The Clinical Study about Qualitative and Quantitative Characteristics of Acupuncture Sensation According to the Body Parts

Objectives : This study was designed to find out the differences of the acupuncture sensation by body parts. Methods : Sixty-three subjects got acupuncture at five acupoints which represent five different body parts ; head(GV20), abdomen(ST25), back(BL24), upper extremity(LU9), lower extremity(GB40). All subjests were asked to complete questionnaire rating the intensity of 13 kinds of acupuncture sensation(acupuncture sensation scale, ASS). We compared the subjective acupuncture sensation between the body parts. Results : Intensity of acupuncture sensation of GV20 was significantly lower than LU9(p=0.001) and GB40(p=0.000). Sum of acupuncture sensation of GV20 was also significantly lower than BL24(p=0.011), LU9(p=0.004) and GB40(p=0.033). Among the 13 types of acupuncture sensation scale, tingling and aching were well sensed at GV20 and ST25, aching, tingling and sharp pain were well sensed at LU9, GB40, dull pain, deep pressure and heaviness were well sensed at BL24. Conclusions : Head showed significantly lower intensity of acupuncture sensation than upper extremity and lower extremity. Among the acupuncture sensation scales, tingling and aching were well sensed at head and abdomen, aching, tingling and sharp pain were well sensed at upper extremity and lower extremity, dull pain, deep pressure and heaviness were well sensed at back.