Yang Jizhou (1522–1620), a native of Quzhou, Zhejiang province, was a distinguished Chinese physician who specialized in zhenjiu treatment during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644).

Zhenjiu, or acupuncture and moxibustion, is one of the treatment methods of traditional Chinese medicine.

Hailing from a family of medical practitioners, Yang turned to medicine after suffering setbacks in the imperial examinations. He excelled in acupuncture, integrating it with moxibustion and herbal medicine for remarkable therapeutic outcomes.

A statue of Yang Jizhou in Quzhou. [Photo/WeChat account: quzhouta]

Yang compiled Zhenjiu Dacheng, a 10-volume work synthesizing historical texts with his clinical insights. This comprehensive guide discusses meridian pathways and treatment methods of acupuncture and moxibustion.

Yang's zhenjiu treatment system, encapsulated in Zhenjiu Dacheng, has profoundly influenced the development of zhenjiu treatment. In 2014, it was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage item.

His work Zhenjiu Dacheng has been translated into seven languages and published in 79 versions, reaching over 180 countries and regions, significantly impacting global acupuncture and moxibustion practices.