Changes of Skin Temperature of Acupoint Regions of the Governor Meridian after Moxibustion Stimulation

To observe changes of skin temperature along the Governor Vessel (GV) after moxibustion stimulation.A total of 36 healthy volunteer subjects were recruited in the present study. The skin temperature of Mingmen (GV 4), Dazhui (GV 14), Shenzhu (GV 12), Zhiyang (GV 9), Zhongshu (GV 7), Yaoyangguan (GV 3) regions and their bilateral control sites (1.5 cun lateral to GV 4) was detected by using a Thermo Tracer TH 9100.Following moxibustion stimulation of GV 4 region, a marked infrared radiant track along the central part of the back covering the GV was observed in the healthy volunteer subjects, and the skin temperature levels of both GV 4 and its bilateral control points were significantly increased (P < 0.001). The skin temperature of GV 4 was remarkably higher than those of both left and right control points (P < 0.001). After moxibustion stimulation, the average skin temperature levels of GV 9, GV 7, GV 4 and GV 3 were all up-regulated in comparison with pre-moxibustion (P < 0.01).Moxibustion stimulation of Mingmen (GV 4) can induce an infrared radiant track along the central part of the back covering the GV and raise skin temperature of acupoint areas of the GV.