Abstract
Activating Blood Circulation to Remove Blood Stasis (ABCRBS) has long been the most fundamental therapeutic principle since the age of Yellow Emperor (circa 2600 BC) in Chinese medicine. Based on bio-responses of blood shear stress, which was not considered in Chinese medicine, we have initiated the merging of biomechanics with pharmacology and Chinese medicine, establishing the new discipline—biomechanopharmacology. Practice of exercise is a simple and self-regulatory way to promote shear stress in the circulation. Interestingly, acupuncture and massage are also linked with shear stress regulation. These procedures are expected to maintain normal functions of endothelial cells (ECs) by regulating shear stress levels of flowing blood. The statement of “Diseases are prevented as blood flow is promoted” by the renowned ancient physician Huatuo, who presented the wise foresight of the efficacy of shear stress, would likely begin a new chapter in preventive pharmacology and medicine in the years to come.
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Han, D., Liao, F. Chinese medicine, flowing blood, biomechanopharmacology and future preventive medicine. Chin. Sci. Bull. 57, 3541–3546 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-012-5226-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-012-5226-8