Acupuncture Therapy for Treating Lower Extremity Diseases: Application of Anatomy in Traditional Chinese Medicine

This paper examines the clinical benefits of integrating anatomical knowledge into acupuncture treatments for lower limb musculoskeletal disorders, focusing specifically on the application of Futu (ST32) and Dubi (ST35). While traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) emphasizes meridian theory and the flow of Qi, contemporary anatomical understanding provides a complementary framework that can refine point localization and needling techniques. To explore this integrative approach, we conducted a randomized controlled trial involving 60 patients diagnosed with chronic knee or thigh pain. Participants were divided into two groups: one received conventional acupuncture based solely on traditional meridian selection, while the other was treated using an anatomically informed protocol. Outcomes were measured using standardized pain scales and joint mobility assessments. The anatomically guided group demonstrated statistically significant improvements in both pain relief and functional mobility. These findings suggest that combining anatomical precision with classical acupuncture principles can enhance therapeutic outcomes. Furthermore, this approach may serve as a practical model for integrating traditional knowledge with modern biomedical insights, thus contributing to the development of more effective and evidence-based acupuncture strategies for musculoskeletal care. This interdisciplinary method may also encourage further academic collaboration between Eastern and Western medical practitioners, fostering innovations in minimally invasive pain management techniques and rehabilitation protocols.