This paper analyzes the historical development and value orientation of jingluo (meridians and collaterals) theory, proposing that the superficial arteries of body are the initial choice for constructing jingluo system by ancient practitioners. When (blood) vessels no longer met the clinical and theoretical requirements for constructing jingluo system, the concept of jing (meridian) emerged subsequently. The value of jingluo theory orients towards the empirical laws that establish the connections between the upper and the lower, as well as the internal and the external of the body, serving as a theoretical framework to guide and explain the therapeutic effect of acupuncture and moxibustion. The construction of jingluo system marks the fundamental maturity of this theory and lays the core theoretical foundation for acupuncture and moxibustion as an independent discipline. The authors propose to deconstruct the jingluo system into three subsystems, namely, mai (vessel) system regulates the flow of qi and blood to nourish the entire body; jing (meridian) system balances yin and yang to coordinate systemic functions; and jin (tendon) system stabilizes bones and facilitates joint movement. Finally, the conceptual framework for each subsystem is presented, including construction principles, theoretical models, classical text references for meridian running path, clinical knowledge domains, and diagnostic and therapeutic dimensions. After deconstructing the jingluo system into three subsystems, this study reconstructs it based on classical literature and relevant theories of traditional Chinese medicine, aiming to establish a new theoretical framework for jingluo theory, thereby providing novel insights for further clinical applications of acupuncture and moxibustion as well as scientific research.

In the present paper, it is first proposed that the acupuncture-moxibustion medicine can be divided into 2 branches, namely, traditional acupuncture-moxibustion and modern acupuncture-moxibustion, and then makes a comparative analysis on their connotations of the theoretical knowledge systems and cognitive methodology. It is believed that the conditions for the construction of the theoretical system of modern acupuncture-moxibustion are basically mature. It also puts forward that the three basic principles must be adhered to in the construction of the knowledge of theoretical framework of modern acupuncture-moxibustion, namely, to follow the attributes of modern natural science, to follow the basic findings of modern clinical and basic research, and to follow the basic characteristics of external treatment techniques. This article mainly explains the author's personal views on the construction of the basic theory of modern acupuncture-moxibustion, and puts forward the macroscopic ideal model of surface stimulation medicine on the human body, that is, the theoretical model is divided into “three-layer (three-facet) system” and “three-line network system” at the macro level. The so-called “three-layer system” refers to the peripheral tissue from the body surface to the deep layer, which can be divided into 3 different tissue layers: the superficial (upper) layer, the connective tissue layer and the skeletal muscle layer at the macro level, which mainly guides the external treatment and local treatment of acupuncture, as well as the depth of acupuncture needle insertion. The so-called “three-line network system” refers to the neural network composed of nerve tissue, the myofascial force line network composed of myofascial fascia in the connective tissue, and the vascular network composed of muscle tissue (smooth muscle) and connective tissue. The “three-line network” functions in connecting the whole body, and mainly guides the internal treatment via external stimulation, distal treatment or holistic treatment. In this paper, the tissue structure and functional characteristics involved in the “three-layer system” and “three-line network system” of modern research in recent years are integrated and refined, which is helpful to guide treatment of clinical disorders by using acupuncture and moxibustion, and the two theoretical systems of “nonlinear structure system” (three-layers) and “linear structure system” (three-line network) of modern acupuncture-moxibustion are formed. In view of the modern acupuncture stimulation point theory, several categories of acupuncture points are proposed based on the nerves, blood vessels, myofascial trigger points, skin, muscle and related soft tissues. Finally, it is pointed out that the construction of modern acupuncture-moxibustion will complement and promote each other with the traditional one, enrich its knowledge system, and thus promote the development of this subject.