Latest Issue

This article gives an introduction to motor neurone disease from both the biomedical and traditional Chinese medical perspectives, including details of modern neuro-acupuncture methods such as scalp acupuncture, as well as traditional Dao-qi techniques in which qi is guided to flow to specific affected areas. Two brief case reports are including to illustrate the theory.

This article presents translated excerpts from Shènjí Chúyán (Humble Advice on Caution in Treating Illness, 1767 CE), the final medical work of the famous Qing dynasty physician Xu Dachun, who was a vocal advocate of classical texts such as the Nèijīng (Inner Classic) and the works of Zhang Zhongjing. The excerpts are curated with Chinese medicine practitioners in mind, and encompass Xu’s forthright opinions on tonic herbs, diagnosis, geriatric and paediatric medicine, preparing herbal medicine, advice on choosing a physician, esoteric remedies and classic texts.

Case reports occupy a unique and valuable place in the spectrum of medical literature. In acupuncture, they not only document individual patient outcomes, but can also preserve the clinical reasoning and treatment methods that form the profession’s living tradition. This article outlines practices for writing acupuncture case reports, with attention to audience, purpose and content standards. It traces the history of case reports in Chinese medicine, examines their role within evidence-based medicine, and discusses strategies for selecting an appropriate patient. The paper also reviews existing biomedical guidelines for writing case reports, identifies key omissions relevant to acupuncture and recommends supplementing with specific details for a more comprehensive record. Practical considerations for discussion sections are included, along with guidance for integrating both traditional and biomedical perspectives. Well-written acupuncture case reports can serve as enduring contributions to clinical education, professional integration and the advancement of patient care.