Abstract:

Acupoints, as stimulation sites for external therapy such as acupuncture and moxibustion, should be analyzed from their polymorphisms under a modern scientific perspective based on the knowledge of anatomy, histology, physiology, pathology andsoon.As stimulation points for the treatment of diseases by acupuncture and moxibustion, the acupoints can be generally divided into two categories: the fixed (anatomical) acupoints and the dynamic (pathological) acupoints.Acupoints can be further divided into four categories according to different organizational structures or systems, viz. points based on neural system, myofascial trigger points & meridian, muscles & related soft tissues, or vessel system(blood vessel and lymphatic vessel and node). There are differences among various acupoints, such as in distribution characteristics, acupuncture techniques, effects and indications, thus, it is the only way for deeply exploring relevant scientific issues and principle to build the knowledge system of modern acupuncture and moxibustion.

Key words: Acupuncture points, Polymorphism characteristics, Modern acupuncture and moxibustion