Experimental Interpretation of Heat Transmits Pattern on Warm Needling

온침의 열전달 특성에 대한 실험적 해석

Objectives : Many researches have studied warm needling technique to standardize its treatment by temperature measurement and material differences in the effectiveness. The purpose of this study is to compare the temperature changes of the acupuncture needle shaft during the combustion process of the moxa stick to determine the heat transfer pattern of the warn needling. Methods : A moxa stick($7{\times}8mm$) was connected to one side of the needle shaft using a stainless steel needle(ø 0.3 mm, ø 0.5 mm, ø 0.8 mm, shaft length 40 mm) with the needle handle removed. During the warm needling, temperature changes of the needle shaft were observed with an infrared camera(Flir E30) and an infrared thermometer(TESTO 845). Results : In the normal condition, heat transmit of needle shaft increased at spots 10 mm and 25 mm below the moxa stick. The amount of heat transmit increased with the diameter of needle shaft. However, when the heat shield was installed to exclude radiant heat from the moxa stick, heat transfer was less at 10 mm below the moxa stick and no temperature change was observed at 25 mm below the moxa stick. Heat transfer by warm needling does not reach the end of needle shaft even in ø 0.8 mm needle. Conclusions : It is suggested that the radiant heat of moxa stick results in the heat transmit of acupuncture needle shaft. Thus, radiant heat transmit must be considered as one of the heat transfer characteristics of the warm needling.