Exploration on even reinforcing-reducing technique of acupuncture

Abstract

The even reinforcing-reducing technique of acupuncture is one of the common needling methods in clinical practice at present, but there are various understandings on it among scholars. In the paper, the origin of the even reinforcing-reducing technique of acupuncture was explored on the base of literature collection and clinical practice. The comments were put forward in association with the initial understanding of reinforcing and reducing techniques of acupunctures and actual clinical applications. In ancient time, the even reinforcing-reducing method includes two meanings. The first one refers to the compound reinforcing-reducing needling technique for mixture of cold and heat or of deficiency and excess, in which, the reinforcing and reducing techniques are used alternatively at same acupoint. The second one implies the imbalance of yin and yang with human body or meridian involved. For example, in the syndromes as excess in the upper part of body and deficiency in the lower part, heat on the left and cold on the right, the treatment for reinforcing the lower and reducing the upper, or reinforcing the right and reducing the left is adopted to rebalance yin and yang. Hence, it is regarded as a treating principle or a needling method. No matter at the same acupoint or at different acupoints, the final target of treatment is to harmonize yin and yang. The acupuncture scholars in modern times seldom describe even reinforcing-reducing technique. Since the foundation of People's Republic of China, the relevant technique is again called even reinforcing-reducing manipulation, characterized as evenly lifting, thrusting and rotating of needle and has been developed gradually as the common needling technique in present clinical practice, which is widely divergent from the traditional understanding. The reinforcing-reducing techniques of acupuncture are different in understanding between the ancient time and the present. It is necessary to identify the origin for the better contributions to clinical application.