Zhang Xiqin

01 · Lineage & Regional School

Zhang Xiqin, Male, Han, from Xinxiangshihongqi, Henan, is a sixth-batch national representative bearer of TCM Diagnostic and Therapeutic Methods (Ⅸ-2). The tradition is documented in Xinxiangshihongqi, Henan. Within the regional tradition and school record of TCM Diagnostic and Therapeutic Methods in Xinxiangshihongqi, Henan: The core area of this heritage project is Yanshi District and Xinxiang City in Henan Province, with a relatively broad distribution also in Beijing and in Guangdong, Fujian, Sichuan, and other places. Zhang's Meridian Gathering-Releasing Therapy is an external treatment method of traditional Chinese medicine that uses distinctive hand techniques to press acupoints in order to treat disease. It began in the late Qing dynasty, was founded by Mr. Zhang Erchun, refined by his son Mr. Zhang Dewen, and was carried from its birthplace in Yanshi District, Henan Province, to Xinxiang City by his grandson Mr. Zhang Zhongyou. It has now passed through six generations over more than 120 years.

02 · Mastery & Signature Works

The bearer record for Zhang Xiqin is anchored in the documented technical standards of TCM Diagnostic and Therapeutic Methods in Xinxiangshihongqi, Henan. Within the documented technical tradition of TCM Diagnostic and Therapeutic Methods in Xinxiangshihongqi, Henan: Zhang's Meridian Gathering-Releasing Therapy is grounded in the philosophical thought and traditional medical theory of classical Chinese scholarship such as the Zhouyi, the Huangdi Neijing, and the Nanjing. Guided by the theory of the meridians and acupoints, it uses the practitioner's fingers to palpate the patient's affected area so as to perceive the patient's reactions, and, combined with a holistic view, arrives at a clear diagnosis through the methods of 'observing the complexion outwardly, examining the source of disease inwardly, synthesizing the four diagnostic methods, and differentiating patterns according to the eight principles.' In practice, the five-phase theory of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water serves as the core principle for selecting and combining acupoints, following the method of gathering at metal acupoints, releasing at wood acupoints, gathering at fire acupoints, releasing at water acupoints, and even reinforcing and draining at earth acupoints. 'Gathering' replenishes deficient qi and blood; it is performed by clockwise rotation, upward pressure, and light pressing. 'Releasing' removes stagnant and obstructed qi and blood from within the body; it is performed by counterclockwise rotation, downward pressure, and heavy pressing. Zhang's Meridian Gathering-Releasing Therapy has the technical characteristic of unity of mind and movement with moderate force in clinical practice. It emphasizes that the practitioner's finger strength, sensitivity, and flexibility be integrated as a whole, with the thumb as the primary instrument. During treatment, attention is paid to the unity of mind and movement and to appropriate force, that is, 'concentrated intention, force generated from the whole body, delivered to the fingertips, penetrating the exterior to reach the interior.' The principles of practice are summarized as the 'five acupoints,' 'four fixings,' 'three arrivals,' 'dual regulation,' and 'one circulation,' with the aim of regulating the functions of the five viscera and six bowels so as to restore the relative balance of yin and yang, thereby treating disease. It is particularly effective for headache, neck impediment, sinew injury, low back pain, stomach pain, and flaccidity syndrome. This heritage project has good curative results, costs little, is green and non-invasive, and is accepted and favored by the general public. It has a large audience and considerable influence, and is conducive to improving people's quality of life and level of health. Representative repertoire, works and technical entries recorded for the project include: "Reading the complexion": The complexion is read first, then the source of illness looked for within, before the four examinations and eight principles settle yin, yang and deficiency. "The gathering method": Tending to what is lacking: clockwise rotation, lifted upward, light pressure — the supplementing action for deficiency. "The discharging method": Clearing what is stagnant: counterclockwise rotation, pressed down, heavy pressure — the draining action for obstruction. "Metal points gather, wood points discharge": Points are assigned by the five phases — metal and fire gathering, wood and water discharging, earth neither — before treatment begins.

03 · Transmission & Safeguarding Status

In 2025, Zhang Xiqin was announced in the sixth batch of national representative bearers for TCM Diagnostic and Therapeutic Methods, with Xinxiangshihongqi, Henan as the declared area. Within the documented safeguarding record of TCM Diagnostic and Therapeutic Methods in Xinxiangshihongqi, Henan: The project was inscribed in the national inventory in 2021 (batch 5), with Xinxiangshihongqi, Henan as its declared area, and Xinxiang Jingluoshoufang Hospital as its safeguarding unit. Since the project was inscribed in the national inventory, its declared area and safeguarding unit have carried out documentation, transmission and presentation within the national safeguarding framework. Together, the inventory record and the project archive form the public documentary basis for the bearer’s transmission practice.

04 · Associated Heritage Item Dossier

05 · Fellow National Bearers Lineage

National representative bearers recorded under the same item code, ordered from the first to the sixth batch. Batch order is not a teacher–student relationship.

06 · Archival Sources & Bibliography

1. Zhangxiqin (Xinxiangshihongqi, Henan) · China ICH Official Project Archive
2. Zhangxiqin · China ICH Official Archive