The ancient medical classics were retrieved to explore narrative on acupoints. And the relevant content of legal calendar in Shiji (Historical Records) and Hanshu (History of the Former Han Dynasty) were taken as a reference. The result showed that the total number of acu-points were based on the number of 365 days of a year. And the corrupts can be restored with the theory of numerology. The 59 heat point originated from the phase of moon, while the 57 water points originated from the number or year related with diasters. Although acupoints are considered to be related with numerology, the recognition of hot points and water points are held to be associated with experiential points in clinic.
Acupuncture ; history ; Acupuncture Points ; China ; History, Ancient ; Humans ; Mathematical Concepts ; Medicine in Literature

The theories of Shushu in the literature of Qin and Han periods are reorganized and related expositions of foreign scholars are consulted, and Shushu theory is compared with the recordation in ancient medical books so as to probe into the relationship between Shushu and theory of meridians together with acupuncture manipulation. It is found that the eleven meridians system is the mathematical foundation of Five Shu Poits, Yuan-primary acupoints and the acupoints of all over the body, and which plays an important role in the theories of TCM. The exterior-interior relationship between viscera and meridians and circulation of ying-qi can be executed on the establishments of twelve meridians system. Shushu can affect needling instrument, needling methods, contraindications, etc. The construction of the meridians theory is full of philosophical dialectics, and it has certain subjectivity but does not influence the ancients to observe physiological phenomenon of viscera and meridians generally.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; history ; methods ; China ; History, Ancient ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; history ; methods ; Meridians

Assisted with inference, and approved by the ancient medical classics, it is concluded that meridians and collaterals are often felt in the form of qi through imitation of the methods of life experiencing of the ancient people. Ying-qi is considered as jing-qi (meridian qi), which originates from the experiences of respiration. And wei-qi relates with experiences of sleep. Part of meridian theory originated from the traditional Chinese thought of seeking the internal cause but not the external manifestations, and paying attention to the self-adjustment, accomplishment and comprehension. It is also believed that the theory of ying-qi traveling inside the meridians and wei-qi outside the meridians is based on the theory that needling sensation has close relationship with wei-qi.
Acupuncture ; history ; China ; History, Ancient ; Humans ; Medicine in Literature ; Meridians ; Qi ; history

The existing state of meridians through study of thinking way of unity of subjective and objective of the ancient people was discussed in this paper, so as to review the experiments on meridians. The result indicates that the construction of meridian theory is a life experience of checking the interior of the body, and it is considered that meridians and collaterals are the projects of the mind to the trunk and limbs under the condition of physical and psychological unification. It often differs from the experimental medicine in the identification of ultimate facts. Therefore, meridians revealed by experiments probably greatly differ from its actual existing state. Thus, experimental study of meridian should focus on theory of traditional Chinese medicine concerning the body, energy and the mind, and be applied to verify the experimental result.
Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; trends ; Meridians

The theories of Shushu in the literature of Qin and Han periods are reorganized and expositions of foreigner scholars about ancient way of thought are consulted, and compared with the recordation about the ebb-flow of ying-qi and the length of meridians in ancient medical books to probe into the relationship between Shushu and these recordation. It is found that the ebb-flow of ying-qi and the length of meridians are completely conform with the principle of Shushu, i. e. the ebb-flow degrees of ying-qi and the length of meridians all are deduced from Shushu for building the close inseparable response relation between nature and humans. Because Shushu can not be verified, modern scientific methods are not suitable to the study on the ebb-flow of ying-qi.
Humans ; Mathematics ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Meridians ; Qi ; Yin-Yang

To probe into the relation between spirit, pivot and the way for holding pivot. Find out the discussion about spirit, pivot and holding pivot in acupuncture from ancient books, including literature, history and philosophy, and analyze, check and compare with the theory of controlling spirit in acupuncture, and find out the internal relations. Controlling spirit is applied to hold pivot, the way for holding pivot includes finding fine evidence of diseases, holding chance for needling, seizing opportunity, using circumstances and considering the coming-and-going of evil, constitution of patients and reinforcing-reducing methods of acupuncture. The way of holding pivot generalizes the main thought of acupuncture treatment.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Spirituality

Ancient literatures on traditional Chinese medicine were retrieved, and theory of Biao (Branch) and Ben (Root) of meridians was studied from the aspect of acupuncture based on tracing of Weiqi (defensive qi). It was found that Biao and Ben were related with the gathering and dispersing of Weiqi (defensive qi) in 12 regular meridians. Therefore, observation of Weiqi (defensive qi) and tracing its running course is required before the application of acupuncture. Disease may cause migration of Weiqi (defensive qi) between Biao and Ben of meridians. Thus, points selection from Biao of meridians, Ben of meridians or both Biao and Ben can be adopted. Primary disease and secondary disease are held as the primary consideration for point selection from Biao or Ben. The idea can also be applied in treatment of complicated syndromes to clarify and simplify the situation. And during the treating process, physicians should proceed from Biao to Ben so as to conduct the anti-pathogenic qi to play its role in disease cure and health maintenance.
Acupuncture ; history ; Acupuncture Therapy ; history ; China ; History, Ancient ; Humans ; Medicine in Literature ; Meridians

The theory, methods and ideas of "experiment of progated sensation along meridians (PSM)" were examined in the article through retrieval of ancient medical books, excavating the theory of meridians, the qi of meridians, ying (nutrient) qi, wei (defensive) qi and the related acupuncture techniques. The result shows that PSM is not the reaction of the meridian qi, but the reflection of wei (defensive) qi. Therefore, whether the experiment of PSM revealed with the phenomenon of meridian and all hypothesis based on it or not are still remained as a question. However, although PSM is considered to be related with the wei (defensive) qi, it can not be concluded that the experiment of PSM revealed the function of the wei (defensive) qi.
Humans ; Meridians ; Qi ; Sensation ; Yin-Yang

To search ancient literature and Chinese medicine references, consult the modern humanities research achievement, and discuss the meridians theories such as "going and coming", "going along and against", "acupuncture method of reinforcing and reducing", and "deficiency and excess" etc. the results show that the ancient's space and time idea, meridian qi moving are manifested in meridian theory, and play an important role in "the unity of heaven and humanity". The pulse and circulation of meridian qi can be checked by the method of "waiting for qi arriving", and the acupuncture method of reinforcing and reducing is applied due to the "waiting for qi arriving", in order to promote qi in line with time. Nowadays, compared with ancient method, the acupuncture method of reinforcing and reducing in teaching material is lack of the time factor.
Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Meridians ; Qi

UNLABELLEDFind out the discussion about sensation response and controlling spirit in acupuncture from ancient books,

METHODSFind out the discussion about sensation response and controlling spirit in acupuncture from ancient books, including literature, history and philosophy, and analyze, check and compare with the theory of controlling spirit in acupuncture to find out the internal relations.

RESULTSControlling spirit is based on the theory of sensation response, and it is a special training and a treatment course which forwardly controlled by acupuncturist.

CONCLUSIONThe therapy of controlling spirit in acupuncture incarnates that traditional Chinese medicine advocates the experience of life and pays attention to the amalgamation of lives.