Standardization of acupuncture and moxibustion technique in traditional Chinese medicine: taking Gua Sha therapy as an example

Abstract

Gua Sha (also known as scraping) therapy, one of the important external treatment techniques in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has developed into a mature system of technical standards through long-term clinical practice. In this paper, the development process of Gua Sha technical standardization is reviewed and the characteristics of the current standards system are accordingly analyzed. It turns out that standardization plays a vital role in promoting the inheritance and innovation of the Gua Sha technique. As a typical case of TCM standardization, the construction of the standardization system of Gua Sha provides valuable inspiration for further improving the TCM standardization system. For future TCM standardization, it is suggested that the problem-oriented principle should be adhered to and the formulation of standards should be based on China’s national conditions and demands; the top-level design should be strengthened and the standardized system should be perfected; the implementation of standards should be enhanced and international exchange and cooperation should be promoted. The standardization of TCM has a long way to go and needs the joint efforts of all stakeholders.