Influence of Mechanical Pressure to Change of Transcutaneous CO2 Emission by Acupuncture

Influence of Mechanical Pressure to Change of Transcutaneous CO2 Emission by Acupuncture

Objective: In the authors' previous study, acupuncture had an effect along meridians. The effect ofacupuncture can be represented by local energy metabolism which can be expressed by transcutaneous CO2 emission (TCE). To study the transportation of the effect of acupuncture and the influence to the transportation when blocking the meridians, the following experiment was carried out. Methods: Twenty healthy volunteers (male 8, female 12, average age 29) were examined on pericardium meridian at points between Quze (PC 3) and Tianquan (PC 2) (Point a), between Ximen (PC 4) and Quze (PC 3) (Point b), two control points (c and d) beside a and b and Quze (PC 3). TCE was measured on these five points before, during and after acupuncturing Neiguan (PC 6) by a high sensitive CO2 instrument (Frewil-Q.F., made in China). Mechanical pressure of 1 kg (2 cm～ 1 cm area) was given on Ximen (PC 4) or Daling (PC 7) during the acupuncture and TCE were measured before acupuncture, during acupuncture and mechanical pressing, withdrawing acupuncture but keeping pressing and after withdrawing the pressure. Results: TCE increased significantly on point a, b and Quze (PC 3) during and after acupuncture without mechanical press. When mechanical press was given at Ximen (PC 4), no significantly increase was found on above three points during and after acupuncture. When pressing Daling (PC 7), there was still significant (P<0.05) increase at Quz～ (PC 3) and point during acupuncture and significant increase (P<0.05) at point b after acupuncuture while pressing was kept. Conclusion: Acupuncture can enhance the energy metabolism expressed by TCE along meridians and this effect can be eliminated by mechanical pressing along meridians on the way between acupuncture point and measured point.