TCM Diagnostic and Therapeutic Methods

Ⅸ-2Traditional MedicineXinxiangshihongqi, HenanBatch 5 (2021)Extension Item

01 · Historical Records

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 · Core Techniques & Process

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.

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.

Five points, four anchors, three arrivals

A summary of operating principles constraining intention, force and depth of reach.

Mind and hand as one

The technical demand that concentration and force arrive together at the thumb and pass through to the deep layers.

03 · Regional Records & Related Items

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.

04 · Cultural Value & Contemporary Safeguarding

The current transmission community of this heritage project mainly comprises practitioners in Xinxiang City, practitioners at inheritance and promotion clinics in Beijing, and practitioners at teaching and practice sites spread across more than 20 cities and regions both in China and abroad, totaling more than 1,500 people. Through family transmission, master-apprentice transmission, and the running of training courses, this workforce serving public health has gradually expanded. This heritage project inherits and embodies the exploration and understanding of earlier generations regarding the natural world and the cosmos, and in particular the laws governing the operation of life. It reflects the historical development of the application of five-phase theory in preventing and treating human disease, and passes on the meridian doctrine of traditional Chinese medicine, giving it important academic value. Combined with medical practice, it displays the values, ways of thinking, and creativity unique to the Chinese people, and is of positive significance for promoting the inheritance and advancement of fine traditional Chinese culture and for strengthening the cultural identity and confidence of the Chinese nation.

05 · Associated Representative Bearers

Representative bearers recorded under this item, organized by national nomination batch:

06 · Authoritative Sources & Bibliography

TCM Diagnostic and Therapeutic Methods (Xinxiangshihongqi, Henan) · China ICH Official Project Archive

Sources

China Intangible Cultural Heritage Network (ihchina.cn)

Read the official ihchina.cn record ↗

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