Objective: To observe the impacts of the intervention with electric thermal bian stone and air suction cup on blood perfusion (BP) at meridian points and explore the approach of accurate measurement and regulation of meridian qi and blood balance in "precise acupuncture".
Methods: The laser Doppler line scanner (LDLS) was used to measure BP at bilateral yuan-primary points at the pericardium meridian, the triple energizer meridian, the gallbladder meridian and the liver meridian (small cycle of jueyin to shaoyang meridians) at 31 healthy receptors. The bias ratio of blood perfusion (BPBR) deviated to the reference value was calculated. The electric thermal bian stone and air suction cup were used in the intervention at the he-sea points of the affected meridians in which BPBR was relatively higher at the yuan-primary points. The electric thermal bian stone therapy was used when BPBR was less than -30% and the air suction cupping therapy was used when BPBR was higher than 30%. BP was measured twice before intervention and it was measured separately at the moment after intervention and in 20 min after intervention. The means of BP before and after intervention and the change ratio of blood perfusion (BPCR) before intervention, at the moment after intervention and 20 min after intervention were calculated.
Results: 1. After the intervention of electric thermal bian stone, BP mean was increased from (103.51±41.21) PU to (121.97±56.22) PU (P<0.05). Before intervention, at the moment after intervention and 20 min after intervention, separately, BRCR were (-0.58±16.18)%, (23.58±48.85) % and (25.62±65.89) %. BPCR at the moment after treatment was increased significantly as compared with that before intervention (P<0.01). The difference was not significant in 20 min after intervention and before intervention (P>0.05), but the change ratio was highly remained. 2. After intervention with air suction cup, BP mean was reduced from (194.83±81.14) PU to (173.88±88.26) PU. Before intervention, at the moment after intervention and 20 min after intervention, separately, BPCR were (7.62±30.49)%, (-12.12±18.20)% and (-14.35±21.25)%. BPCR at the moment after intervention and in 20 min after intervention were significantly different from that before intervention (both P<0.01). .
Conclusion: The electric thermal bian stone increases the blood flow at the yuan-primary point when acting on the he-sea point of the same meridian. The influence of the air suction cup is opposite.
Keywords: air suction cup; blood flow; electric thermal bian stone; he-sea point; yuan-primary point.