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 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

OBJECTIVETo probe into the reflection of "artery" phenomenon in human channels.

METHODSFind out the discussion about "artery" from ancient medical books and compare with Chinese ancient philosophy thoughts.

RESULTSIn TCM, "artery" has been used as reference in differentiating channels. The circulation system of channels is possibly established on the expectation of "to and fro circulation" in the Chinese philosophy, and the power of channels originates from the qi stored between the kidney, and the pricking blood therapy was used for treatment of many kinds of diseases in ancient times.

CONCLUSIONStudy on channels should pay attention to this link of "artery".

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.

With retrieval of the ancient medical classics, the descriptions on meridians and collaterals are checked, and the different methods, way of thinking and presuppositions on experiment of propagated sensation along meridian are studied and compared in this paper. The result shows that the basic feature of meridians and collaterals is based on not the propagated sensation along meridian, but the arteriopalmus. Therefore, propagated sensation along meridian can not reflect the entity of meridian. It is the abuse of inference to conclude that the result of "experiment of progated sensation along meridian" equals to meridians and collaterals. The experimental methods are difficult to be applied on part of the meridian theory that is gained through experiences and practice. Thus, a new foothold should be taken as the basis of study on essence of meridians.
Acupuncture Points ; Humans ; Meridians ; Sensation

Lingshu: Gudu (Miraculous Pivot: Bone-Length Measurement) is compared with literatures concerning the Shushu (ancient Chinese numerology) of the Qin Dynasty (221 B. C. - 206 B. C. ) and the Han Dynasty (206 B. C.-220 A. D.) in this article. And it is discovered that "the number of heaven and earth" in Yijing (The Book of Change) was implied in the bone-length measurement. The theory of Shushu is hidden in the sized of head, neck, chest, abdomen, back and 4 extremities according to the measurement. The meaning of establishment of bone-length measurement, which is found to have universality, laid in setting down the measurement of meridians. And it is the origin of the proportional measurement of locating acupoints. Checked with the theory of Shushu, errors in the description of bone-length measurement could also be found in Lingshu: Gudu (Miraculous Pivot: Bone-Length Measurement) of the present edition, which is helpful for the modern study on the measurement.
Acupuncture ; history ; Acupuncture Points ; China ; History, Ancient ; Humans ; Medicine in Literature ; Meridians

The function, circulation, distribution and characteristics of Weiqi (Defensive qi) in ancient literatures are retrieved and extracted in this article to analyze and study the theory of "applying acupuncture according to the properties of Weiqi (Defensive qi)" in Internal Classic. The result shows that Deqi (arrival of qi) is closely related with Weiqi (Defensive qi). The circulation of Weiqi (Defensive qi) has its own temporal regularity, which should be followed by the application of acupuncture. The gathering and scattering of Weiqi (Defensive qi) can be used to explain the relationship between distribution of acupoint and curative effect. Circulation of Weiqi (Defensive qi) is influenced by yang qi in the universe which varies according to seasonal factors. Therefore, acupoint selection according to time should not be adopted mechanically. Furthermore, the circulation of Weiqi (Defensive qi) can be either independent or identical with the channels. Therefore, it is still under discussion whether the needling sensation is actually transmit along the channels in the experiment of "propagated sensation along channels".
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; history ; China ; History, Ancient ; Humans ; Medicine in Literature ; Qi ; Seasons

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