Do acupuncture meridians exist? Correlation with referred itch (mitempfindung) stimulus and referral points.
Author: Silberstein M.
Affiliation:
Faculty of Science and Engineering, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia; m.silberstein@curtin.edu.au.
Conference/Journal: Acupunct Med.
Date published: 2012 Mar
Other:
Volume ID: 30 , Issue ID: 1 , Pages: 17-20 , Word Count: 147
OBJECTIVE:
To describe the relationship between referred itch (mitempfindung) stimulus and referral points and acupuncture meridians, noting that the neuroanatomical mechanism of mitempfindung has never previously been satisfactorily explained.
METHODS:
Analysis of clinical findings in the author as well as subjects in four previously described studies, comparing proportions in each of five groups.
RESULTS:
Ninety-two per cent (range 85-94%) of mitempfindung point pairs (stimulus and referral) aligned to a recognised acupuncture meridian with no statistical difference (p<0.05) between the five data sources.
CONCLUSION:
While previous authors have speculated on an association between mitempfindung and acupuncture, this is the first description of a relationship between stimulus and referral points and acupuncture meridians. The author suggests that the transmission of mitempfindung along acupuncture meridians may involve a series of C-fibre-Merkel cell relays, with the final referred itch sensation caused by substance P release triggering mast cell degranulation.
PMID: 22378582
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