J. Acupunct. Tuina. Sci.

(2009) 7: 25-28
DOI: 10.1007/s11726-009-0025-8

Experience of Senior TCM Doctor

YANG Yong-xuans Theory on Acupuncture

YANG Yi-fang ()1, LIU Li-gong ()2
1 Chinese Medicine Hospital of Nanhui County, Shanghai 201300, P. R. China
2 Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, Shanghai 200030, P. R. China

Key WordsAcupuncture Medication Combined; Bloodletting; Acupuncture-moxibustion

Therapy; Famous Doctors Experience
CLC NumberR245.3
Document CodeB
YANG Yong-quan (1901-1981), a
native of Nanhui county of Shanghai,
studied with WANG Song-yu, a
famous acupuncturist in Pudong
area, at the age of seventeen. He
returned to his hometown, Zhoupu
town, to practice medicine, after he
completed his study at the age of
twenty. In 1937, he migrated to practice medicine in
Shanghai, specialized in acupuncture and also skillful in
internal medicine, with famous reputation in the area of
Shanghai. After the founding of Peoples Republich of
China, he was appointed as the director of acupuncture
department of Shanghai No. 11 Peoples Hospital, director
of acupuncture department of Shuguang Hospital, deputy
director of acupuncture faculty of Shanghai College of
Traditional Chinese Medicine, deputy director of Shanghai
Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, and
directorial member of Shanghai Association of
Acupuncture and Moxibustion. His posthumous work is
Zhen Jiu Zhi Yan Lu (Collection of Acupuncture
Experience).

1 Theory on Superficial Puncture and

Cupping
Dr. YANG recommended "superficial puncture".
"Superficial puncture" is named so depending upon
the implication of "superficial puncture meaning
regulation". Namely, this technique has the effects to
regulate yin and yang, regulate and dredge qi and
blood in the meridians and collaterals. The needle tool
corresponding to "superficial puncture" is "superficial
needle". Based upon the descriptions of "the theory of
Fund Items: The Key laboratory of acupuncture-immune
effects of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine;
Shanghai Leading Academic Discipline Project (S30304)
Author: YANG Yi-fang (1924- ), male, chief physician

nine needles" and "nine needles and twelve resources"

in Ling Shu (Spiritual Pivot). Dr. YANG believed that
in the nine needles of the ancient times, there were
two types of needles coming out from "superficial
needle": One is round needle having the effect to
eliminate illness in qi-energy phase without damaging
the muscles, and the other one is sharp needle having
the effect to eradicate intractable problem by bleeding
out heat. The clinical application of the "superficial
needle" is "superficial puncture", by shallow puncture
of multiple needles, with different light or heavy
needling sensations, based upon different clinical
situations. Thus, round needle and sharp needle are
combined. While tapping slightly, this technique can
give a function of shallow puncture of the round
needle, only touching the skin, without damaging the
muscles, similar to "shallow puncture" and "extreme
shallow puncture" discussed in Guan Zhen of Ling
Shu (Official Needles of Spiritual Pivot). While
tapping heavily, this technique can have the effects of
the sharp needle, to clear away heat and dissipate
pathogens, similar to "collateral puncture", "repeated
shallow puncture" and "leopard-spot puncture"
discussed in Guan Zhen of Ling Shu (Official Needles
of Spiritual Pivot). By active application of slight
puncture or heavy tapping, this technique can be used
to treat different diseases of different situations for the
patients of different ages, to realize the effects to
regulate yin and yang, to dredge and regulate
Ying-nutrient phase, Wei-defensive phase, qi-energy
phase, xue-blood phase, and skin, muscles and bones,
for achieving good therapeutic effects. Later, Dr.
YANG developed "superficial needle" into seven-star
needle.

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J. Acupunct. Tuina. Sci. (2009) 7: 25-28

Dr. YANG designed and manufactured a set of six

copper cups, a special feature of his style. Dr. YANG
believed that cupping therapy was able to dilate blood
vessels by vacuum, promoting extravasations, so that
temporary purple red patches would occur on the
local skin, for realizing the effects to dredge the
meridians and collaterals, circulate qi and blood, open
the hairy pores and dissipate the pathogens.
Dr. YANG combined "superficial puncture" with
cupping therapy, and the therapeutic effect could be
more remarkable, when cupping therapy was added
after needle tapping. Slight needle tapping plus
cupping method can suck out fluids, to eliminate
pathogens from xue-blood phase, so as to have the
effect of "dissipating blood stasis and producing new
blood". And "Superficial puncture and cupping"
method is suitable to all patterns induced by qi
stagnation and blood stasis, such as Bi-obturation
syndrome due to accumulation of wind and cold in
the skin, similar to hypertrophy of spinal vertebras ,
adhesive scapulohumeral periarthritis, and external
epicondylitis, etc. This method can also be used to
treat intractable peripheral facial paralysis, recurrent
urticaria, epigastric and abdominal pain.

2 Theory on Combination of Acupuncture and

Medications
Based upon implication of Qian Jin Fang
(Thousand Golden Prescriptions), Zi Sheng Jing
(Canon of Life Support and Zhen Jiu Da Cheng
(Great Compendium of Acupuncture), Dr. YANG
believed that "acupuncture and medication are
indispensable for medical practitioners". Therefore,
clinically, acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping method
would be used as main means, coupled with other
treatment modalities of herbal decoction, herbal
powder, herbal pills, herbal ointment, medicated wine,
ironing, steaming and washing method, external
application, and chafing and rubbing method. Based
upon pattern identification, different therapeutic
methods would be used in accordance with different
individuals and diseases. For instance, for those with
acute lumbar sprain, aggravated by sneezing, Shuigou
(GV 26) and Weizhong (BL 40) would be needled by
twisting technique for sedation, without retaining
needle, followed by cupping method applied in the
local painful area, the instant effect could be seen,

26

together with herbal decoction made of Bai Jie Zi

(Semen Sinapis Albae), Yan Hu Suo (Rhizoma
Corydalis), Zhe Bei Mu (Bulbus Fritillariae
Thunbergii), and Yue Ju Wan (Stagnancy-relieving
Pills). In the treatment of Heat Bi-impediment
syndrome, Fengchi (GB 20), Dazhui (GV 14),
Neiguan (PC 6) and Hegu (LI 4) and local acupoints
could be punctured, together with Gui Zhi Bai Hu
Tang (Cinnamon and White Tiger Decoction), with
Shi Gao (gypsum) increased to 120 g for those with
severe fever and pain. In the treatment of external
epicondylitis and tenosynovitis, often tender spot
could be punctured obliquely leftward and rightward,
with needle-warming technique, followed by small
cup after the withdrawal of the needle, combined with
external application of Xiang Fu (Rhizoma Cyperi),
Wei Ling Xian (Radix Clematidis Chinensis), Hong
Hua (Flos Carthami), Tian Xian Teng (Herba
Aristolochiae), with Fu Ping (Herba Pistiae Stratiotis)
and Sheng Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens) added
for those with aversion to cold, for cooling herbal
decoction for steaming method, twice a day. In the
treatment of gout, Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Shangqiu (SP 5),
Qiuxu (GB 40), Taibai (SP 3), and Bafeng (Ex-LE 10)
could be punctured bilaterally, together with oral
administration of herbal decoction, prepared of Pei
Lan (Herba Eupatorii), Huo Xiang (Herba Agastachis),
Che Qian Zi (Semen Plantaginis), Ze Xie (Rhizoma
Alismatis), Huang Bai (Cortex Phellodendri), Niu Xi
(Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae), Fu Ling (Sclerotium
Poria), Cang Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis), Lian Qiao
(Fructus Forsythiae), Zhi Zi (Fructus Gardeniae),
Fang Feng (Radix Ledebouriellae), Chi Xiao Dou
(Semen Phaseoli), Ren Dong Hua (Flos Lonicerae).
For apoplexy, Dr. YANG had rich experience and
treated it with different methods depending upon
different stages of apoplexy, by either acupuncture, or
moxibustion or bleeding method, or combination of
acupuncture and medication, in order to seek the
therapeutic effect. For those with coma due to
involvement of zang-fu organs, Shuigou (GV 26),
Zhongchong (PC 9) would be punctured, or Shixuan
(Ex-UE 11) would be punctured to bleed, together
with Niu Huang Qing Xin Wan (Bovine Bezoar and
Heart-purifying Pills), Yu Shu Dan (Jade Axis Pills) or
Su He Xiang Wan (Styrax Pills), Tian Ma Gou Teng
Yin (Gastrodia and Uncaria Decoction), Di Tan Tang
(Phlegme-eliminating Decoction), in order to balance

Copyright2009 Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian

J. Acupunct. Tuina. Sci. (2009) 7: 25-28

the liver, extinguish wind, disperse phlegm and wake

up the brain. For those with hemiplegia due to
involvement of the meridians, first the acupoints on
the healthy side could be punctured by the tonifying
technique, so as to promote the circulation of qi and
blood by power of the healthy side, and then the
acupoints on the sick side could be punctured by the
sedating technique, in order to expel the pathogens,
dredge the collaterals, soothe the tendons and activate
blood. For those in the late stage of hemiplegia, the
acupoints on the sick side were punctured only, or for
tonification or sedation, based upon pattern
identification, by the lifting, thrusting or twisting
technique. For those with severe shoulder pain,
Jianliao (TE 14) was punctured by the quintuple
technique plus the cupping method. For those with
spasm in the elbow joint, Chize (LU 5) and Quchi
(LI 11) were punctured with deep insertion. For those
with aversion to cold, the needling warming technique
was used. For those with swollen limb tips, Baxie
(Ex-UE 9) and Bafeng (Ex-LE 10) were punctured
with the bleeding technique. At the same time, oral
administration of herbal products was suggested. For
those with qi deficiency due to hemiplegia, Yangreinforcing and Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang (Five
Element-normalizing Decoction) was used. For those
with yang deficiency, Yu Ping Feng San (Jade Screen
Powder) was used. For those with yin deficiency,
Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang (Yellow Sextet plus
Angelica Decoction) was used by modification. In the
above herbal formulas, Huang Qi (Radix Astragali)
was used in large dose, in order to strengthen its effect
in benefiting qi, and to promote the circulation of qi
and blood, by combination of the herbs to activate
blood and disperse blood stasis. For those with
hemiplegia due to insufficiency of qi and blood of
high age, good therapeutic effects could be achieved,
when yang-harmonizing method was added in the
center-boosting and blood-nourishing method. For
hemiplegia without other discomforts, Ren Shen Zai
Zao Wan (Ginseng Reconstruction Pills) could be
used.

3 Theory on Regulation of Heart by Tongue

Diagnosis
Dr. YANG believed the patients psychological
status and pathological situation could be understood

by observing the morphology of the tongue and

tremor of the tongue tip. There were three situations
about tremor of the tongue tip: the first was normal
tongue coating, with tremor in the tongue tip,
indicating timidity of the patient; the second was thin
tongue coating, pale tongue or crimson or flabby
tongue, with tremor in the tongue tip, which could be
diagnosed as heart disease; and the third was thin
yellow or white tongue coating, slight tremor in the
middle of the tongue tip, which could be diagnosed as
neurosis. Therefore, corresponding acupuncture
therapy, herbal therapy and psychological therapy
could be adopted. Now, one experienced case is
introduced in the following.
A patient, female, 46 years old, suffered from
neurosis for years and presented with mood swings,
distending and stuffy sensation in the chest and
hypochondriac regions, poor sleep and poor appetite,
due to qi accumulation after be suspicious of matters
recently, thin and yellow tongue coating, slight tremor
in the middle of the tongue tip, wiry and thready pulse,
and flushed cheeks, and tremor in the fingers with the
emotional excitement. The diagnosis was neurosis.
The patient was kindly advised and told to take care
of herself and to understand the others. Yanglingquan
(GB 34), Zusanli (ST 36), Neiguan (PC 6) and
Zhongwan (CV 12) were punctured, and finally Yue
Ju Wan (Stagnancy-relieving Pills) was prescribed by
modification. Two days later, the patient came to
express her thanks, after her condition was improved.
Dr. YANG believed that it was necessary to be kind
in attitude, to be careful in diagnosis and treatment
and to give advices patiently in the treatment of the
patients with neurosis. Yanglingquan (GB 34),
Zusanli (ST 36), Neiguan (PC 6) and Zhongwan
(CV 12) were punctured to dilate the chest, regulate qi,
harmonize the middle energizer, and remove
stagnation. Herbal formulas of Chai Hu Shu Gan
Tang (Bupleurum Liver-soothing Decoction), Xiao
Yao Wan (Free Wanderer Pills,), Yue Ju Wan
Stagnancy-relieving Pills) could be used to soothe
the liver and eliminate stagnation[1-3].
Generally, Dr. YANG had his unique opinions
about collateral-collateral pricking and cupping
method, combination of acupuncture and herbal
products and regulation of the heart by tongue
diagnosis. Dr. YANGs "superficial puncture and
cupping" method is exactly the former technique of

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J. Acupunct. Tuina. Sci. (2009) 7: 25-28

"collateral-pricking and cupping method". Now, the

application of "collateral-collateral pricking and
cupping method" is quite popular now. For instance,
LI Jian-dong treated 90 cases of acute infectious fever
by the collateral-collateral pricking and cupping
method plus acupoint-injecting method, and the total
effective rate was 95.5%, in comparison with the
control group, with a significant difference
(P<0.005) [4]. LIU Guo-sheng treated 46 cases of
acute appendicitis by the collateral-collateral pricking
and cupping method and the total effective rate was
93.5%[5].
Generally, Dr. YANGs contribution to "collateralcollateral pricking and cupping method" can not be
denied. The combination of acupuncture and herbal
products Dr. YANG advocated becomes a routine
method in the present clinical practice, in which his
experience about many concrete combinations of
acupuncture and herbal products needs to be further
studied and inherited. The regulation of the heart by
tongue diagnosis is a unique experience of Dr. YANG,
but it is not fully emphasized in the later generations.

It is necessary to prove it, and inherit and popularize it

by study.

References
[1] YANG Yi-fang. Selection of YANG Yong-Quans
Experience on TCM Acupuncture. Shanghai: Shanghai
Scientific and Technical Publishers, 1984.
[2] YANG Yi-fang, XU Ming-guang, GE Lin-bao. YANG
Yong-Quans Medical Cases and Medical Talks of
Acupuncture. Shanghai: Shanghai Scientific and Technical
Publishers, 2002.
[3] MA Rui-yin. Acupuncture Essentials of Famous Doctors.
Shanghai: Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese
Medicine Press, 1994: 68-73.
[4] LI Jian-dong. Treatment of 90 Cases of Acute Infectious
Fever by Collateral-pricking and Cupping Method plus
Acupoint-Injecting
Method.
Chinese
Journal
of
Acupuncture & moxibustion, 1997, 17(6): 366.
[5] LIU Guo-sheng. Clinical Observation of Collateral-pricking
and Cupping Method in the Treatment of 46 Cases of Acute
Appendicitis. Chinese Journal of Acupuncture &
Moxibustion, 1993, 13(6): 23-24.

28 Copyright2009 Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian

Translator: HUANG Guo-qi ()

Received Date: September28, 2008