Effects of Electro-Acupuncture(E-A) and Scalp-Acupuncture(S-A) on the Plasma Cortisol in neck, shoulder and upper limb pain

전침(電鍼)과 두침(頭鍼)이 경(頸)-견(肩)-상지부(上肢部) 동통(疼痛) 환자(患者)의 혈장(血漿) Cortisol에 미치는 영향(影響)

The purpose of this study was to know the difference of the effect between the E- A and the S-A. The 19 patients complaining the pain on the neck, shoulder and upper limb were chosen, divided and controled by two groups; One was the E-A group treated at upper limb meridian point, the other was the therapy group treated by S-A at the scalp and E-A at upper limb meridian point together. In 20 minutes after treatment, the change of plasma cortisol concentration was observed. The results were as follows: 1. In E-A group, there was no significant change of plasma cortisol concentration. 2. In S-A and E-A group, there was significant increase to plasma cortisol concentration. In conclusion, it seems that the increased stimulation by the treatment of S-A and E-A together has close relation with the plasma cortisol concentration. And the further study about the intensity of acupuncture stimulation and S-A is expected.