[Re-thinking the acupoint-visceral correlation: evidence from clinical literature and its biological mechanism]

Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2023 Jan 25;48(1):37-43. doi: 10.13702/j.1000-0607.20221030.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

The regularity of acupoint-viscera correlation is a basic problem in the study of acupuncture and moxibustion. At present, there are two main theories of the regularities: (1) the law of acupoint effect determined by meridian circulation; (2) segmental dominance of acupoint effect. These two regularities belong to different paradigm systems, they are not complementary relations within the same conceptual system. Based on the evidence of clinical practice of acupuncture and moxibustion, combined with the research on biological mechanisms, this paper analyzed the objectivity and universality of the regularities of acupoint-visceral correlation. The law determined by meridian of acupoint effect does not manifests the universality guiding role in the clinical practice of modern acupuncture and moxibustion, which is obviously divorced from the needs of modern clinical practice. The segmental dominance of acupoint effect has been strongly supported by the clinical practice of modern acupuncture and moxibustion, which is highly consistent with the clinical practice. The regularity of acupoint effect needs to be tested and re-identified in practice.

腧穴-内脏相关效应规律是针灸学研究的一个基本问题,目前总结有两个主要的规律:(1)腧穴效应的循经性规律;(2)腧穴效应的节段性规律。这两个规律分属于不同的范式体系,不是同一概念体系内的互补关系。本文主要从针灸临床实践证据出发,结合有关生物学机制的研究,对以上两种规律的客观性、普适性进行分析。腧穴效应的循经性规律在现代针灸临床实践过程中没有体现出普适性的指导作用,明显脱离了现代临床实践的需要;腧穴效应的节段性规律则得到了现代针灸临床实践的有力支持,与临床实践之间具有高度一致性。穴位作用规律需要在实践中检验和完善。.

Keywords: Biological mechanism; Practical evidence; Regularity determined by meridian circulation; Regularity of acupoint effect; Segmental dominance.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Acupuncture Points
  • Acupuncture Therapy*
  • Acupuncture*
  • Meridians*
  • Moxibustion*