To observe the eventual thermic effects of stimulating Tàixī ( Kl 3) by telethermography.
Methods
Nine individuals of both sexes, chosen randomly, participated in this study. The temperature of the room where the experiment was carried out was not above 21 °C. At the start of the experiment the volunteer stayed for exactly ten minutes in the room for acclimatization, then the first thermographic image was recorded for standardization purposes. Following this, an acupuncture needle was inserted at Kl 3 only in the right leg, whose depth was limited to obtain Deqi, only manual stimulation for 15 min permanence in the site. After this period, new images were recorded.
Results
Significant reduction of all the right leg temperatures, by about 1.1 °C in all the volunteers that received the acupuncture at the Kl 3 was noted, with a coefficient variation of P<0.0001 that was statistically highly significant, while on the other not stimulated leg the variation that occurred was around 0.7 °C, with no significant coefficient variation of P>0.05.
Conclusion
The results of this study demonstrate that manual stimulation of the Kl 3 influences significantly peripheral vascular circulation, by means of sympathetic stimulation causing vasoconstriction.
It is therefore necessary to further investigate the thermal response of the skin following hot water exposure, as well as the effects of other daily previously mentioned activities, such as showering or bathing. Acupuncture has been studied in many investigations that used IRT to search for thermal differences in meridians and acupuncture points [274,315–326]. We are aware of the existence of more studies, but the majority of these are inaccessible from western databases, as they are Asian publications.
Body temperature is one of the most commonly used indicators of health status in humans. Infrared thermography (IRT) is a safe, non-invasive and low-cost technique that allows for the rapid and non-invasive recording of radiating energy that is released from the body. IRT measures this radiation, directly related to skin temperature (Tsk) and has been widely used since the early 1960s in different areas. Recent technical advances in infrared cameras have made new human applications of IRT (beyond diagnostic techniques) possible. This review focuses on the lack of comprehensive information about the factors influencing the use of IRT in humans, and proposes a comprehensive classification in three primary groups: environmental, individual and technical factors. We aim: to propose a common framework for further investigations; to reinforce the accuracy of human IRT; to summarise and discuss the results from the studies carried out on each factor and to identify areas requiring further research to determine their effects on human IRT.
