The electrical resistance of acupuncture source points as a relevant factor for inner organ status

Abstract

The acupuncture source points have been known in the traditional Chinese medicine for about 5000 years and various therapies and diagnostic methods have been applied using them. Studies indicate that these points also express electrical modifications, depending on the health status of the individual. Aim. The aim of the paper is to study the relevance of electrical resistance measurements in these points in distinguishing inner organ changes. The study was conducted on patients from the gastroenterological department. The electrical resistance of the source points was measured using a Wheatstone bridge, of our own manufacturing, based on certain acupuncture maps. The data was collected using disposable Ag/AgCl electrodes and the results of the measurements were compared with the standard diagnosis test results. The statistical interpretation was performed using Microsoft Excel and GraphPad. The measured electrical resistance was between 23 and 600 kilo ohms, with considerable variations from a patient to another. Patients with organ resections (gall bladder, kidney, stomach) expressed a decreased electrical resistance in the source points corresponding to these organs (the gall bladder point etc.). Also, patients with cardiac failure expressed a modified electrical resistance in the heart source point, but also in the pulmonary point, probably anticipating the pulmonary stasis consecutive to the heart disease. Gall bladder lithiasis, hepatic cirrhosis and rheumatism also expressed altered electrical resistance in the correspondent points. Patients with inner organ diseases expressed modified electrical resistance in corresponding source points. Further studies will be conducted to test the accuracy of this method to distinguish specific inner organ pathologies and to test the applicability of this measurement as a screening instrument.