A New Universal Acupoint Distribution Model Based on the Topographic Map of Human Acupoints

Background: Acupoints pertaining to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are organized along four distinct axes in orderly topographic maps. However, it is not known whether these topographic maps can also be applied to acupoint distributions in other traditional medical systems, such as traditional Tibetan medicine (TTM) and traditional Mongolian medicine (TMM). In this study, we systematically explored the distribution patterns of acupoints in TTM and TMM. Methods: The human body was divided into 17 regions based on anatomical characteristics. The acupoints pertaining to TTM and TMM were linked to these regions based on their respective clinical functions. These associations were used to construct matrices of TTM and TMM acupoints for the anterior and posterior trunks. We then examined the alignment of the distributions of TTM and TMM acupoints with established topographic maps. Results: Like TCM acupoints, the acupoints of TTM and TMM on the anterior and posterior trunks exhibited topographic maps aligned with the body’s vertical axis. Including the limb acupoints, human acupoints from these different medical systems—each rooted in distinct traditional doctrines were found to consistently fit a common topographic map model. Conclusion: Acupoints in TCM, TTM, and TMM share a common topographic organization, thereby supporting a universal acupoint distribution model that can help elucidate the biological mechanisms underlying acupuncture.