Foreword ¢ñ

As we are walking into the 21st century, "health for all "is still an important task for the World Health Organization (WHO) to accomplish in the new century. The realization of "health for all " requires mutual cooperation and concerted efforts of various medical sciences, including traditional medicine. WHO has increasingly emphasized the development of traditional medicine and has made fruitful efforts to promote its development. Currently the spectrum of diseases is changing and an increasing number of diseases are difficult to cure. The side effects of chemical drugs have become more and more evident. Furthermore, both the governments and peoples in all  countries are faced with the problem of high cost of medical treatement. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the complete system of traditional medicine in the world with unique theory and excellent clinical curative effects, basically meets the need to solve such problems. Therefore, bringing TCM into full play in medical treatment and healthcare will certainly become one of the hot points in the world medical business in the 21st century.

Various aspects of work need to be done to promote the course of the internationalization of TCM, especially the compilation of works and textbooks suitable for international readers. The impending new century has witnessed the compilation of such a series of books known as A Newly Compiled Practical English-Chinese Library of Traditional Chinese Medicine published by the Publishing House of Shanghai University of TCM, compiled by Nanjing University of TCM and translated by Shanghai University of TCM. Professor Zuo Yanfu, the general compiler-in-chief of this Library, is a person who sets his mind on the international dissemination of TCM. He has compiled General Survey on TCM Abroad, a monograph on the development and state of TCM abroad. This Library is another important works written by the experts organized by him with the support of Nanjing University of TCM and Shanghai University of TCM. The compilation of this Library is done with consummate ingenuity and according to the development of TCM abroad. The compilers, based on the premise of preserving the genuineness and gist of TCM, have tried to make the contents concise, practical and easy to understand, making great efforts to introduce the abstruse ideas of TCM in a scientific and simple way as well as expounding the prevention and treatment of diseases which are commonly encountered abroad and can be effectively treated by TCM.

This Library encompasses a systematic summarization of the teaching experience accumulated in Nanjing University of TCM and Shanghai University of TCM that run the collaborating centers of traditional medicine and the international training centers on acupuncture and moxibustion set by WHO. I am sure that the publication of this Library will further promote the development of traditional Chinese medicine abroad and enable the whole world to have a better understanding of traditional Chinese medicine.

                   Professor Zhu Qingsheng

Vice-Ministe of Health Ministry of the People's Republic of China

Director of the State Administrative Bureau of TCM

December 14, 2000 Beijing

Foreword ¢ò

Before the existence of the modern medicine, human beings depended solely on herbal medicines and other therapeutic methods to treat diseases and preserve health. Such a practice gave rise to the establishment of various kinds of traditional medicine with unique theory and practice, such as traditional Chinese medicine, Indian medicine and Arabian Medicine, etc. Among these traditional systems of medicine, traditional Chinese medicine is a most extraordinary one based on which traditional Korean medicine and Japanese medicine have evolved.

Even in the 21st century, traditional medicine is still of great vitality. In spite of the fast development of modern medicine, traditional medicine is still disseminated far and wide. In many developing countries, most of the people in the rural areas still depend on traditional medicine and traditional medical practitioners to meet the need for primary healthcare. Even in the countries with advanced modern medicine, more and more people have begun to accept traditional medicine and other therapeutic methods, such as homeopathy, osteopathy and naturopathy, etc.

With the change of the economy, culture and living style in various regions as well as the aging in the world population, the disease spectrum has changed. And such a change has paved the way for the new application of traditional medicine. Besides, the new requirements initiated by the new diseases and the achievements and limitations of modern medicine have also created challenges for traditional medicine.

WHO sensed the importance of traditional medicine to human health early in the 1970s and have made great efforts to develop traditional medicine. At the 29th world health congress held in 1976, the item of traditional medicine was adopted in the working plan of WHO. In the following world health congresses, a series of resolutions were passed to demand the member countries to develop, utilize and study traditional medicine according to their specific conditions so as to reduce medical expenses for the realization of "health for all".

WHO has laid great stress on the scientific content, safe and effective application of traditional medicine. It has published and distributed a series of booklets on the scientific, safe and effective use of herbs and acupuncture and moxibustion. It has also made great contributions to the international standardization of traditional medical terms . The safe and effective application of traditional medicine has much to do with the skills of traditional medical practitioners. That is why WHO has made great efforts to train them. Who has made great efforts to train them. Who has run 27 collaborating centers in the world which have made great contributions to the training of acupuncturists and traditional medical practitioners. Nanjing University of TCM and Shanghai University of TCM run the collaborating centers with WHO. In recent years it has, with the cooperation of WHO and other countries, trained about ten thousand international students from over 90countries.

IN order to further promote the dissemination of traditional Chinese medicine in the world , A Newly Compiled Practical English-Chinese Library of Traditional Chinese Medicine, compiled by Nanjing University of TCM with Professor Zuo Yanfu as the general compiler-in-chief and published by the Publishing House of Shanghai University of TCM, aims a t systematic, accurate and concise expounding of traditional Chinese medical theory and introducing clinical therapeutic methods of traditional medicine according to modern medical nomenclature of diseases. Undoubtedly, this series of books will be the practical textbooks for the beginners with certain English level and the international enthusiasts with certain level of Chinese to study traditional Chinese medicine. Besides, this series of books can also serve as reference books for WHO to internationally standardize the nomenclature of acupuncture and moxibustion.

The scientific, safe and effective use of traditional medicine will certainly further promote the development of traditional medicine and traditional medicine will undoubtedly make more and more contributions to human health in the 21st century.

       Zhang Xiaorui

WHO Coordination Officer

December, 2000

 

Contents

Introduction

1. General introduction to meridians and acupoints

1.1 General introduction to meridians

1.1.1 Composition of meridian system

1.1.2 Distribution of meridian system

1.2 General introduction to acupoints

1.2.1 Classification of acupoints

1.2.2 Functions of acupoints

1.2.3 Special acupoints

1.2.4 Methods for locating acupoints

1.3 Application of the theory of meridians and acupoints

1.3.1 Theoretical elucidation

1.3.2 Guiding diagnosis and treatment

2. Specific discussions of the meridians and acupoints

2.1.1 Lung meridian of hand-taiyin

2.1.2 Pericardium meridian of hand-jueyin

2.1.3 Heart meridian of hand-shaoyin

2.1.4 Large intestine meridian of hand-yangming

2.1.5 Triple energizer meridian of hand-shaoyang

2.1.6 Small intestine meridian of hand-taiyang

2.1.7 Spleen meridian of foot-taiyin

2.1.8 Liver meridian of foot-jueyin

2.1.9 Kidney meridian of foot-shaoyin

2.1.10 Stomach meridian of foot-yangming

2.1.11 Gallbladder meridian of foot-shaoyang

2.1.12 Bladder meridian of foot-taiyang

2.2 Eight extraordinary vessels

2.2.1 Governor vessel

2.2.2 Conception vessel

2.2.3 Thoroughfare vessel

2.2.4 Belt vessel

2.2.5 Yin hell and yang hell vessels

2.2.6 Yin link and yang link vessels

2.3 Extraordinary acupoints

2.3.1 Acupoints on the head and neck

2.3.2 Acupoints on the chest and abdomen

2.3.3 Acupoints on the back

2.3.4 Acupoints on upper limbs

2.3.5 Acupoints on the lower limbs

3. Manipulating methods

3.1 Preparations prior to treatment

3.1.1 Explanation

3.1.2 Needles

3.1.3 Postures

3.1.4 Sterilization

3.2 Needling methods

3.2.1 Traditional methods

3.2.1.1 Needling with filiform needles

3.2.1.2 Needling methods of the three-edged needles

3.2.2 Modern methods

3.2.2.1 Electro-acupuncture

3.2.2.2 Acupoint injection

3.2.2.3 Scalp acupuncture

3.2.2.4 Ear acupuncture

3.3 Moxibustion methods

3.3.1 Moxibustion with moxa cone

3.3.2 Moxibustion with moxa roll

3.3.3 Moxibustion with warmed needles

3.3.4 Cautions

3.4 Cupping methods

3.4.1 Manipulations

3.4.2 Indications

3.4.3 Cautions

3.5 Needling methods for the commonly used acupoints located on different part of the body

3.5.1 Acupoints on the head, face and neck

3.5.2 Acupoints on the chest and abdomen

3.5.3 Acupoints on the back and lumbosacral region

3.5.4 Acupoints on the limbs

4. General introduction to treatment

4.1 Examination of meridians and acupoints

4.1.2 Syndrome differentiation of meridians

4.2 Therapeutic principles

4.2.1 Regulating yin and yang

4.2.2 Reinforcing healthy qi and expelling pathogenic factors

4.2.3 Concentration of treatment on the essential aspect

4.2.4 Selection of treatment according to the individual conditions

4.3 Selection of acupoints and compatibility of acupoints

4.3.1 Methods for selecting acupoints

4.3.2 Methods for the compatibility of acupoints

4.3.3 Application of special acupoints

4.4 Main factors affecting the curative effects of acupuncture and moxibustion

4.4.1 Factors concerning therapeutic principles

4.4.2 Factors concerning the use of acupoints

4.4.3 Factors concerning the manipulation

5. Specific discussions of treatment

5.1 Infectious diseases

5.1.1 Influenza

5.1.2 Mumps

5.2 Diseases of respiratory system

5.2.1 Acute and chronic bronchitis

5.2.2 Bronchial asthma

5.3 Diseases of circulatory system

5.3.1 Arrhythmia

5.3.2 Coronary heart disease

5.3.3 Hypertension

5.4 Diseases of digestive system

5.4.1 Acute gastritis

5.4.2 Chronic gastritis

5.4.3 Gastric and duodenal ulcer

5.4.4 Gastroptosis

5.4.5 Acute and chronic enteritis

5.4.6 Biliary tract infection and cholelithiasis

5.4.7 Habitual constipation

5.5 Diseases of blood system

5.5.1 Leukocytopenia

5.5.2 Primary thrombocytopenic purpura

5.6 Diseases of urinary and reproductive systems

5.6.1 Infection of urinary tract

5.6.2 Urinary tract stones

5.6.3 Retention of urine

5.6.4 Prostatitis

5.6.5 Seminal emission

5.6.6 Impotence

5.7 Endocrine and metabolism diseases

5.7.1 Hyperthyroidism

5.7.2 Diabetes

5.7.3 Simple obesity

5.8 Neural and mental diseases

5.8.1 Prosopalgia

5.8.2 Peripheral facial paralysis

5.8.3 Sciatica

5.8.4 Intercostal neuralgia

5.8.5 Angioneurotic headache

5.8.6 Sequela of apoplexy

5.8.7 Insomnia

5.8.8 Globus hystericus

5.8.9 Schizophrenia

5.9 Diseases of locomotor system

5.9.1 Cervical spondylopathy

5.9.2 Dysfunction of temporomandibular joint

5.9.3 Stiff neck

5.9.4 Scapulohumeral periarthritis

5.9.5 External humeral epicondylitis

5.9.6 Thecal cyst

5.9.7 Gonitis

5.9.8 Rheumatoid arthritis

5.9.9 Lumbago

5.9.10 Acute lumbar sprain

5.9.11 Sprain of soft tissues of the limbs

5.10 Diseases of surgery and dermatology

5.10.1 Acute mastadenitis

5.10.2 Hyperplasia of mammary glands

5.10.3 Hemorrhoids

5.10.4 Urticaria

5.10.5 Herpes zoster

5.10.6 Flat wart

5.11 Diseases of eyes, ears, nose and throat

5.11.1 Acute conjunctivitis

5.11.2 Auditory vertigo

5.11.3 Nasosinusitis

5.11.4 Rhinallergosis

5.11.5 Acute and chronic laryngopharyngitis

5.12 Gynecological diseases

5.12.1 Dysmenorrhea

5.12.2 Irregular menstruation

5.12.3 Amenorrhea

5.12.4 Premenstrual tension syndrome

5.12.5 Perimenopausal syndrome

5.12.6 Sterility

5.12.7 Malposition of fetus

5.13 Pediatric diseases

5.13.1 Infantile convulsion

5.13.2 Infantile diarrhea

5.13.3 Infantile enuresis

5.14 Others

5.14.1 High fever

5.14.2 Coma

5.14.3 Obstinate hiccup

5.14.4 Stopping smoking

Postscript