Conception of Ashi point Xu Rongdong¹,Li Heng², (1.Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion,China Japan Friendship hospital, 2.Beijing University Of Chinese Medicine) ABSTRACT Objective In the light of obscure conception of Ashi point in the research into Acupuncture and Moxibustion,this article try Chinese Medicine) ABSTRACT Objective In the light of obscure conception of Ashi Point in the research into Acupuncture and Moxibustion, this article try to clarify the origin and definition of Ashi Point. to clarify the origin and definition of Ashi Point from abundant documents.We consider that Ashi Point is not equal to Tender Spot ,Buding Point and Tianying Point, but some special sensitive points. We consider that Ashi Point is not equal to Tender Spot ,Buding Point and Tianying Point, but some special sensitive spots including regular point and extra point. These points appear when the body is ill. The body will feel comfortable or painful sometimes when these points are pressed. We can acupuncture or place moxa cones on the points and ignite these points to treat the illness. We can acupuncture or place moxa cones on the points and ignore these points to treat the illness. The article comes to the definition and location of Ashi point and how to locate them in clinical practice. KEY WORDS Ashi Point, Methed of locate Ashi point, Tender Spot Ashi points are a type of acupoints taken according to a special method, i.e., the “Ashi method”, which is widely used in acupuncture and moxibustion clinics. However, in the current acupuncture textbooks and most of the acupuncture books and literature, there are many mistakes in the interpretation of the A-Shou points, and the concept of the term “A-Shou” is ambiguous, which has a direct impact on the accurate and extensive clinical application. So what is the real meaning of the word “Ah Yes” and what are the criteria for the selection of Ah Yes points? In the textbook “Acupuncture and Moxibustion” [1], the acupoints are divided into fourteen meridian points, qi points, a is the point of the three categories, a is the point of all the description of the following: “a is the point is also known as the pressure point, the day should be the point, the point of uncertainty, etc. This category of acupoints are neither specific nor specific. This category of acupoints has neither a specific name nor a fixed location, but rather a pressure-pain point or other reaction point as the acupuncture site. Ah Yes points are mostly located in the vicinity of the lesion, but can also be at a distance from it.” Such an explanation is a bit too brief, not only did not mention the origin and exact meaning of the word “Ah Yes”, the clinical application of the “Ah Yes” point was not specifically discussed. Moreover, this paragraph considers “Ah Yes Point” to have the same meaning as “Tian Ying Point”, “Indeterminate Point”, and “Pressure Pain Point”, which is extremely inappropriate. This is extremely inappropriate. In the note of “Magpie Shen Ying Acupuncture and Moxibustion Yulong Jing”, “Uncertainty points, also known as Tian Ying points, are needled when there is pain”, which coincides with the viewpoint of “Pain as Loss” in “Ling Shu Jing Jing Jing Tendons”, that is to say, Tian Ying points and uncertainty points are both “pain points” and “pain points”. “Pain point”. However, this pain can also be the patient’s self-reported pain, and is not equivalent to the Western medical physical examination of the concept of “pressure points”. The second half of the definition also suggests that A-Shi points can also be “other reaction points” other than “pressure points”, which in itself indicates that the scope of A-Shi points is larger than pressure points. This shows that the significance of Ah Yes point is different from that of Tian Ying point and pressure and pain points, and the interpretation of this article is inconsistent. In the trial textbook “Acupuncture Points” [2], the term “A is the point” is explained as follows: In terms of the word “A”, the “Han Book, Dongfang Shuo biography” Yan Shigu notes that “pain”, because of the “A is the point”, because of the “A is the point”. The meaning of the word “A” is “pain”, because it is pressed on the pain, the patient will “ah” sound, so the name “A is” (author’s note: although the sixth edition of the textbook “Acupuncture Points” of this text no longer exists, but this is indeed the current on the “A is” a more common understanding). A is the name of the Tang Dynasty, “Qianjin Fang” in: “A is the method, that someone’s pain, that is, make pinch (pinch) on it, if the (fruit) when its place, do not ask the hole, that is, will be fast into (or) the pain, that is, Yun A is, moxibustion are tested, so that ‘A is the point’ also. Because it has no fixed site, so “magpie Shen Ying acupuncture Yulong Jing” (referred to as “Yulong Jing”) said that the “uncertainty of the point”, “Medical Compendium” said “day should be the point”. Although their names are different, their meanings are the same. Tracing the origin is from the “Neijing” said “to pain for the loss”. This type of acupoints neither specific name, nor a fixed site, but the pain for the point, directly for acupuncture or moxibustion, some often have a more fixed location of the effect is significant. Obviously, the interpretation of the paragraph also believes that A is the point and “pain points” closely related, and even cited Yan Shigu’s note to prove that A is the point is “pressure point”. In fact, in the “Book of Han” ([Han] Ban Gu [Tang] Yan Shigu note) of the “Dongfang Shuo biography” [3], the body of the text, there are only three occurrences of the word “A”: “I heard that the music is too abundant is overflowing with yang, too abundant is the loss of yin, yin and yang changes in the heart of the gas, the heart of the gas movement is the spirit of the scattering of the spirit of the scattering of the evil gas and. Worry is not as good as wine, I Shuo so on the longevity of the person, Ming Your Majesty is positive and not ah, because to stop the mourning also. I do not know the taboo, when the death.” “Then on the thought that the road far labor, and for the people’s suffering, is to make the Taizhong Daifu Wuqiu Shouwang and to be able to use the counting of two people, lifting the book south of the A city …… ” “Fu Yin made nine cities of the Palace and the vassals shore, the Ling Wang up Zhang Hua’s platform and the The people of Chu were dispersed, and the world was in turmoil when the Qin Emperor raised the Palace of A-fang. Dung earth fools, forgetting life and death, against the prevailing will, the crime of Long finger, the crime when ten thousand deaths, do not win the great wish, I would like to Chen 〈Tai order of six runes〉, in order to observe the changes in the sky, can not help but save.” In this three “A” word, Yan Gong only “A city south of” the “A” for the note: “A city of the Qin A Fang Palace, to its walls are also wide, so the customary A city of the Qin Abang Palace also, because of its lofty and extensive walls, it is commonly called A city.” This note has nothing to do with “pain”. Attracting attention to another original text, “on the advocacy of the supervisor of the list of the Sherman, the Sherman could not overcome the pain, called *.” Yan Gong note said: “* , since the sound of pain also, the list of pain, is called to go *. People are very painful, then called a * ……” “Acupuncture Points” in the “A is” meaning is obviously derived from “A *”, but in fact, here Table The meaning of “pain” in the Acupuncture Points is obviously derived from “A *”, but in fact, here the meaning of “pain” is the word “*” rather than the auxiliary word “A”, so it is completely wrong to interpret “A is” as the sound of pain. Therefore, the interpretation of “Ah Yes” as a sound of pain is completely wrong. The term “A is the point” first appeared in the Tang Dynasty physician Sun Simiao’s “preparation of emergency thousand gold formula moxibustion” [4] in the article: “Where the hole in the body, are hidden viscera, Rongwei, blood circulation, the surface to and from the main, each has the main, temporary rescue, must be in the scrutiny of the … … … and to muscle texture, joints will be sewing Wan陷中, and to press the hand, the sick fast, so carefully and serenely attentive, is able to get the ear of …… where people Wu Shu land tour officials, the body often have to three or two places of moxibustion, do not make the sores temporary difference, then the miasma, malaria, poisonous gas can not be found in the people also, so the Wu Shu more moxibustion method, there are A is the law, that someone is sick and painful, that is, make pinch on it, if Ri (fruit) when its place, do not ask the hole, that is fast into (into, according to the Ming Dynasty “Pu Ji Fang” as ‘or’) pain, that is, ‘A is’, moxibustion and prick all the experience, so it is called ‘A is the point’ also. A is the point’ also.” The article suggests that the method of A is originally moxibustion, and moxibustion is mostly used for the treatment of chronic diseases and cold diseases. Such as “Mencius” cloud: “seven years of disease, seek three years of Ai”. This type of disease would have less pain can not be pressed, presumably there will not be a doctor will be sick for a long time need to warm moxibustion people press ah ah hoo pain reason. Then, “A is” two words in the end should be how to understand it? First of all, let’s analyze the original meaning of the word “阿是” from the literalism: “阿” in the “Dictionary” [5] there are three pronunciations: “ē”, “hē”, “hē”, “hē”, “hē”, “hē”, “hē”, “hē”, “hē”, “hē”, “hē”, ē”, “hē”, and “ā”. Among them, when “ā” is pronounced, it is an auxiliary word and a transliteration word. When “hē” is pronounced, it means rebuke. When “ē” is pronounced, it means: big hill, mountain side, water side, curved place, curved corner, curved from, cater to, favoritism, favoritism, close, close to, house, fine fabrics, soft and beautiful appearance through “婀”, family name. In the Dictionary, there is also the word “阿侑”, which is an auxiliary word for the sound of pain, equivalent to “哎哟” in modern colloquial speech, but “阿” and “侑” do not have a real meaning. But the words “a” and “urge” do not express the actual meaning of the word, not to mention the specific meaning of pain. “Yes” in the “Dictionary” in the interpretation of the word: ① correct, that is correct, expressed the affirmative judgment, ② revised, ③ this, this, ④ where, all, ⑤ conjunction, auxiliary, ⑥ family name. The meaning of “阿是” in conjunction with “辞源” is not traceable in the Dictionary, so let’s look for its semantics from the dialect again. From the original text of Moxibustion Example, it can be seen that the method of Ah Yes was one of the popular moxibustion methods in Wu-Shu at that time, so the person who named the method of Ah Yes should also be a person from Wu-Shu. Rhetoric [6] in the “A” (音à)字注曰：”Wu dialect for speech, said the inquiry, equivalent to the northern dialect of ‘can’. Such as: a is? A good?” The word is used in the Wu dialect as an auxiliary to express inquiry, which is equivalent to the Northern dialect ‘may’. In this regard, Mr. Huang Longxiang, a historian of acupuncture and moxibustion whose hometown is in the Wu dialect area, has written a special article on the following: “‘A is’ is a commonly used interrogative language in the Wu dialect area, and it is still the most frequently used interrogative language in his hometown of Nanjing, meaning ‘is it not’? It means ‘is it’. From this, it can be seen that ‘Ah Yes’ is an interrogative phrase such as ‘but, is it'” [7]. So, when taking the A-is point, what kind of feeling did the healer inquire about? The answer to this must be found in Sun Simiao’s original text: “Pressing it with the hand, the sick person is quick” and “that is to say, he gets then quick or painful place”. Accordingly, the definition of the A Yes point and the method of taking the point can be clear: in the patient’s body to find press the place of the disease, if you find the patient’s recognition of the fast or painful response points, acupuncture has a better therapeutic effect, this cloud A Yes point. From this understanding, the meaning of Ah Yes point becomes broader and fuller, which is also the original meaning of Ah Yes point. 1 A is the selection of points can be “do not ask holes” “Bianqi Qianjin Yaofang Moxibustion” in the article, it has been made clear that the clinical symptoms of acupuncture points can be “do not ask holes”, as long as the “that is to get fast” and “pain” in the place. The point of “pain” can be called “Ah Yes”. “Do not ask the hole” means that A Yes point may be either a meridian point or a qi point, or it may be a meridian point or a qi point other than the reaction point. Because A Yes point is a kind of temporary acupoint that will only be shown under the premise of disease and pain, and with the change of the condition, it does not exist under the normal condition of the body, so once it appears, it will be taken directly, and there is no need to stick to whether or not it is overlapped with the meridian and qi points. A more perfect way of taking A Yes point should take into account the three aspects of “surface”, “point” and “line”. The so-called “surface” refers to the part of the patient’s disease or pain, the approximate area for the practitioner to find Ah Yes acupoints; the so-called “point” refers to the practitioner in the scope of the “surface” to find and by the patient’s recognition of the sensitive points. The characteristic is to ask the patient: “Ah Yes” (“is not”), there is a “press the fast” or “pain” The so-called “line”, refers to the medical practitioner according to the symptoms to identify their meridians and internal organs of the complex genus relationship, in the relevant meridians to find other reaction points or sensitive meridian acupuncture points, which is also a yes point [8]. Acupuncture and moxibustion of these points, often the effect is obvious. Therefore, the concept of “not asking for holes” is a generalized concept of a yes point, that is, a yes point is a special reaction point including meridian points and qi points under the extraordinary state of the organism. 2 A is the point is not “to pain for the loss” in the higher medical colleges and universities trial textbook “Acupuncture Points” book, the word “A is the point”, its “tracing back to the origin is from the” Neijing “said that the ‘ The term “A-is point” is “traced back to the origin of the term ‘A-is point’ from the ‘Neijing’, which refers to ‘pain as loss’. In fact, the “pain for loss” method of acupuncture points first appeared in the “Spiritual Pivot – Tendon Chapter”: “treatment in burnt needles and robbing stabbing, to know the number of pain for loss, called …… paralysis also.” Its therapeutic scope is limited to the application of fire needles (some scholars believe that it is warm acupuncture and moxibustion) to treat “meridian” parts of the “paralysis”, the scope of application is relatively small, and the clinical application of a wide range of “moxibustion and stabbing all the experimental The method of Acupuncture is not the same as the widely used clinical practice of “moxibustion and stabbing”. If we must go back to the source, the “Suwen Tiao Jing Theory” in this paragraph is closer to the “A is the point” of the original meaning of the acupuncture point: “blood gas and the evil and guest in the coupling between its veins firm and large, so it is said to be solid, solid outside the solid full of, can not be pressed, press it is painful … … … cold and dampness in the people also, the skin is not collected, muscle firm tight, glory blood weeping, Wei gas to go, so it is said to be false, false Nie Pai, gas is not enough to press the gas is enough to warm it, so fast and yet no pain.” Here the “fast” has the meaning of comfort, for touching and pressing the affected area after the arrival of the meridian qi, the body qi fluent due to. “Quickly” and “pain” for a completely different feeling, and the mechanism is also completely different, so in the treatment of acupuncture techniques complementary diarrhea different, treatment methods or needle or moxibustion or stabbing blood is not the same. In addition, A is still belongs to the range of acupoints, the method of taking points should also follow the Sun Simiao’s “Biziqi Qianjin Yaofang moxibustion example” of the original text of the “muscle Wenli, section of the joints will be sewn Wanyuzhangzhong, and to press the hand, the sick person quickly,” in fact, such a method of taking points with the “if the (fruit) when it is the place, do not ask the hole, that is to get fast or pain”, and the “if the (fruit) when its place, not ask the hole, that is to get fast or pain”. That is to get will be fast or pain” of the “A is the law” is unified, only the latter expanded the scope of the acupuncture point, plus “or pain” two words only. Therefore, only to “pain” to recognize the “Ah Yes points” is limited, Ah Yes points are in different diseases, the body there is a “press the fast” and “pain”. The A-shi point is that in different disease conditions, there are different reaction points of “quick to press” and “painful to press” on the organism. 3 A Yes point search method Clinical search for A Yes point, in addition to the first to ask the patient “that is to get fast or pain”, should also pay attention to the feel of the doctor’s hands. The Spiritual Pivot: “The person who uses the needle must first check the strength and weakness of the meridians and channels, cut and follow the needle, press and play the needle, and then take the needle and put it down, depending on how it should move.” In “Su Wen・Clutch and True Evil Theory,” it is written, “One must first look into it and follow it, cut and disperse it, push and press it, flick and anger it, grasp and lower it, pass and take it, and externally draw it to the door in order to close it to the spirit.” Therefore, before acupuncture or moxibustion, it is necessary to “guess the points” and “feel the points”. In clinical acupuncture points, Sun Simiao not only drew “Mintang Jing Tu”, examined the meridian outside the odd points, but also discovered the circulation of folk in the “assassin does not diagnose, listen to the words of the patient,” the “A is the method”, which is said to be “A is the point of the The “A-is point” is also known as “the place of qi points and the residence of traveling needles.” (“Suwen qi point theory”) so the method of finding a yes point should also follow the “Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine” in the principle of taking points. As mentioned earlier, when a disease manifests itself externally, or when the veins are firm and the qi points are full, or when the skin is soft and the tendons are empty, the difference between the normal tissues can be recognized through careful searching and pressing. So the method of following, touching, cutting, pressing is a common clinical method to find the A Yes point, usually with the thumb or middle finger finger for following the cutting and pressing, the doctor is required to have a certain amount of finger strength, the force is soft and moderate to the deep muscle penetration, mental concentration, the heart experience to distinguish, pay attention to the knots and stripes under the finger, the body to observe the depression of the fullness. According to the author’s clinical experience, if there are taijiquan and dachengquan and other internal martial arts foundation, the operator’s sense of touch will be extremely sensitive, can receive twice the result with half the effort [9]. If necessary, the left and right sides can be compared with each other, so that we can use our hands instead of our eyes to find out the A Yes point, which is “Li (Guo) when it is in its place”. 4 Conclusion In conclusion, Ah Yes acupoints are different from the “indeterminate points”, “Tian Ying points” and “pain as loss” fire acupuncture points. “It is not equivalent to the concept of “pressure point” in western medicine. Ashi points are special reaction points, including meridian points and odd points, that appear in the body under disease conditions, and are mainly characterized by “immediate pain”, and sometimes are also manifested as “pain points”. Moxibustion or acupuncture at these points can often achieve better results. Seek a yes point should not only pay attention to the doctor’s fingers under the induction, more importantly, we should always ask to observe how the patient’s feelings, to determine the accuracy of the acupoints taken with or without, this is the original meaning of the “yes point”, but also to achieve a good therapeutic effect of the prerequisite. The above is a glimpse of opinion, limited to the author’s knowledge, fallacies are inevitable, but also hope that seniors and colleagues do not hesitate to give advice, is to look forward to. 5 References 1 Sun Guojie, et al. Acupuncture and moxibustion. Shanghai: Shanghai Science and Technology Press, 1997: 24 2 Yang Jisan, et al. Acupuncture and Moxibustion. Shanghai: Shanghai Science and Technology Press, 1984: 3 3 Bangu, Han Shu. Beijing: Zhonghua Shuju, 1962: 2845~2848 4 Sun Simiao, “Preparation of a Thousand Gold Recipes”. Beijing: People’s Health Publishing House, 1982: 518~519 5 Dictionary, Beijing: Commercial Press Publishing House. 1988: 1774 6 Dictionary of the Chinese Language. 1988: 1774 6 Dictionary, Shanghai: Shanghai Dictionary Publishing House. 1999: 12 7 Huang Longxiang. 1999: 12 7 Huang Longxiang, Outline of the Academic History of Acupuncture and Moxibustion in China. Beijing: Huaxia Publishing House, 2001: 640~641 8 Gao Qizhu, Hu Ling, Huang Xueyong, A few questions about acupuncture points. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion, 1998;18(7):724 9 Xu Rongdong, Dachengquan, the Chinese Martial Art of Zen-Fist Unification. Beijing: Religious Culture Publishing House, 2003: 622~633 Note: The word “*” in bold in the text has been replaced by the word “水” in the lower part of the word “暴” and the word “言” in the lower part of the word “暴”. “The concept of Ashi point XU The concept of Ashi point XU Rong-dong[1], LI Heng[2] ABSTRACT In the light of obscure conception of Ashi points in the circle of acupuncture and moxibustion at present, this paper presents the concept of Ashi point in the circle of acupuncture and moxibustion. In the light of obscure conception of Ashi points in the circle of acupuncture and moxibustion at present, this article tries to clarify the origin and definition of Ashi points by textual research of literatures. It is put forward that Ashi points are not the same with “tender spot” and “Buding point, Tianying point”, but some It is put forward that Ashi points are not the same with “tender spot” and “Buding point, Tianying point”, but some special responding pints, including regular points and extra points, when the organism is ill. When these points are pressed the organism will be comfortable or painful. And the definition, location and clinical location method of Ashi points are proposed. KEY WORDS Points, Ashi; Textual Research Ashi point, acupoint located by the Ashi method, is widely used in clinical practice. However, the definition of Ashi point is always confused in the majority of the current textbooks. confused in the majority of the current textbooks and literatures, and such misconception of the term “Ashi” affect its clinical application directly. However, the definition of Ashi point is always confused in the majority of the current textbooks and literatures, and such misconception of the term “Ashi” affect its clinical application directly. What is the standard way of locating Ashi point? There are three categories of acupoints: regular point (on the 14 main meridian channels), extra point and Ashi point, in Acupoint. There are three categories of acupoints: regular point (on the 14 main meridian channels), extra point and Ashi point, in Acupoint Study (textbook for higher education in medicine). The textbook gives such description, “Ashi points is also called tender spot, heavenly point (Tianying point), and non-fixed point ( Ashi points are also called tender spot, heavenly point (Tianying point), and non-fixed point ( Buding point). These kinds of points have neither names nor fixed positions, but are spotted for acupuncture based on tenderness or other sensitivity. These kinds of points have neither names nor fixed positions, but are spotted for acupuncture based on tenderness or other sensitivity. Ashi points are mainly located on the where the problem are, as well as area much further away. This is an over-simplified description that not only the origin and definition the term Ashi is omitted, but also the clinical application of Ashi point is not elaborated. Furthermore, the concept of Ashi point, heavenly point, non-fixed point, or other sensitivity is not elaborated. Furthermore, the concept of Ashi point, heavenly point, non-fixed point, and tender spot are all the same according to the passage, which is extremely inappropriate. In the Jade Dragon Classics of Acupuncture by Biencue (Biencue Shenying Zhenjiu Yulong Jing), ‘non-fixed point is also known as heavenly point, needle wherever pain is’, which illustrates the same concept of Ashi point, heavenly point, non-fixed point, and tender spot are all the same according to the passage, which is extremely inappropriate. is’, which illustrates the same idea as “where is the pain, where is the acupoint” in the Spiritual Pivot ( Jingjin, Lingshu), i.e. heavenly point and non-fixed point are located by where the pain is. But the pain that patients complain here is not totally equivalent to the tender spot in percussion. But the pain that patients complain here is not totally equivalent to the tender spot in percussion and palpation diagnosis in western medicine. The other part of the definition suggested that Ashi point can be The other part of the definition suggested that Ashi point can be other sensitive spots apart from tender spots. This clearly indicates that Ashi point more than a tender spot. It can be concluded that Ashi point, heavenly point, non-fixed point and tender spot all carries different meaning, and there were contradictions in how Ashi point was interpreted. Acupoint Study (textbook for higher education in medicine), Ashi point is interpreted as, “A” means pain as the patient shout “Ouch” when the tender spot is pressed, hence the name Ashi. The term Ashi first appeared in Tang Dynasty in The Thousand Gold Prescription (Qianjin Fang Prescription as a copy of the Thousand Gold Prescription). Prescription (Qianjin Fang) as “the Ashi method, press where the symptom is, if illness presents, regardless the location (on or off meridian channels), apply acupuncture or moxibustion both showing positive result, these are called Ashi points’. They are also called non-fixed points as they have no fixed position in the Jade Dragon Classics (Yulong Jing), or heavenly points in the Compendium of Medicine (Yixue Gangmu). Medicine (Yixue Gangmu). The meanings are the same despite the different names. This can be chased all the way back from the Internal Classics (Nei Jing) “where is the pain, where is the acupoint’. This can be chased all the way back from the Internal Classics (Nei Jing) ‘where is the pain, where is the acupoint’. The acupoints have no specific names and no certain locations, but mainly wherever the pain is, although some display in more regular places. The acupoints have no specific names and no certain locations, but mainly wherever the pain is, although some display in more regular places. They all have obvious therapeutic properties with acupuncture or moxibustion. “Where is the pain, where is the acupoint” is closely associated with Ashi Point. However, the original meaning of “A” is totally unrelated to pain in classic literature. The term Ashi point was first seen in the Clinical Case of Moxibustion, Thousand Gold Proscription for Emergency (Biji Qianjin Fang, Jiuli). But moxibustion is usually used for treatment for illnesses related deficiency or coldness, and it is unlikely that patients will have so much pain that They would scream “Ouch’. Nevertheless, how should the term “A-Shi” be interpreted? First of all, the two characters A-Shi should be analysed separately. There are three entries of “A” in the Origins of Collocation (Ciyuan): 1) “a’, ( interjection); 2) “he’, blame (verb); 3) “e’, mountain ranges, countryside, waterside etc ( noun). There was an entry with a phrase “A-You” (interjection), which is an expression of emotion similar to “Ouch (Ai-Yo)” in modern Chinese, but the phrase “A-You” (interjection) was not used. There was an entry with a phrase “A-You” (interjection), which is an expression of emotion similar to “Ouch (Ai-Yo)” in modern Chinese, but there is no definite meaning of “ai” and “yo” as a word independently. independently. The character “Shi” has six entries: 1) is, agreement, acceptance, confirmation; 2) correct (verb); 3) this (pronoun or adjective); 4) “”(“”””) this (pronoun or adjective); 4) all and every (noun, pronoun, adjective, adverb); 5) (auxiliary verb or conjugation); 6) a surname. While there is no entry of the collocation of “Ai” and “yo” as a word independently. While there is no entry of the collocation of “A-Shi’, and it should be searched from local dialect. Ashi method is popular in the Wu and Su area, according to the clinical Case of moxibustion in the Wu and Su area. Ashi method is popular in the Wu and Su area, according to the clinical Case of moxibustion, therefore the term Ashi is probably name by a Wu-Su person. In the Sea of Collocation (Cihai). “A’, an interjection, expresses a question, e.g. is it (A-Shi)?
Is it good (A-Hao)? The term is confirmed to be frequently used locally by Huang Longsheng, a historian in acupuncture whose hometown in a Wu speaking area. So, what exactly is the feeling that a practitioner looking for when searching for Ashi point? The answer is found in the source text from Sun Simiao, “patient feels comfortable when pressed by the doctor’s hand” “the exact spot feels comfortable or soar’. The definition of Ashi point and ways of locating becomes clear: a spot where patient will sense comfort or tender when being pressed by the practitioner, and both acupuncture or moxibustion treatment will show positive result, that is Ashi point. Such definition of Ashi point is more profound and substantial. 1. Ashi point can be anywhere In the Clinical Case of Moxibustion, Thousand Gold Proscription for Emergency (Biji Qianjin Fang, Jiuli), it was clearly indicated that Ashi points are places where patient feel pain or comfort, they can be regular points or extra points by chance, but they can also be sensitive points outside the meridian channels. Ashi points are temporary spots that appear responding to a specific sickness, and will develop as the situation varies. They do not exist under healthy condition, but once they are identified, treatment can be applied directly, whether they overlap with regular points and extra points or not. Area, point and line should all be considered as a more comprehensive way to locate Ashi point. Area refers to a region where illness is; point refers to responsive spot located by the doctor in the region, and also agreed by the patient; line is the meridian channel with the relevant organs based on the symptoms. These are all called Ashi point. Acupuncture and moxibustion often provide obvious result. “Can be anywhere” suggested a general concept of Ashi point, meaning Ashi points appears when a body is malfunctioning, whish includes regular points, extra points. 2. Ashi point is not “where is the pain, where is the acupoint’ The term Ashi point was originated from the Internal Classics (Neijing) “where is the pain, where is the acupoint” in Acupoint Study (textbook for higher education in medicine). In fact, such idea was first seen in the Spiritual Pivot (Lingshu, Jingjin), which heat needling with moxibustion is applied to arthralgia patient, and shows a different way to locate Ashi point. There was another acupoint locating method which fits better with the concept of Ashi point in the Plain Questions (Suwen, Tiaojing Luen). “Blood and qi and pathogens all exist, the veins are stiff and swollen, compact condition… people with cold-dampness, muscles are tense, blood does not circulate, does not have defence qi, deficient condition, not having enough qi, kneading can provide energy, and the pain will be released.” The term released here implies comfort, which is caused by pressing the sickness part, and simulating the circulation. Comfort and pain are not the same sensations, and lead to supplementing and draining two opposite treatments, with different needling techniques, moxibustion or blood letting method. Moreover, Ashi point is a kind of acupoint, should be located by the method in the Cases of Moxibustion, Thousand Gold Proscription for Emergency (Biji Qianjin Fang, Jiuli) by Sun Simioa, “follows the way muscles are arranged and look for any weak spot or concave structure, pressed with hand and patient should feel comfortable”. This method is in phrase with the Ashi method which the acupoint can be anywhere, no matter the spots over-lap with meridian channels and extra points or not, it can give pain or comfort feeling. Only the term pain was added in the second method. Therefore Ashi point should not be limited to pain, but they are different responsive spots which can be painful or comfortable when pressed, depends on the exact condition. 3. Way to locate Ashi point Besides asking patient if a spot feel tender or released, the sensation of a healing hand is equally important, when locating Ashi point clinically. It should be based on the principle of acupoint spotting in the Yellow Emperor’s Internal Classics (Huangdi Neijing). Any abnormality in body tissue can be detected with careful palpation, either swollen veins full of qi, or flaccid muscle which feels empty beneath. A practitioner applies uniform pressure with the thumb or middle finger; allow the pressure to penetrate into the muscle. To feel any lumps, crystals or other contours and the qi level requires high focus level. A background with internal martial art such as Taiji Chuang and Dacheng Chuang can increase the healer’s sensitivity, hence gives a more effective diagnosis. Both the left and the right side of the body should be cross checked as a reference, in order to find the Ashi point. 4) Conclusion Ashi point is not simply a spot for needling and heat needling wherever the pain is, like a non-fixed point, heavenly point, and it is not the tender point in western medicine diagnosis. Ashi points are special spots that reflect sickness, including the regular points and extraordinary points. They are characterized with a released feeling when pressed, which can be a good pain sometimes. Needling or moxibustion at these spots can often provide better therapeutic result. Practitioners need to ensure the Ashi points are located accurately with good communication with patients and close observation on patients, as well as attention to details on the finger during diagnosis. This is the original meaning of Ashi point, and also the first rule for good treatment result. [1] China-Japan Friendship hospital, Beijing 100029, China [2] Class C, 7 Year Programme, Beijing University of TCM” 99