WHO針灸經穴定位國際標準化之反思

The Reflection of WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations

Acupuncture is one of the intangible cultural heritage of mankind which hasbeen proved for its clinical effectiveness. In 2008, World Health Organization(WHO) had stipulated a standardized system of meridians and acupuncture pointsthat can be used universally. This system has provided a precise standard on theacupuncture point locations (2-dimentional), the respective meridians and therelated anatomical structures. These achievements are also reflected in the manycurrent textbooks to provide explicit teaching materials of the meridians andacupuncture points for the new learners. In addition, it has provided an effectivecommunication internationally among the Chinese Medicine Practitioners.However, the 2D illustrations are insufficient to provide a complete informationof acupuncture point locations. In this study, we explore the pros and cons ofthe standardization of the acupuncture point locations and the possible futureimprovement through literature review. We have discovered that historically,the related literatures on acupuncture points location not only recorded the 2Dillustrations. The early acupuncture publications such as Zhen jiu jia yi jing [TheSystematized Canon of Acupuncture and Moxibustion] and Zhen jiu da cheng [TheGreat Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion] had also recorded detailedinformation eg the needling depth, the arrangement of the patient’s posture beforethe treatment etc. In Ming Dynasty, the physician Gao Wu had also observedthe difference in the acupuncture point locations among the male, female andchildren. Hence, he had cast three acupuncture bronze models to illustrate theacupuncture point locations as a reference. In addition, one acupuncture point maynot just belong to one meridian, it can also be a “Meridian Hui-meeting point” which belongs to multiple meridians. These considerations have clearly shownhow acupuncture point locations can be more accurately defined. All in all, ancientliterature points to four directions along which standardization could be refined:1. To re-examine which meridian each acupuncture point belongs to; 2. Additionof the depth of acupuncture points; 3. Consideration of the patient’s posture andaction while locating acupuncture points; 4. Differences between the sexes andage while locating acupuncture points.