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Updated: Jul 7, 2026

A Mechanical Construction to Enhance the Stability and Safety of Lifting and Thrusting Manipulation of Acupuncture
Published on: January 10, 2025
[The present situation and analysis of acupuncture anesthesia]
Tang-Yi Liu1, Hua-Yuan Yang, Li-Xi Chu
1College of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shanghai University of TCM, Shanghai 201203, China. ltyabc@sina.com
Acupuncture anesthesia, originating from Chinese Traditional Medicine, saw significant development in the 1960s-70s but has since seen limited research. This review examines its history, benefits, and challenges, offering strategies for future advancement.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Anesthesiology
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Context:
- Acupuncture anesthesia (AA) emerged in the 1950s, representing a significant contribution from Chinese TCM researchers to modern medicine.
- AA experienced a period of rapid development and widespread clinical application during the 1960s and 1970s.
- Recent decades have witnessed a stagnation in both clinical application and research of AA due to various factors.
Purpose:
- To review the historical formation and developmental trajectory of acupuncture anesthesia.
- To analyze the inherent advantages, underlying mechanisms, and existing challenges associated with AA.
- To propose actionable recommendations for the revitalization and future development of AA.
Summary:
- This paper traces the evolution of acupuncture anesthesia from its origins in Traditional Chinese Medicine to its peak application period.
- It critically evaluates the benefits and mechanisms of AA while identifying key obstacles to its recent decline.
- The review concludes by offering strategic insights to foster renewed research and clinical use of AA.
Impact:
- Provides a comprehensive historical overview of acupuncture anesthesia, aiding researchers and clinicians in understanding its past.
- Identifies critical areas for improvement and future research directions to overcome the stagnation in AA development.
- Offers a roadmap for the potential resurgence of acupuncture anesthesia as a viable medical intervention.
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