Skin Resistance Measurement in Japanese Acupuncture

Abstract

In the last century, the Western clinicians initiated the use of skin resistance measurements for quantifying sweat gland activity as well as assessing anxiety levels. At the same time, acupuncturists used the measurement of skin resistance as a modern diagnostic tool to augment the thousand-year-old acupuncture therapy in Japan. This unique measurement has been called Ryodoraku since 1950. The present article is a brief description of historical aspects of the Ryodoraku and the correlations between skin resistance and various medical conditions.