Introduction: It is revealed by biomedical studies that the autonomous nervous system mediates most clinical effects of acupuncture/moxibustion. Whereas, it is advantageous for the classical meridian system to instruct acupuncture/moxibustion by classifying the various acupoints into related meridians. Purpose: It was aimed to replace the classical meridian system with the consistent classification of both autonomous nervous functions and acupoint characters. Methods: It was searched the relevant papers on autonomous nervous system and acupoints, then classified and summarized. Results and Discussions: It is classified the autonomous nervous functions into: a) Local sensory/vascular modulation, like pain, itch, local inflammation, acupuncture, etc.; b) Remote sensing coordination, including autonomous coordination to visual or acoustic attention, arousal, sleep induction and yawn, remote analgesia, and so on; c) Dynamic coordination, either contraction or stretch, including cardiovascular coordination to hand movement, and leg movement to change the intestine/urinary-bladder, consistent with the Chinese view on asymmetrical handedness advantageous in heart-arm coordination; d) Thoracic-abdominal-back coordination, including the sympathetic/parasympathetic regulation, with addition of enteric nervous system, cardiorenal interactions, gut blood-pressure interactions, etc.; e) Emotional coordination of sympathetic/parasympathetic system; f) Environmental coordination, including temperature regulation, day/night circadian coordination, etc. Correspondingly, with clinical supports and addition of anatomical location, it is consistently classified the characters of acupoints as: a) Anatomical location; b) Local sensory/vascular modulation; c) Remote sensing coordination; d) Dynamic coordination; e) Thorac-ic-abdominal-back coordination; f) Emotional coordination; g) Environmental coordination. Conclusions: It recommends Chinese medicine as joint using classification of both autonomous nervous functions and acupoint characters for diseases.
Cite this paper
Cai, Z. (2025). Consistent Classification of Both Autonomous Nervous Functions and Acupoint Characters: Replacing the Theory of Meridian Classification. Open Access Library Journal, 12, e2967. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1112967.
Li, Y.-W., Li, W., Wang, S.-T., Gong, Y.-N., Dou, B.-M., Lyu, Z.-X., et al. (2022) The Autonomic Nervous System: A Potential Link to the Efficacy of Acupuncture. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 16, Article ID: 1038945. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2022.1038945
Li, Y.-Q., Yao, J.-P., et al. (2024) Advances in Acupuncture Regulation on the Autonomic Nervous System from 2013 to 2022: A Bibliometric Analysis via Citespace. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 80, Article ID: 103009. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2023.103009
Uchida, S., Kagitani, F. and Sato-Suzuki, I. (2017) Somatoautonomic Reflexes in Acupuncture Therapy: A Review. Autonomic Neuroscience, 203, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autneu.2016.11.001
Du, Y.H. (2018) Analysis on the Diversity and Refactoring of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Theory Based on the Polymorphism of Clinical Thought. Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion, 38, 773-777. https://doi.org/10.13703/j.0255-2930.2018.07.025.
Du, Y.H. (2024) Thinking on Clinical Research of Acupuncture and Moxibustion under Paradigm Shift. Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 47, 161-167. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1006-2157.2024.02.003.
Yang, F. and Qian, H.N. (2020) Analyzing the Theory of Twelve Meridians in Huangdi Neijing from the Perspective of Image-Number Thinking. China Journal of Tradi-tional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, 35, 3400-3402.
Wang, J., Wu, B. and Quan, X.L. (2018) Discussion on the Relationship between Six-Channel System in Treatise on Febrile Disease and Twelve-Channel System in Huangdi Neijing. China Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, 33, 926-928.
Benarroch, E.E. (2020) Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Autonomic Nervous System. Continuum (Minneapolis, Minnesota), 26, 12-24. https://doi.org/10.1212/con.0000000000000817
Cai, Z.-J. (2019) The Neural Pathways for the Hypothetic Nociceptive-Sympathetic Coupling of NBA for Pain Sensation. Open Access Library Journal, 6, e5780. https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1105780
Kim, H.S. and Yosipovitch, G. (2013) An Aberrant Parasympa-thetic Response: A New Perspective Linking Chronic Stress and Itch. Experimental Dermatology, 22, 239-244. https://doi.org/10.1111/exd.12070
Shekhar, A., Sajdyk, T.J., Gehlert, D.R. and Rainnie, D.G. (2003) The Amygdala, Panic Disorder, and Cardiovascular Responses. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 985, 308-325. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2003.tb07090.x
Soya, S. and Sakurai, T. (2020) Orexin as a Modulator of Fear-Related Behavior: Hypothalamic Control of Noradrenaline Circuit. Brain Research, 1731, Article ID: 146037. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2018.11.032
Bernardi, N.F., Bellemare-Pepin, A. and Peretz, I. (2017) Enhance-ment of Pleasure during Spontaneous Dance. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 11, Article No. 572. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2017.00572
Okamura, H. (2007) Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Clock Time in the Mam-malian Circadian System. Cold Spring Harbor Symposia on Quantitative Biology, 72, 551-556. https://doi.org/10.1101/sqb.2007.72.033
Nakagawa, H. and Okumura, N. (2010) Coordinated Regulation of Circa-dian Rhythms and Homeostasis by the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus. Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series B, 86, 391-409. https://doi.org/10.2183/pjab.86.391
Dou, B., Li, Y., Ma, J., Xu, Z., Fan, W., Tian, L., et al. (2021) Role of Neuroimmune Crosstalk in Mediating the Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Effects of Acupuncture on Inflammatory Pain. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 15, Article ID: 695670. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2021.695670
Ferencová, N., Višňovcová, Z., Bona Olexová, L. and Tonhajzerová, I. (2021) Eye Pupil—A Window into Central Autonomic Regulation via Emotional/Cognitive Processing. Physiological Research, 70, S669-S682. https://doi.org/10.33549/physiolres.934749
Kuraoka, K. and Nakamura, K. (2022) Facial Temperature and Pupil Size as Indicators of Internal State in Primates. Neuroscience Research, 175, 25-37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neures.2022.01.002
Mackersie, C.L. and Kearney, L. (2017) Autonomic Nervous System Responses to Hearing-Related Demand and Evaluative Threat. American Journal of Audiology, 26, 373-377. https://doi.org/10.1044/2017_aja-16-0133
Tietz, L.H.B., Katrakazas, P., Laplante-Lévesque, A., Pontoppidan, N.H., Koloutsou, N., Spanoudakis, G. and Koutsouris, D. (2017) Associations between Hearing Performance and Physiological Measures—An Overview and Outlook. Studies in Health Technology & Informatics, 238, 100-103. https://doi.org/10.3233/978-1-61499-781-8-100.
Zhang, M. and Siegle, G.J. (2023) Linking Affective and Hearing Sciences—Affective Audiology. Trends in Hearing, 27, 23312165231208377. https://doi.org/10.1177/23312165231208377
Zhang, J., Luo, H., Pace, E., Li, L. and Liu, B. (2016) Psychophysical and Neural Correlates of Noised-Induced Tinnitus in Animals: Intra- and Inter-Auditory and Non-Auditory Brain Structure Studies. Hearing Research, 334, 7-19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heares.2015.08.006
Proksch, J. and Bavelier, D. (2002) Changes in the Spatial Distribution of Visual Attention after Early Deafness. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 14, 687-701. https://doi.org/10.1162/08989290260138591
Chen, Q., Zhang, M. and Zhou, X. (2006) Effects of Spatial Distribution of Attention during Inhibition of Return (IOR) on Flanker Interference in Hearing and Congenitally Deaf People. Brain Research, 1109, 117-127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2006.06.043
Fink, A.M., Bronas, U.G. and Calik, M.W. (2018) Autonomic Regulation during Sleep and Wakefulness: A Review with Implications for Defining the Pathophys-iology of Neurological Disorders. Clinical Autonomic Research, 28, 509-518. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10286-018-0560-9
Gallup, A.C. and Eldakar, O.T. (2013) The Thermoregulatory Theory of Yawning: What We Know from over 5 Years of Research. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 6, Article No. 188. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2012.00188
Cai, Z.-J. (2018) One Neglected Yawning Function Like Slow Wave Sleep: The Hypothetic Neurovascular Regulation from Mouth to Eye Driven by Expiration. Open Access Library Jour-nal, 5, e4649. https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1104649
Chu, C.Y. (2010) Observations on the Analgesic Effect of Ac-upuncture at Point Qunlun in Painless Labor. Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, 29, 309-310. https://doi.org/10.13460/j.issn.1005-0957.2010.05.013.
Wan, H., Bunsawat, K. and Amann, M. (2023) Autonomic Cardiovascular Control during Exercise. American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, 325, H675-H686. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpheart.00303.2023
Cai, Z.-J. (2016) The Advantage of Asymmetrical Handedness in Cooperation with Heartbeat: A Hypothesis from the Chinese Member of Satellite Group. Open Access Library Journal, 3, e3253. https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1103253
Yüksel, R., Arslan, M. and Dane, Ş. (2014) Heart Rate Variability Differs between Right- and Left-Handed Individuals. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 118, 890-896. https://doi.org/10.2466/19.10.pms.118k24w5
Lane, R.D., Caruso, A.C., Brown, V.L., Axelrod, B., Schwartz, G.E., Sechrest, L., et al. (1994) Effects of Non-Right-Handedness on Risk for Sudden Death Associated with Coronary Artery Disease. The American Journal of Cardiology, 74, 743-747. https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-9149(94)90426-x
Gao, R., Tao, Y., Zhou, C., Li, J., Wang, X., Chen, L., et al. (2019) Exercise Therapy in Patients with Constipation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology, 54, 169-177. https://doi.org/10.1080/00365521.2019.1568544
Nygaard, I.E. and Shaw, J.M. (2016) Physical Activity and the Pelvic Floor. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 214, 164-171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2015.08.067
Orsini, N., RashidKhani, B., Andersson, S., Karlberg, L., Johansson, J. and Wolk, A. (2006) Long-Term Physical Activity and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Men. Journal of Urology, 176, 2546-2550. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2006.07.030
Buryskova Salajova, K., Malik, J. and Valerianova, A. (2024) Cardiorenal Syndromes and Their Role in Water and Sodium Homeostasis. Physiological Research, 73, 173-188. https://doi.org/10.33549/physiolres.935110
Liu, S. (2019) Heart-Kidney Interactions: Mechanistic Insights from Animal Models. American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology, 316, F974-F985. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajprenal.00624.2017
O’Donnell, J.A., Zheng, T., Meric, G. and Marques, F.Z. (2023) The Gut Microbiome and Hypertension. Nature Reviews Nephrology, 19, 153-167. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41581-022-00654-0
Yan, D., Sun, Y., Zhou, X., Si, W., Liu, J., Li, M., et al. (2022) Regulato-ry Effect of Gut Microbes on Blood Pressure. Animal Models and Experimental Medicine, 5, 513-531. https://doi.org/10.1002/ame2.12233
Li, Y. and Cheng, H.B. (2024) Visual Analysis of Shu and Mu Point Combina-tion in Recent 20 Years. Guangming Journal of Chinese Medicine, 39, 4891-4895. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1003-8914.2024.24.006.
Madden, C.J. and Morrison, S.F. (2019) Central Nervous System Circuits That Control Body Temperature. Neuroscience Letters, 696, 225-232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2018.11.027
Morrison, S.F., Nakamura, K. and Madden, C.J. (2008) Central Control of Thermogenesis in Mammals. Experimental Physiology, 93, 773-797. https://doi.org/10.1113/expphysiol.2007.041848
Silva, J.E. (2011) Physiological Importance and Control of Non-Shivering Facultative Thermogenesis. Frontiers in Bioscience, 3, 352-371. https://doi.org/10.2741/s156
Hu, Y., Converse, C., Lyons, M.C. and Hsu, W.H. (2018) Neural Control of Sweat Secretion: A Review. British Journal of Dermatology, 178, 1246-1256. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.15808
Chapple, W. (2013) Proposed Catalog of the Neuroanatomy and the Stratified Anatomy for the 361 Acupuncture Points of 14 Channels. Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies, 6, 270-274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jams.2013.01.001
Lou, X.F. and Jiang, S.H. (2012) Anatomical Characters and Classification of Acupoint. Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion, 32, 319-323. https://doi.org/10.13703/j.0255-2930.2012.04.012.
Cui, X., Zhang, Z., Xi, H., Liu, K., Zhu, B. and Gao, X. (2023) Sympathetic-Sensory Coupling as a Potential Mechanism for Acupoints Sensitization. Journal of Pain Research, 16, 2997-3004. https://doi.org/10.2147/jpr.s424841
Xie, L., Li, X.Y. and Liu, Z.D. (2017) Review of Acupuncture Ther-apy on Point of LI14 in Treating Ophthalmic Diseases. Journal of Clinical Acupuncture and Moxi-bustion, 33, 80-83. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1005-0779.2017.07.024.
Liu, D., Zhu, Y.Z., Jia, H.L., Zhang, Z.L. and Zhang, Y.C. (2022) Indications and Compatibility Rule of ST45 Based on Data Mining. Journal of Clinical Acupuncture and Moxibustion, 38, 58-64. https://doi.org/10.19917/j.cnki.1005-0779.022034.
Li, X.L. and Wan, H.M. (2022) Clinical Application Pro-gress of Fengchi (GB20) in Recent 10 Years. Journal of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 24, 147-150. https://doi.org/10.13194/j.issn.1673-842x.2022.01.033.
Song, Q.M., Zhang, X.C., Jia, Y.L., Jia, H.L. and Zhang, Y.C. (2022) Analysis of the Modern Dominant Indications and Compatibility Regularity of Zhongzhu (TE3) Based on Data Mining. Chinese Journal of Basic Medicine in Traditional Chinese Medicine, 28, 602-607. https://doi.org/10.19945/j.cnki.issn.1006-3250.2022.04.035.
Lin, X., Xiao, S.X. and Wu, S. (2023) Clinical Applica-tion Mechanism of the Fengshi Point. Clinical Journal of Chinese Medicine, 15, 107-110. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1674-7860.2023.34.022.
Fan, Y.J., Huang, S.M., Xie, X.Y., Chen, Z.H, Li, Y.B. and Nie, B. (2022) Modern Clinical Application and Research of Suliao Acupoint. Clinical Journal of Chinese Medicine, 14, 106-109. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1674-7860.2022.36.029.
Wu, Z.J., Cai, R.L., Long, D.H., He, L. and Hu, L. (2010) Effects of Electroacupuncture of “Shenmen” (HT7) and “Taixi” (KI3) on Car-diac Sympathetic Activities in Acute Myocardial Ischemia Rabbits. Acupuncture Research, 35, 32-36. https://doi.org/10.13702/j.1000-0607.2010.01.008.
Cheng, C.S., Liu, P., Wu, Y.W., Zhong, Z.D., Kou, J., Wen, P.P. and Zhu, Y.H. (2015) Effects of Electroacupuncture on Anxiety and Sympathetic-Adrenal Medulla System in Rats with In-somnia. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion, 35, 923-926. https://doi.org/10.13703/j.0255-2930.2015.09.020.
Li, J.H., Gao, Y.G., Yuan, M.S. and Sun, X.M. (2023) Me-ta-Analysis of Moxibustion Baihui (DU20) in the Treatment of Insomnia. Guangming Journal of Chinese Medicine, 38, 1839-1843. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1003-8914.2023.10.006.
Lin, Y.R., Wang, J., Wu, L.M. and Lin, S.F. (2022) Discussion on the Feasibility of Treating Insomnia by Acupuncturing Dabao Acupoint. Journal of Yunnan University of Tra-ditional Chinese Medicine, 45, 45-47. https://doi.org/10.19288/j.cnki.issn.1000-2723.2022.02.011.
Luo, L.P., Shen, Z.Y., Chen, H.P. and Yu, P. (2009) Regulating Effect of Acupuncture at Neiguan-Jianshi on the Cardiac Autonomic Nerve in Healthy Persons. Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, 28, 603-606.
Li, M.J., Zhang, J.Q., Jiang, F., Yang, S.M., Lu, X. and Luo, L. (2022) Visualization Analysis of the Zusanli (ST36) Studies Based on CiteSpace. World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Materia Medica, 24, 1240-1252. https://doi.org/10.11842/wst.20211223003.
Wu, F.Y. (2024) Literature Study on Location and Clinical Application of Jiaoxin (KI8). Chinese Medicine Modern Distance Education of China, 22, 175-178. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1672-2779.2024.08.057.
Han, H.Y. (2016) To Observe the Effect of Moxibustion in Heyang Acupuncture Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrheal. China Continuing Medical Education, 8, 177-178. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1674-9308.2016.15.118.
Li, Y.Q., Yu, Z. and Xu, B. (2015) Mechanism Progress on Enteric Nervous System of Acupuncture for Slow Transit Constipation. Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion, 35, 309-312. https://doi.org/10.13703/j.0255-2930.2015.03.034.
Li, G., Zhu, Y.Z., Xiang, Y.Y., Zhang, Z.L., Jia, H.L. and Zhang, Y.C. (2023) Analysis of Disease Syndromes and Compatibility Laws of YinLingQuan (SP9) Point Based on Data Mining Technol-ogy. Chinese Manipulation & Rehabilitation Medicine, 14, 36-40. https://doi.org/10.19787/j.issn.1008-1879.2023.03.011.
Sun, T., Wang, K., Li, L., Yan, M., Zou, L., Zhang, M., et al. (2023) Efficacy and Safety of Acupuncture in Post-Stroke Constipation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Neu-roscience, 17, Article ID: 1275452. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2023.1275452
Tan, Y., Duan, R. and Wen, C. (2024) Efficacy of Acupuncture for Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 18, Article ID: 1347651. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2024.1347651
Yang, X., Yang, N., Huang, F., Ren, S. and Li, Z. (2021) Effectiveness of Acupuncture on Anxiety Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Con-trolled Trials. Annals of General Psychiatry, 20, Article No. 9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12991-021-00327-5
Kwon, C. and Lee, B. (2018) Acupuncture or Acupressure on Yintang (EX-HN 3) for Anxiety: A Preliminary Review. Medical Acu-puncture, 30, 73-79. https://doi.org/10.1089/acu.2017.1268
Shen, X., Xia, J. and Adams, C.E. (2014) Acupuncture for schizophrenia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2014, CD005475. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd005475.pub2
Van den Noort, M., Yeo, S., Lim, S., Lee, S.-H., Staudte, H. and Bosch, P. (2018) Acupuncture as Add-On Treatment of the Positive, Negative, and Cognitive Symptoms of Patients with Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review. Medicines, 5, Article No. 29. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines5020029
Niu, L., Chen, C.S., Jing, K., Hu, A.R., Guo, Y.M. and Yang, F.J. (2024) Analyzing the Modern Regular Pattern of Quchi (LI11) Acu-point Based on Multivariate Data Mining. Asia-Pacific Traditional Medicine, 20, 158-164. https://doi.org/10.11954/ytctyy.202409035.
Cheng, X. (1992) Effect of Circadian Rhythm on the Action of Acu-puncture to Prevent the Formation of Experimental Gastric Ulcer. Acupuncture Research, 17, 117-122.
