Towards the development of a mathematical model for acupuncture meridians

Author(s): Birch, S., Tiller, W.

Journal/Book: Acupuncture and Electro-Therapeutics Research. 1989; 14(3-4): 217-226.

Abstract: Traditional concepts of classical acupuncture and Chinese medicine come from a culture which is very different from ours, and there has been considerable problems in their accurate presentation. Our approach is to attempt the development of a mathematical language that links these traditional concepts theoretically to models that can be experimentally tested. We first review some of Manaka's findings, confirmed also by our results, having to do with low intensity stimuli. In particular, Manaka applied polarized agents such as Cu(+) and Zn(-) to nonacupuncture points on a meridian and to the so called "mother and child" points on a meridian. In both cases he observed the pressure pain reaction which increased for one orientation of Cu and Zn on the meridian and decreased for the opposite orientation. Note that in the case of "mother and child" points the observed reaction was in agreement with the so called "five phase (five element)" theory. Also, in the case of the "mother and child" points the effect usually lasted considerably longer than in the case of nonacupuncture points on a meridian. Taking into account the connection between Manaka's results and skin electrical measurements by some electrodermal diagnostic instruments such as Motoyama's AMI, we discuss some equivalent electric circuits for a single meridian and relate them to the nervous system response. In particular, an electrical circuit model similar to the synapse membrane with two ionic channels seems to be especially useful when we try to explain Manaka's clinical results and Motoyama's results on the velocity of propagation of electrical impulses along meridians. We also develop a mathematical model in the form of a linear five dimensional dynamical system of the so called "five phase (five element)" laws such as "creative" cycle, "controlling" cycle, etc., in the case of a single meridian. We connect this model with the membrane type model mentioned above by assuming a simple mass action law, for the dependence of the conductances in the ionic channels on the input signals. This combined model is used to describe the development of a "disease" and its treatment according to the "five phase" theory. Here we interpret the "disease" as a blockage in a meridian, while the treatment initiates the unblocking process.

Keyword(s): Human

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