A research on the law of acupoint differentiation and application in Essential Prescriptions Worth A Thousand Gold using network analysis

Objective: Through the method of network analysis, the acupuncture prescriptions recorded in Essential Prescriptions Worth A Thousand Gold (EPWATG) were investigated, and the laws of acupuncture point use were discussed. Methods: Literatures, including acupuncture prescriptions in EPWATG, were collected and screened, according to the method of differentiating prescriptions based on the diseased part. Microsoft Excel 2010 was used to establish a database of prescriptions for head and neck diseases, chest and flank diseases, abdomen diseases, lumbosacral diseases and limbs diseases, and a network of acupoint compatibilities was constructed using the Cytoscape software. Using the network analysis method, the commonly used acupoint compatibilities and core acupoints of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for various parts of diseases and syndromes in EPWATG were excavated. Results: The commonly used acupoint compatibilities in EPWATG prescriptions for the treatment of head and neck diseases are Tianzhu and Taodao, Hanyan and Houding, and Baihui and Xinshu, and the core acupoints are Tianzhu, Benshen, Kunlun, Zhongzhu, Zutonggu, Fengchi and Shangguan. The commonly used acupoint compatibilities for the treatment of chest and flank diseases are Ququan and Xiangu, Rangu and Taixi, and Yanggu and carpal bone, and the core acupoints are Zhangmen, Feishu, Tanzhong, Yunmen, Jimen and Zhongfu. The commonly used acupoint compatibilities for the treatment of abdominal diseases are Gongsun and Taibai, Shuigou and Dazhui, and Dazhui and Shixuan, and the core acupoints are Tanzhong, zhangmen, Pishu, Ganshu, Laogong and Taixi. The commonly used acupoint compatibilities for the treatment of lumbosacral diseases are Xialiao and Shangliao, Danshu and Geshu, and Dazhu and Shentao, and the core acupoints are Dachangshu, Weizhong, Weiyang, Chengfu and Eight-liao. The commonly used acupoint compatibilities for the treatment of four limbs diseases are Dubi and Shanglian, Dubi and Xialian, and Shanglian and Xialian, and the core acupoints are Xuanzhong, Zusanli, Fuliu, Sanyinjiao, Shanglian, Xialian and Shugu. Conclusion: The selection of acupuncture points in EPWATG follows the law of acupoint selection based on the meridians and diseased parts. This also focuses on the selection of acupoints of the bladder meridian of foot Taiyang and specific acupoints. This provides a scientific basis for clinical acupuncture and moxibustion treatment.