Acupuncture points and perforating cutaneous vessels identified in the upper limb using infrared thermography

Abstract

Abstract Objective To verify the presence of perforating cutaneous vessels (PCV) among different acupuncture points (AP) of the upper limb by means of infrared thermography (IT). Material and Methods An analytical observational cross-sectional study examining the upper limb of volunteer subjects (n = 7). A total of 91 AP were analyzed, as well as 91 control points (CP), one for each AP. In each subject, first, the AP and their corresponding CP were marked and, second, the thermographic images were taken. The images were then processed using the Physio Thermal Imaging (PTI) software, observing the presence or absence of these PCV on the AP and corresponding CP. Results PCV were identified in 68.1% of the total 91 AP examined. However, despite the strong trend in the presence of PCV in the studied AP, certain AP did not display significant differences with their corresponding CP. Conclusions This study shows a certain correlation between the PCV and the AP chosen in this sample, due to the high presence of PCV in the AP. IT is a useful tool during physical therapy treatment procedures using acupuncture.