Analysis of temperature specificity at acupoints based on infrared thermography

As key sites where qi and blood from the meridians infuse into the body surface, acupoints exhibit temperature specificity, which is of great significance for both acupuncture theory and clinical practice. While numerous studies have reported patterns of temperature variations across different acupoints, systematic and comprehensive analyses remain scarce. This study investigates temperature specificity at acupoints using infrared thermography and reveals the following: (1) significant temperature differences exist between acupoint and non-acupoint areas, with variations across physiological states and needling interventions; (2) the symmetry and balance of acupoint temperatures reflect the body′ s physiological status—healthy individuals exhibit symmetrical and balanced temperatures, whereas pathological states disrupt this pattern; (3) under different disease conditions, acupoint temperatures demonstrate bidirectional changes, which may provide a basis for auxiliary diagnosis and treatment; (4) acupoint temperature profiles align closely with meridian theory, and different acupuncture modalities exert distinct regulatory effects. This paper summarizes the patterns of temperature variation at acupoints and provides guidance for clinical practice and future research directions.