World Journal of Acupuncture-Moxibustion (WJAM),Vol.20,No.2,30th Jun.2010 ・27・
Thoughts and Methods
Biophysical characteristics of moxibustion
艾灸的生物物理特性*
YANG Hua-yuan (杨华元) HU Zhui-cheng (胡追成)
College of Acupuncture-moxibustion and Tuina Massage, Shanghai University of TCM, Shanghai 201203, China
（上海中医大学针灸推拿学院，上海 201203, 中国）
ABSTRACT In recent years, new progresses have been achieved on biophysical characteristics of
moxibustion. Researches aimed at elucidating the mechanism of moxibustion therapy from the view of
biophysics showed that the effectiveness of moxibustion is not only the result of thermal effect, but also
the joint function of spectral radiation, bio-thermal effect and non-thermal bio-effect. Currently, multi-
discipline techniques are applied on the related researches which have aroused extensive concern. It
may explore new ideas and methods for further expounding of mechanism of moxibustion therapy. And
it is also expected to provide experimental evidence for enhancing the therapeutic effect in clinic as
well as designing moxibustion-like instruments. Therefore, the article has a comprehensive statement
on subjects such as moxibustion and local body temperature, infrared spectrum characteristics of
moxibustion, bio-thermal effect and energy conversion of moxibustion, bio-heat transfer of moxibustion
and microcirculation.
KEY WORDS Moxibustion; Moxa Cone Moxibustion; Indirect Moxibustion; Biophysics
［摘 要］ 近年来，艾灸的生物物理特性研究取得了一些新的进展，从生物物理学的角度探讨灸疗的作
用机制研究发现，艾灸的治疗作用并不单纯是温热效应，而是光谱辐射、生物热效应及非热生物效应等
综合作用的结果。目前艾灸的生物物理特性研究已被广泛关注，并应用多学科交叉手段开展研究，为进
一步阐明艾灸疗法的作用机制提供了思路和
方法
快递客服问题件处理详细方法山木方法pdf计算方法pdf华与华方法下载八字理论方法下载
，同时也为提高临床疗效和仿灸治疗仪的研制提供了实
验依据。为此，本文就艾灸对机体局部温度变化与特点、艾灸红外光谱特性、艾灸生物热效应与能量转
化、艾灸生物热传递与微循环等方面的研究工作作一述评。
［关键词］ 灸法 艾炷灸 间接灸 生物物理学
The therapy of moxibustion is an important
component of the study of acupuncture-moxibustion.
It is effective for various diseases and has functions
of warming up meridians and collaterals, eliminating
cold, removing stagnation from the meridian system,
activating blood circulation for relieving pain, tonifying
the deficient, reinforcing yang and preventing diseases
for health care. Lingshu: Guanneng (《灵枢·官能》
Miraculous Pivot: Each According to His Ability)
says, “To the diseases which are not suitable for
acupuncture, apply moxibustion”, which has approved
that moxibustion is widely applied in clinic. In
1980’s, modern physiological techniques was adopted
to study the characteristics of biophysics. Experimental
observation and analysis were done on the biological
effect of moxibustion as well. Research[1] proved that
the effectiveness of moxibustion is not only the result
of thermal effect, but also the joint function of spectral
radiation, bio-thermal effect and non-thermal bio-
effect. Stimulation on acupoints results in a series of
————————————
*Supported by National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program): 2005 CB 523306; Knowledge Innovation Project of Shanghai Colleges and
Universities: 2008 GJ 2653
First author: YANG Hua-yuan (1952- ), male, professor. Research field: clinical application of modern acupuncture techniques on diagnosis and
treatment. E-mail:yhyabcd@sina.com
This paper was firstly published in Zhongguo Zhenjiu (Chin Acup-Mox,Chin) in Chinese ,2009,11
World Journal of Acupuncture-Moxibustion (WJAM),Vol.20,No.2,30th Jun.2010・28・
changes on physiology, biochemistry, immunity and so
on. In this way, the function of body can be regulated
and diseases prevented and cured.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CHANGES
OF LOCAL BODY TEMPERATURE OF
MOXIBUSTION
Thermal effect is one of the major effects of
moxibustion. Thermal stimulation of moxibustion
not only reaches the cuticular layer, but also the
subcutaneous region and muscle layer. In the process
of moxibustion treatment, temperature is one of
the major biophysical factors. Heat produced by
combustion of moxa can transmit into the body
through acupoints. And it has the function of activating
qi and blood circulation in meridians and collaterals,
tonifying the deficient, reinforcing yang, warming up
meridians and collaterals as well as eliminating cold.
For these reasons, moxibustion serves as a role in
preventing and treating diseases.
Changes of local body temperature during
moxibustion vary in different conditions. Therefore,
it has great significance to study the variation curve
of local temperature during moxibustion. It has
been found[1] that the temperature curve of direct
moxibustion is in a pattern of sharp wave. Though the
temperature of combustion is high, the heat penetrated
into the subcutaneous region is comparatively less.
And the depth of the heat reached varies. The curve of
warming needling increases and decreases by degrees
with more heat penetrated, which enables stronger
stimulation. The curve of indirect moxibustion grows
slower than that of the direct one, and even slower
when it drops, which is in a mild waveform of slow
growth and dropping. Similar curve can be found
for indirect moxibustion with salt, monkshood cake
and ginger. When insulations with the same size are
adopted for indirect moxibustion, the curves show
that salt have the quickest heat penetration and high
peak temperature. Monkshood cake takes the second
place. While ginger is the slowest with the lowest
temperature among the three. Generally speaking,
indirect moxibustion which hot soon will also cold
soon. And those which hot slowly will also cold
slowly. It relates with the thermal conductivity of
different insulations.
To body temperatures on acupoints during
moxibustion, thermal curves of direct moxibustion
and indirect moxibustion with ginger are similar, both
of which are in patterns of unimodal curve. Curves
of suspending moxibustion and light concentrating
moxibustion are also similar. Their curves are both in
flat form since their latent periods and rise periods are
both short, and the periods after the peak continue a
certain time. Time phase transitions in different kinds
of moxibustion manifest in the lenth of time intervals
of different periods. Changes of body temperatures
in all kinds of moxibustion mentioned above vary
significantly in different time intervals. Meanwhile,
similarity has also been found in results of temperature
changes on human or animal tissues when different
types of moxibustion are applied. Weight and amount
of moxa cone may have influence on local temperature.
Druing moxibustion, temperature of epidermis and
corium increase when the weight of moxa cone
increases. The duration, recovery time and temperature
changes prolong with the weight increasing of the
moxa cone. Temperature change of epidermis is much
more obvious than that under corium.
It is worth to note that the influence of different
types and various quantities of moxibustion on local
temperature do not only refer to skin surface, but also
subcutaneous region and muscle layer. At present,
further researches are still in need since it is still lack
of studies on relation between types of moxibustion,
quantity, specificity, local temperature changes and
therapeutic effect of moxibustion. Additionally, in the
process of heat transmission and radiation, the quantity
of heat produced varies since qualities of moxa are
different. Local temperatures are then influenced.
Hence, it is also necessary to establish criteria on
moxa floss and its related products and concentrate
monitoring efforts on the quality of moxa. It is not
only beneficial to the credibility and repeatability of
scientific research on moxibustion, but also to the
clinical effect.
World Journal of Acupuncture-Moxibustion (WJAM),Vol.20,No.2,30th Jun.2010 ・29・
MOXIBUSTION AND INFRARED SPEC-
TRUM
Moxibustion does not only produce thermal
radiation and optical radiation, but also bio-thermal
effect and non-thermal bio-effect. Therefore, only from
the views of optical radiation and heat stimulation
is far from enough for studying the biophysical
mechanism of moxibustion.
Parameters and characteristics of infrared
spectrum
Combustion of moxa does not only produce
infrared spectrum, but also thermal radiation and
optical radiation as well as bio-thermal effect produced
by far-infrared and non-thermal bio-effect by near-
infrared. Study[2] showed that the radiation spectrum in
combustion of moxa floss is between 0.8-5.6 μm with
the peak around 1.5 μm, which belongs to the wave
band of near-infrared. It indicates that the radiation
spectrum of moxa combustion is not only far-infrared
spectrum with thermal radiation, but also near-infrared
spectrum with optical radiation. However, the results
are not unified since the test methods and experimental
conditions are different. Currently, results of researches
vary from 2.4 μm, 2.8 μm and 3.5 μm[3-4]. While, far-
infrared radiation wavelengths are all close to 7.5 μm[5].
Infrared spectrum of moxa combustion has
various biological effects and therapeutic effects. To
photobiomodulation, the wavelength of near-infrared
radiation is shorter than the far-infrared. But it has
more energy and stronger power of penetration which
can go into the epidermis, connective tissues, blood
vessels as well as the nerve system. Furthermore, it
can be absorbed by tissues so as to play the role in
treating diseases. However, difficulties often present
on further studies of biophysical effect of moxibustion
and studies of its therapeutic effects since the test
methods and experimental conditions are different,
which lead to inconformity of experimental results.
Therefore, it suggests to establishing a platform for
sharing of experimental results on optical techniques
of moxibustion. Thus, parameters of infrared spectrum
can be tested with standard and unified criteria, which
can provide more accurate statistics for experiments
on moxibustion.
Characteristics of infrared spectrum of
moxibustion and apparatus
With the comprehensive understanding on
physical and biological characters of infrared, various
infrared apparatus for the proper of treatment are
invented and applied in clinic in recent years. Good
curative effects are also possessed. Currently, the
moxibustion-like apparatus and the frequency spectrum
apparatus are all developed on the base of the features
of near-infrared spectrum. Near-infrared spectrum has
the function of activating qi and blood circulation,
relieving pain by removing stagnation according to
Chinese medicine since it can penetrate the skin to
the deeper tissues and increase the average kinetic
energy of various molecules at local areas according to
biomedicine[6]. Electromagnetic Therapeutic Apparatus
(TDP) and far-infrared moxibustion apparatus are all
invented on the base of thermal effect of far-infrared of
moxibustion. Although infrared moxibustion apparatus
has similar functions with moxibustion, shortages still
exist. For instance, it can not imitate the change of
physical properties during moxibustion. So, only when
different studies on therapeutic effects of infrared
spectrum are carried out, new ideas and experimental
evidences can be provided for the development of new
infrared moxibustion apparatus.
NON-THERMAL BIO-EFFECT AND ENER-
GY TRANSMISSION OF MOXIBUSTION
Vital activity is a process of inter-transformation,
coordination and unification of bio-energy, material
and information. The joint motion and coordinate
inter-transformation of the above three are the basis of
vitality of all lives. Human and all other lives absorb
large amount of materials, energy and information
constantly from the environment so as to maintain
their vital activities. Therefore, therapeutic effects
of moxibustion can not only be attributed to heat
stimulation. More importantly, non-thermal bio-
effect should be considered since transportation and
transmission of bio-energy and information are the
World Journal of Acupuncture-Moxibustion (WJAM),Vol.20,No.2,30th Jun.2010・30・
most basic and the major process of vital activities.
Any other transportation of biological information is
accompanied by transmission of bio-energy.
Non-thermal bio-effect of moxibustion
Bio-thermal effect caused by far-infrared radiation
is not the only effect of moxibustion. Non-thermal bio-
effect of near-infrared radiation can also be observed.
To a certain extent, the near-infrared features of
moxibustion are of even more significance. Biological
effect of infrared on human mainly comes from the
non-thermal bio-effect of infrared electromagnetic
wave. Infrared which is absorbed can induce quantum
oscillatory of the amide linkage in protein molecule.
Thus, bio-energy can be transmitted from one place to
another successfully and normal state of the vital body
maintained[7]. According to biophysics, far-infrared
acts directly on superficial part of human body, and
spreads heat through transmission. Near-infrared has
stronger power which can directly go into the deeper
tissues, and extend to larger area through capillaries.
The wavelength of near-infrared radiation is shorter
than far-infrared radiation, but with stronger power
which can reach 10 mm, 10 times of far-infrared, deep
of the body. Its photon energy can reach the blood
vessels, lymph-vessels, nerve ending and subcutaneous
tissues and be absorbed by these tissues. Obvious
photoelectric action and optical biochemical action
are produced so that acupoints are stimulated with
the appearance of needling sensation. Non-thermal
bio-effect of the near-infrared radiation wave has the
function of regulating the immunity, endocrine and
autonomic nerve which has good therapeutic effect to
systematic diseases.
Infrared spectrum of moxibustion and energy
transmission
Energy produced in moxibustion is absorbed
by human body and leads to a series of biological
effects. Transporter associated with antigen processing
(ATP) might be the essential substance for energy
transmission. It is reported[8] that the energy system
of acupoints is composed by cells with more ATP.
Acupoints at 2-2.5 μm has an obvious peak of infrared
radiation. And it is the result of energy emission in
transmission process of ATP molecule to adenosine
diphosphate (ADP). The numerical value at acupoints
is much higher than their lateral regions, which
indicates that the energy metabolism at acupoint is
higher than its surrounding area[8]. ATP is the most
important energy substance for cell activities of
human. Inter-transformation between ATP and ADP
can emit or absorb energy. Chemical energy provided
by ATP is necessary for composition of sugar, fat,
protein and nuclein of cells, activity of sodium pump
on cell membrane, phagocytosis of cells, transmission
of nerve impulses and regulation of body fluid and
internal secretion.
Under the same temperature, radiator can both
radiate and absorb infrared. According to the theory
of matched absorption, when the wavelength of
infrared and the absorbing wavelength of the radiation
exposed substance are correspondent with each other,
the molecule generates resonance absorption. Near-
infrared of moxibustion can induce harmonic motion
of ATP. And the ATP energy can further activate other
enzymes and produce more energy which has chain
reaction along the running course of meridians and
collaterals. In this way, sodion and potassium ion can
shuttle in and out of cells, producing depolarization,
repolarization and nerve conduction. Thus, provide
essential energy for metabolism of cell and activation
energy for sick cells which are inadequate of energy.
Meanwhile, with the assistance of negative feedback
control mechanism, energy metabolism disorder
under pathological condition can be corrected, and
immunity regulated. All in all, when moxibustion is
applied on acupoints, ATP, the energy substance, of
acupoints can be activated and induce chain reaction
along the running course of meridians and collaterals.
Thus, qi can be activated and functions of meridians
and collaterals regulated so that qi and blood can be
better circulated and the general regulation of yin-yang
fulfilled.
BIO-THERMAL TRANSFER OF MOXIBUS-
TION AND MICROCIRCULATION
Generally speaking, radiation and conduction
of heat in biological tissues are in accordance with
World Journal of Acupuncture-Moxibustion (WJAM),Vol.20,No.2,30th Jun.2010 ・31・
heat conductivity and convection caused by fluid
circulation. In the same way, heat of moxibustion
also transmits through radiation, conduction and
circulation of fluid in biological tissues. Therefore,
stable temperature of tissue can be maintained, which
is considered as an important factor to the local blood
circulation.
Moxibustion can improve microcirculation of
human body. It can cause resonance and cracking of
the aged large micellae. Consequently, smaller clusters
are reset. In this way, the activity and surface tension
of cells are enhanced. Research[9] showed that obvious
and specific temperature transmission features can
be found when moxibustion is applied on acupoints
at the running course of meridians and collaterals.
Radiation and conduction produced in moxibustion
can increase the local temperature at acupoints, and
leads to thermal transmission in blood. Therefore,
thermal effect of moxibustion is a major factor which
can influence the blood circulation at the local area of
acupoints. It reflects the condition of microcirculation
in a certain extent. Moreover, after direct moxibustion,
excitement of receptor causes axon reflex dilation
of blood vessel. For this reason, blood flow close to
the stimulated area increases. This phenomenon is in
accordance with the presupposition proposed by Fujita
Rokuro[10] of Janpan on relation between meridians
and fluid which flows out of the vessels. Moxibustion
results in enhancement of permeability of capillaries
which take histamine as the media. It can prompt the
skin that there are histamine and P substance released
when telangiectasia happens. And at the same time,
moxibustion is also an important factor which forms
specificity microenvironment in subcutaneous region.
At present, although progresses have been achie-
ved according to the deepening study on biophysical
characteristics of moxibustion, study of its physiological
characteristics are still in the primary stage. Therefore,
multi-discipline techniques such as physics, physical
chemistry and biophysics should be further utilized to
carry out studies on therapeutic effect and mechanism
of thermal effect and non-thermal bio-effect of
moxibustion.
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杨 华 元 . 针 灸 器
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