Acupuncture- and Intermittent Compression-Induced Changes in Blood Circulation of Tendon

The purpose of this study was to compare changes in blood circulation (blood volume and oxygen saturation [StO₂]) of tendon by acupuncture (insertion depth of the needle was 4 mm) and intermittent compression. Thirteen healthy volunteers (12 males and 1 female; age: 26.9 ± 9.8 years) participated in this study. Before the treatments (10 min for acupuncture, 3 min for intermittent compression, and 10 min for control condition) and the recovery period (40 min), the blood volume (total hemoglobin [THb]) and StO₂ of treated and nontreated Achilles tendons were measured using red laser lights. Regarding the acupuncture-induced changes in blood circulation of tendons, THb and StO₂ of the treated tendon suddenly increased during acupuncture with up-and-down manipulation, and those of the treated and nontreated tendons gradually increased after removal of the needle. The authors were not able to present the measured variables during intermittent compression, since obvious noises were observed. After acupuncture and intermittent compression, THb and StO₂ of the treated tendon remained high during the recovery period and those of the nontreated tendon gradually increased during the latter half of the recovery period. There were no differences in the mean changes of THb or StO₂ of the treated and nontreated tendons during the recovery period between acupuncture and intermittent compression. Under the control condition, no significant changes were noted in the measured variables. These results suggest that intermittent compression to the tendon brought about increases in tendon blood circulation similar to those induced by acupuncture.