The rules of acupoint selection and treatment were identified and discovered from the collected ancient acupuncture-moxibustion prescriptions recorded the earliest for epigastric pain. The database of ancient acupuncture-moxibustion prescriptions for epigastric pain was set up using Excel2016 software. After the disease term

etiology

pathogenesis

symptoms and acupoints were normalized

the underlying multi-dimensional correlation among the elements of acupuncture-moxibustion was explored

using the frequency statistics and the association rule of Apriori algorithm. In the ancient time

in treatment with acupuncture-moxibustion therapy for epigastric pain

the acupoints of the high use frequency were sequenced as Zhongwan (CV12)

Shangwan (CV13)

Zusanl

i (ST36)

Neiguan (PC6)

Gongsun (SP4)

Pishu (BL20) and Weishu (BL21). The common combinations of acupoints included the pairs of back-

shu

points

the combination of back-

shu

points and front-

mu

points

the combination of front-

mu

points and

yuan

-source points and the combination of back-

shu

points and the lower

he

-sea points. The highly involved acupoints were those from the conception vessel

pericardium meridian

spleen meridian

stomach meridian and bladder meridian; and they were commonly distributed on the abdomen

the

yin

parts of the foot and the arm

the

yang

part of the leg and on the back. Regarding the etiologies such as parasites

food retention

masses

qi

stagnation and stomach cold

Zhongwan (CV12) and Shangwan (CV13) were coordinated; and Sanyinjiao (SP6) and Daling (PC7) were highly associated with masses. Besides cold injury

parasites and masses

for the epigastric pain caused by other factors of etiology (

qi

stagnation

stomach cold and food retention)

moxibustion therapy was greatly applicable. For epigastric pain combined with

qi

reversion in the lower abdominal region

Qichong (ST30)

Sanyinjiao (SP6)

Tianshu (ST25) and Zusanli (ST36) must be selected. Dadu (SP2) and Taibai (SP3) must be used if the distention in the chest and abdomen accompanied; and Zhongzhu (TE3) be used if back pain involved. Zusanli (ST36) was commonly selected for hiccups. For the other accompanied symptoms

Zhongwan (CV12) was used

which is consistent with the acupoint selection of main symptoms. On the trunk

moxibustion was generally used at Weishu (BL21)

Pishu (BL20)

Geshu (BL17)

Zhongwan (CV12)

Juque (CV14) and Qihai (CV6)

except Shangwan (CV13). Among the acupoints below the elbows and knees

moxibustion was commonly applicable at Zusanli (ST36)

and acupuncture was often used at Gongsun (SP4) and Dali

ng (PC7).