title: Differences in electrical conduction properties between meridians and non-meridians.
abstract: Therapy using the acupuncture meridian system is an important part of traditional Chinese medicine. The purpose of this study was to investigate the electrical conduction properties of the meridians. The current conduction and potential profiles were compared after switching the current direction in the Hegu (LI-4) and Quchi (LI- 11) meridians and over a non-acupuncture point 1 cm from Quchi (LI-11) in 20 healthy subjects. Both meridians demonstrated significantly higher conductivity between Hegu (LI-4) and Quchi (LI-11) than between Hegu (LI-4) and the non-acupuncture point. The direction of current, peak frequency and absolute potential values in the direction Hegu (LI-4) to Quchi (LI-11) differed significantly from those in the direction Quchi (LI-11) to Hegu (LI-4). These results suggest that the conducting pathways are stronger in the meridians than in the non-meridians and that preferential conduction directions exist between two acupuncture points. These results are consistent with the theories of Qi-circulation and traditional Chinese medicine.
authors.affiliation: Center for Integrative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, Wonkwang University, Iksan 570-749, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Myeong Soo
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sang-Yong
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.forename: Yong-Heum
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Dong-Myong
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.forename: Yoon-Gi
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Eo
authors.forename: Su-Bok
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Ko
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016740:Meridians