Korean J Anesthesiol.  2006 Sep;51(3):354-358. 10.4097/kjae.2006.51.3.354.

Effective Acupoint of Electroacupuncture on Ankle-sprained Pain in Rats

• Cho HS
• Yang M
• Yoo RG
• Hahm TS

• KMID: 2237437
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2006.51.3.354

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The stimulation and selection of an effective acupoint is important for producing effective analgesia in electraoacupuncture. This study examined the effect of electroacupuncture to different acupoints and investigated the effective acupoint for ankle-sprained pain in rats.
METHODS
A Sprain was produced by manually overextending the lateral ligament of the right ankle in rats. Electrical stimulation was delivered individually to five acupoints: bilateral Yangno (SI6s), contralateral Zusanli (ST36), Hapko (LI4) and Sanyinjiao (SP6). The level of pain evoked by ankle sprain was measured by the stepping force of the sprained paw during walking at pre-sprain and 24 hrs after the sprain. The effect of electroacupuncture was evaluated by the % full recovery of the stepping force at 1, 2, 4 hr after terminating electroacupuncture.
RESULTS
Electrical stimulation to SI6 and ST36 among the five acupoints produced a significant increase in the % full recovery of the stepping force of the ankle-sprained paw during walking.
CONCLUSIONS
The effective acupoints for electroacupuncture on ankle-sprained pain in rats is SI6 and ST36. These points are relatively specific to ankle-sprain. It is important to select the appropriate acupoint for effective electroacupuncture-induced analgesia.

Keyword

acupoint; ankle-sprained pain; electroacupuncture

MeSH Terms

Acupuncture Points*
Analgesia
Animals
Ankle
Ankle Injuries
Collateral Ligaments
Electric Stimulation
Electroacupuncture*
Rats*
Sprains and Strains
Walking