Therapeutic effects of two methods (1) an acupuncture technique using superficial needling applied during exhalation in the sitting position and (2) a low output laser irradiation technique applied during exhalation in the sitting position, were studied using an indicator represented by the distance between the finger tip and floor obtained when a subject bends forward from the standing position.
1. The acupuncture technique using superficial needling applied during exhalation in the sitting position significantly improved the distance between the finger tip and floor as compared with that before application (p<0.05).
2. The low output laser irradiation technique applied during exhalation in the sitting position improved the distance between the finger tip and floor as compared with that before application (p<0.01). No significant difference in the distance between the finger tip and floor were observed in the non-irradiated group.
3. Considering the therapeutic effects from application at various regions of the body, the acupuncture technique improved the distance between the finer tip and floor when it was applied to Waiguan (TE5) (p<0.05) and Zusanli (S36) (p<0.02)