[Review on clinical application of needling techniques in chapter Guan Zhen (Official Needling Techniques) of Ling Shu (Spiritual Pivot)].

In the present paper, more than 380 theses related with clinical application of "nine needling techniques", "twelve needling techniques" and "five needling techniques" recorded in chapter Guan Zhen (Official Needling Techniques) of Ling Shu (Spiritual Pivot) were found through retrieving the data in the internet in latest 10 years. Among the 130 theses about clinical application of "nine needling techniques", 108 involve the application of opposing needling. Of the 180 theses about clinical application of "twelve needling techniques", 95 involve the application of triple needling. Out of the 60 theses on clinical application of "five needling techniques", 37 involve the application of Hegu needling (multi-direction needling). To sum up, the above-mentioned needling techniques were mainly applied to the treatment of diseases of dermatology, surgery, pediatrics, traumatology, five sense organs, etc.. It indicates that these needling techniques are widely being used in clinical practice now. Therefore, researchers should lay the stress on the scientific methodology, rigorous research process, as well as objective analysis of the results so as to make an objective conclusion and improve the level of the research.