In China, acupuncture and moxibustion have been used for a long time in treating diseases and have attracted tremendous public interest. Moxibustion is often used in conjunction with acupuncture as a thermal stimulation on specific acupoints. Recent advances in characteristics of meridians and acupoints, such as the optical and thermal characteristics of acupoints in different physiological and pathological conditions, have introduced new knowledge and understanding of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Laser, which generates extremely pure light of single wavelengths, can be used to stimulate acupoints acting as “photonic” acupuncture or “photonic” moxibustion and is widely used today. Up to now, there isn’t sufficient research on its efficacy and mechanisms of action. Knowledge and understanding of the characteristics of meridians and acupoints, as well as clinical efficacy and safety of laser acupuncture and moxibustion, will lead to the development of acupuncture.

We invite investigators to contribute original research and review articles on high-quality research in this field. These works could be from different research areas, including characteristics of meridians and acupoints, thermal characteristics research of meridians and acupoints, and thermal characteristics of moxibustion, as well as clinical efficacy and safety of laser acupuncture-moxibustion. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Biophysical characteristics of acupoints and meridians at physiological and pathological status
• Biophysical (electrical, optical, and thermal) characteristics of acupuncture and moxibustion
• Clinical efficacy, safety, and mechanism of moxibustion
• Clinical efficacy, safety, and mechanism of laser acupuncture-moxibustion and other stimulations of moxibustion

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