Dr. Xuelong Huang, the Earliest Founder of “Scalp Acupuncture-Zones Therapy”

Background: There were controversies in academic circles regarding who was the founder of Scalp Acupuncture (SA), while Dr. Yunpeng Fang or Dr. Shunfa Jiao claimed themselves as the earliest founder and some believe that SA was founded by Dr. Xuelong Huang (Huang) in the 1950s. Aim: To investigate Huang and his acupuncture practice and research, to uncover the history of Huang’s contribution to SA therapy. Methods: Huang and his SA therapy are introduced and discussed in five aspects, including the transformation from a local traditional scholar in the late Qing Dynasty to an expert in acupuncture-moxibustion, the formation of scalp acupoints and acu-zones, clinical indications, multiple stimulation modalities, and clinical experience. Results: The fact is that in the 1950s, Huang was the first to develop SA therapy. Its theoretical basis is that the 14 Channels and the brain are a sole system: when divided, they are demonstrated as 14 Channels, and when combined, the Channels are all unified in the brain. The longitudinal stimulating line (acu-zones) is located on the scalp above the sagittal suture, centered at the Baihui (DU20) acupoint, and with the other scalp acupoints on the Governor Vessel (Du Mai). The horizontal stimulating line (acu-zones) is formed with the acupoints Naohu (DU17), Yuzhen (BL9), and Naokong (GB19). Both lines form a shape of “丄”. The stimulating modalities include single-point needling, one needle piercing through two or multiple acupoints, moxibustion, and plum-blossom dermal needling (extensive shallow acupuncture). When acupoints on the head are selected, the local scalp zones of the “cerebral cortex” directly underneath are often introduced first, and then based on the indications recorded in traditional classics such as A-B Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion . Huang’s SA accumulated extensive experiences. His stimulation does not have to be limited to single-acupoint and more focus on acu-zones, and there are many stimulating modalities adopted; therefore, Huang’s method can be called “scalp acu-zone therapy.” In the 1970s, “SA therapy” rose again under the first advocacy of Dr. Yunpeng Fang, and many SA “schools” formed, such as Fang, Jiao, Tang, Lin, Zhu, and many more. The promulgation of international standards for SA in the 1980s marked the formal acceptance of SA by international acupuncture societies, it has been incorporated into the Channels and acupoint system of traditional Chinese medicine. Conclusion: Starting by Huang, the main operating method of all schools of SA is using needles to penetrate acupoints on the scalp instead of stimulating every single acupoint, and the stimulating methods are becoming more and more diverse, it is suggested to change the term “scalp acupuncture” to “scalp acu-zones therapy” for reflecting the real clinical practice.