title: [On Ziwuliuzhu (midnight-noon ebb-flow) needling of acupuncture theory and rigidification process of acupuncture theory in the Jin and Yuan Dynasties].
abstract: The Ziwuliuzhu (midnight-noon ebb-flow) needling of acupuncture theory was generally considered to be a representative perfect example of traditional acupuncture theory. It is created in the Jin and Yuan Dynasties, and has been being frequently cited thereafter. It is mainly derived from and inherits the theory of Wuxing (five-elements) doctrine of traditional Chinese culture in ancient China, for which the Wushu-points, five specific acupoints on the distal ends of the arm and leg, i. e., Jing (Well-points), Xing (Spring-point), Shu (stream-point), Jing (river-point) and He (sea-point) to match the Wuxing so as to calculate their open time according to the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches designating the years, months, days and hours in ancient China. Although it has been repeatedly copied in Chinese medical books, this theory was not really used by clinical acupuncturists in the Jin, Yuan and following dynasties. The present theory came up in the special time, primarily being derived from the combination of medical and Confucian theories in the Song Dynasty. Nowadays, we should thoroughly make known its connotations, and do not make heedless affirmation and clinical validation.
authors.forename: Shu-Jian
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000266:history* / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002681:China; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D008513:Medicine in Literature; D009339:Needles; D013997:Time Factors