Is An Acupuncture Point Identifiable with Skin Electrical Resistance Measurement?

Wong, Yiu Ming

doi:10.1136/acupmed-2014-010532

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Multiple studies have suggested that acupoints have higher conductance and lower impedance (resistance) than the surrounding skin (Reichmanis et al, 1975; Colbert et al, 2008, 2009), although this issue is currently controversial (Ahn et al, 2008; Wong, 2014). Reichmanis et al (1975) reported that certain acupoints had significantly higher electrical conductance than nearby sites in healthy subjects.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neuropeptides SP and CGRP Underlie the Electrical Properties of Acupoints

et al. 2018

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Electrical skin measurements at acupuncture points (acupoints) have been utilized as a diagnostic and therapeutic aid for more than 50 years. Although acupoints are described as having distinct electrical properties, such as high conductance and low impedance, the underlying mechanisms are currently unknown. The present study investigated in a rat model of hypertension whether the high conductance at acupoints is a result of the release of the neuropeptides substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) during neurogenic inflammation in the referred pain area. When plasma extravasation from neurogenic inflammation was examined by exploring the leakage of intravenously injected Evans blue dye (EBD) to the skin, extravasated EBD was found most frequently in acupoints on the wrist. The increased conductance and temperature at these acupoints occurred during the development of hypertension. The increase in conductance and plasma extravasation at acupoints in hypertensive rats was ablated by cutting median and ulnar nerves, blocking small diameter afferent fibers with resiniferatoxin (RTX) injection into median and ulnar nerves, or antagonizing SP or CGRP receptors in acupoints. In turn, intradermal injection of SP or CGRP resulted in increased conductance and plasma extravasation in naïve rats. Elevated levels of SP and CGRP were found in the acupoints of hypertensive rats. These findings suggest that the high conductance at acupoints is due to vascular leakage following local release of SP and CGRP during neurogenic inflammation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neuropeptides SP and CGRP Underlie the Electrical Properties of Acupoints

et al. 2018

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“…Some have supported this theory, 15 18 and others have rejected it. [19][20][21] The theory states that skin impedance at APs should be changed by acupuncture, but skin impedance away from the acupuncture is not changed. It has been shown that physical and psychological conditions alter the electrical impedance of APs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%