moxibustion stimulation involved 3 cones of moxa weighing 3.65mg. each. For acupuncture stimulation 1.3 TSUN No. 3 silver needles (manufactured by Aoki) were inserted to a depth of 2cm. and pecking at a rate of once per second administered for 30 seconds.<br>Results: The results of acupuncture-moxibustion stimulation at left HC-4 were that with acupuncture the heart beat decreases and with moxibustion stimulation quickens. In the individual 32 cases when these opposite responses of decreased pace with acupuncture, increased pace with moxibustion occured there was indicated a significant occurence with a danger rate of 1%.