Effects of acupuncture and acupressure of the acupoint compared to the tendon on the blood circulation of human tendon in vivo

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of acupuncture and acupressure of acupoints on tendon blood circulation with those of both types of stimulation of tendon itself. Methods Before, during (except for acupressure), and after acupuncture and acupressure of the tendon and acupoint, blood circulation of the Achilles tendon was measured using red laser lights. Results The blood volume of the treated and non-treated tendons increased after acupuncture of the tendon (effect of time p = 0.030), whereas that tended to increase after acupuncture of the acupoint (effect of time p = 0.063). In addition, no significant difference in the increases in blood volume was found among the four conditions, i.e., after acupuncture stimulation of the tendon and acupoint for the treated and non-treated tendons (p = 0.492). The blood volume of the treated tendon significantly increased after acupressure of the tendon (effect of time p < 0.001), but not of the acupoint (effect of time p = 0.260), whereas that of the non-treated tendon did not change after acupressure of both the tendon and acupoint. Conclusion These results suggested that acupuncture of the tendon and acupoint acted centrally to enhance blood circulation of both the treated and non-treated tendons during the recovery period, whereas acupressure of the tendon locally increased blood circulation of the treated tendon only, but not the non-treated tendon and both the treated and non-treated tendons after acupressure of acupoint.

Trends in Acupuncture Therapy for Microcirculation and Hemorheology from 1998 to 2023: A Bibliometric and Visualized Study

“…10 Acupuncture and massage therapy have also been proven to promote local blood circulation when treating tendons. 11 In rats with permanent middle cerebral artery blockage, swinging needle acupuncture at the Yanglingquan point (GB34) can boost cerebral blood circulation, improve spastic paralysis effects, and swinging needle technique is superior to conventional vertical needle insertion. 12 Auricular acupuncture therapy can significantly increase the hemoglobin content and movement-evoked potential peak values in the M1 area of the brain in stroke patients with hemiplegia, significantly activate the M1 area, and improve upper limb functional impairment.…”