In-vivo visualisation of the anatomical structures related to the acupuncture points Dai mai and Shen mai by MRI: A single-case pilot study

Abstract

Background: The concept of acupuncture point localisation in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is based on millenary practical experience. Modern imaging methods such as PET, MRI and SPECT have been used primary for the investigation of the mechanisms of action of acupuncture. In this pilot single-case study we have evaluated the technical possibilities for in-vivo imaging of the anatomical relations of acupuncture points using state of the art MRI.

Safe Needling Depth of Acupuncture Points

“…Moncayo et al have been able to demonstrate the relation of acupuncture points to musculoskeletal structures in vivo using threedimensional rendering of MRI data and have suggested a close relation of acupuncture points of the Yang and Yin motility vessels as well as of the Dai mai to tendinomuscular structures. 61 Similar studies should be considered investigating the anatomical structures around the acupuncture…”

Current applications of molecular imaging and luminescence-based techniques in traditional Chinese medicine

“…Through choice of gold needles as well as of ideal MRI sequences it has been possible to visualize anatomical characteristics at the acupoints Dai mai and Shen mai in vivo (Lardo, 2000;Moncayo et al, 2007). However, it was feasible to use gold needles to indirectly identify the anatomical structures related to in vivo acupoints.…”

“…Kwong et al (2009) found that the bioluminescent optical imaging of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) luciferase provided a rapid assay of upregulation of the HO-1 gene, which represented an antioxidative response to circulating hemoglobin products released in response to the Gua Sha procedure on transgenic mice. Gene imaging for Gua Sha therapy using standard instrumentation designed for more bioluminescent imaging, use of gene to detect enzyme activity offers a new paradigm for noninvasive biochemistry in vivo (Moncayo et al, 2007).…”

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and Acupuncture

“…Associations between acupuncture points and trigger points [155] and tendinomuscular and tendinofascial structures are tantalizing [156,157].…”