ZHANG Haochen, YANG Dianhui, HE Jiahui, et al. TCM pathogenesis and acupuncture-moxibustion differentiation and treatment of Crohn's disease based on the "liver-spleen-intestine" axis[J]. Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion, 2026, 46(6): 1011-1015.
ZHANG Haochen, YANG Dianhui, HE Jiahui, et al. TCM pathogenesis and acupuncture-moxibustion differentiation and treatment of Crohn's disease based on the "liver-spleen-intestine" axis[J]. Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion, 2026, 46(6): 1011-1015.DOI: 10.13703/j.0255-2930.20251204-k0006.
To explore the TCM pathogenesis and acupuncture-moxibustion differentiation and treatment of Crohn's disease (CD) based on the "liver-spleen-in
testine" axis. It is considered that liver depression with
qi
disorder
which triggers the imbalance between the spleen and intestine
is the initiating factor of CD. The key pivotal point lies in the failure of the spleen in transportation due to spleen deficiency
which generates dampness
restricts the liver
and stagnates the intestine.Intestinal disorders affecting the internal organs
and harming the
qi
of the liver and spleen
are the final stage. The treatment takes "relieving liver stagnation-strengthening spleen function-regulating intestine" as the principle
using acupuncture and moxibustion as the method
and achieves holistic treatment through core main acupoints-selection of acupoints based on syndrome differentiation-symptomatic selection of acupoints. The primary acupoints include Taichong (LR3)
Qimen (LR14)
Yinlingquan (SP9)
Zusanli (ST36)
Tianshu (ST25)
and Shangjuxu (ST37)
and modifications are made according to symptoms
which can smooth liver
qi
dispersion
strengthen spleen-stomach function
and harmonize bowel activity. The above treatment methods can improve the symptoms of CD patients and provide new ideas for the clinical prevention and treatment of CD in TCM.