Abstract: Local skin is an important part of traditional Chinese medicine meridian theory, which has the function of“Defending exterior, resisting exterior evil”. The paper starts with the origin of the concept, distribution and function of the local skin to find the theoretical basis of the theory of“gu biao” in traditional Chinese medicine. Combined with the methods and achievements of skin function research in modern medicine, the paper compares the similarities and differences between the theory of local skin of“gu biao”and skin immune function, and introduces the immunological research results of the theory of local skin of“gu biao”. At last, the paper summarized the guiding function, clinical and experimental research results, shortcomings and future research ideas of the theory of local skin of“gu biao” in massage therapy. The paper suggests that in the post-epidemic era, the theory of local skin of“gu biao” should be more widely used in the external treatment of traditional Chinese medicine, such as massage.

Key words: dermal, fixed surface, tui na, regulation, immunity