[Discussion on the treatment amount of acupuncture and moxibustion]

In the present paper, the theory and practice of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy by a clinical point of view are explored and summarized. Such concepts as the total treatment amount, the unit treatment amount, the immediate treatment amount, the overtreatment amount, the inferior treatment amount and the measurement of treatment amount are proposed and discussed. The basic constituent elements of treatment amount of acupuncture and moxibustion, i. e. acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, acupoint injection, electroacupuncture are summarized. It is held that the treatment amount of acupuncture and moxibustion in condition of suitable controlling is the fundamental guarantee for the best clinical therapeutic effect, the key to which include correct acupuncture manipulation, rational selection acupoints for the prescriptions, suitable acupuncture therapy combination, the variety of treatment amount assignment being related with the state of disease and so on. The overtreatment amount and the inferior treatment amount must be avoided.