State Standard of the

People's Republic of Chlna

THE LOCATION OFACUPOINTS

Acupuncture and moxibustion, which originated in China, has a

history of more than 2,000 years. In the past 30-some years, the

traditional Chinese medical specialists in scientific research, medical

treatment and teaching departments have made every effort on the

study of the location of points, including several revisions of the

national acupuncture textbooks, publishing of teaching materials in

foreign languages, as well as mass measurement and point anatomy.

It is necessary to study, draw up and release a state standard for

the location of acupuncture points, in view of the rapid development

of the theories of meridians and collaterals and acupuncture, and in

order to meet the need of technical exchange both at home and abroad.

The State Standard for the Location of Acupoints presents a

thorough and accurate location of the points of the 14 meridians and

a part of the extra points. More than 40 well-known specialists through

the country have taken part in the research for working out this

standard. They are clinical acupuncture experts, medical literature

experts, acupuncture anatomists and basic theory experts. Most of

them are experts of traditional Chinese medicine, but some are experts

of Western medicine and experts of traditional Chinese medicine

integrated with Western medicine. Some have been working in clinical

practice, teaching and scientific research, and others are administrative

cadres. Those who have engaged in this research are all the acupunc-

ture experts and scholars with great attainments and profound know-

ledge. Therefore, this standard represents the state level in this field.

This state standard is approved by the State Administration of

Traditional Chinese Medicine and will go into effect as of January,

1991. By then, all the units relating to medical treatment of acupunc-

ture, teaching and scientific research throughout China must follow this

standard strictly under government supervision.

The acupuncture nomenclature in this state standard is based on

the Standard Acupuncture Nomenclature appraised and approved by

the WHO Scientific Working Group to Adopt a Standard International

Acupuncture Nomenclature.

ISBN 0-8351-2749-4

ISBN 7-119-01368-8

14E-2610s