Increased Temperature at Acupuncture Points Induced by Weight Reduction in Obese Patients: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

This study investigated the temperature changes at acupuncture points resulting from a weight reduction program. A standard method using a digital infrared thermographic imaging device was employed to monitor the temperature at 20 acupuncture points in 32 participants treated for obesity at an Oriental obesity clinic. There were significant temperature increases at all of the acupuncture points except for LI4 (Hegu) and TE5 (Waiguan). The mean total temperature change at the acupuncture points was significantly correlated with the BMI change (r = .588, p < .001). The weight-reduction-induced increase in temperature at acupuncture points may reflect improvements in the circulation of energy flows. However, further study is necessary to understand fully the relationship between the temperature at acupuncture points and weight reduction, including the use of appropriate controls.

Acupoint Stimulation on Weight Reduction for Obesity

“…The combined treatment of auricular acupressure and transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) also achieved higher weight reduction than the single treatment of auricular acupressure in obese women (Rerksuppaphol, 2012). One study found that acupoint stimulation decreases body mass index (BMI) in obese patients (Kwon, Lee, & Lee, 2007).…”

Monitoring effects of acupressure, needle and laserneedle stimulation by infrared thermography and laser Doppler flowmetry?

“…In this context it should be mentioned that reports exist in scientific literature describing that temperature increases at special acupoints were found after weight reduction [ 12 ]. These authors also stated that further studies are necessary in order to understand the relationship between the temperature at acupuncture points and weight reduction.…”

What is the Acupoint? A preliminary review of Acupoints

“…That is to say, under pathological circumstance, some acupoints appeared the change of temperature (heat‐sensitization) or pain threshold (pain‐sensitization). One study showed that the temperature of several points ( CV17, LR14, KI21, CV6, CV4 ) persisted at a high level in hyperplasia of mammary glands patients compared with healthy women . Further research was conducted, which they have observed a “heat‐sensitization” phenomenon in a large proportion of patients receiving suspended moxibustion treatment.…”