Patterns of Energy Imbalance of the Meridians in Patients with Temporomandibular Dysfunction

Abstract

Temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) is a set of changes that affects the muscles of mastication, temporomandibular joint, teeth, and associated periodontal and orofacial structures. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the imbalance of energy (Qi) circulating in the acupuncture meridians is always the primary etiologic cause of any physical manifestation. The aim of this study was to describe the patterns of Qi imbalance in patients with TMD by means of an objective measurement. The clinical study was conducted at the Piracicaba Dental School (FOP/Unicamp), in Piracicaba-SP, Brazil. We evaluated 40 adult volunteers with TMD. The Qi measurement was carried out by the researcher using the Ryodoraku method using 24 points representing the 12 acupuncture meridians: LU9 (Taiyuan), PC7 (Daling), HT7 (Shemen), SI5 (Yanggu), TE4 (Yangchi), LI5 (Yangxi), SP3 (Taibai), LR3 (Taichong), KI3 (Taixi), BL64 (Jinggu), GB40 (Qiuxu), and ST42 (Chongyang). The average total Qi of 40 volunteers (21.7 μA ± 1.5), was below the normal range (40-60 μA) and was classified as deficiency of Qi (empty). The coupled meridians that showed the highest Qi imbalance were the kidney (29.4 μA ± 2.8) and bladder (13.8 μA ± 1). The Qi planes with greatest imbalance were the Shao Yang and Shao Yin. In conclusion, volunteers with TMD presented a pattern of Qi deficiency, and the most prevalent imbalance patterns identified were in the kidney and bladder coupled meridians and in the energetic planes Shao Yin (heart/kidney) and Shao Yang (triple energizer/gall bladder).

Telocytes in Different Organs of Vertebrates: Potential Essence Cells of the Meridian in Chinese Traditional Medicine

“…However, a mysterious phenomenon that has attracted scientific attention for ages has been the fact that, even though acupuncture has enjoyed thousands of years of success, no solid scientific explanation has been proposed for the anatomical pathways of the meridian system (Zhou & Benharash, 2014). It has even been suggested that the meridians themselves do not have a dedicated anatomical structure (Rasera Zotelli et al, 2018; Kovich, 2019). Some scientists do not accept acupuncture, primarily because the meridian system lacks a physical anatomical basis.…”

The effect of new scalp acupuncture on qi, 5 elements and acupuncture of meridians in patients with chronic stroke – pilot study

“…In general, the characteristics of being active, hot, bright, and functional belong to yang; the characteristics of being static, cold, dark, and organic belong to yin, and are considered two opposite energies that we call Qi 15 . Qi is an invisible immaterial substance that circulates in our body through energy channels called meridians 16 . Disease for TCM is the state of imbalance that can manifest as a deficiency or excess of Qi 15 .…”

“…An objective way to measure Qi may be performed by the Ryodoraku method, which consists in analysing the existence of electrical conductance in specific points of the skin (source point -high concentration of Qi), like the path of the main meridians of acupuncture (12 on each side of the body) 16 . By measuring the conductivity of each meridian, we can verify energetic excesses or deficiencies 17 .…”

“…The theory of the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water) is another aspect analysed in TCM, it serves to categorize all things in nature as well as correlate them to five physiological systems centred on the organs and viscera of the human body through the meridians (Livergallbladder; heart -small intestine; stomach -spleen; lung -large intestine and kidney -bladder) 16 .…”