Appraisal of theDeqiConcept among Contemporary Chinese Acupuncturists

Abstract

Deqi, an important component of the traditional theory of acupuncture and moxibustion, is the key factor in determining clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncture. In this paper, based on the digging up, arrangement, and in-depth analysis of the famous contemporary Chinese acupuncturists' perspectives of deqi, the authors summarize the concept and manifestation, as well as the properties of deqi, and correlativity of deqi with acupuncture manipulation through reviewing modern clinical research. Proposals for more scientific and standardized acupuncture research are introduced to reexamine and restore the implication of deqi in combination with the clinical practice.

Neuroimaging and Neuromonitoring Effects of Electro and Manual Acupuncture on the Central Nervous System: A Literature Review and Analysis

“…For clinical treatment standard needle retention time averages 20 to 30 minutes [ 83 ]. He [ 84 ], Cheng et al [ 85 ], and Peng and Fei [ 86 ] stated that practitioners should first wait for qi arrival after placing the needle.…”

“…Soreness, dull pain, and heat sensations are transmitted by slow conductive, A-delta and C fibers, whereas numbness and tingling are transmitted by A-beta/gamma fibers. Pressure is transmitted through multiple different types of nerve fibers [ 83 ].…”

What is the Acupoint? A preliminary review of Acupoints

“…Therefore, acupoints are also defined as the particular parts of the body surface for infusing or diffusing “Qi” and blood of viscera and meridian, the body lesions reflex points as well as the important stimulus points for acupuncture. However, no convincing evidence shows the existence of novel structures or substance serving as the foundations of meridians and collaterals or Qi , although related studies have been performed . From the traditional Chinese perspective, these concepts are not based on anatomical, physiological, or biochemical evidence, and thus cannot form the basis of a mechanistic understanding of acupuncture .…”

Therapeutic Sensations: A New Unifying Concept

“…Common therapies that elicit therapeutic sensations include acupuncture [ 8 , 10 – 13 ], acupressure [ 14 , 15 ], moxibustion [ 16 ], cupping [ 17 ], and other related techniques. However, they also occur in various other interventions, such as massage [ 18 ], cryotherapy [ 19 ], pulsed ultrasound [ 20 ], trigger point therapy [ 21 ], body-oriented psychotherapy [ 9 , 22 ], transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [ 23 ], low-level laser stimulation [ 24 , 25 ], auriculotherapy [ 26 ], hypnotherapy [ 27 ], osteopathic medicine [ 28 ], Reiki [ 29 ], therapeutic touch [ 5 , 30 ], charismatic healing [ 31 ], meditation [ 6 , 32 , 33 ], and somatic bodywork methods [ 34 ].…”