Theoretical Elucidation and Clinical Application Exploration of Acupuncture-Moxibustion in "Preventive Treatment of Disease"

Abstract

The concept of "preventive treatment of disease" constitutes the core of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preventive thought, emphasizing proactive management before disease onset to maintain health and well-being. With the global shift toward the bio-psycho-social medical model and increasing public health demands, this concept has garnered significant scholarly and clinical attention. Acupuncture-moxibustion, as an integral component of TCM, exhibits unique advantages in the domain of "preventive treatment of disease" due to its holistic perspective and bidirectional regulatory characteristics. This paper systematically elaborates the core principles of "prevention before disease onset," namely conforming to nature, regulating the mind, and harmonizing yin and yang. It provides an in-depth exploration of specific acupuncture-moxibustion modalities, including winter-disease-summer-treatment (medicinal moxibustion), acupoint catgut embedding, and medicinal spread moxibustion, along with their proposed mechanisms of action. By integrating clinical studies and basic experimental evidence, this paper validates the scientific connotation and clinical value of acupuncture-moxibustion in preventive healthcare. Furthermore, the review discusses the potential of these modalities in addressing sub-health conditions and chronic disease prevention within the context of the western regions of China. The findings aim to provide a comprehensive reference for the scientific application and broader promotion of acupuncture-moxibustion within modern healthcare systems, bridging traditional wisdom with contemporary evidence-based practice.