Tracing the origin of wrist-ankle acupuncture based on huan in bamboo slip and silk medical books, maikou and the theory of origin, junction, branch and trunk

Abstract

The origin and basis of wrist-ankle acupuncture were discussed based on the theory of huan in bamboo slip and silk medical book Mai Fa (Pulse Method), theory of maikou, "meridian points", and theory of origin, junction, branch and trunk. The huan in bamboo slip and silk medical book Pulse Method is the wrist and ankle, and the position of wrist-ankle acupuncture is close to the huan. The theory of maikou reflects the pulse method which could be used not only in diagnosis but also in treatment, and the acupuncture points of wrist-ankle acupuncture are corresponding to the position and the main indications of maikou. The acupuncture points of wrist-ankle acupuncture are close to the locations and indications of "meridian points", as well as the points of Liu, Zhu and Xiaru of the theory of origin, junction, branch and trunk. The acupuncture points of wrist-ankle acupuncture are distributed in the range of "ben" in the theory of origin, junction, branch and trunk and five-shu points. The operation of wrist-ankle acupuncture is consistent with the theory of shallow needling at defensive-qi.