Effects of Moxibustion Stimulation on the Intensity of Infrared Radiation of Tianshu (ST25) Acupoints in Rats with Ulcerative Colitis

Abstract

ST25 is a key acupoint used in the treatment of ulcerative colitis by moxibustion stimulation, but the biophysical mechanism underlying its effects is still unknown. The aim of the present study was to explore the biophysical properties of ST25 acupoint stimulated by moxibustion in a rat model of ulcerative colitis. The infrared radiation intensity of fourteen wavelengths of ST25 showed significant differences between the normal and model control groups. The intensity of infrared radiation of forty wavelengths showed significant differences compared with the corresponding control points in normal rats. The intensity of infrared radiation of twenty-eight wavelengths showed significant differences compared with the corresponding control points in model rats. The intensity of infrared radiation of nine wavelengths in the herb-partition moxibustion group, eighteen wavelengths in the ginger-partition moxibustion group, seventeen wavelengths in the garlic-partition moxibustion group, and fourteen wavelengths in the warming moxibustion group of the left ST25 showed significant differences compared with that of the model control group. For the right-hand-side ST25, these values were 33, 33, 2, and 8 wavelengths, respectively. This indicated that one possible biophysical mechanism of moxibustion on ST25 in ulcerative colitis model rats might involve changes in the intensity of infrared radiation of ST25 at different wavelengths.

Moxibustion for Primary Dysmenorrhea: An Adjuvant Therapy for Pain Relief

“…Infrared radiation is divided into near-infrared radiation (0.8∼1.5 m), medium infrared radiation (1.5∼5.6 m), and far-infrared radiation (5.6∼1000 m) [ 96 ]. Some researchers [ 97 ] believe that the spectrum of moxibustion is mainly the far-infrared spectrum close to the near-infrared region, but others [ 98 ] believe that it belongs to the near-infrared radiation with strong penetration and can penetrate deep tissue below the epidermis . In addition, the understanding of the moxibustion radiation spectrum is inconsistent.…”

Warming Moxibustion Relieves Chronic Visceral Hyperalgesia in Rats: Relations to Spinal Dynorphin and Orphanin-FQ System

“…Moxibustion, an important component of traditional Chinese medicine, is a therapeutic method in which burning moxa produces thermal stimulation to the human body, and it affects the function of the meridians and acupoints to prevent and treat the disease [4]. Moxibustion has been adopted as an analgesic method for thousands of years in China and other AsiaN countries and is still frequently used in the present clinical practice because of its advantages of safety, effectiveness, and no side effects [5–7].…”

Efficacy and Safety of Moxibustion for Relieving Pain in Patients With Metastatic Cancer

“…8 Moxibustion has been adopted as an analgesic method in various diseases, including cancer, for thousands of years in Eastern countries and it is still frequently used in the present clinical practice. [9][10][11] The analgesic mechanism of moxibustion is associated with local blood flow, endogenous opioids, diffuse noxious inhibitory controls, and 510025I CTXXX10.1177/1534735413510025Integrative Cancer Therapies XX(X)Lee and Yoon…”

“…Moxibustion is a therapeutic method in which burning moxa produces thermal stimulation to the human body, and it affects the function of the meridians and acupuncture points to treat the disease. 8 Moxibustion has been adopted as an analgesic method in various diseases, including cancer, for thousands of years in Eastern countries and it is still frequently used in the present clinical practice. [9][10][11] The analgesic mechanism of moxibustion is associated with local blood flow, endogenous opioids, diffuse noxious inhibitory controls, and the afferent fibers in the spinal cord.…”