Effects of Acupressure Strength on Muscle Hardness

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of acupressure strength on muscle hardness. [Participants and Methods] Both legs of 21 healthy adult males (n=42) were investigated in this study. Acupressure strengths of 2, 4, 6, and 8 kg (equivalent to 830, 1440, 1990, and 2230 g/cm2, respectively) were applied to the tibialis anterior muscle of each leg for 60 s. The acupressure point on the tibialis anterior was at 25% of the length of the lower leg from the inferior edge of the patella. Muscle hardness was measured using a muscle hardness meter at the acupressure point and 3 cm away from it before, and at 10 s and 5 min after acupressure. [Results] At both points, muscle hardness after acupressure (at 10 s and 5 min) was significantly lower than before acupressure at strengths of 2 kg or more. However, there was no difference in the tibialis anterior muscle hardness nor in the magnitude of change among the different acupressure strengths. [Conclusion] Muscle hardness can be effectively reduced using an acupressure strength of 2 kg.