皇甫谧中年因病致半身不遂，转而钻研医学，博采《素问》《针经》《明堂孔穴针灸治要》，撰成《针灸甲乙经》，是现存最早的针灸学专著，系统整理了人体腧穴、经络及针灸治疗方法，对后世针灸学发展影响深远。他同时也是重要的史学家、文学家，著有《帝王世纪》等史书。

After being partially paralyzed by illness in middle age, Huangfu Mi turned to the study of medicine, drawing on the Basic Questions, the Needle Canon, and related texts to compile the ABC Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion — the earliest surviving dedicated acupuncture treatise, systematically organizing the body's acupoints, channels, and treatment methods. He was also a noted historian and man of letters, author of the historical work Chronicles of Emperors and Kings.