Bidirectional regulation is one of the key function of acupuncture. The stimulator, mediator and receptor are the basis while the specificity of acupoints and the multi-target regulation of receptors receiving stimulation signals are the essential link of the bidirectional regulation of acupuncture. The possible mechanisms of bidirectional regulation of acupuncture are discussed in 4 aspects, i.e. homeostasis mechanism, stress reaction, central adaptive regulation and autonomic nerve regulation. Knowing the limitations of bidirectional regulation and exploring suitable researchmethods are proposed to be the key points in future researches.
Acupuncture ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy

The needle-thread integrative embedding needle consists of needle handle, needle core, thread, locker and needle guard. The thread is fixed in the core by the locker. With the needle inserted into acupoint, the locker is separated from the thread, while the thread is embedded directly into acupoint, to achieve one acupoint with one needle. This type of thread embedding needle is operated simply and safely without cross infection occurrence, easy to carry.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture Points

Acupoint is the initial response site of acupuncture stimulus and also the source link of the effect onset of acupuncture. Acupuncture is a mechanical physical stimulus. How is the mechanical force of acupuncture transduced into neuroelectrical and biochemical signals at acupoint? How does the physiochemical information of acupoint launch acupuncture effect? All of these remain the common and crucial questions in the study of acupuncture effect mechanism. Physical changes are induced in the local tissue of acupoint by needling techniques, such as the deformation and displacement of muscle fibers, which may act on the nerve ending receptors and produce electroneurographic signals. Besides, these changes may activate the mechanosensitive ion channels of the cytomembrane in acupoint site. Through cellular signal transduction, the physical signals may be transformed into chemical ones to trigger the physiochemical coupling response of acupoint microenvironment. Eventually, acupuncture effect is generated via nerves and body fluids. "The mechanical force of acupuncture", through "the physiochemical transduction", promotes the body's perception and transmits acupuncture signals. It suggests that acupoint is the "transducer" in the physiochemical information coupling response of acupuncture.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture Points

The clinical questions of acupuncture-moxibustion (Acup-Mox) guidelines are complicated, including not only the curative effect of Acup-Mox intervention measures, but also the operational elements of Acup-Mox. This paper aimed to put forward the idea and process of collecting clinical questions in developing international acupuncture clinical practice guidelines. The experience was collected and the idea of collecting clinical questions of Acup-Mox was formed through expert consultation and discussion in combination with expert opinions. Based on the characteristics of Acup-Mox discipline. This paper put forward the thinking of collecting elements of clinical questions following the intervention-population-outcome-control (I-P-O-C) inquiry process, according to the discipline of Acup-Mox. It was emphasized that in the process of collecting clinical questions, "treatable population" and "alleviable outcome indicators" for a specific Acup-Mox intervention with certain therapeutic effect should be focused on, so as to highlight the pertinence of clinical questions of Acup-Mox guidelines in terms of population and outcome elements.
Moxibustion ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture

Acupuncture ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans

The diseases recommended to be treated by acupuncture and the recommendation in the National Guideline Clearinghouse (NGC) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) were summarized, and the diseases recommended were analyzed. The guidelines which mentioned acupuncture in NICE and NGC were searched and classified according to the types of diseases and intensity of recommendations. As a result, 45 guidelines in NGC were included, involving 59 recommendations; 29 guidelines in the NICE, involving 29 recommendations. The diseases recommended by NICE and NGC were mainly pain-related diseases, and the diseases recommended by NGC were wider. However, both needed to further describe the specific operation methods of acupuncture.
Acupuncture Therapy

Analogy is the significant thinking method in TCM and it has been recorded abundantly in ancient literature of TCM. The analogy idea had been adopted in the connotation of the reinforcing and reducing principle and method of traditional acupuncture, such as the reinforcing and reducing manipulation techniques, the timing of the reinforcing and reducing method and the effects of . In view of the analogy idea, the relevant reinforcing and reducing principles andmethods of traditional acupuncture were collated and analyzed in the article. It is anticipated that the origin and essence of reinforcing and reducing principles and methods can be better identified and this thinking characteristic of ancient acupuncture theory be widely understood and fully emphasized.
Acupuncture Therapy

The electronic questionnaire was adopted to survey the international demand on
Acupuncture ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture, Ear ; Electroacupuncture ; Moxibustion

The historical origin of hand acupuncture therapies were collected. The positioning method, acupuncture manipulation and dominant diseases, etc. were compared among 8 kinds of extensively used hand acupuncture schools, such as traditional hand acupuncture, Korean finger needle and
Acupuncture ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Needles ; Schools

From "arrival of
Acupuncture ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Qi ; Sensation