Objective To observe the effect of Guasha(scraping) of Weizhong(BL 40) on the cutaneous blood perfusion of Qihaishu(BL 24) region of the Bladder Meridian on the back.Methods Ten healthy volunteer subjects were recuited in the present study.Weizhong(BL 40

at the politeal fossa) area was repeatedly scraped till regional flush using a cornu bubali scraping plate for 5 min after applying scraping oil to the regional skin.Then blood perfusion levels of the skin microcirculation around Weizhong(BL 40) and Qihaishu(BL 24) regions on the ipsilateral back were detected using a Laser Doppler flowmetry(PeriScan PIMⅡ).Results Following scraping Weizhong(BL 40) region

the cutaneous blood perfusion levels in the stimulated region were increased significantly at the time-points of 0

15

60 and 90 min after scraping(P<0.001

P<0.01)

while those of Qihaishu(BL 24) area at the lumbar part also showed a remarkable increase 15

60 and 90 min after scraping compared with the basic value(P<0.05).A positive correlation was found between BL 40 and BL 24 areas in the cutaneous blood perfusion levels after scraping BL 40(P<0.05).Conclusion Scraping stimulation of Weizhong(BL 40) can improve the cutaneous microcirculation of the stimulated BL 40 and Qihaishu(BL 24) regions in healthy volunteers

suggesting a close connection between BL 40 and the back described in Chinese medicine.