On The Morphological Studies Of The Human Needling Sensation At The Points

Pan Chaochong, Zhao Aifeng (Department of Acupuncture Anesthesia and Channels, Anhui College of Traditional Chinese Medicine)

The object investigated in this paper is the ablated limbs of the human body. Applying the "blue-point labeled method" which is designed in our laboratory by means of the common center movable electrode, the localization of the needling sensation is marked. Continuous sections with the thickness of 15 microns are prepared under the Cajal-Faworsky's silver impregnation method. The field of observation is chiefly made around the center of the blue point with a radius of 1.8 mm. Morphological structures of 44 needling sensation points are observed at Zusanli and other 14 points.


11 kinds of sensations of different nature, such as soreness, numbness, distension, pain (excluding the pain during prick of the skin), sore distension, sore numbness, sore pain, numbed distension, distension pain, sore distension pain and the absence of needling sensation are all located differently in the muscle, intermuscular connective tissues, tendon, periosteum, synovial capsule, connective tissues inside  the synovial capsule and the subcutaneous connective tissues. We found out that one kind of structure may generate different needling sensations; while similar kind of sensations may occur in different structures.


As a whole, the needling sensations of the points in human acupuncture located chiefly in the subcutaneous deep layers. At the same time, in this paper, minute structures of the blood vessels, nerves and different kinds of sensory organs are qualitatively treated, using each point observation as a unit. Meanwhile, different kinds of minute structures relating to needling sensation point are evaluated as the possibility of its morphological basis with reference to the different aspects of distribution, number, pathology, and frequency of appearance, according to their parallel relationship with the frequency of needling sensations. We found out that the nerve trunks, ramus, blood vessels (nervous apparatus on the vascular wall; same in the following) and the free nerve endings occur all around and are of the most in number at the points. The occurrence of nerve trunks, ramus and blood vessels is 100%. That of free nerve endings is greater than 54%. Among the 24 needling sensation points located in the muscle, the frequency of their occurrence shows a parallel relationship with the different kinds of needling sensation in the muscle. In the points of the plump muscles, the number of muscle spindle is a little less than free nerve endings. The frequency of their appearance is fundamentally parallel with the frequency of the needling sensation. The rest of the sensory organs are the tendon spindles, corpuscles of Vater-Pacini, end bulbs of Krause, which are less in number, but the presence of which at certain part of the tissues does not exclude the possibility of their attending in the structural basis of the needling sensation. Separately, there are two cases with severe pathological alternations, the one whose alterations spread to involve the blood vessels, nerves and the sensory nerve endings, showed the worst needling sensation (absence of needling sensation) during acupuncture; the other, although showing nearly a complete destruction of the muscle tissues, but the blood vessels, nerves and the sensory nerve ending remained intact presented good needling sensation during acupuncture.


To summarize from above, we prefer that all the three -- blood vessels, nerve trunk and its branches, free nerve endings and the receptors chiefly in the position of the point, constitute totally the morphological basis of the needling sensation the insertion of the needle in the body.

The Relations Between Channels And Lymphatic System

Gong Qihua, Cao Jiren (Shanghai Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine)

Having analysed the descriptions on acupuncture and channels in "Ling Shu", it can be seen that vessels are the morphological basis of channels. In the mean time we retrospect the knowledge of lymphatic system in contrast with the channels and observe the X-microradiographic structure of the acupuncture points along the electrophoretic images of the vessels and the acupuncture points. It is our opinion that channels are related to the lymphatic system, and the collaterals indicate the blood vessels. From this, we conceive that one of the essentials in ancient channel theory is to achieve the therapeutic effect by stimulating the vessels.


It can be observed that the channels of the human body (including the 14 Channels, Dai Channel and Chong Channel) are either related to the lympatic drained plexues or to the lymphatics and the nodes distributed there but the channels connected with the internal organs have not yet been described in this text.

Du-channel, Ren-channel, and Dai-channel are related to the lymphatic drained plexuses. Some of the channels, such as Lung Channels of Hand-Taiyin the Stomach Channel of Foot-Yangming, the Heart Channel of Hand-Shaoying, the Spleen Channel of Foot-Taiyin and the Urinary Bladder Channel of Foot-Taiyang on lower extrimity are entirely in concordance with the superficial or deep lymphatics destributed there. The main channel junction connected the head and face with the body is the point of Quepen which is located at the supraclavicular lymphnode; the channel junctions connected the upper extremity with the body are the points of "Quepen", "Yunmen", "Jiquan" which are related to the supraclaviculer, subclavicular and axillary lymphnodes respectively; the channel junctions connected the lower extremity with the body are the Chongmen, Weidao, Qichong, Jimai, Zhibian, Chengfu which are in unison with the inguinal and gluteal lymphnodes.


"The descriptive method of amalgamated channels", the descriptive method of some channel branches amalgamated to one main channel, is often used to describe 14 Channels in general textbook. The point connecting line described with above method is not entirely in concordence with those described in "Ling Shu".

The organic reaction induced by the importation of acupuncture information is through the nerves and internal and external factors of the vessels. When further investigations on the functions of mass lymphocytes and the nerve distribution of the vessels are conducted, the mechanism of the treatment of disease by acupuncture and moxibustion would better be revealed.

Preliminary Research On Morphological Basis Of The Essence Of Channel And The Afferent Pathway Of Needling Sensation

2) Relationship between ChE-positive Nerves and the Peripheral Path of Conducting Needling Sensation

Department of Morphology, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine

91 male albino rats were used to observe ChE-positive nerve in somatic connective tissue and to study the peripheral path of conducting needling sensation relating to the acupuncture analgesia.

Acetylthiocholine or butylthiocholine was used as substrate, iso-OMPA was not added to the medium incubation to show the nerve near the resistance vessel by microscopy.  Above of all, we observed some nerves in stretch preparation of subcutis which often accompany with arteriole and venule, and with their terminals branch into reticular glomerate and arborescent nerve endings to terminate in matrix of connective tissue. These nerves are named as ChE-positive nerves.


They are thin unmyelinated nerve fibers. After sympathetic surperior cervical ganglionectomy, they are survival. We have traced their whole course in association with small spinal nerve trunk in connective tissue. Therefore, the ChE-positive nerve is afferent through the somatic nerve.

We applied electro-acupuncture to subcutis of the points mimicking Xinming or/ and Huantiao on the both sides of the intact and the sympathetic ganglionectomy animals. Tissue specimens were taken from the points which elevate the pain threshold obviously during acupuncture analgesia.


The afferent receptor of acupuncture in the excised subcutis surounding the needles was searched by microscopy. The free nerve endings in several forms were discovered primarily. The ChE-positive nerves and their terminal branches were also observed in the group of sympathetic ganglionectomy. So we think that they are the path of conducting needling sensation during acupuncture analgesia.

In sarcolemma, muscular interconnective tissue, capsule of knee joint and skeletal muscle, there are ChE-positive nerve to terminate near the resistance vessels by several form of free nerve endings. According to the description of "Ling Shu", needling points is Huang membrane  but not skin, skeleton or muscle. We think that somatic connective tissue might be a part of Huan membrane. In Huan membrane there are the structures conducting needling sensation.


According to the results of consecutive method whether added iso-OMPA or not to medium incubation, we divided the ChE-positive nerve near the resistance vessels into RChE-positive nerves and BuChE (non-specific ChE)-positive nerves and their terminals. The fomers take Ach for a neurotransmitter or when it is exciting they need Ach. The latters are numerous BuChE-positive nerves and their free nerve endings, but their neurotransmitter are unknown. Therefore it can be shown that all are free nerve endings, but their functions are diverse.

Preliminary Research On Morphological Basis Of The Essence Of Channel And The Afferent Pathway Of Needling Sensation

1) Innervation of Small Vessels and Their Relationship to Jingluo, Qi and Blood

Department of Morphology, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine

200 male albino rats and a few cats and monkeys were used in our experiment, moreover, some human tissues excised from 89 surgical operations were also observed. All materials were divided into two classes: (1) The somatic portion, including deep and superficial somatic connective tissues (subcutis, intermuscular connective tissue, sarcolemma), capsule of the knee-joint and skeletal musle. (2) The visceral portion including visceral serous membrane (mesentery, pericardium  etc.) and visceral organ (heart, stomach, liver, urinary bladder etc). All were fresh tissues excised and processed into stretch preparation or cryostat section. The catecholamine in the peripheral tissue were treated with formaldehyde or glyoxylic acid to demonstrate adrenergic nerve by fluorescent microscopy. When acetylthiocholine was used as substrate, and the iso-OMPA (which is a selective irreversible inhibitor of nonspecific ChE) added to the incubation medium, AChE reaction was induced. (AChE is a marker of cholinergic nerve.)


The above mentioned tissues of human or animal have both adrenergic and cholinergic nerve terminals surrounding the small vessels that can be seen by microscopy. They are only distributed in small arteries, arterioles and precapillary arteries, i.e. in the resistance vessels but not in the capacity vessels. By applying the consecutive method to develop AChE and NE in these same tissues, a dual innervation was shown on the same arteriole. The courses of some of the dual innervation of adrenergic and cholinergic nerve fibers, are superimposed on the arteriole, while others are diversed on it. It has been well known that they are vasomotor nerves, and it is possible that both nerve terminals release neurotransmitters that act upon the arteriole interactively and separately. After sympathetic superior cervical ganglionectomy, the adrenergic nerves surrounding the small vessels of the innervated field degenerated both with most of the cholinergic nerves. We suggest that most of them belong to the sympathetic postganglionic fibers.


Traditional Chinese medicine considers that: "Jingluo are passages distributed in the human body in which blood and qi circulate." It was also stated in the ancient books that "Yin (blood) courses within the channel, wei  (qi) courses outside the channel," etc. According to these indications in "Ling Shu" and "Difficulty Classics", we suggest that jingluo is mainly constituted of artery, vein and capillary. These are of known structures. The adrenergic and cholinergic nerve terminals surrounding the small vessels discovered in our experiment are the "wei" (qi), which belong to the unknown structures. This we postulate the hypothesis that the sympathetic nervous system is an important part of the jingluo structure, supported by our research finding and corresponds to the view point of our ancestors.

A Study Of The Relationships Between The Points Of The Channels And Peripheral Nerves

Zhou Peihua, Qian Peide, Huang Dangkai, Department of Anatomy, Shanghai First Medical College.

Gu Huayun, Wang Huiren, Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai First Medical College.

8 adult cadavers, 49 deteched upper extremities and 24 lower extremities were used to study the topographical relations of 324 points of the 12 Channels and Renmai, with special references in relation to the distributions of the peripheral nerves. For the sake of the convenience of palpating the points of the different channels according to the surface anatomy vividly, and in order to preserve the normal topographical relationship during the insertion of the acupuncture needles, the cadavers were preserved with special prepared glycero-formo-alcohol mixture. Histological structures including the morphological characteristics of the 21 points, especially "Neiguan" with its surrounding nerve endings was carefully examined.


In this study it was found that most points, 323 out of 324, could be located to the nervous structure, related either to the branches of the cranial or the spinal. There were evidences that all of the channels where the points were lying in could be traced to certain peripheral nerves.

1. The nerve supply of the point and of the related viscera can be traced to the same spinal segment or around that segment.

2. Each pairs of "Yin" and "Yang" or "inner" and "outer" channels can usually be located at the same spinal segment communicating with different side branches, overlapping or anastomosing one another.


3. Regarding to the nervous structure near by the 21 points, each has its particular density of distribution, including the size and the arrangement. In addition, individual structures of related nerve endings are different each other.

Relative Regularity Between Channel Points And Spinal Segmental Innervation

Yang Feng, Ren Shizhen (Department of Anatomy, Zhongguo Medical College)

In bringing to light the material basis of the channels, a variety of methods have been employed by us, but so far we have not found any specific structure in and around the points. Nor have we ever noted any special tissues other than nerves and vessels along the channels.

The author believes that, viewed from the law which governs the distribution of the points, the channel is closely related to the pattern of the nerve supply. We  distinguish two patterns of the peripheral nerve supply, that is, the pattern of the nerve supply dealt with in gross anatomy and that of the segmental innervation seen in embryonic period.


1. The pattern of nerve supply in gross anatomy.

Owing to the differentiation and shift of the limb bud in the embryonic period, the primitive segmental nerve roots, once out of the intervertebral foramina, are rearranged, forming complicated nerve plexus, such as the brachial plexus. The nerve roots are first combined into the upper, middle and lower trunks. These are rearranged, constituting the interior, exterior, and posterior bundles, which are again rearranged to make the ulnar, radial, median, musculocutaneous, medial brachial cutaneous, medial antibrachial cutaneous and other nerves, designated in gross anatomy.


It is hard to define any regular connection between this pattern of nerve supply and the points. Hence we are not going to pursue our investigation along this line.

2. The pattern of the segmental innervation in the embryonic period.

The somite is the primitive local functional unit of the vertebrates and human body. The embryo in its early stages is made up of 40 pairs of somites jointed to one another along its axis with the resultant formation of what resembles a segmental structure. The components of this seemingly segmented structure of the embryo are known as metameres. Each metamere consists of three parts, i.e., the somatic part, the splanchnic part and the spinal segments. The somatic part will develop into the future limbs and trunk (the skin, muscle and bone) and that is why regular and evenly arranged dermatomes can be marked out on the body surface. The splanchnic part is where the future viscera (both hollow and solid organs) will be formed. The spinal segments will send out the somatic nerves and the splanchnic nerves to the somatic part and the splanchnic part respectively, linking the three parts up into a whole. No matter, as a result of the growth and differentiation of the somite, what form the splanchnic tube takes, how its limb buds extend outward, how far the dermatome and myotome of the somatic part shift and migrate, how its nerve roots are rearranged and reorganized, and how morphologically complicated nerve plexuses are formed, functionally the metamere will retain the relationship of the segmental nerve supply, that is, the original area it supplies will remain unchanged (such being the fundamental law). Each metamere is in itself an integral whole connected by the somatic and splanchnic nerves and with nerve segments as its centre, in which the surface and the interior are correlated and the external and the internal unified. The pattern of the distribution of the points and that of the segmental nerve supply are very similar, especially in the ventral and dorsal regions of the trunk. We think that this is by no means accidental.


After a reduction and comparison of the 14 Channels we found that the great majority of the indications of the different points, as recorded in the literature of the traditional Chinese medicine, coincide with the reflex connections of the somatic and splanchnic nerve segments. Those on the distal end of the extremities also conform to this law. Therefore we are in the belief that there is a relative specificity in the points which are the functionally responding points of the pathological and physiological states of the viscera on the body surface and the segmental connection of the somatic and splanchnic nerve is their material basis. The author would like to point out with emphasis that the key to the cognizance of this problem is whether or not we look into it from the angle of embryology.

A New Method For The Determination Of The Superficial Electrical Resistance Of The Points

Chen Weichang (Neimenggu Medical College)

Xie Jianzhou (Neimenggu Electronic Institute)

The measurement of the superficial electric resistance of the points with a neurometer had been widely reported. But the experimental methods were so different and many factors would alter the conductance of the skin, thus making it difficult to compare the results of different resources. Moreover, a reference electrode must be used to construct the electric circuit for the measurement of the electric resistance, so the observed value of the resistance was the sum of the following three resistances: the detective resistance, the reference resistance, and the inner resistance which connected the first two. Efforts were made to obtain the isolated electrical resistance of a single point. For this purpose, an electrical network of resistance was suggested which consisted two kinds of electric resistances: R[i] being the superficial resistance of the i-th points, while r[ij] was an inner electric resistance connected with the i-th and j-th points. Q[ij] was the observed resistance between the i-th and j-th points and was measured with two symmetrical silver electrodes (5 mm in diameter). A group of linear equations could be deduced out of the network model: Q[12] = R[1]  r[12]  R[2], Q[13] = R[1]  r[12]  r[23]  R[3], . . . . , Q[45] = R[4]  r[45]  R[5], etc. Substituting the observed resistance Q[ij] to the equations mentioned above, the resistances of the points R[1] could be calculated. Experiments were carried on fifty adult volunteers. Five acupuncture points of the Yangming Channel of the upper limb (Shangyang, San-jian, Hegu, Quchi and Yingxiang) were chosen for the tested points. An alternating current Wheatstone bridge of 592A type were applied for the determination. Results were as follows.


(1) Duplication tests showed that this method was quite stable with good reproducible results. The experimental error of measurement was about 4%.

(2) When the pressure applied to the electrode from 5 grams increased to 500 grams, the observed resistance remained unchanged. It was concluded that the pressure on the electrode had no significant influence on the experimental results.

(3) The polarized effect of the electrode was eliminated by using a bridge of alternating current and the electric current through the human body was so small  that the experimental results kept invariant and was indifferent to the experimental period.


(4) The cleanness and the humidity of the skin were the chief factors which greatly influenced the superficial resistance of the point. In order to keep the experimental condition constant, the skin was cleaned with alchohol and wetted with normal saline before determination.

(5) The variance of the resistance among the individuals was very significant and was beyond the scope of the experimental error. In the same individual, the resistance of the same point on the two upper limbs might exhibit some difference but never greater than 2 to 3 times.


(6) The resistance of the five points were: Shangyang, L. 176.0±116.8k (kiloohms), R. 209.0±142.1k, Sanjian, L. 133.9±76.2k, R. 140.6±82.8k, Hegu, L. 147.0±81.9k, R. 132.0±84.3k, Quchi, L. 104.0±72.2k, R. 100.0±57.7k, Yingxiang, L. 24.8±19.1k, R. 26.0±22.9k.

(7) Statistical analysis indicated that there was no significant difference between the resistances of the same points on the both upper limbs. On the other hand, the resistances on the different points were not equiavalent, the electric resistance of the Yingxiang, the terminal point of the Yangming Channel, was the lowest, in Quchi, the resistance was a little higher, while in the Sanjian and Hegu resistances was still higher, and the resistance of the Shangyang was the highest. The proportions of electric resistance among the five points were: Shangyang: Sanjian : Hegu : Quchi : Yingxiang = 7.72 : 5.48 : 5.56 : 4.1 : 1. The pattern of the resistance distribution along the Yangming Channel seemed to correspond with the description of the flux of the channels in the traditional Chinese medicine. According to the principle of channels, the point of Shangyang was considered as a source point of the Yangming Channel, Sanjian seemed to be a pool, the point of Hegu was the passing point, while Quchi was the sink of the Yangming Channel of Hand. The point of Yingxiang was the termination of this Channel. But the actual meaning of this theory has to await for further investigation.


(8) The calculation results also indicated that the inner resistance r[ij] was very small, for example, the inner resistance from Hegu to Quchi was about 0.02k (L) to 1.82k (R), these values were far lesser than the accuracy of the measuring instrument. It seemed to be necessary to develop another new method for the determination of the inner resistance.

Observation On The Connection Between Viscera And Body Surface - The Acupuncture Point Reaction In 105 Cases With Diseases Of The Stomach And The Liver

Wu Xiujin (Department of Acupuncture, First Hospital of Zhongshan Medical College)

For the purpose of understanding the projection of the viscera on the body surface, the acupuncture point reaction (APR) was observed in 105 cases with various diseases of the stomach of which 99 with organic disorders, and 45 cases with various diseases of the liver. In all the patients definite diagnoses were made by modern medical techniques. 10 cases free from the disorders were used for control.


The points observed for the stomach group were Zusanli, Weishu, Zhongwan, Yanglingquan, Yinlingquan, Diji, Pishu and Shangwan, and for the liver group cases were Yanglinquan, Zusanli, Ganshu, Qimen, Ququan, Taichong, Danshu, Weishu, Pishu, Yinlingquan and Diji. The points were pressed or messaged with thumb or index finger lightly in order to understand the sensational or morphological changes.

Result:

1. The APR observed included 2 kinds:

1) Hypersensitivity, i.e. the patient felt pain, soreness or numbness when the points were pressed.


2) Morphological change, i.e. the skin and subcutaneous structures on which the manipulation was applied became loose or concave and in many cases there appeared nodes or bundles under the skin. The bundles appeared most frequently in severe cases in the points Weish, Pishu, Danshu and Taichong. 149 cases out of 150 had positive reaction. On the other hand it was negative in the whole control group.

2. The reaction appeared mainly in Zusanli, Weishu, Yanglingquan and Zhongwan for stomach diseases and Yanglingquan, Zusanli, Ganshu, Taichong and  Ququan for liver diseases. The rest points reacted very slightly. The data showed some statistical significance.


3. The intensity of the APR in proportional to the severity of the disease. It was stronger in cancer of stomach or liver than others and only little in functional disorders.

4. The APR is changeable accompanied with the change of the original disease and the speed of the changes differed in different conditions.

According to the facts mentioned above, it demonstrated that the main projection points on the body surface were Zusanli, Weishu, Yanglingquan and Zhongwan for stomach and Yanglingquan, Zusanli, Ganshu, Taichong and Quguan for liver.

Preliminary Investigations On The Relation Between Headache And Electrical Conductive Capacity Of Acupuncture Points On The Auricle

Kuang Peigen, Hou Weikun, Shi Xiaochuan, Li Hui, Department of Neurology, General Hospital of PLA.

Xiao Yousan, Beijing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The present investigation was intended to ascertain whether there was any relationship between headache and electrical conductive capacity of acupuncture points on the auricles. The results of experiments are summarized as follows:

The experiments were carried out on a group of 42 neurasthenic headache patients with a control group consisting of 30 normal healthy persons. The electrical conductive capacity of acupuncture points on the auricle were measured in µA by means of Jingluo-meter, Beijing I model.


Our results showed that there were pain points at occipital, frontal and/or mental points of the head region on the auricle, especially at occipital and frontal points, being accompanied by the elevation of the electrical conductive capacity and we found a very significant difference between mean values in the headache and control groups. The mean values in severe, moderate and mild headache subgroups were also different. The mean of severe headache subgroup was higher than those of moderate and mild headache subgroups and reached statistical significance. The results obtained clearly demonstrated that the severer the headache, the higher was the mean. Among the results it should be especially stressed that if "100 µA" is utilized as the criterion for the diagnosis of headache, the reliability of this criterion reaches 95% in cases of severe headache.


Then we treated these headache patients with needling of frontal, occipital and/or mental points. After ear acupuncture 27 out of 42 patients had a favorable effect (free from pain), and 15 had a less favorable effect. The post-treatment mean values of both were lower than those before treatment, showing a very significant difference. We also found that the pretreatment mean was higher in patients with a less favorable effect from ear acupuncture treatment than patients  with a more favorable effect and they differed significantly. The post-treatment mean in patients with a more favorable effect was lower than those with a less favorable effect and their difference was very significant statistically.


According to the results of the study, we conclude that there is a relationship between headache and electrical conductive capacity of acupuncture points on the auricle. The effect of headache is reflected as the increase of electrical conductive capacity at frontal, occipital and/or mental points, and the severer the headache, the higher is the mean value. The electrical conductive capacity of acupuncture points may be decreased by needling these points. There is a significant negative correlation between the pretreatment mean value and effectiveness of needling. Therefore, electrical conductive capacity of acupuncture points on the auricle may also be used as an objective index to predict the clinical response to ear acupuncture treatment.
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Changes Of Auricular Low-Resistance Points Of Women In Different Stages Of Pregnancy

Zhou Shaoci, Huai Mingde, Yin Huizhen, Department of Biology, Shanghai Normal University.

Ye Jiang, Wang Hua, Zhu Zhanmin, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai College of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Our previous work has shown that, in a chronic condition, stimulation of the ventralis gastricus branch of the vagus could effectively increase the number of low-resistance points in the auricles of rabbits. This fact would suggest that an increase  of such points could be obtained by a large amount of uninterrupted afferent impulses from the visceral receptors, if the latter were stimulated by overloading the internal organs. This hypothesis was tested by examining the auricles of 346 pregnant women. The main results are as follows: The means of low-resistance points of unilateral auricles of 50 pregnant women in 2nd or 3rd month of pregnancy were 42±11.7 (S.E.), in 6th month 20±3.1, 7th month 23±7.3, 8th month 86±18.5, 9th month 128 ± 16.7. The highest value (169±21.8) was found in women just before parturation. At 40th post-parturation day, the mean of low-resistance points reduced to 75±16.2, and attained the lowest value in the 6th month after delivery.


These changes were regarded as the results of sustained distension of the uterus and its adnexae by the growing foetus.

An Experimental Study On Afferent Pathway In The Formation Of Auricular Low-Resistance Points Of The Rabbits

Yin Huizhen, Zhou Shaoci, You Guofen (Department of Biology, Shanghai Normal University)

Experiments were performed on twenty five adult rabbits. An electronic instrument with 2 volts and 20 KC alternate output was used in detecting the low-resistance point on the auricles of the animal. Through a specific implanting electrode the ventralis gastricus branch of the vagus and the nervus sympathicus were stimulated in chronic experimental normal conditions. The uninterrupted stimulation of n. vagus within twelve hours led to appearance of large number of low-resistance points on both sides of each auricle. After cutting the cervical sympathetic nerve on one side, the number of low-resistance points appearing on ipsilateral auricle apparently decreased. The stimulation of the gastric branch of sympathetic nerve did not give effective influence on formation of the auricular low-resistance points.

Preliminary Study Of The Relation Between Propagated Sensation Along Channels And Effectiveness Of Acupuncture Anesthesia

Cooperative Group of Acupuncture Anesthesia in San Ming District, Fujian Province

According to the principles of "selecting the acupuncture points along the channel of the suffered region" and "promoting the 'qi' (vital energy) to travel to the affected region" in acupuncture therapy of Chinese medicine, the paper deals with the relation between PSC and effectiveness of acupuncture anesthesia on 533 cases of abdominal operations for 2 years. Points below the knee of the channels were selected.


The extent of PSC was graded in line with the distance which PSC did travel from the acupuncture point to the operated area. The effectiveness of acupuncture anesthesia was evaluated on the standard adopted by all research groups in China.

It turned out that the rates of "good" of 77 cases with marked centripetal PSC (i.e. PSC to travel over one half of the course between the acupuncture point and operative area), 173 cases with centripetal PSC (i.e. PSC to travel less than one half of the course between acupuncture point and operative area) and 284 cases without centripetal PSC were 86.75%, 73.26% and 54.23%, respectively. In comparing  the group of centripetal PSC (or the group of marked centripetal PSC) with the group of patients without centripetal PSC (284 cases), the difference was highly significant (P<0.01). If 117 cases of gastric operation were counted alone, the difference were also highly significant between the above groups.


The results mentioned above demonstrated that the effectiveness of acupuncture anesthesia of patients with marked PSC was better than the patients without PSC. It suggested that there was close relation between PSC and the effectiveness of acupuncture anesthesia.

It is well known that there are many points in common between acupuncture anesthesia and acupuncture therapy, though some differences between them still exist. Therefore, it is very important to learn earnestly the valuable experience of Chinese medical practice in the long run, and furthermore to investigate the more effective methods for promoting "qi" to travel to the affected part will promote the efficacy of acupuncture anesthesia.

Clinical Observation On The Correlation Between The Propagated Sensation Along Channels And Acupuncture Analgesia

Ma Ruilin, Lin Junran, Luo Lijun, Zhang Fengzhi, Lu Enxiang (Liaoning College of Traditional Chinese Medicine)

65 patients with headache, migraine and trigeminal neuralgia etc. were observed at random. According to the principle of "differentiating the symptoms and determining the treatment (acupuncture)", we selected the distal acupoints on the extremities along the channel for acupuncture and the traditional manipulation of roatating, vibrating or scraping the needle was adopted.


The patient were divided into three groups (marked or moderate, mild, poor or none) in line with the extent of PSC and the efficacy of pain relief by acupuncture of each group was evaluated as excellent, good, improved and poor, according to the interval and degree of improvement of diseases.

It turned out that among 21 patients with marked or moderate PSC, 32 patients with mild PSC and 12 patients with poor or non-PSC, the cases of excellent were 19 (90%), 21 (66%) and 1 (8%) respectively. It was evident that the effect of acupuncture analgesia was closely related to PSC. The differences among three groups was significant (p<0.05).


The above results present that selecting points according to the course of the channels and promoting PSC reaching the affected area are of great significance for further improvement the effect of acupuncture.

On Propagated Sensation Along Channels Based On The Acupuncture Analgesia

PSC Research Group, Changchun Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine

This article deals with interrelations between the analgesic action of acupuncture and PSC. 699 patients with 8 kinds of painful diseases were observed and 11 common points of 8 channels were acupunctured.

Results: 259 patients presented PSC during application of acupuncture. The PSC of 39 cases of the 259 reached the loci of lesions and all of them had excellent consequence, the pain was thoroughly eliminated for 33 cases and improved for 6 cases. The rate of efficacy of acupuncture analgesia for patients with presence of PSC was 98.6% and 59.8% for patients without PSC. The efficacy of the analgesia and the amount of PSC presented were proportional. The better the PSC the more rapid and excellent is the analgesic efficacy. This suffices to verify the objectivity and validity of the doctrines of traditional Chinese medicine that "where the PSC ranges, there will the chief site be for application of acupuncture" and "the sooner occurrence of the needling reaction the better is the effect and vice versa". In the field of acupuncture anesthesia and analgesia, the efficacy will be increased when selection of point, manipulation and regulation of PSC are well mastered.

Studies On The Relation Between Propagated Sensation Along Channels And Effectiveness Of Clinical Acupuncture Analgesia

Cooperative Group in Research of PSC, Fujian Province

Acupuncture anesthesia was originated from acupuncture relief of pain. Thus, it is of great significance to summarize the rich experience of acupuncture analgesia for further improvement of the effectiveness of acupuncture anesthesia as well as elucidation of its mechanism. In accordance with the generalization of clinical experience of traditional Chinese medicine, such as "selection of the acupuncture points along the channel related to the suffered region" and "promotion of 'qi' travelling to the affected region", the relation between PSC and the effectiveness of clinical acupuncture analgesia was investigated. 1106 patients suffering from pain in the head, neck or trunk were observed. Points below the elbow or knee joints of the related channel were chosen for acupuncture. The extent of PSC was  graded in line with the distance which PSC did travel from the acupuncture point to the pain region.


Results show that surely there existed a close relation between PSC and effectiveness of acupuncture analgesia. The more striking the centripetal PSC, the better was the effectiveness of acupuncture analgesia. The distinct effect of acupuncture was achieved always when PSC did arrive at the pain region. As the effectiveness of acupuncture analgesia was compared between 345 cases with marked centripetal PSC (i.e. PSC travelled over half the course from acupuncture point to the pain region) and 492 cases without marked centripetal PSC (i.e. PSC travelled less than half the course mentioned above), the difference was highly significant (P<0.001). The effectiveness of acupuncture analgesia of the patients with centripetal PSC is more than that with centrifugal PSC. It shows that the direction of PSC is important. If cases were analysed statistically in groups according to pain regions such as head, neck and trunk, and cases of cholecystitis-cholelithiasis (112 cases) and acute sprain of lumbar region (192 cases) were counted separately, their differences were highly significant (P<0.01) too. It would be seen here that the relation between PSC and effectiveness of acupuncture analgesia may have universality, but it bears no relation with suffered regions or with the catergory of diseases.


The above results present that selection of acupuncture points along the related channels on the ground of "Bian-Zheng" ( i.e. discriminating the symptoms and signs on the theories of Chinese medicine) and striving for promotion of the PSC travelling toward the pain region will be an efficient manoeuvre to improve the effectiveness of acupuncture analgesia. It is worth while to study seriously.

The Relationship Between The Phenomenon Of Propagated Sensation Along Channels And Disease -- Clinical Observations Of 418 Cases

Liu Chengzhong (Zhongguo Medical College)

In some subjects pressure applied on channel will elicit the phenomenon of propagated sensation along the channels (PSC). 418 such cases were encountered in our clinical practice, including 101 cases with a history of cerebral concussion and 109 cases following encephalitis, encephalopathy and other diseases of CNS. These two categories made up 50.2% of the total. Lesions in the lungs, myocadial infarction, cholecystitis, diseases of the vertebral column, trauma of the eyes and glaucoma were among the others.


Our observations demonstrated that there existed some correlations between the characteristics of the PSC and the pathological stimuli. The side of PSC coincided  with the side of lesions in 90.9% of cases. The PSC in the three Yin Channels of the Hand correlated with the diseases of the chest, whereas those in the three Yang Channels of the Hand with those of the face and neck; and the three Yin Channels of the foot with the abdomen, the three Yang Channels of the Foot with the face, neck, chest and abdomen.


The PSC of single channel tended to be limited among the three Yang Channels of the Foot and Hand and the Jueyin Channel of the Hand in diseases of CNS, whereas in diseases of the other parts of the body, it usually coincided with the channels on which the pathological focus located.

The bilateral multi-channel PSC correlate with diffuse lesions in the brain or somatic lesions of any part in the body, and the unilateral multi-channel PSC correlated with contralateral brain lesions or ipsilateral somatic lesions. Other patterns of multi-channel PSC generally correlated with the locations of somatic lesions, too.


The phenomena of approaching to and blocked by lesions during PSC had been observed. There were approaches to head, mouth, eyes, ears, heart, lung or gallbladder etc. among the 122 cases observed. In a series of 80 cases, the ends of approach coincided with the diagnosis in 79 cases, with the only exception of a case of embolism of brain vessel whose PSC approached to the mouth.

The arrival of PSC to the pathological focus was going to elicit a reaction, favourable or adverse. The alterations of the length of PSC was in parallel to the development of the pathological process.


We assume that PSC is probably a pathological phenomenon. The doctrine of "activation means affection" in symptomatology of channel disease implicates the disease to be suspected when the PSC of a single channel is activated. The diffuse lesion of cerebral cortex and the chronic focal lesions of the body may be the pathological conditions for the occurance of PSC. The research on the relationship between PSC and disease will contribute to the diagnosis of disease and scientific explanation of the phenomenon itself.

Preliminary Studies On The Phenomenon Of Propagated Sensation Along Channels Reaching Affected Area

Zhang Jin, Pei Tingfu, Luo Yuzhuo, Heilongjiang Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Li Yongguang, Anshan Commune Hospital of Yanshou County, Heilongjiang.

Zhang Mengxiang, Chaihe Commune Hospital of Hailin County, Heilongjiang.

Jiang Shuming,Wang Jingkui, et al, The Third Hospital of Haerbin, Heilongjiang.

Two thousand years ago, there were many fine and detailed descriptions about the traditional Chinese medical doctrine "the arrival of vital energy (qi) to the site of the disease", in other words, the reach of PSC to the lesion. This phenomenon is rather frequent to met at daily acupuncture clinic. Research of this phenomenon is significant for medical science.


In recent years, a survey had been made with 4172 cases and 163 out of them appeared this phenomenon (3.9%).

Pulse electric or heat-electric stimulation was used on the twelve Jing-points, the electrode is either round plate (0.5 cm in diameter) or Dizhen, one type of the nine needles recommended in Neijing. For the short PSC relay was supplemented. The time of stimulation for each point was not less than 2 minutes. The frequency, intensity and temperature were regulated as necessary for the manifestation of PSC and patient's comfort. The percentage of appearance of PSC reaching the lesion was 24.5 for some patients when more attention was paid and the stimulation was suitable the percentage could be increased up to 91.8 for deaf-mutes after repeated short course relays.


In one group of 41 cases including pulmonary, hepatic, renal, gastro-intestinal, ENT, nervous and bony diseases, the rate of PSC reaching the lesion through their own channels was 86.7%. The rest were by the exterior or interior channel of the diseased channel. In some cases, the propagated sensation of all the channels reached the affected area. The diagnosis of these patients was accurate, e.g. the changes were confirmed by X-ray films and ECG and so on.

Observation of 711 PSC showed that the rate of PSC reaching the affected area was markedly increased by control of manipulations such as pushing, pressing, tracing and palpating. The rate of occurrence of PSC was also markedly increased by repeated short relays. Followed the increase of occurrence of PSC the rate PSC reaching the affected area increased correspondingly.


It is closely related that "the PSC reaching the affected area" and "the efficiency developes when the PSC has reached". Most clinical manifestations will be soon improved as the PSC has been reaching the lesion. There is no dispute upon the fact of PSC reaching affected area because evidence is plentiful for such phenomenon. To increase the rate of PSC reaching the affected area by means of well mastering the skill and regulating the stimulation is very significant for promotion of efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment.

Propagated Algesia Along Channels And Propagated Paresthesia Along Channels - Report Of 80 Cases

Liu Chengzhong (Zhongguo Medical College)

The disease is characterized by the paroxysmal morbid feelings which spread along the channel on the body surface. It is of two types. One type is a painful feeling spreading along the channels and is called "Propagated Algesia along Channels", abreviated "PAC". The other consists of various abnormal feelings spreading along the channels is termed "Propagated Paresthesia along Channels", abreviated "PPC". Of the 80 cases 45 were male and 35 female, their ages are from 11 to 60. The shortest course was 3 days and the longest 10 years. There were 43 cases of PAC, the rest being cases of PPC. The feelings of PPC cases included numbness, warm, jumping, blowing, water flowing, cold, ache and itch. PAC and PPC were able to reach the channels 119 times. They tended to be concentrated  in Urinary Bladder Channel, Stomach Channel, Large Intestine Channel, Gall Bladder Channel, Pericardium Channel, Ren Mai (the Front Midline Channel) and Du Mai (the Back Midline Channel) (totaling 101 times of channels, 84.9%). Others are distributed over Spleen Channel, Kidney Channel, Sanjiao Channel, Small Intestine Channel, Dai Mai (the Belt Channel), Chong Mai (the Vital Channel) and Yinchiao Mai (the Motility Channel of Yin).


The number of attacks was 2 to 6 everyday, each attack lasting 3 minutes to 3 hours. It always begins at a fixed point on the body surface, spreads at a certain speed and width along the channels and after reaching a fixed point, either remains unchanged or disappears and occurs again. There were 55 cases (68.8 per cent) in which the attack was stopped by pressing the course. In a few cases the attacks were accompanied by mental and emotional symptoms or visceral crisis. There were 47 cases (58.8 per cent) in which belt of sensory disturbances or areas composed of many dermatomes appeared following the attack. In 4 cases the patients fell asleep or had paresis of the corresponding limbs after the attack. 17 cases (21.3 per cent) had a history of concussion of the brain. Small localized foci were found at the point of origin in 29 cases (36.3 per cent). In 4 of the 13 cases who were examined with encephalography at intervals, there was a superiority of slow active waves.


Since 1959, 15 PAC cases and 1 PPC case have been reported in the country with different names. The author thinks: this disease should be considered as belonging to "producing diseases itself (in channel)". In modern medicine this disease is characterized by the features of both Jacksonian sensory epilepsy and reflex sensory epilepsy. It is perhaps a sensory epilepsy spread along the channels.

Anti-epilepsy drugs taken orally, blocking or burying of catgut at the point of origin have been used to treat this disease with satisfactory results.

Clinical Analysis Of 95 Cases Of Sensory Disorder Along Particular Channel

Chen Keqin (Shanxi Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine)

We have analysed systematically the clinical features of linear pains along certain channels that showed sensory alteration in 95 patients. We have found that there existed no relations between such pains and the anatomical location of relevant  nerves and blood vessels. Further, such pains were also different from the sensory disturbance and certain regular skin hyper-sensibility (Head zone) due to illness of the viscera. According to the theory of channels, we put forward the term "Sensory Disorder along Particular Channel" for its definition.


Out of the 95 cases there were 76 male patients and 19 female. The ages of the majority (86 cases, 90.53%) ranged from 21 to 49 years old. The shortest and the longest durations of the disease were 2 days and 15 years, with 68.42% cases of 6 months to 3 years.

Among the cases were 91 cases of pains running along the channels and 4 cases having sensory alteration. During the observation, the phenomenon of pain along the channels was produced 159 times and in general, most of the cases (about 56.84%) 2 times, but at least once or 12 at most for each case.


49 cases (51.58%) had the "Sensory Disorder along Particular Channel" unilaterally, 30 cases (31.58%) bilaterally, 10 cases (10.52%) along the Du Mai, 6 cases (6.32%) along both Ren Mai and Du Mai. 29 cases (30.53%) -- including 16 cases which ran through the whole channel, 13 cases ran partially along -- ran along the superficial and inner side at the same time. 17 cases (17.89%) ran along the same named channels. In most of the cases (48.28%), two channels joined together at the head and at the end of the limbs. In 65 (40.88%) out of 195 times of manifestations, "Sensory Disorder along Particular Channels" ran along the whole process of the pertaining channels, 82 times (51.57%) partial process and 12 times (7.54) over process.


Moreover, we have found that in 44 cases (46.31%) not only the sensory pains and sensory alteration might develop along the relevant channels, other manifestations (in the body, the viscera and the nerve center) might also appear, and that each channel had a certain connection with the relevant organ, inducing a group of certain clinical manifestations.

Finally, a possible pathogenesis of the Sensory Disorder along Particular Channel was discussed in this article.

The Existence Of Channel System As Evidenced By 93 Cases Of Skin Disease Appeared Along The Channels

Li Dingzhong (Beijing Sixth Hospital)

Since 1954 we have investigated a lot of skin diseases which had appeared along the channels to detect the existence of channels. 93 patients suffered from 13 kinds of skin diseases which were studied. All the skin lesions appeared along the channels with a total number of 111 times. The lesions included cases showing histological changes of the epidermis and dermal papillae, such as pigmented nevus, verrucoid nevus, dermatrophia, exzema, neurodermatitis, psoriasis and lichen planus; cases showing vascular dilatation, avasculosis, hemorrhage and collagenous degeneration, such as bright red macular nevus, nevus anemicus, purpura and scleroderma; and cases showing histological changes of the skin appendages, such as nevus sebaceus and porokeratosis. The above diseases manifested themselves in 4 prominent features. (1) They appeared along the channel lines, some occurred along the whole line while others occurred only on a part of it. These might be seen over all the 14 channels and the Dai Mai. Their courses of distribution were basically the same as the classical channels. (2) The pathologic changes were seen mainly on the upper dermis and the epidermis. (3) 66.65% out of 93 cases were under 15 years of age (including the congenital cases). (4) Most of the acquired cases were neuro-dermatitis and lichen planus which are closely related to the autonomic nerve. Among the various channel phenomena, skin diseases along the channels were the most stable manifestations which may persist for a few days or as long as many years. Sometimes several skin diseases might occur along the same channel line and one patient may have several kinds of skin disorders over several channel lines. It should be pointed out that this is not a mere coincidence. It does reflect objectively the courses of the channels and prove substantially the existence of the channel system. Thus it will be of value for future investigation dealing with the essence of channels.