The points of Chongmai (thoroughfare vessel) recorded in Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor 's Inner Classic) were shared with those of foot-shaoyin meridian in Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing (The Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion). Since the Song Dynasty, all of these points were gradually reassigned to the foot-shaoyin meridian, in the way of "the points of foot-shaoyin meridian, and the confluence points of Chongmai ". The paper presents the evolution of the meridian tropism of these points and analyzes the underlying causative factors. It is proposed that Chongmai was developed in the later time, based on the abdominal pulsating blood vessels and mixed with the theories of other meridians that had been earlier formed. It is pointed that the functions of these points on the abdomen are extensive, without the clear meridian specificity. It is rational why the association of these points with meridian is ambiguous. Besides, the relevant theory and practice of this specificity also affect the evolution of the attribution of Chongmai points. Based on the above analysis, the paper presents the exploration on the theories and the problems of theoretic construction such as the relationship between meridians and acupoints, between the regular meridians and the extraordinary meridians, and the ways of the related expressions and descriptions.
Humans ; Meridians ; Acupuncture Points ; History, Ancient ; Medicine in Literature/history* ; China

Through analyzing the every textual research literature on the origin of the location method of ashi points, it is pointed out that the location method of ashi points has been generalized. It is known through systematic research and theoretical identification that this method refers to the simple way to locate the points, originated from the folk, and it is widely used to find the sites for pain relief when compared to the official education of meridians and acupoints, as well as treatment. At the time with the shortage of medical services and supplies, the poor people had no alternative, which results in a certain limitation. Modern acupuncture practitioners must associate ashi points with the acupoints of fourteen meridians and the extraordinary points in clinical practice, and deepen the exploration with modern medical knowledge and technology adopted.
Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Meridians ; History, Ancient ; Medicine in Literature ; China

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the disease patterns and acupoint selection characteristics of acupuncture for epilepsy in ancient acupuncture texts, providing references and ideas for clinical acupuncture treatment of epilepsy. METHODS: Texts from the Chinese Medical Classics (5th edition) regarding acupuncture for epilepsy are reviewed. The frequency of acupoints, meridian association, distribution, specific points, corresponding epilepsy subtypes, and needling techniques are statistically analyzed. The Apriori algorithm is used for association rule analysis, and a complex network analysis is conducted for high-frequency acupoints and their corresponding subtypes and treatments. RESULTS: A total of 205 acupuncture prescriptions are identified. Ancient texts favored differentiation-based treatments for epilepsy, primarily classified into epilepsy, wind epilepsy, and five epilepsy. Commonly used acupoints include Baihui (GV20), Jiuwei (CV15), Shenmen (HT7), Shenting (GV24), and Xinshu (BL15), with a focus on the acupoints of the governor vessel, the bladder meridian, and the conception vessel. The acupoints on the head, face are combined with the acupoints on the limbs, with skillful use of the five-shu points and intersection acupoints. The most frequent combinations are Shenmen (HT7)-Baihui (GV20), Shenting (GV24)-Baihui (GV20), and Xinshu (BL15)-Shenmen (HT7). Visual network analysis revealed that Baihui (GV20)-Shenting (GV24), Baihui (GV20)-Shenmen (HT7), and Baihui (GV20)-Zhaohai (KI6) are core acupoint combinations. Treatment mainly involved moxibustion or combined acupuncture and moxibustion. CONCLUSION The acupoint selection for epilepsy treatment in ancient texts is precise, frequently using Baihui (GV20), Jiuwei (CV15), Shenmen (HT7), Shenting (GV24), and Xinshu (BL15), etc., with emphasis on calming epilepsy, awakening the spirit, relaxing tendons, and nourishing the heart.
Acupuncture Points ; Humans ; Epilepsy/history* ; History, Ancient ; Acupuncture Therapy/history* ; Medicine in Literature/history* ; Meridians ; China

Professor LI Zhidao puts forward the application of "group acupoints" in his clinical practice by imitating the mutual reinforcement and mutual assistance of Chinese herbal medicine. It is based on the theory as "where is the acupoint located, what are the indications of this acupoint"; and consists with the specific actions of ancient needling techniques at acupoints. The distribution of "group acupoints" is in line with the "located by the region division of the head and trunk, and by the meridians on the four extremities", which is recorded in Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing (the Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion). It shows "the importance of the relationship between acupoints and zangfu", and "the emphasis on the distribution of nerves and muscles" respectively. In clinical practice, controlling needling sensation is the essence of this technique at "group acupoints", the integration of acupoints and needling technique is the basic requirement, and the step-by-step needling manipulation is critical for obtaining the therapeutic effect. "Group acupoints" combined with specific needling technique advance the application efficiency and the effect of acupoints.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Humans ; China ; History, 20th Century ; Meridians ; Medicine in Literature ; Acupuncture/history*

The paper introduces Professor ZHUANG Lixing's academic thought on Daoqi Tongjing (directing qi to preserve essence) needling technique and the clinical experience. Based on Huangdi Neijing (the Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic), Dongyuan needling technique and Professor JIN Rui 's Daoqi Tongjing needling method, and by inheriting the valuable experience from the ancient masters and associating with his own clinical practices, Professor ZHUANG Lixing fully displayes the characteristics of principles, methods, formulas, acupoints and techniques of acupuncture in diagnosis and treatment of diseases. He integrates the thought of regulating the mind with Daoqi Tongjing needling. This needling method focuses on directing qi through mind regulation and needle manipulation, in which, the operation steps are refined. Besides, this needling method involves both the reinforcing and reducing techniques. The satisfactory effect of this needling has been obtained in clinical treatment for many disorders such as qi reversion and disharmony of yin and yang.
Acupuncture Therapy/instrumentation* ; Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; China ; Qi ; History, Ancient ; Medicine in Literature

By analyzing the understandings of water points (acupoints connected with the kidney) and its association with water (kidney), zangfu organs and meridian-collateral recorded in Suwen: Shuire Xue Lun (Discussion on Water and Heat Diseases in Plain Question), it is found that the recognition on the water points is different from that on water diseases in Huangdi Neijing (the Yellow Emperor 's Inner Classic). The recognition on the water points focuses on the core theory, "rooted at the kidney", to explain the water diseases. Besides, in association with the study on the connotation of "luo" in Huangdi Neijing, it is discovered that "yinluo" discussed in water points is actually the misunderstanding of "zang zhi yinluo" that means "the connection by the kidney". It is shown that the discussion of water points refer to the elaboration of zangfu organs and 57 acupoints connected with water (the kidney), rather than the theory of collaterals. The characteristics of these 57 acupoints involved and the related needling techniques provide a new approach to the treatment of zangfu diseases.
Acupuncture Points ; Humans ; Meridians ; China ; History, Ancient ; Medicine in Literature ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/history* ; Acupuncture Therapy/history*

In Weisheng Baojian (Treasures on Health), the compatibility of Qihai (CV6) and Zusanli (ST36) was widely used in the medical cases treated with acupuncture and moxibustion. Through analyzing the medical cases and summarizing the rules of acupoint compatibility, it is found that LUO Tianyi's idea of moxibustion at these two acupoints was different from the other medical masters. He combined these two acupoints in line with "spleen and stomach theory", rather than from the perspective of the direct relationship of acupoints with syndromes and zangfu organs. It reflects the diversity in the understanding of the human body and diseases among medical masters. Therefore, in order to analyze the representative understandings of ancient medical masters on the connotation and rules of acupuncture and moxibustion, we cannot simply focus on the summary from acupuncture-moxibustion masters. It is suggested that the analysis should be expended in the entire field of traditional Chinese medicine to explore the general rules of treatment with acupuncture and moxibustion, investigate the differences, and deepen the basic reasons of the distinction.
Moxibustion/history* ; Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy/history* ; China ; History, Ancient ; Medicine in Literature ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/history*

The paper introduces 5 books written by WANG Mengying, including Suixiju Chongding Huoluan Lun, Guiyan Lu, Wenre Jingwei, Wang Mengying Yi'an and Suixiju Yinshipu; and analyzes the ideas of diagnosis and treatment of cholera and the academic thoughts in treatment with acupuncture-moxibustion therapy. In pathogenesis, cholera is classified into cold and heat types. Cholera of heat type roots on qi and blood. If the pathogenic factors are mild and located shallowly, the sneezing method, followed by scraping method, is adopted to open meridians and collaterals, as well as the qi level, so as to eliminate pathogens. When the pathogens go deeply, the bloodletting technique is used to clean the toxic heat in blood level and reduce the reversed qi. For cholera of cold type, warm ironing moxibustion is delivered to promote qi circulation and disperse cold, and improve qi movement. If spasm and syncope occur in cholera, no matter of cold or heat identification, the emergent measure is operated with the external application of pungent, warm and salty herbal plaster at Yongquan (KI1). When the pathogens are almost eliminated, the herbal medicines are combined to treat the symptoms and remove the causative factors of the disease.
Acupuncture Therapy/history* ; Moxibustion/history* ; Humans ; Cholera/history* ; China ; History, Ancient ; Medicine in Literature ; Books/history*

It attempts to determine the theoretical connotation and clinical application of the twelve-meridian based syndrome/pattern differentiation of TCM through the systematic analysis and elaboration, so as to promote the completion of meridian differentiation system. The exploration is conducted on the main body of traditional meridian-syndrome differentiation, meaning the meridian differentiation in terms of location of illness and that in terms of symptoms. The existing problems and causes are analyzed, and the specific methods of meridian differentiation put forward in line with the characteristics of meridian distribution and symptoms. In reference with Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperors' Canon of Medicine) and other ancient literature, the theoretical evidences of meridian differentiation are deeply analyzed in view of physiological/pathological characteristics that has been neglected in the past, such as qi and blood of meridians, opening, closing and pivoting, and time. Additionally, the category issues related to twelve-meridian differentiation and their relationship with six-meridian differentiation are expounded. The summary on the multiple connotations of twelve-meridian differentiation is of great significance on re-understanding meridians, perfecting meridian-collateral differentiation system and improving the accuracy on meridian-based treatment. Besides, the reconstruction of meridian differentiation and its framework is considered profoundly.
Meridians ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; History, Ancient ; Acupuncture Points ; Medicine in Literature

In 2012, a total of eight medical books were compiled from Tianhui medical bamboo slips unearthed in Chengdu, Sichuan, China, which for the first time, recorded bafa (ba technique) and acupuncture technique. Bafa is only found in Tianhui medical bamboo slips. Based on the records in medical bamboo slips, it is believed that the essential theory of bafa refers to an outlook of life for the harmony between form and spirit, meaning "the heart mind is the monarch of form". It is the initial view of physique centered on five-zang organs. In clinical application, bafa is used for prevention of diseases in four seasons, specially for wubi (five-bi disorders) and wufeng (five-wind disorders), covering a extensive parts of the body. Compared with the stone technique, "bafa must work on meridian points, while stone on meridians". Bafa is often used for deficiency syndrome, while stone technique is for excess syndrome. Hence, these two types of technique should be applied cautiously. It is speculated that bafa is an external therapeutic method based on the theory of meridian medicine in the Han Dynasty.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; China ; History, Ancient ; Meridians ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/history* ; Books/history* ; Acupuncture Points ; Medicine in Literature