Abstract
Objectives : This study was performed to compare the effects between Mountain-burning fire method and Heaven-penetrating cooling method on thermographic change. Materials and Methods : The experiment was conducted to 20 students of College of Oriental Medicine, Woosuk University from July 12, 2011 to July 26, 2011. Acupuncture stimulation was applied at left $Zusanli$($ST_{36}$) with Mountain-burning fire method in A group(n=10) and Heaven-penetrating cooling method in B group (n=10). To estimate thermographic change, temperature of left $Zusanli$($ST_{36}$), $Shuigou$($GV_{26}$), $Zhongwan$($CV_{12}$) were measured by DITI(digital infrared thermographic image) before acupuncture stimulation and 30sec, 10min after needle removal. Results : In A group, the temperature of left $Zusanli$($ST_{36}$), $Shuigou$($GV_{26}$), $Zhongwan$($CV_{12}$) were decreased at 30sec after needle removal, statistically. And the temperature of $Zusanli$($ST_{36}$), $Zhongwan$($CV_{12}$) were decreased at 10min after needle removal, statistically. In B group, the temperature of $Zusanli$($ST_{36}$), $Zhongwan$($CV_{12}$) were decreased at 10min after needle removal, statistically. But, there was no significant difference between two groups on thermographic change, statistically Conclusions : Acupuncture stimulation applied at left $Zusanli$($ST_{36}$) with Mountain-burning fire method has more widespread effects than Heaven-penetrating cooling method. But further studies will be needed such as thermographic change with no stimulation and with more subjects.