The Dynamic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Imaging Of The Acupuncture On The Shousanli Points

Objective To observe the anatomical characteristics of the Shousanli points in acupuncture by high-frequency ultrasound. And have a preliminary discussion on acupuncture curative effect mechanism of anatomy.Methods Fifteen participants received needling at two Shousanli points,high-frequency ultrasound was used to observe the dynamic process of acupuncturing, at the same moment, recording the position of needle tips when acupuncturing the Shousanli points, and the anatomical structures corresponding with “deqi” during acupuncture in 30 cases.Results All of the 15 volunteers with 30 Shousanli points got “deqi”, the needle tips position :13 in The extensor carpi radialis muscle, 9 in the fascia between extensor carpi radialis muscle and supination muscle,2 in the shallow supinator muscle,4 in the fascia between the shallow and the deep supinator muscle,1 in the deep supinator muscle,1 in the surface of radius.So,there were 28(28/30,93.33%) mainly in near fascia or where fascia concentrated when volunteers presented strong “Deqi”,and 2(2/30,6.67%)were in superficial structure when volunteers presented strong “Deqi”. During traditional acupuncture needling, the acupuncturist performed a series of rapid rotating and pistoning motions,this “tug” on the needle was the result of connective tissue winding around the needle during needle rotation. the tissue arounding followed moving. High-frequency ultrasound can provide clear observation of the very small nerve distribution in fascia around the needle points in acupuncture. The ultrasound image showed many small branches of the deep branch of radial nerve along the fascia,the image of the small nerve on cross section was in mesh sample and the echo was slightly lower than fascia tissue around it.Conclusions High-frequency ultrasound can provide real-time, dynamic and accurate observation of the fascia and the very small nerve distribution in fascia around the needle points in acupuncture,which suggestsing that acupuncture mechanism may associated with fascial connective tissue and intra-fascial nerve,providing an anatmical basis for clarifying the acupuncture mechanism.Ultrasound can provide tissue morphology and biomechanical information at the same time. and the quantitative determination of acupuncture position.Ultrasound is expected to provide new methods for clarifying the acupuncture mechanism and the standardization of acupuncture.