Modulation of Gluteus Medius Strength by Yang Qiao Mai Stimulation: A Multiple Case Report

Yang Qiao Mai, one of the eight channels known as extraordinary meridians, is used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to relieve tension in the lateral muscles of the legs. According to TCM, each extraordinary vessel has main points, coalescent points, and one single master point (BL62 Shenmai for Yang Qiao Mai), which can influence the entire path of the meridian. We performed a test which involved measuring the changes in abduction strength of the gluteus medius following stimulation with a new type of photobiomodulation device, which delivers a very low level of modulated light on the BL62 Shenmai acupuncture point. Twenty-two healthy volunteers were measured, stimulated, and the measurement repeated 30 minutes after the first measurement. In addition to showing a regulatory effect of the stimulation, the test confirmed that a modulated red-light emission with a stimulus duration of 20 s for a total delivered energy of 0.35 mJ can induce an acupuncture-like response, even in the short term. The difference between the two body sides generally results as being around 6 Kg: this figure appears to be a physiological limit, probably due to an anatomical compensation of the body asymmetries. These results offer a new insight into the interpretation of the signaling process along the meridians, and appears to involve the return to homeostasis of the extracellular soft tissue matrix promoted by the photon flow.