Murine Pain Behavioral Testing to Study the Effect of Tuina Therapy

To conduct the Von Fray test, begin by placing the rats in a transparent tempered glass compartment on a metal wire grid stand at a height of 40 centimeters. Next, measure the mechanical withdrawal threshold with Von Frey electronic fibers. Stimulate the rat's foot until it reacts noticeably, such as by lifting the leg or avoiding it.

To assess the paw withdrawal latency, or PWL using the Hargreaves method, focus the spotlight on the center of the rat's foot and press the start button. Monitor the rat for behaviors such as foot retraction or paw licking, and press the start button again to record the time. Perform the test on the same hind limb three consecutive times.

After 17 days of Tuina therapy, a significant difference was observed in paw withdrawal thresholds between the CCD rats receiving Tuina therapy and the untreated CCD group. The rats in the CCD group receiving Tuina therapy showed improvement in pain threshold from the beginning of treatment. Thermal pain thresholds differed significantly between the CCD group and the Tuina group from day 14.