title: [Leading role of channel-based syndrome differentiation in acupuncture practice].
abstract: Channel-based syndrome (pattern) differentiation has played a leading role in acupuncture practice since the time of Huangdi Nei Jing (The Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic). In the past several decades, however, the clinical application of channel-based syndrome differentiation has begun to diminish, even presenting a substitutional trend by syndrome differentiation of Zangfu organs. The authors elaborate the importance of channel-based pattern differentiation in acupuncture clinic by analyzing its theory from Huangdi Nei Jing and by summing up the methods,clinical significance and application of the basic diagnostic methods-inspection, auscultation and olfaction, interrogation, pulse-feeling and palpation, and measurement of imbalance of the cutaneous electrical and thermal parameters of meridians and acupoints.
authors.affiliation: College of Basic Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 160029, China. huili99_2000@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Qun-ce
authors.initials: QC
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Ye-meng
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Tian-fang
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D016740:Meridians