J Altern Complement Med. 2000 Apr; 6(2): 149-55.

Are acupuncture points tender? A blinded study of Spleen 6.

Janovsky B, White AR, Filshie J, Hart A, Ernst E.

Department of Complementary Medicine, School of Postgraduate Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, United Kingdom.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the methodology for investigating the tenderness of acupuncture points, with particular reference to the hypothesis that the point Spleen 6 (SP6) is more tender in women than in men. DESIGN: Single-blind, observational study with volunteers. SETTING: University of Exeter, U.K. SUBJECTS: Student volunteers, 13 male and 13 female. OUTCOME MEASURES: Pressure thresholds at SP6, a control acupuncture point Stomach 36, and two nonacupuncture control sites in each leg were measured weekly for 4 weeks. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found between the pressure thresholds of SP6 in women and those in men. CONCLUSION: The present study provides no strong evidence to support the hypothesis that the acupuncture point SP6 is more tender in women and in men. Recommendations for further investigations are discussed.