[Research and identification of the concept and terminology of "tender-point"and "Ashi-point"]

It is generally acknowledged that "tender-point is taken as the acupoint" (tender-point) and "Ashi-point" belong to the same one concept. Through a series of research and analysis, it was found that these two nomenclatures contain both identical and different points in connotation, and reflect different experience in the treatment of abundant clinical conditions. "Tender-point" is involved in the general experience, for which the affected site is punctured directly by using an acupuncture needle or stimulated by using a moxa-stick or moxa-cone. "Ashi-point" is referred to the regional reactive site, i.e., the sensitive point for acupuncture and moxibustion, which is involved in the specific experience for taking the reactive point of clinical problems as the therapeutic site. The so-called "Tianying-point" and "Buding-point" in classical books on acu-moxibustion as Qian-jin Fang (Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergencies), Yulong Ge (Lyrics of Jade Dragon), etc., are the same to "Tender-point" but different to "Ashi-point". Currently, explanations and clinical application about "Tender-point" have been generalized and mixed up with "Ashi-point". The author of the present paper makes an analysis on their causes.