title: Are acupuncture points tender? A blinded study of Spleen 6.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the methodology for investigating the tenderness of acupuncture points, with particular reference to the hypothesis that the point Spleen 6 (SP6) is more tender in women than in men.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single-blind, observational study with volunteers.
  
  
  METHODS
  University of Exeter, U.K.
  
  
  METHODS
  Student volunteers, 13 male and 13 female.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pressure thresholds at SP6, a control acupuncture point Stomach 36, and two nonacupuncture control sites in each leg were measured weekly for 4 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No statistically significant differences were found between the pressure thresholds of SP6 in women and those in men.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study provides no strong evidence to support the hypothesis that the acupuncture point SP6 is more tender in women and in men. Recommendations for further investigations are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Complementary Medicine, School of Postgraduate Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Janovsky
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Filshie
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hart
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ernst
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain; D012016:Reference Values; D012737:Sex Factors; D016037:Single-Blind Method