[Summary of the academic thoughts of Professor XU Nenggui on the "governor vessel regulating spirit" acupuncture method for post-stroke dysphagia].

Abstract

Based on his extensive clinical experience and the team's mechanistic research, Professor XU Nenggui has proposed the academic concept that "the governor vessel governs the brain and treats cerebral viscus diseases", and established a novel acupuncture approach for encephalopathy treatment centered on the integrated theory of "governor vessel-brain-mind", and developed a staged acupuncture protocol of "governor vessel regulating spirit" for ischemic stroke. This article introduces the academic features of this method in treating post-stroke dysphagia from four aspects: theoretical framework, treatment principles and point selection, mechanistic research, and clinical case studies. In clinical application, the method emphasizes syndrome differentiation based on meridians, harmonization between the conception and governor vessels; precise acupoint selection to treat both form and spirit; stage-specific differentiation with targeted needling. Furthermore, Professor XU integrates basic research with clinical practice, focusing on the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the efficacy of acupuncture in treating post-stroke dysphagia.