Objective: To study the mechanism and effects of different scraping techniques on body surface blood perfusion volume and local skin temperature of healthy subjects and to provide a baseline for microcirculation and energy metabolism for the evaluation of the therapeutic effects of scraping. Methods: Changes of the local blood perfusion volume and skin temperature of healthy subjects before and after applying different scraping techniques were observed with a laser Doppler imager combined with an infrared thermographic device and the resulting data was analyzed with imaging and processing software for statistical analysis. Results: Local blood perfusion volume and skin temperature all increased after both reinforcing and reducing scraping techniques. The value of blood flow 60 and 90 min after the reducing technique was significantly higher than that after the reinforcing technique (P<0.01), while the skin temperature increased after both techniques but was not significantly different between the two (P>0.05). Conclusion: Scraping can significantly improve the local blood perfusion volume, increase skin temperature and promote local blood circulation and metabolism of tissues.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of heated moxa sticks( "moxibustion") and Daiwenjiu ointment(DO) on changes in temperature and blood perfusion volume on the skin of the backs of healthy subjects.METHODS: DO was spread on the left side of the body, and the right side of the body was treated with a heated moxa stick. Images denoting blood perfusion and body temperature were collected 7-8 cm lateral to the spinous process of the sixth thoracic vertebra using laser speckle contrast imaging(LSCI). Data obtained from eight-frame images were analyzed and used to calculate the mean blood perfusion volume. Simultaneously,blood-perfusion images were collected from the body surface and used to compare the change in blood flow on the body surface and the actual position of imaging.RESULTS: After moxibustion, a rapid increase in blood perfusion volume and body temperature was noted in the local skin surface. The maximum blood perfusion volume and body temperature was noted at 20 min(P<0.05). At 80-110 min after the spreading of DO, a gradual increase was noted in blood perfusion volume(P<0.05) and body temperature(P<0.05) compared with the baseline level. The maximum blood perfusion volume was at 110 min.CONCLUSION: Using LSCI, these data revealed a rapid and sharp increase in blood perfusion volume and body temperature after treatment with moxibustion, but the respective changes seen in the DO group were gradual and moderate.
Qingyan XuJinsheng YangLiang WangZi DengYingying WangLi YangPeng WuLiang Li
OBJECTIVE:To explore factors influencing the curative effect of scraping therapies (at acupoints or along channels) and to determine the relationship of scraping site and strength to curative effect. METHODS: Two hundred and ten patients with lumbar muscle strain were divided into five groups with 42 patients each.The "scraping therapy at acupoint until appearance of skin eruptions" and "scraping therapy along channel until appearance of skin eruptions" groups were treated with a 4-daycourse. The "scraping therapy at acupoint without appearance of skin eruptions", "scraping therapy along channel without appearance of skin eruptions", and acupuncture groups were treated with a 2-day course.The five groups were treated with seven courses. The visual analog scale (VAS), oswestry disability index (ODI), and lumbago scores were recorded in the five groups before treatment, after each treatment, and in follow-up visits one month and three months after treatment. RESULTS: VAS, ODI, and lumbago scores after treatment improved in the five groups (P<0.01). There was a statistical difference (P<0.01) in the change of VAS scores by appearance of skin eruptions and scraping site. CONCLUSION: Scraping therapy can effectively alleviate lumbago symptoms. The appearance of skin eruptions and scraping therapy along channels can enhance the curative effect of scraping therapy.
Yingying WangLi YangJinsheng YangJinhong YangZhibin LiuFeng ChenDongxia LiuHaiguang YuanLiang Wang
