Comparison of changes in blood circulation of patellar and Achilles tendons during and after acupuncture
Corresponding Author
Keitaro Kubo
Department of Life Science, The University of Tokyo, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan
Correspondence
Keitaro Kubo, Department of Life Science (Sports Sciences), The University of Tokyo, Komaba 3-8-1, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorHiroyoshi Yajima
Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tokyo Ariake University of Medical and Health Science, Tokyo, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorMiho Takayama
Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tokyo Ariake University of Medical and Health Science, Tokyo, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorNobuari Takakura
Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tokyo Ariake University of Medical and Health Science, Tokyo, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Keitaro Kubo
Department of Life Science, The University of Tokyo, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan
Correspondence
Keitaro Kubo, Department of Life Science (Sports Sciences), The University of Tokyo, Komaba 3-8-1, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorHiroyoshi Yajima
Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tokyo Ariake University of Medical and Health Science, Tokyo, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorMiho Takayama
Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tokyo Ariake University of Medical and Health Science, Tokyo, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorNobuari Takakura
Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tokyo Ariake University of Medical and Health Science, Tokyo, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
We found acupuncture and heating increased blood circulation of Achilles tendon, which implies these treatments are useful to heal-injured tendons. In addition, the heating-induced change in blood circulation of patellar tendon was greater than that of Achilles tendon. The purpose of this study was to compare changes in blood circulation of patellar and Achilles tendons during and after acupuncture. Furthermore, we verified whether acupuncture-induced changes in tendon blood circulation were related to those in autonomic nervous system. During acupuncture treatment and recovery period (40 minutes), blood volume (THb) of patellar and Achilles tendons was measured using red laser lights. In addition, heart rate and ratio of low-frequency to high-frequency components of heart rate variability (LF/HF ratio) were measured. THb of patellar tendon was significantly lower than that of Achilles tendon immediately after insertion of needle, latter half of acupuncture treatment, and recovery period. For both tendons, heart rate and LF/HF ratio did not change during experimental period. The results suggest that acupuncture-induced changes in blood circulation of patellar tendon are markedly lower than that of Achilles tendon, although site difference in changes in tendon blood circulation is not related to those in autonomic nervous system assessed by heart rate variability.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors have no conflict of interest with this work.
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