[Acupotomology: returning to the ancients and innovation of acupuncture].

Acupotomology is a technique of percutaneous minimally invasive soft tissue releasing. It can be found in traditional acupuncture, but is deemphasized in modern times. Therefore, the development of acupotomology is held as restoring of ancient ways of acupuncture. Compared with traditional acupuncture, acupotomology makes modern interpretations on the theory of muscle regions, absorbs theories of anatomy and pathology as well as techniques of asepsis and anaesthesia. It improves traditional needling tool. Therefore, it is also held as an innovation of acupuncture. The development of acupotomology makes up for the deficiency of acupuncture study. It. will promote the differentiation and crossing of acupuncture discipline, and become a new trend of acupuncture.