title: Effects of the heat-tonification method on the surface temperature of the body observed by infra-red thermography.
abstract: With the infra-red thermography, 73 tests of the effect of Heat-Tonification maneuvers on body surface temperature were made. The experiments showed that application of Heat-Tonification produced marked elevation of temperature at the site of puncture, over the face and the front of the neck. The differences between pre- and post-needling temperatures were statistically significant (P less than 0.02 and P less than 0.01). Furthermore, 44.8% of the tests showed elevation of temperature over the trunk and extremities, and the distribution of temperature elevation followed the course of the meridians mostly. The findings demonstrated that the Heat-Tonification method mobilized Qi and activated Blood through influence over the vegetative nervous system that led to readjustment of blood circulation.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005145:Face / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009333:Neck / Q000502:physiology; D012881:Skin Temperature; D013817:Thermography