Meridian and acupuncture points (acupoint) are the most
fundamental part of acupuncture therapy in traditional Chinese medicine.
However the existence of anatomical structures of both meridian and acupoint
are still in controversy although some reports showed their putative presence.
During past a few years progress has been made in
research on meridian and acupoint anatomy. In 2014, Dr. C Wang and colleagues
in China identified a “vessel-like structure” made of “calcitonin gene related
peptide (CGRP)-positive neurofibers in local tissues” at acupoints ST 44, ST 36
and ST 32. The researchers used laser confocal microscope and located
CGRP-positive nerve fibres at the acupoints. The non-acupoint did not show such
a profile. CGRP plays an important role as a neurotransmitter/neuromodulators
in the central nervous system, and as a potent vasodilator when secreted from
peripheral, perivascular nerves through its specific receptors.
In another research performed by Dr. Chenglin Liu and
colleagues in China (2014) CT scans allowing an improved 3D imaging of a large
field of view without artfact, revealed unique structure of acupoints. They
found that acupoints have a higher density of micro-vessels and contain a large
amount of involuted microvascular structures at acupoint ST36 and ST37. The
non-acupoints did not exhibit these properties.
Using the silver stained sections of acupoint P6 and
GB20, Silberstein et al., (2012) in Australia described that at each acupoint,
but not at control sites, “a single nerve bundle extending to the
dermal–epidermal junction was identified where it branched into two parts, with
each branch running perpendicularly, parallel to the dermal–epidermal junction”.
They conclude that acupoints are related to both unmyelinated and myelinated
afferent nerve fibers in a unique neuroanatomical structure not found in other
areas of the body.
In another study, M Hong et al., (2012) in Korea used an
amperometric oxygen micro-sensor to detect partial oxygen pressure variations
at different locations on the anterior aspect of the wrist. They found that
relatively high values of partial oxygen pressure at the certain area close to
proximity of acupoints with statistic significance, indicating a strong
relationship between oxygen and acupoints.
These findings mark an important development in the
understanding of acupoint anatomy. These techniques for scientifically
measuring acupoint offer new insight into the structures surrounding acupoint. This
may help to confirm how stimulation of acupoint affects the body.
Reference:
Wang, C et al., Distribution of calcitonin gene related
peptide positive neurofibers in local skin tissues of" Neiting"(ST
44)," Zusanli"(ST 36) and" Futu"(ST 32) regions in the rat.
Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2014 Oct;39(5):377-81. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25518111
Liu C et al., X-ray phase-contrast CT imaging of the
acupoints based on synchrotron radiation. Journal of Electron Spectroscopy and
Related Phenomena. Volume 196, October 2014, Pages 80–84. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0368204813002405
Silberstein M et al., Afferent Neural Branching at Human
Acupuncture Points: Do Needles Stimulate or Inhibit? Medical Acupuncture. Volume: 24 Issue 1:
March 16, 2012, doi:10.1089. http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acu.2011.0823
Hong M et al., Heterogeneity of Skin Surface Oxygen Level
of Wrist in Relation to Acupuncture Point. Evidence-Based Complementary and
Alternative Medicine, Volume 2012, Article ID 106762, 7 pages. http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2012/106762/abs/
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