[Textual research on the origin and development of Xi-cleft point theory]

Xi-cleft point redefines the practical connotation of acupoint theory based on terminological system within the classical acupuncture framework. Xi-cleft point was proposed in Huangdi Mingtang Jing (The Yellow Emperor's Acupoints Canon of Mingtang), and was primarily intended to re-categorize the acupoints below the elbows and knees that were newly introduced beyond those recorded in Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor's Internal Classic) despite lacking clearly shared therapeutic indications in practice. But, the common therapeutic indications of this supplemented Xi-cleft points are unclear. The current theory of Xi-cleft point, "Xi-cleft points treat acute diseases", was summarized by Japanese acupuncture practitioners, and was introduced to China with the publication of corresponding Chinese translations of Japanese books of acupuncture and moxibustion. Later in 1984, YANG Jiasan edited Shuxue Xue (Science of Acupoints) and determined the indications of this special point, "Xi-cleft points of yin meridians treat blood disorders, while those of yang meridians treat pain". The common therapeutic indications of Xi-cleft points were analogically generalized by Chinese and Japanese medical scholars in the modern times based on the practical experience with some Xi-cleft points. In the time of Huangdi Mingtang Jing, Xi-cleft point was proposed to improve the theoretical framework of acupoint theory. Since there is lack of the anatomical distribution characteristics among Xi-cleft points regarding to the correspondence of the body to nature and similar indications, these Xi-cleft points do not necessarily share common therapeutic indications. Therefore, it needs to be validated in practice to identify whether the therapeutic characteristics of one specific Xi-cleft point are consistent with the current theory of Xi-cleft point, rather than regard it with the specific indication of the acupoint itself.