Research on the acupuncture principles and meridian phenomena by means of infrared thermography.

In this study, the observation on acupuncture manner, the specificity of acupoints, maintaining needle and "MiuCi" needling, manual and electrical acupuncture, the thermal characteristics of meridians etc. were carried out in order to apply the thermography in the research of principles of acupuncture and meridian phenomena thus create a way to approach to the mechanism of acupuncture effect. Results showed a good prospect for this technique being widely used in the investigation of acupuncture and meridians and its practical significance. It's also identified that the thermography with the advantages of straight-forward, objective and simple fitted to be used in the research of acupuncture and meridians.