BRAIN AWAKENING AND OPENING OF ORIFICES" – THE SIGNATURE TECHNIQUE OF ACADEMICIAN SHI XUEMIN

Academician Shi Xuemin – a symbol of modern Chinese acupuncture Shi Xuemin (石学敏, 1938–2025) was an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, professor, founder of a new school of acupuncture, and chairman of the Tianjin Acupuncture Association.

He was one of the greatest doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), who made a fundamental contribution to the scientific justification and international recognition of acupuncture.
Scientific Discoveries
“Awakening Consciousness” Method (醒脑开窍)
• Developed in 1972, this method was used in the treatment of both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes.
• Included specific acupuncture points such as Baihui (GV20), Shuigou (GV26), Neiguan (PC6), Sanyinjiao (SP6), among others.
• Clinically proven: over 80% of patients regained function within 3 months; in acute phases, up to 48% achieved full recovery.
• The method was included in national clinical guidelines and awarded the National Science and Technology Progress Award of China.
Quantitative Model of Acupuncture Manipulation (针刺手法量学)
• Among the first to introduce standardized parameters for acupuncture:
• insertion angle;
• rotation frequency;
• oscillation amplitude;
• duration of manipulation.
• This allowed for the comparative assessment of techniques and the development of unified training standards for students.
Mechanisms of Brain Activity
• Under his guidance, biomedical research revealed:
• changes in gene expression (e.g., BDNF) after acupuncture;
• confirmed influence on cerebral blood flow and neuroplasticity;
• support for the use of MRI and PET imaging to demonstrate brain activity during point stimulation.
International Outreach
• More than 100 international visits with lectures, masterclasses, and clinical demonstrations in the USA, France, Japan, Russia, Singapore, Germany, Italy, and Spain.
• In the 1990s, he was invited by the WHO to advise on acupuncture point standardization.
• Founded the “Global Program for Transmission of the Awakening Consciousness Method”, which has trained over 10,000 foreign doctors.
• Video tutorials and online courses have been translated into English, Spanish, Japanese, and Russian.
• Honorary professor at universities in Japan, South Korea, Poland, and Germany.
Academic and Scientific Contributions
• Author of over 50 monographs, including:
• 《醒脑开窍针刺法》 (Acupuncture Method for Awakening Consciousness)
• 《现代针灸手法学》 (Modern Techniques of Acupuncture)
• Published more than 80 scientific articles in journals such as Chinese Journal of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Stroke, The Lancet Neurology (co-authored).
• Supervised over 300 graduate students, including dozens of international scholars.
Awards and Recognition
• Recipient of the National Science and Technology Progress Award of China (three times).
• Listed as a bearer of China's National Intangible Cultural Heritage in acupuncture.
• Honoured with the title “China’s Most Outstanding Doctor” by the Ministry of Health.
• Received an honorary order from the Ministry of Education of the PRC for contributions to medical science.
Academician Shi Xuemin served as a bridge between ancient healing traditions and modern medical science. Thanks to his contributions, Chinese acupuncture achieved scientific validation, international standardization, and high clinical effectiveness. His techniques are used globally, and his name has become a symbol of a new era in TCM.