Research on the Characteristics of Infrared Radiation Spectra at Zigong Acupoint within Menstrual Cycle of Healthy Female

The purpose of this study was to observe the characteristics of infrared radiation spectrum of Zigong acupoint (EX-CA1) within the menstrual cycle of healthy female. We used highly sensitive infrared radiation spectrum detection system and phase-locked amplification technology to detect and analyse the infrared radiation spectrum from 1.5μm to 18μm of 32 healthy female before, during, and after menstruation at EX-CA1 and control points. The results showed that the total radiation intensity of left EX-CA1 was significantly higher than that of left control point (P <0.05) at the whole menstrual cycle, and the difference between right EX-CA1 and right control points was statistically significant before and after menstruation (P <0.05), no statistical difference during menstruation. Previous studies found that the radiation near 15μm was correlated with glucose metabolism. The results of this study showed that there were statistical differences in 10 wavelengths between left EX-CA1 and left control point from 14μm to 18μm, and there were statistical differences in 3 wavelengths on the right side (P <0.05). The left side is more prominent than the right side. The infrared radiation intensity of EX-CA1 decreased gradually with the change of cycle rhythm within menstrual cycle, but there was no statistical difference in this trend. There was no statistical difference in total radiation intensity between the right and left side of EX-CA1. Compared with the control points, the number of different wavelengths between left EX-CA1 and left control point during menstruation was significantly larger than that between right EX-CA1 and right control point (P <0.001). The results indicated that the energy of EX-CA1 was higher than control points. There was no difference in the radiation intensity between the right and left sides of EX-CA1 but there was acupoint laterality compared with nonacupoints. There was no significant rhythmic change in infrared radiation intensity of EX-CA1 during the menstrual cycle.