Software and Database for Acupuncture Therapy Based on Clinical Anatomical Evidence

Abstract

Introduction
  The need for not only oriental herbal treatment but also acupuncture treatment in clinical oriental medicine has been increasing in recent years.
There is extremely little anatomical information, however, to assist in three-dimensionally understanding the tissues and structures in and around the acupoint or on the corresponding instruction methods.
  This is a report of the clinical anatomical instruction materials prepared by the author and colleagues.
Results
  Acupuncture pointing is based on the method in “Standard Meridian Points” edited by the Japan Acupoint Committee.
  When dissecting acupoints, a 1cm x 1cm section for each point was taken and photographed with a high-resolution digital camera to capture all five sides of the section to create a three-dimensional image structure as far as possible.
  Anatomical explanations are included for all image data and all image data has been transformed into digital contents to allow the images to be searched and viewed on a computer screen.
Conclusion
  In current acupuncture treatment and instruction there is extremely little anatomical information to assist in three-dimensionally understanding the tissues and stmctures in and around the acupoint or on the corresponding instmction methods.
  To study the acupoints frequently used clinically, a cadaver for anatomical dissection was used together with a surgical microscope to precisely dissect the structure of the acupoints and surrounding area. The safety measures and other precautions for doing this were also studied. The author and colleagues deem the creation of this database to be extremely significant for the advancement of clinical acupuncture medicine as well as for receiving informed consent from patients and therefore encourage its widespread use.