[Professor ZHUANG Li-xing's experience of mind-regulation acupuncture for psychosomatic disorders]

Professor ZHUANG Li-xing's diagnosis and treatment method and manipulation key points of mind-regulation acupuncture for psychosomatic disorders are summarized. Professor ZHUANG proposes that psychosomatic disorders can be subdivided into "mind-body disorder" and "body-mind disorder". The former requires treatment aimed at regulating the mind. The main acupoints are Sishenzhen, Shenting (GV 24), Yintang (GV 24⁺), Shenmen (HT 7) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6). The additional acupoints are Suliao (GV 25), Shuigou (GV 26), Shenmai (BL 62), Zhaohai (KI 6), Hegu (LI 4) and Taichong (LR 3), etc. The latter requires treatment aimed at improving the original diseases, supplemented by regulating the mind (row acupuncture on the governor vessel). Acupoint selection is based on the theories of brain-mind, and the emphasis is placed on the governor vessel; in the meanwhile, regulating zangfu and qi-blood should be valued. After the arrival of qi, the Daoqi Tongjing method (the specific technique for directing qi and preserving essence) is applied, combined with auricular point sticking and fire needling at affected part to enhance the curative effect.

[Professor SUN Shen-tian's experience in acupuncture treatment of depression based on "psychosomatic medicine"]

This paper introduces professor SUN Shen-tian's clinical thoughts and his characteristics of acupuncture techniques for the treatment of depression based on "psychosomatic medicine". Professor SUN, the master of traditional Chinese medicine, believes that depression refers to comorbidity of "heart mind" and "body", resulting from the "body-mind" disharmony, specially dominated by the emotional disorder. This disease is located in the brain, with the injury of mind and closely related to the heart and liver dysfunction. In pathogenesis, the dysfunction of brain mind and the unhealthy conditions of body and mind are involved. The treatment should focus on "regulating the mind, improving the intelligence, co-modulating the abdominal and brain functions and treating the physical and mental disorders". Baihui (GV 20), Ningshen (Extra) and emotional area on the head are selected as the main points to benefit the intelligence and calming down the mind; the abdominal region 1 and region 8 of "Sun's abdominal acupuncture" are used as the main points of the abdomen to regulate the brain functions. The point prescription is modified according to the symptoms and etiologies. The repeated transcranial acupuncture stimulation and electroacupuncture at low frequency (2 Hz) are crucial to the therapeutic effect. Reliving anxious emotions is specially considered before acupuncture, and the mind is protected and deqi is consolidated during acupuncture.

[GAO Wei-bin's clinical experience in treatment of neurogenic bladder with acupuncture]

The paper introduces GAO Wei-bin's clinical experience in acupuncture treatment for neurogenic bladder. In association with the etiology, the location and types of neurogenic bladder and in accordance with nerve anatomy and meridian differentiation, the acupoints are selected accurately in treatment. Four acupoint prescriptions are allocated. For frequent urination and urinary incontinence, the foot-motor-sensory area of scalp acupuncture, Shenshu (BL 23) and Huiyang (BL 35) are used. For all kinds of urine retention, especially the patients who are not suitable for acupuncture at the lumbar region, Zhongji (CV 3), Qugu (CV 2), Henggu (KI 11) and Dahe (KI 12) are selected. For all kinds of urine retention, Zhongliao (BL 33) and Ciliao (BL 32) are applicable. For the patients with both dysuria and urinary incontinence, Zhongliao (BL 33), Ciliao (BL 32) and Huiyang (BL 35) are chosen. In treatment of neurogenic bladder, both biao (root causes) and ben (primary symptoms) are considered, as well as the accompanying symptoms; and electroacupuncture is combined accordingly. During the delivery of acupuncture, the sites where the acupoints located are detected and palpated so as to rationally control the depth of needle insertion and the operation of reinforcing and reducing needling techniques.

[Empirical analysis on lumbar disc herniation treated with "sinew-bone three needling technique" of Chinese medicine]

The paper presents professor WU Han-qing's experience in treatment of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) with "sinew-bone three needling technique" of Chinese medicine. Based on the theory of meridian sinew, the points are located by "three-pass method" in terms of the distribution of meridian sinew and syndrome/pattern differentiation. The cord-like muscles and adhesion are relieved by relaxing technique to work directly on the affected sites and alleviate the local compression to the nerve root. The needle technique is operated flexibly according to the affected regions involved, due to which, the needling sensation is increased while the safety ensured. As a result, the meridian qi is enhanced, the mind and qi circulation is regulated; and the clinical effect is improved.

[Professor SUN Jian-hua's experience of acupuncture and moxibustion for functional gastrointestinal disorders based on "psychosomatic medicine"]

Professor SUN Jian-hua proposes that the disease location of functional gastrointestinal disorders is brain, spleen and intestines; the liver-depression and spleen-deficiency is the basis of pathogenesis; the core pathogenesis is the dysfunction of qi and disability of conducting; the key to pathogenesis is the imbalance of heart, brain and mind. The "regulating-mind and strengthening-spleen" acupuncture therapy could treat functional gastrointestinal disorders. The first essence of treatment is regulating the mind, and the treatment principles are soothing the liver and strengthening the spleen, improving the mind and regulating the intestines. In addition, the moxibustion therapy and auricular points therapy are suggested to use together. Moreover, psychological counseling and health education are important, especially attention should be paid to the treatment of the mind and body, so as to synergize the treatment effect.

[YANG Jun's clinical experience of acupuncture for oculomotor paralysis]

Professor YANG Jun's clinical experience of acupuncture and moxibustion for oculomotor paralysis is summarized. Professor YANG Jun pays attention to disease differentiation and syndrome differentiation in the treatment of this disease. According to the characteristics of oculomotor paralysis, "early diagnosis and seeking treatment from the source" is advocated. According to the etiology and pathogenesis, professor YANG divides oculomotor paralysis into three types: the syndrome of wind-evil attacking collaterals, the syndrome of spleen-stomach weakness and the syndrome of qi-deficiency and blood-stasis. As such, the acupoints are selected according to syndrome differentiation, and several different acupuncture methods (pricking needling at eyelids, penetrating needling and lifting eyelids and contralateral- balance needling on the healthy side) are adopted to improve the symptoms of oculomotor paralysis. It is also suggested to use the combination of scalp acupuncture and electroacupuncture to achieve the best dose-effect state. Moreover, local stimulation around the eyes is important to achieve the effects of "qi reaching affected area".

[Effect of Daoqi Tongjing needling method on intra-uterine residue after drug abortion from the perspectives of Hegu (LI 4) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6)]

The paper introduces professor ZHUANG Li-xing's clinical experience in treatment of intra-uterine residue and lochia after drug abortion. Professor ZHUANG believes that this disorder is related to "dysfunction of the thoroughfare vessel and the conception vessel, qi deficiency and blood stagnation, and retention of turbid qi in the uterus" in pathogenesis. The treating principle should focus on "regulating the functions of the thoroughfare vessel and the conception vessel, tonifying qi and eliminating stasis, as well as promoting qi movement". Besides Hegu (LI 4) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6), the acupoints are added from the conception vessel. The Daoqi Tongjing needling technique (the specific technique for directing qi and preserving essence) is exerted flexibly instead of traditional reinforcing and reducing technique of acupuncture to tonify qi and remove stasis.

[Brief analysis on GAO Shu-zhong's qiguan theory and its clinical application]

The paper introduces professor GAO Shu-zhong's experience in qiguan (umbilicus pass) theory and its clinical application. Professor GAO believes that the umbilicus is the "pass" where the primary qi of sanjiao transported from the lower jiao to the middle jiao. It is the general pivot of qi transformation of yin and yang, as well as the place for qi ascending, descending, exiting and entering in the human body. Hence, the umbilicus is called qiguan (umbilicus pass). In clinical practice, associated with observation, palpation and pulse diagnosis, the qiguan theory is conductive to disease diagnosis. Moreover, the therapeutic methods for promoting qiguan is generated, i.e. umbilicus-acupuncture therapy and umbilicus-moxibustion therapy. In the umbilicus-acupuncture therapy, Gao 's umbilicus five points (umbilicus heart, umbilicus stomach, umbilicus liver, umbilicus kidney and umbilicus lung) are commonly selected. With the umbilicus- moxibustion therapy, the isolated moxibustion with different herbal materials is exerted at the umbilicus, in which, the herbal materials with drastic medical action, pungent and fragrant in flavor and warm in property are specially selected.

[MA Hui-fang's experience in age-related macular degeneration treated with acupuncture at Jingming (BL 1)]

The paper introduces professor MA Hui-fang's experience in age-related macular degeneration treated with acupuncture at Jingming (BL 1). It is believed that the basic pathogenesis of this disease refers to liver and kidney insufficiency and weakness of spleen qi. Based on the academic ideas of yang qi and meridian-collateral system, the treatment principle is proposed as "invigorating yang qi, replenishing the liver and kidney and nourishing the spleen and stomach". Regarding acupoint selection, Jingming (BL 1) is specially used, combined with the 4 front-mu points (Zhongwan [CV 12], Guanyuan [CV 4] and bilateral Tianshu [ST 25]), as well as the empirical points for eye diseases (Jingming [BL 1], Baihui [GV 20] and Zulinqi [GB 41]). Concerning to needling technique, shuci (transport needling), fenci (intermuscular needling) and yuandaoci (distal needling) are dominated. Eventually, a set of unique therapeutic method has been accumulated through professor MA Hui-fang's clinical practice in treatment of age-related macular degeneration.

[WU Xu's experience of sequential therapy for peripheral facial paralysis]

The paper introduces professor WU Xu 's experience of sequential therapy for peripheral facial paralysis. The sequential therapy refers to a staging treatment, but not rigidly adheres to it. With this therapy, the acupuncture- moxibustion regimen is modified flexibly in line with the specific symptoms of illness. At the acute phase of peripheral facial paralysis, warm acupuncture at Wangu (GB 12) is predominated and electroacupuncture is not recommended at the acupoints on the face. At the recovery phase, warm acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) is the main therapy and electroacupuncture is applied to the acupoints on the face appropriately. Besides, for the intractable case, the tapping technique with plum-blossom needle or skin needle should be combined and exerted in the local affected region. At the sequelae phase, in order to shorten the duration of illness, depending on the different types of facial paralysis, i.e. stiffness type, spasmodic type and flaccid type, the corresponding needling techniques are provided, i.e. bloodletting and moxibustion, strong stimulation with contralateral acupuncture and the technique for promoting the governor vessel and warming up yang.

[CHU Hao-ran's experience in treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome with acupuncture and moxibustion]

Professor CHU Hao-ran believes that the clinical diagnosis and treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome with acupuncture and moxibustion should concentrate on the integration of disease and syndrome differentiation. According to the evolution of pathogenesis, this disease is divided into 4 stages, i.e. invasion of exogenous pathogens, liver stagnation and spleen deficiency, spleen and kidney yang deficiency and interaction of cold and heat. Hence, the treatment should be provided by stages. Focusing on regulating the spleen and stomach, a specific acupuncture-moxibustion prescription is proposed, including Tianshu (ST 25), Zhongwan (CV 12), Zusanli (ST 36) and Shangjuxu (ST 37). Additionally, the combination of distal and nearby acupoints is considered and an unique needling manipulation, named the fight between dragon and tiger, is exerted. On the base of syndrome and meridian differentiation, the modern medicine is combined, stressing on the mind regulation and the mutual application of acupuncture and moxibustion in treatment. Eventually, a distinctive treatment system with acupuncture and moxibustion is formed for "regulating the spleen and stomach and differentiating meridians".

[Professor YANG Ji-guo's experience in treatment of functional gastrointestinal diseases with acupuncture combined with umbilicus moxibustion]

Professor YANG Ji-guo's clinical experience in treatment of functional gastrointestinal diseases was summerized. Professor YANG Ji-guo believes that this disease is caused by the deficiency of six fu organs. Dysfunction of six fu organs in descending transportation is the basic pathogenesis. The principle of acupoint selection includes benefiting gastrointestinal functions, unblocking and purging six fu, soothing liver qi and calming down the mind. In treatment, acupuncture is combined with umbilicus moxibustion. In acupuncture, the deqi promoting technique by rotating and trembling needle is adopted. Focusing on the deficiency of six fu organs, umbilicus moxibustion is adopted to benefit the spleen and stomach and harmonize the functions of six fu organs for both biao (symptoms) and ben (root cause).

[YUAN Qing's experience of Tiaoshen acupuncture in treating autism spectrum disorder]

YUAN Qing's clinical experience in treating autism spectrum disorder using Tiaoshen (regulating the spirit) acupuncture is summarized. YUAN Qing believes that the basic pathogenesis of children with autism spectrum disorder is due to the impairment of brain essence and heart mind. Thus regulating the spirit, especially adjusting brain essence and heart mind is essential during clinical treatment. The main acupoints on the head (brain tri-points, four-spirit points, spirit setting points, mental tri-points, spirit waking-up points and foot mental points) are used to adjust brain essence, and hand mental tri-points (Shenmen[HT 7], Neiguan[PC 6] and Laogong[PC 8]) are used for adjusting heart mind, and emphasizing the importance of the spirit of the doctor and the children's parents.

[Professor YANG Jun's experience in treatment of refractory facial paralysis based on acupuncture manipulation]

To summarize professor YANG Jun's experience in treatment of refractory facial paralysis by different acupuncture manipulation. Professor YANG Jun believes that refractory facial paralysis has prolonged course, qi and blood deficiency and collaterals injury after a long illness, and it is difficult to obtain obvious curative effect with routine acupuncture. Aimed at the etiology, pathogenesis and characteristics of disease, professor YANG Jun adopts 3 kinds of acupuncture manipulations, such as "penetration needling with long needle" "pulling technique exert after needle stuck" "contralateral-balance needling on the healthy side", to relieve deviation.

[Professor QIU Xian-ling's experience of acupuncture for treating chronic prostatitis]

To summarize professor QIU Xian-ling's clinical experience of acupuncture for treating chronic prostatitis. Professor QIU Xian-ling believes that the causes of chronic prostatitis are complex and diverse, and the main pathogenesis is kidney deficiency with excess. Professor QIU follows the traditional principles of syndrome differentiation and meridian differentiation, and adopts the combination of replenishing and reducing treatment and regulating the spirit and calming the mind. Guanyuan (CV 4), Huiyin (CV 1), Ciliao (BL 32) and Zhibian (BL 54) are the main acupoints that must be selected for treatment. During clinical treatment, according to the selected acupoints or the specific condition, special acupuncture methods such as deep needling with elongated needle method, lifting acupuncture method, three-in-one-retraction method, penetrating needling method and acupuncture combined with pressing method are used to achieve the purpose of comprehensive improvement of the local and overall state.

[XUE Li-gong's clinical thinking of "unknotting" method with long-round needle in treatment of painful bi syndrome of meridian muscle region]

Professor XUE Li-gong's clinical experiences were summarized in treatment of painful bi syndrome of meridian muscle region with the "unknotting" method of long-round needle. It is believed that painful bi syndrome of meridian muscle region is related chiefly with the invasion of wind, cold and damp pathogens, exertion and traumatic injury. These pathogenic factors induce the "transverse-collateral" entrapment in the local and result in refractory painful bi syndrome of meridian muscle region. The "unknotting" method is adopted with long-round needle, which can either separate bluntly the knotted lesions or cut them sharply. "Taking the painful sites as the points" is the principle of point selection in treatment of meridian muscle disorder. Regarding needling techniques, joint needling, lateral needling and short needling are predominated.