[A preliminary evaluation and discussion on the significance of the medical bamboo slips Ci shu (Needling Methods) unearthed from a Han tomb in the Mount. Laoguan, Chengdu]

Abstract

The compilation of medical bamboo slips, Ci shu(Needling Methods), which was unearthed from a Han tomb in Mt. Laoguan, is a monograph dealing exclusively with the principles of clinical acupuncture manipulations with 40 acupuncture prescriptions, being the earliest unearthed work with documented standard methods of acupuncture manipulations and acupuncture prescriptions in China. The chapter Zhen fang (Acupuncture Prescriptions) is the earliest summary of standardized acupoint prescriptions up to now in China, which is of great significance to clinical practice directly derived from ancient clinical performance of acupuncture. The chapter Zhen fang of the book Ci shu is also one of the earliest ancient clinical reports archiving the acupoint. This may provide invaluable perspectives to the study of the conceptualization, origination, development, formation of theoretical system, and clinical application of acupoints.

Keywords: Ci shu (Needling Methods); Medical bamboo slips of the Western Han Dynasty; Needling methods; Zhen fang (Acupuncture Prescriptions).