[Professor MA Ji-xing and Acupuncture Scientification at the Primary Stage of Establishment of the People's Republic of China]

Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2015 Aug;40(4):337-44.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

In the initial stage (1950s) of the establishment of the People's Republic of China, the Pavlov's theory played an important influence on Chinese biology and medical science fields. At that time, many schools or colleges of traditional Chinese medicine were set up one after another, the first edition of teaching materials or textbook was complete, and a lot of advanced training courses and training classes were developed. In that specific period of "acupuncture scientification", Mr. MA Ji-xing, a professor from China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, is a representative scholar who employed Pavlov's theory to make a scientific explanation about the underlying physiological mechanisms of acupuncture-moxibustion therapy. For example, he employed nerve network or nerve system to explain topical acupuncture stimulation and distal stimulation to induce local effect or distal curative effect, employed the cutaneous-visceral reflex to explain the therapeutic effect of acu-moxibustion for visceral disorders, used the viscera-cutaneous reflex to explain the tender point (sensitized region) or Ashi-point, used the "predominant factor mechanism" or excitation transfer of the stimulated non-sensitized cutaneous region close to the diseased locus to explain the pain-relief of acupuncture stimulation, used the stimulation strength, duration, frequency and distance (to the locus) to explain the needling reinforcing or reducing effect, and so on and so forth. He wrote many articles and books about acupuncturology, one of which was named Jianyao Zhenjiu Xue (Concise Acupuncturology), a well-known demonstration teaching material for advanced training courses, inducing a significant influence on the acu-moxibustion field in both academic field and clinical practice. Looking back this period of history may provide a helpful reference for current research on academic development of acupuncturology.

Publication types

  • Biography
  • English Abstract
  • Historical Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acupuncture / education*
  • Acupuncture / history
  • Acupuncture Therapy / history*
  • Acupuncture Therapy / methods
  • Books
  • China
  • History, 20th Century
  • History, 21st Century
  • Humans
  • Moxibustion / history

Personal name as subject

  • Ji-xing MA