Korean Journal of Acupuncture

Society for Meridian and Acupoint (경락경혈학회)
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A Review of the Theoretical Basis for the Clinical Use of Meridian Palpation Diagnosis in Korean Medicine

경락안진법의 임상적 활용에 대한 이론적 근거 고찰

  • Seung-Il Lim (Department of Diagnostics & Acupuncture, College of Korean Medicine, Dongshin University)
  • 임승일 (동신대학교 한의과대학 진단.경혈학교실)
  • Received : 2025.05.01
  • Accepted : 2025.06.26
  • Published : 2025.06.27
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Abstract

Objectives : Meridian palpation has long been regarded as an essential diagnostic method in traditional Korean medicine, allowing practitioners to detect internal organ disorders through surface abnormalities. Despite its historical significance, systematic research and standardization remain insufficient. This study aimed to review the theoretical foundations of meridian palpation, classify various diagnostic methods, and evaluate its clinical utility and limitations based on literature analysis. Methods : We conducted a comprehensive literature review of classical medical texts such as Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon and modern research publications related to meridian theory and palpation diagnosis. Key categories analyzed included sequential meridian diagnosis (循經診斷法), arterial palpation (切脈診斷法), three-section and nine-pulse diagnosis (三部九候診斷法), cutaneous palpation (尺膚診斷法), Back-Shu and Front-Mu point diagnosis (兪募診斷法), and limb-specific diagnostic methods (四肢診斷法). Results : Meridian palpation enables identification of pathological changes through abnormal findings such as tenderness, nodules, temperature variations, and swelling along specific meridian pathways. Sequential meridian palpation detects localized meridian pathologies, while arterial palpation at major pulse points helps differentiate visceral disorders. Three-section nine-pulse and cutaneous palpation provide insights into systemic disease conditions. Back-Shu, Front-Mu points, and specific acupoints on the limbs are closely associated with internal organ pathology, offering valuable diagnostic and therapeutic guidance. The study also highlighted the necessity of combining palpation findings with traditional methods of inspection, auscultation, inquiry, and pulse examination. Conclusions : Meridian palpation remains a valuable and unique diagnostic technique that strengthens the link between diagnosis and treatment in acupuncture and moxibustion therapy. Meridian palpation is an important basic technology that can develop the traditional diagnostic system of Korean medicine to meet modern medical needs. In the future, objective diagnostic models based on meridian palpation and clinical validity verification should be continuously carried out.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This work is supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT (No. 2022M3A9B6017813).

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