Introduction: In clinical practice, it has been thought that acupuncture might serve to wash out pain-generating metabolic end-products by improving blood circulation in muscles. We investigated the effects of manual acupuncture (MA) on muscle blood flow (MBF) of normal and denervated hindlimbs in rats.
Method: Sprague-Dawley rats (n=100) anaesthetised with urethane (1.2g/kg ip) were used. Manual acupuncture with sparrow pecking (SP) at different doses (1, 10 or 30 pecks) was given to the right ventral hindlimb muscles (tibial anterior and extensor digitorum longus muscles) or the right dorsal hindlimb muscles (gastrocnemius, plantaris and soleus muscles). MBF with or without MA was measured using the radiolabelled microsphere technique. The blood pressure was recorded through the right common carotid artery until MBF measurement started. Denervation of hindlimb was conducted by cutting the sciatic and femoral nerves.
Results: In normal rats, significantly increased MBF after MA were observed only in muscles which were penetrated by an acupuncture needle. The size of the increase depended on the number of times of pecking and seemed to be sustained at least until 60 minutes after MA. However, the increase was observed after both acute and chronic denervation. On the other hand, the mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) did not change significantly before, during or after MA.
Conclusion: These results suggest that MA could increase muscle blood flow locally in a dose-dependent manner and that this increase may be caused by local vasodilators, as well as the axon reflex. A further study is needed to elucidate the mechanism.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/aim.26.3.149 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
When sng meets acupuncture -- a paradigm-shift biomarker for translational research.
J Tradit Complement Med
January 2025
Chinese Medicine Research Center, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
The sensation of sng (pronounced/səŋ/, the Romanization form of or soreness in Taiwanese Southern Min) associated with a composite of unique sensations, is a novel phenotype for acupoint stimulation. It is perceived by test participants but also by experienced practitioners as a sensation of "taking the bait" (by fish when fishing), a characteristic heavy and tight sensation from the needle. Here, we propose that sng is a powerful biomarker for associated with successful manual acupuncture.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFComparing the effects of computerized versus manual methods of identifying point-specific acupuncture as an adjunct to physiotherapy in the management of knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial protocol.
PLoS One
January 2025
Physiotherapy Program, Centre for Rehabilitation and Special Needs Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a prevalent condition causing significant pain and functional impairment. Acupuncture has shown promise as an adjunctive therapy, but conventional manual selection of acupoints lacks standardization. The Acugraph system provides a computerized method for identifying acupoints, potentially enhancing treatment precision.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFClinimetric analysis of the numeric pain rating scale, patient-rated tennis elbow evaluation, and tennis elbow function scale in patients with lateral elbow tendinopathy.
Physiother Theory Pract
January 2025
Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain.
Background: Currently, there is conflicting clinimetric data on the patient-rated tennis elbow evaluation (PRTEE) and a paucity of evidence regarding the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), and tennis elbow function scale (TEFS) in patients with lateral elbow tendinopathy.
Objective: Perform a comprehensive clinimetric analysis of the NPRS, PRTEE, and TEFS in a sample of patients ( = 143) with lateral elbow tendinopathy.
Methods: Establish the reliability, construct validity, responsiveness, meaningful clinically important difference (MCID), and minimal detectable change (MDC) values for the NPRS, PRTEE, and TEFS at the 3-month follow-up.
Introduction: Available therapies for peripheral nerve injury (PNI) include surgical and non-surgical treatments. Surgical treatment includes neurorrhaphy, grafting (allografts and autografts) and tissue-engineered grafting (artificial nerve guide conduits), while non-surgical treatment methods include electrical stimulation, magnetic stimulation, laser phototherapy and administration of nerve growth factors. However, the treatments currently available to best manage the different PNI manifestations remain undetermined.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThree-dimensional kinematic analysis can improve the efficacy of acupoint selection for post-stroke patients with upper limb spastic paresis: A randomized controlled trial.
J Integr Med
December 2024
Yueyang Clinical Medical College, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, Shanghai 200030, China. Electronic address:
Background: China is seeing a growing demand for rehabilitation treatments for post-stroke upper limb spastic paresis (PSSP-UL). Although acupuncture is known to be effective for PSSP-UL, there is room to enhance its efficacy.
Objective: This study explored a semi-personalized acupuncture approach for PSSP-UL that used three-dimensional kinematic analysis (3DKA) results to select additional acupoints, and investigated the feasibility, efficacy and safety of this approach.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!