The purpose of the present paper is to clarify the differences between two techniques, the sohri-kifu technique (i. e. to tap into the depth of 1-2mm) which is often used in meridian therapy and the jakutaku technique (i. e. sparrow pecking, to reciprocate a needle frequently) which is often used in modern acupuncture therapy. We also examined the effects of locations and of sticking pain.
METHODS
Subjects were 10 normal adults who were familiar with acupuncture therapy. They lay in the supine or prone position, and the sori-kifu technique and the jakutaku technique were separately perfomed for one minute on the following 8 points (one point a day): Zhongchong (PC9), Daling (PC7), Shanzhong (JM17), Jueyinshu (VU14), Yinbai (LP1), Taibai (LP3), Chongmen (LP12), Pishu (VU20). Instantaneous heart rate and pulse wave height of the finger were measured with a 4 channel polygraph. Amount of sticking pain was rated on a 4 grade (0-3) basis. Statistical analysis was done with the control data obtained during the control sessions, in which the two techniques were not performed, whereas other conditions were similar to those in the experimental sessions.
RESULT
(1) Both sohri-kifu and jakutaku technique caused decrease in heart rate and pulse wave height.
(2) The decrease in heart rate lasted even after needle withdrawal, whereas the decrease in pulse wave height stopped immediately after the needle withdrawal.
(3) In comparison between the sohri-kifu and jakutaku techniques, the former was more effective in reducing heart rate than the latter, and the latter in lowering pulse wave height.
(4) In the jakutaku technique, the more painfull it was, the less decrease in heart rate and the more decrease in pulse wave height.
(5) The difference between the two techniques, mentioned in (3), was less in the trunk and larger in the extremities.
(6) The change in heart rate with the grades of sticking pain, mentioned in (4), was less in the trunk and larger in the extremeties.
(7) No distinct differences were found between the Pericardium and Spleen groups, between the upper extermities and the lower ones, or between the back points and the accumulation points.

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In the previous paper, the authors reported that there was a correlation between the length of guide-tubes and tapping pain, and that a correlation between guide-tube lengths and early pain following the tapping was noted when the length difference between the needle and the tube was less than 3mm, whereas no correlation when the differnece was more than 3mm. In the present paper we report the relationship between sticking pain and caliber of guide-tubes.
MATERIAL & METHOD
1. Guide-tubes: 18 types of guide-tubes of different caliber (1.0-2.2mm) were specially made for this experiment. They are made of silver and have a standard octagonal cross section (external diameter: maximum 5.4mm, minimum 4.6mm, length: 53.5mm, weight: 7.3-9.1g).
2. Needles: Stainless steel needles (length: 58.0mm, body diameter: 0.18mm, head diameter: 1.27mm) were used. In some special conditions, silver needles of the same dimension or thin head need (head diameter: 0.75mm) were used.
3. Acupuncturists and subjects: A half of twelve teachers of our school participated as acupuncturists, and the other half as subjects.
4. Procedure: Needle tapping was performed 360 times (10 times per subject by each acupuncturist) by each guide-tube on the front part of the crus. Sticking pain caused by the tapping was rated on a 5 grade (0-4) basis.
RESULT
1. Among the guide-tubes of 1.35, 1.4, 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2mm caliber (with stainless steel needles of 1.27mm head diameter) and the guide-tubes of 1.0mm caliber (with stainless steel needles of 0.75mm head diameter), the 1.35mm caliber tubes caused significantly less sticking pain than the rest.
2. Sticking pain was sigificantly severe when a 1.35mm caliber tube and a thin head (0.75mm) needle were used, or when a thin head (0.75mm) needle was tapped in as slantingly as possible in a 1.8mm caliber tube.
3. Based on these results, one can conclude that guide-tubes whose caliber is very close to the needle head diameter are effective in lessening sticking pain.

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This experimental study was designed to examine the relationship between symptomatic changes of patients and amount of electricity generated by an infrared ray-sensor moved along over the skin surface. The amount of electricity and the symptomatic changes were input into two computers. Therefore, the measurement was carried out not only by means of an infrared ray-sensor but also by “linear treatment system”, with which measurement of overall therapeurtic effect can be done. In this paper, the outline of “therapeutic effect measurement information” produced by the systems mentioned above is reported, and possibility of improvements is also discussed.

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[in Japanese]

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[in Japanese]

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According to the Ryodoraku autonomic nervous system therapy the average of the measurement values on Ryodo points (acupuncture point) which belong to the Ryodoraku (meridian) can be obtained from the measurement value on the representative point of the Ryodoraku.
They are judged relative excitement which corresponds to “excitement and suppression” (fullness and emptiness) in proportion as to the relative position on Ryodoraku chart.
We got the result that the knee joint pain relates to the excitement of H₂, the suppression of F₁, and the suppression of F₄.

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[in Japanese]

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[in Japanese]

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A questionnairing was conducted on those who had graduated from acupuncture schools for last three years. 288 questionnaires, that is, 28.8% of the total were answerd.
As the result, 41% of the graduates are practicing, 27% are working for institutions connected with acupuncture, and 28% are working in hospitals.
Combining present practitioners and those who are to start practice, it seems 76% of the graduates enter practice; most of the graduates aim at setting up practice. Which course to be taken makes the difference in medical charge, the number of patients, and their annual income.

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The aim of this study is to clarify the relation between two famous places for moxa: Mt. Ibuki in Shiga prefecture and another Mt. Ibuki in Tochigi prefecture. Compartive study on the two mountains was done in terms of history, folk-tales, surroundings, Yomogi, etc.
1) In the Heian era, Tochigi-Ibuki was popular as a moxa place. On the other hand, Shiga-Ibuki appeared in history after the Azuchi era. 2) It had been thought that each Yomogi from these two Ibuki's was special, and no other places producted the same. 3) Each Mt. Ibuki has an area called Shimejigahara and similar Buddhist folk-tales.
It was Mt. Ibuki in Tochigi prefecture that first became popular for moxa. After that, the popularity moved to Mt. Ibuki in Shiga, in which Mountain Buddhism seems to have taken part. In the Edo era, Shiga-Ibuki was in full flourish, and Tochigi-Ibuki declined.

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