Summary: The concept of acupoints in East Asian medicine has been ambiguous, leading to skepticism in the Western medical community. By revisiting the original concept of acupoints and qi (energy), the authors hypothesize that acupoints are spaces for bioelectricity, where qi congregates and flows in and out. This hypothesis is supported by evidence from recent studies on acupuncture, including the enhanced efficacy of needles with increased electric conductance and the effectiveness of non-invasive treatments using conductive substances. The authors suggest that acupuncture works by bridging the bioelectric currents of the acupuncturist and the patient, and that acupoints' electrical properties, such as higher conductance and lower resistance, are key to their function.
Citation and Link: Lee, B. H. (2024). A perspective on the identity of the acupoint. Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies, 17(4), 111–115. https://doi.org/10.51507/j.jams.2024.17.4.111