In a previous paper, we reported that acupuncture on the equivalent loci to human CV-12, BI-12 and ST-36 inhibited rat's stomach ulcer induced by water immersing stress. In this paper, we report the influence of acupuncture on the equivalent loci to human BL-21 and ST-36.
Method
15 male Wister rats of about 200g in weight were divided into the test group (6 rats) and the control group (9 rats), and acupuncture was administered to the test group on the equivalent loci to human BL-21 and ST-36 every other day. The next day after the sixth acupuncture, they were immersed in the water of 23°C to their chests 7 hours and the stomachs were extirpated from them and the gastic glands were sliced and stained in hematoxylin-erosion. Making a microscopic examination of these slices, we evaluated the number of mucoclasis classified by strength, depth and width.
Effect
More than 90% of mucoclasis showed erosion of tissue. It was less than 2/4 in depth and less than 500μ in width.
1. Erosion in each slice numbered 20.3±5.6:34.1±9.5 in average between the two groups and it showed significantly small number in the test group (p<0.01).
2. The number of erosion in depth was much smaller in the test group (p<0.01, p<0.05).
less than 1/4…19±4.2:28.1±6.1
less than 2/4…1.3±1.5:5.3±4.0
3. The number of erosion in width was also much smaller in the test group (p<0.05)
10μ-500μ…10.3±4.7:19.8±9.4
Conclusion
It was showed that pre-acupuncture inhibited stress erosion.

In the acupuncture-moxibustion clinic there are cases in which acupuncture insertion in the lumbar-sacral area on patients with coldness of the lower limbs results in a feeling of warmth in the legs.
We formerly reported that based on observations of the peripheral temperature, the fluctuation curve of the profound temperature and the hunting reaction we learned that acupuncture-moxibustion stimulation at LV-3 and SP-6 improved circulation in the lower limbs. This time we examined the influences of acupuncture insertion in the sacral area on the circulatory system. The insertion area was BL-32 (posterior sacral foramen II). After the patient had rested in a prone position for 30 minutes insertion of a stainless steel 1.6 TSUN 3 needle was administered to the depth at which the acupuncture sensation toward the lower limbs was felt. Pecking techniques were administered several times followed by 30 minutes of stationary insertion.
The objects of measurement were cutaneous temperature (Back of 1st toe, KI-1, BL-59) the subcutaneous (1cm) profound temperature (Center of bottom of foot, BL-56 at the center of the gastrocnemius muscle), pulse (2nd toe) and heartbeat. Also using a water plethysmograph the amount of blood circulating in the entie leg was measured. The cutaneous temperature was measured using a thermo-couple. the profound temperature using the KOATEMP by Thermo. A recorder was attached and temperature reading recorded continuously beginning 20 minutes before acupuncture insertion and continuing until 20-30 minutes after withdrawal. The number of subjects was 14.
The results of the experiment showed differeces in about half of the cases. A step style increase of 0.3-1°C in the temperature of the feet during stationary insertion was indicated. A tendency for bradycardia in the heartbeat 10 seconds-several minutes after acupuncture insertion was also indicated.
From the above results it was learned that acupuncture insertion and stationary insertion at BL-32 served to expand the peripheral blood vessels of the lower limbs and improve circulation in some cases.

[Objective]To clarify that acupuncture of Cu and Zn at dynamic acupoints had significantly decreased oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) in the local epidermis. In this study, we evaluated the influences of moxibustion on the ORP and hydrogen ion concentration (pH) in the local epidermis.
[Methods]In volunteers and patient groups, direct moxibustion, moxa-needle and BANSHIN were performed.
[Results]In all stimulation methods, the ORP showed no changes at non-acupoints, but it significantly decreased at dynamic acupoints. A significant decrease in pH was observed after direct moxibustion at both non-acupoints and dynamic acupoints. On the contrary, pH showed a significant increase after moxa-needle, and radiant heat of which had been cut off.
[Conclusion]Direct moxibustion at plus points and moxa-needle at minus points clarified a part of the mechanisms of the effects of direct moxibustion and moxa-needle.

Objective:This study focused on the strongly reactive points, which are different from acupoints and local reactive points. We examined the effectiveness of acupuncture at strongly reactive points and determined whether results differed from effects at acupoints or local reactive points.
Design:A randomized controlled trial (RCT) included 142 patients who visited the Center of Acupuncture Science, Meiji University of Integrative Medicine. These patients had a clinical examination to verify the effects of the visual analogue scale (VAS).
Methods:We evaluated RCT for one year. One period is three months. RCT I involved standard acupuncture applied to non-specific points and magnetic acupuncture applied to strongly reactive points. RCT II involved standard acupuncture applied to acupoints and different types of metal acupuncture applied to strongly reactive points. RCT III involved standard acupuncture applied to local reactive points and different types of metal blunt-tip needles applied to strongly reactive points. RCT IV involved standard acupuncture applied to local reactive points and Cu-acupuncture and moxa-needles applied to strongly reactive points.
Results:We showed that acupuncture applied to strongly reactive points was more effective than acupuncture applied to acupoints and local reactive points. The place of stimulation was more important than quantity and quality.
Conclusion:It was indicated that acupuncture applied to strongly reactive points was an effective method of treatment, suggesting that strongly reactive points have clinical effectiveness.

We used a questionnaire survey to assess the JSAM (the Japan Society of Acupuncture and Moxibustion) members' use of local therapy and distal therapy. We wanted to apply the results of the discussion titled “the definition of local therapy and distal therapy” in the symposium during the 52nd Annual JSAM meeting (2002, Kagawa). Questionnaires were distributed to 500 of the 1250 JSAM members registered in 1991. The subjects who received questionnaires were selected at random. Of the 500 questionnaires sent out 145 replies were received. Each respondent was asked to submit their definition of local and distal therapy.
Also, eight examples of local and distal therapies were given and respondents were asked to reply as to whether they treat with local or distal therapies and the.reasons for these choices.
The results were analyzed by simple and cross tabulation. We were able to define local therapy as 1) insertion to the injured area by acupuncture, 2) treatment on the area traveling along a nerve, and 3) treatment on the area where the patient feels some sensation. And we also defined treatment with a spectrum of tender points as local treatment, according to relationships with nervous reflexes such as an axon reflex, similarly to needling on muscles and along the path of the nerve. The use of distal therapy was usually carried out at points with relationships to fundamental treatment, tender points, meridians, autonomic nervous system and mechanisms through nerve centers. It was found that most practitioners consider distal points that are defined with some theory. Distal points were not selected randomly without the above consideration.

We carried out a 2 nd questionnaire survey to complement the results of the initial questionnaire survey in 2003. The results of the symposium, “Acupuncture treatment on the local area versus the distal area” from the 53rd JSAM (Japan Society of Acupuncture and Moxibustion) 2003 annual meeting and the first questionnaire helped us refer our continuing discussion. In the last survey we had selected subjects at random from members of JSAM who had been since more than 12 years ago. But in this survey we selected subjects whom we expected as leaders of schools or groups. All answers had to be described. We sent questionnaires to 87 members, and 41 sent back replies.
Items of investigation were the method of treatment (at modern acupuncture and moxibustion schools, traditional acupuncture and moxibustion schools, traditional Chinese medicine schools, etc), the conditions under which local treatment and/or distal treatment are effective or ineffective, and syndromes for which local treatment and distal treatment are effective, and under those circumstances the theory of acupoint selection, the depth of insertion and resulting sensation. Eventually, opinions about both treatments were requested. The results were analyzed by simple and cross tabulation.
The subjects were leaders of schools or groups. This questionnaire was based on the results of the past two symposiums and the initial questionnaire. As a result this survey of opinions and ideas were collecting articulated and approached the achievement of our purpose.

[Objective] “Morning diarrhea” is chronic diarrhea that appears only during the hours of “fifth watch of the night (_??_)” or the hours of the Tiger and the Rabbit (the period from 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. and from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.), There is, however, neither a unified definition for parthologenesis or defined concept of time relating to morning diarrhea. Accordingly, to make these clear, philological research with classic medical was performed.
[Methods] First, we made a computer search for Encyclopedias of Traditional Chinese Medicine about “morning diarrhea (_??_ and _??_)” and “kidney diarrhea (_??_ and _??_)”. Second, we examined the concept of time, pathogenesis, data of symptoms, onset time, the name for “morning diarrhea”, and Modern Western medicine.
[Results] As a result of the search there were 31 books and 37 hits for “morning diarrhea (_??_)”, 12 books and 14 hits for “morning diarrhea (_??_)”, 91 books and 216 hits for “kidney diarrhea (_??_) and 38 books and 74 hits for “kidney diarrhea (_??_)”. “Morning diarrhea” had its origin in “kidney diarrhea”, a type of kidney illness that was recognized in the mid twelfth century. Later, the pathogenesis became known, and the onset time was extended to the hour of the Rat (the period of time from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.). The pathogenesis is a kidney yang (positive deficiency) deficiency, alcoholic hepatitis, cold accumulation, food dyspepsia, liver subjugating spleen, and yang and qi (life force) deficiency, and blood stagnation.
[Conclusion] “Morning diarrhea” and “kidney diarrhea” have many points in common, however explain its difference of mainly pathological mechanism, “Morning diarrhea” results from superabundance of liver and shaoyang, fire generating during the hours of the Tiger and the Rabbit. And “kidney diarrhea” results from superabundance of kidney-yin on the hours of the Mouse (the period of the day from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.), so occur during the hours of the Mouse to the Rabbit. But there is some doubt about the relationship between the onset and pathogenesis. On the other hand in the latter half sixteenth century, emphasize the time of “fifth watch of the night”, but after that appearing time of “kidney diarrhea” had included the hours of the Boar to the Rabbit, So there is some possibility of not being main name.