The existence of propagated sensation along the meridian proved by neuroelectrophysiology

Propagated sensation along the meridian can occur when acupoints are stimulated by acupuncture or electrical impulses. In this study, participants with notable propagated sensation along the me- ridian were given electro-acupuncture at the Jianyu （LI15） acupoint of the large intestine meridian. When participants stated that the sensation reached the back of their hand, reguJar nervous system action discharge was examined using a physiological recording electrode placed on the superficial branch of the radial nerve. The topographical maps of brain-evoked potential in the primary cortical somatosensory area were also detected. When Guangming （GB37） acupoint in the lower limb and Hegu （LI4） acupoint in the upper limb were stimulated, subjects without propagated sensation along the meridian exhibited a high potential reaction in the corresponding area of the brain cortical somatosensory area. For subjects with a notable propagated sensation along the meridian, the re- action area was larger and extended into the face representative area. These electrophysiological measures directly prove the existence of propagated sensation along the meridian, and the periph- eral stimulated site is consistent with the corresponding primary cortical somatosensory area, which presents a high potential reaction.