[Thoughts and prospects of research on acupoints compatibility]

The relative literatures published in the domestic and international periodicals from the year 2000 to 2011 were analyzed. And discussion and prospect were carried out on the way of thinking on compatibility of acupoints. The result indicats that both synergistic reaction and antagonism can be found in acupoint compatibility. Progresses are made in the mechanism study. However, improvements can still be made in theoretical innovation, research designation and technical method. In the future, studies on acupoint compatibility should be focused on enhancing of the clinical effect. New theories should be carefully selected and condensed, research designation should be strictly controlled, and modern scientific technologies should be actively applied so as to provide theoretical basis and researching direction for acupuncture clinical practice.