title: [Blood perfusion in different facial acupoint areas and its changes after acupuncture stimulation of Hegu (LI 4) displayed by laser Doppler imager in healthy volunteers].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe the blood perfusion levels in different facial acupoint regions and changes after acupuncture stimulation of Hegu (LI 4).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty healthy volunteer subjects were equally divided into control group and acupuncture group. Blood perfusion levels of different facial acupoint areas were detected using a Laser Doppler Imager. Acupuncture stimulation was applied to bilateral Hegu (LI 4) by using two filiform needles which were manipulated for a while till "Deqi", followed by keeping them in position for 30 min. The needles were then manipulated once again every 10 min.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The blood perfusion levels of facial acupoint regions were from 0.73 to 1.17 PU in healthy volunteers, with relatively higher levels being in Juliao (ST 3), Kouheliao (LI 19), Sibai (ST 2) and Chengqi (ST 1) regions and relatively lower levels in Xiaguan (ST 7), Qianzheng (Ex-HN) and Sizhukong (TE 23) regions, but without significant difference between the isonym acupoint areas of the bilateral face in the control group. Following acupuncture stimulation of bilateral Hegu (LI 4), the blood perfusion volumes were remarkably increased in the acupoint regions on bilateral sides of the face (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acupuncture of Hegu (LI 4) can effectively increase blood perfusion volume of the acupoint areas of the bilateral face in healthy volunteers.
authors: Institute of Acumoxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
authors: Shu-You
authors: SY
authors: Wang
authors: Xiao-Xiao
authors: XX
authors: Qu
authors: Xiao-Jing
authors: XJ
authors: Song
authors: Shun-Yue
authors: SY
authors: Li
authors: Hui-Min
authors: HM
authors: Ma
authors: Dong
authors: D
authors: Zhang
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001775:Blood Circulation; D005145:Face / Q000098:blood supply*; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D008297:Male; D055815:Young Adult