Determination of temperature-time curve of two mild moxibustion methods: Reinforcing and reducing

Objective

To observe the specificity of reinforcing and reducing methods of mild moxibustion and explore its clinical significance.

Methods

Thirty healthy students were selected and given reinforcing of mild moxibustion on the left Neiguan (PC 6) and reducing on the right Neiguan (PC 6) respectively. Temperature of the acupoint skin surface and the temperature-time curve were recorded by a digital thermometer.

Results

In application of mild moxibustion on Neiguan (PC 6), there was a statistical difference in the temperature-increase section between reinforcing and reducing methods (P<0.01). The temperature-increasing section of the temperature-time curve in the reducing method was obviously steeper than that in the reinforcing method. In the period of 0.5–3 min during moxibustion, the temperature of Neiguan (PC 6) was remarkably higher in the reducing than in the reinforcing (P<0.01). In the application of the reducing, the time for the temperature of Neiguan (PC 6) to increase to 40°C was remarkably advanced (P<0.05) and the rate of burning pain in the subjects was remarkably higher in the reducing method than in the reinforcing method (P<0.001).

Conclusion

In comparison with the reinforcing method, the acupoint temperature increased more quickly in the application of reducing method and can produce obvious hot stimulation in a short period of time. In the application of the reinforcing method, the acupoint temperature increased mildly and could enhance the tolerance of the organism to the high temperature.