A new acupuncture study finds that asthma patients emanate lower infrared radiation output from an important acupuncture point related to the health of the lungs. A study of 34 asthmatics and 34 healthy patients documented measurements of the infrared radiation emanating from acupuncture point LU9, a key lung-related acupuncture point located on the wrist. The results demonstrate that asthmatics emanate a lower intensity of infrared radiation from LU9 across a wide wavelength spectrum compared with healthy patients.

About the Acupuncture Point
LU9 (Taiyuan, Supreme Abyss, Lung 9) is a shu-stream, earth and source point of the Lung channel. It is also the influential point of the vessels. Located at the wrist in the depression between the radial artery and the abductor pollicis longus tendon, LU9 is traditionally used to tonify the Lungs. It helps to descend Lung Qi, transform phlegm and  benefit the vessels. Indications include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, dry throat and local pain of the wrist. From a Five Element perspective, LU9 is an earth point thereby making it a mother point. In the mother nourishes son relationship, LU9 is a tonic point. Combined with its designation as a source (yuan) point, this makes LU9 particularly well suited to strengthening the lungs.

Reference:
The infrared radiation spectrum of acupoint Taiyuan (LU 9) in asthma patients. ZHOU Yu, SHEN Xue-yong, WANG Li-zhen, WEI Jian-zi, CHENG Ke.

Faculty of Acupuncture-Moxibustion, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.

Faculty of Acupuncture-Moxibustion, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai.

Shanghai Research Center for Acupuncture & Meridian, Shanghai, China. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2012, 32(2).