Generating-sensation and propagating-myoelectrical responses along the meridian

Sci China C Life Sci. 2002 Feb;45(1):105-12. doi: 10.1360/02yc9012.

Abstract

The meridian phenomena are closely associated with the neuro-muscular function. Our experiments show that meridian phenomenon, acupoint stimulation-induced generating-sensations along meridians (GSM), does exist in some volunteers, and the subjects can describe the characteristics of the feelings and the route of GSM. Simultaneously, GSM is often accompanied with progressive myoelectric activity along the meridian which is able to be recorded objectively. Brachial plexus anesthesia and regional neuro-muscular block may arrest these responses while the neuro-muscular blocking agent may stop neuromuscular transmission at the motor end-plate rather than check GSM. The facts reveal that GSM probably depends on muscular activity and is involved in the secondary neuro-muscular excitation propagating along the longitudinal axis of muscles. These findings suggest that the myoelectric activities constitute the foundation of secondarily generating-sensation propagating along the longitudinal orientation of limbs (muscles), or along the meridian.