[Analysis on CHENG Dan-an's exploration of quantification acupuncture and moxibustion stimulation]

As a physical therapy, there is a certain relationship between the stimulating quantity and the efficacy of acumoxibustion therapy. However, because of the thinking mode of traditional Chinese medicine in the ancient times, qualitative descriptions about acu-moxibustion stimulation in the classical literature are predominating. Mr. CHENG Dan-an, a famous master and educator of acupuncturology, conducted a series of exploration in both theory and clinical practice. In the present paper, the authors summarize Mr. Cheng's viewpoints about the quantification of acupuncture intervention from 1) the number of the selected acupoints in a session of treatment, 2) gauges and materials of the filiform acupuncture needles, 3) stimulating strength of the needling, including the duration of acupuncture needle retaining, depth of needling and intensity of the needling manipulation, 4) frequency of the acupuncture intervention (interval between every two sessions of treatment). Regarding the moxibustion therapy, the stimulating quantity including the duration of the ignited moxa and the number of moxa cones applied at the acupoint area should be varied according to the patients' physical constitutions, ages and the state of the illness or clinical conditions. Mr. Cheng also put forward his opinions about the quantification standards of moxibustion intervention.