In the present paper

the authors review recent development of clinical application of acupuncture therapy in relieving gastroscopy-induced side reactions and recent situations of researches on the mechanisms of acupuncture in regulating gastrointestinal activities.The "clinical application part" contains 1) selection of acupoints as meridian-points

extra-points

holo-points and otopoints

2) common methods as digital pressure of acupoints

body acupuncture

acupoint-injection

auricular acupuncture and cupping

3) relieving cardiac sideeffects

and 4) raising the rate of correct diagnosis;while the related studies on the mechanism of acupuncture include 1) effect on gastric mechanical motility

2) effect on gastric electrical activity

3) regulation on gastric acid and gastrointestinal hormone levels

4) protective effect on the gastric mucosa

and 5) specificity of effects of acupoints.At present

direct study on the underlying mechanism of acupuncture therapy in relieving side-effects of gastroscopy have been seldom seen and its clinical application lacks united standards for selection of acupoints

needling methods

evaluation of the therapeutic effect

etc.Nevertheless

acupuncture therapy has a positive effect in reducing gastroscopyinduced side effects and should be spread in the clinical practice.