[Idea and practice of ZHU Lian concerning acupuncture education].

ZHU Lian is a deceased famous acupuncture and Moxibustion specialist, the first director and the founder of institute of Acupuncture-Moxibustion of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. This article discusses the thought and idea of education and teaching of acupuncture-moxibustion from the following three aspects: diversified education and training mode, teaching idea of new acupuncture-moxibustion with a lot of characteristics, and the founding of professional acupuncture-moxibustion college. All above have both distinct characteristics of the times and positively enlightening significance of reality.

[Effects of weizhong (BL 40) area scraping on blood perfusion level of the skin microcirculation of qihaishu (BL 24) region at the ipsilateral back of the volunteer's body].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Guasha (scraping) of Weizhong (BL 40) on the cutaneous blood perfusion of Qihaishu (BL 24) region of the Bladder Meridian on the back. METHODS: Ten healthy volunteer subjects were recuited in the present study. Weizhong (BL 40, at the politeal fossa) area was repeatedly scraped till regional flush using a cornu bubali scraping plate for 5 min after applying scraping oil to the regional skin. Then blood perfusion levels of the skin microcirculation around Weizhong (BL 40) and Qihaishu (BL 24) regions on the ipsilateral back were detected using a Laser Doppler flowmetry (PeriScan PIM II). RESULTS: Following scraping Weizhong (BL 40) region, the cutaneous blood perfusion levels in the stimulated region were increased significantly at the time-points of 0, 15, 60 and 90 min after scraping (P < 0.001, P < 0.01), while those of Qihaishu (BL 24) area at the lumbar part also showed a remarkable increase 15, 60 and 90 min after scraping compared with the basic value (P < 0.05). A positive correlation was found between BL 40 and BL 24 areas in the cutaneous blood perfusion levels after scraping BL 40 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Scraping stimulation of Weizhong (BL 40) can improve the cutaneous microcirculation of the stimulated BL 40 and Qihaishu (BL 24) regions in healthy volunteers, suggesting a close connection between BL 40 and the back described in Chinese medicine.

Effects of different scraping techniques on body surface blood perfusion volume and local skin temperature of healthy subjects.

OBJECTIVE: To study the mechanism and effects of different scraping techniques on body surface blood perfusion volume and local skin temperature of healthy subjects and to provide a baseline for microcirculation and energy metabolism for the evaluation of the therapeutic effects of scraping. METHODS: Changes of the local blood perfusion volume and skin temperature of healthy subjects before and after applying different scraping techniques were observed with a laser Doppler imager combined with an infrared thermographic device and the resulting data was analyzed with imaging and processing software for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Local blood perfusion volume and skin temperature all increased after both reinforcing and reducing scraping techniques. The value of blood flow 60 and 90 min after the reducing technique was significantly higher than that after the reinforcing technique (P < 0.01), while the skin temperature increased after both techniques but was not significantly different between the two (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Scraping can significantly improve the local blood perfusion volume, increase skin temperature and promote local blood circulation and metabolism of tissues.

[Analysis on the key factors affecting the inheritance of the acupuncture learning].

On the basis of systematicly reviewing the developmental history of acupuncture and moxibustion and profoundly understanding its academic connotations, the authors of the present article make a summary and analysis on the key factors influencing the development of acupuncturology. These key factors are (1) the emergence of "microacupuncture needle regulating-Qi" and the establishement of their corresponding theory system, (2) a large number of practitioners who inherited the learnings of acupuncturology generations by generations, and abundant medical classical works which recorded the valuable academic thoughts and clinical experience of the predecesors, (3) the application of acupuncture charts and manikins, and (4) modernizing changes of acupuncture learnings after introduction of western medicine to China. Just under the influence of these key factors, the acupuncture medicine separates itself from the level of the simple experience medicine, and has formed a set of special theory system and developed into a mature subject.

[Elementary introduction to the development of acu-moxibustion implements].

In the treatment of various clinical conditions, acu-moxibustion implements are absolutely necessary. In the present paper, the authors make a systemic investigation on the developmental course of acu-moxibustion implements from (1) acupuncture needles, (2) moxibustion materials and tools, and (3) modern therapeutic apparatuses for acu-moxibustion. Regarding the acupuncture needle, the authors reviewed its histological evolution from the Bian-needle (stone needle), bone needle, metal needle, nine types of needles, etc., to the disposable sterile acupuncture needle. The authors also comprehensively recount the improvement of materials and auxiliary appliances for moxibustion in different periods, and the process of development and application traits of modern electroacupuncture and moxibustion instruments. In this way, this article outlines the whole development of acu-moxibustion implements from the antiquity to the present in China.

[Utilizing modern technology to promote spread and development of acu-moxibustion learning].

Nowadays, modern information technology (IT) has been gained great development. How to use the advanced IT to protect, spread and develop Chinese traditional culture of acupuncture is an important topic at the moment. Based on expounding characteristics of modern IT, the present article analyzed its advantages in digitalizing, exhibiting and sharing the rich resources of acu-moxibustion. Particularly, through introduction of concrete examples of "Digital Museum (Gallery) of Acu-moxibustion", this paper may provide a useful enlightenment for digitalizing construction of acu-moxibustion resources and promoting the further spread and development of acu-moxibustion learning by utilizing modern IT.

[Trains of thoughts for constructing "multimedia system for showing achievements in Chinese past successive dynasties"].

The "Multimedia System for Showing Achievements of Acu-moxibustion in Chinese Past Successive Dynasties" is a project of scientific research for the development of science and technology of Chinese medicine subsidized by Beijing Municipal government. It serves to directly and lively show great achievements and rich-colorful information (cultural relics, etc.) about acu-moxibustion in the development process in Chinese successive dynasties in the light of the order of historical development and through different styles such as characters, pictures, videos and flash, etc. This system is an academic gallery unifying common knowledge, skills or techniques, and actual clinic treatment scenery of acupuncture and moxibustion, possessing significant applicability and innovation. The present article puts emphasis on introducing its construction's aim and orientation, main contents, and traits in the systematic design.