[Study on the manifestation of facial infrared thermography induced by acupuncturing Guangming (GB 37) and Hegu (LI 4)]

OBJECTIVE: To manifest the specificity of acupoints objectively through observing the relationship of both Guangming (GB 37) and Hegu (LI 4) with the some areas of face. METHODS: The patients with peripheral facial paralysis were divided into the Guangming (GB 37) group and Hegu (LI 4) group, and punctured respectively. Before and after treatment, the distribution and change of facial temperatures were measured with infrared thermography and the data on each area was comparatively analyzed. RESULTS: After punctured at Guangming (GB 37), the temperature went up in the areas around the eyes of both health and affected sides, especially on the affected side, which was significantly different from the other facial areas (all P<0.05). After punctured at Hegu (IA 4), the temperature obviously went up in the area around the mouth, which was significantly different from other areas of face, such as the areas of Yintag and health eye. The temperature in the area around the affected eye was significantly higher than that of the area around the health eye. CONCLUSION: There is some close coordination between Guangming (GB 37) and eye area, as well as between Hegu (LI 4) and mouth area, suggesting the specificity of acupoints.