(2) Fu Zhen

Abdomen Acupuncture

The abdomen, in particular the umbilical area (belly button area), seems to be the most important energy area of the whole human body. Abdomen acupuncture or Fu Zhen (literally ‘superficial acupuncture’) involves the needling of points located in the abdominal wall of this area. The techniques of Abdomen Acupuncture involve new concepts which are such interlaced into Traditional Chinese Medicine principles that it is impossible to grasp them separately.

Inventor of Abdomen Acupuncture

Dr. Zhi-yun Bo

The new concepts were developed by Dr. Zhi-yun Bo during the years 1972-1991. Dr. Zhi-yun Bo discovered that there are two abdominal meridian systems, besides the traditional whole-body meridian system. First the Prenatal Abdominal Meridian System, and second the Natal Abdominal Meridian System. They are found in different layers of the abdomen wall.

Channel Systems

Before birth, the Zang-Fu organs of the fetus (the 12 main organs of the human body) do not yet produce the Qi (life-force energy) and blood substances that are needed for its development. These substances come from the mother through the umbilical cord (Prenatal Channel System).

When the umbilical cord is cut, the Zang-Fu organs of the fetus start to generate Qi and blood substances themselves. As the umbilicus closes after the umbilical cord is cut, the tissue develops into nerve tissue and forms the Natal Channel System.

After birth the Natal Channel System takes over from the Prenatal Channel System. However, elements of the Prenatal Channel System and its ability to distribute Qi and blood continue to exist.

As the baby matures and the Zang-Fu organs grow, the baby’s own Channel System, the Postnatal Channel System, begins to develop. The Postnatal Channel system is the traditional whole-body meridian system of 14 meridians.

Prenatal

The first channel system discovered by Dr. Bo is the Prenatal Channel System that radiates from the umbilicus and is found in the superficial layers of the Abdominal wall.

Dr. Bo calls this system the “Shen Que” Channel System, because the system manifests as bands of points radiating from the umbilical acupuncture point CV-8, which is named “Shen Que” or “Shenjue” in Chinese.

Applying Abdomen Acupuncture

Photo Credit: Peter Chen <eastcare.com.au/blog/abdominal-acupuncture-in-my-clinical-practice/>

Natal

The second channel system discovered by Dr. Bo is the Natal Channel System. This system also radiates from the umbilicus but is found in the deep layers of the abdominal wall.

Dr. Bo calls the Natal Channel System the “Zang-Fu Organ System”, because Dr. Bo discovered that by deeper needling into the abdominal wall the Zangf-Fu organs could be directly tonified.

Showing Figure 2: Ba Kuo Chart of Zang Fu Organs System

Acupuncture Today, Acupunctures techniques. “A Comprehensive Introduction to Abdominal Acupuncture.” September 2009, acupuncturetoday.com

Postnatal

The Postnatal Channel System is the traditional whle-body meridian system of 14 meridians and part of this system is found in the middle layers of the abdominal wall.

The superficial-level Prenatal System, and deep-level Natal System, communicate via the middle-level Postnatal System. This three-level Abdominal Channel System (Prenatal-Natal-Postnatal) connects all parts of the body together into one network of energetic communication.

Traditional Meridian Channel System, upper body left-side appearance

Photo Credit: Mann, Felix (1981, 1966). “Atlas of Acupuncture. Points and Meridians in Relation to Surface Anatomy.” Pages 9 and 10.

The traditional whole-body meridian system regulates the flow of Qi” and blood substances to all parts and organs of the body. The system is controlled by the Shen Que Channel System which is the mother system and senior control center of the Traditional Meridian System. CV-8 is the central governing part of it; it is the core of our being.

Turtle Hologram

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Ba-Gua Hologram

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Outline

At abdominal level we have three systems: the (1) Shen Que System (an abdominal system), the (2) Zang-Fu Organ System (an abdominal system) , and the Traditional Meridian System (a whole-body system).

• We find the Shen Que Abdominal Meridian System at the superficial level of the abdomen wall. It is in the skin, and between the skin and the fatty tissue. The system is symbolized by “Heaven”.
• We find part of the Traditional Whole-body Meridian System at the middle level of the abdominal wall. It is in the fatty tissue under the skin. The system is symbolized by “Humanity”.
• We find the Zang-Fu Organ Abdominal Meridian System at the deepest level of the abdominal wall. It is in the muscle layers, and between the fatty tissue and muscle layers. The system is symbolized by “Earth”.

The needling depth of the abdominal wall is of prime importance because the different channel systems are attributed to different levels of the abdominal wall. In that, each level has its distinct functions and therapeutic effects. The choice of needling depth depends upon the condition being treated.

In abdomen acupuncture the superficial level is most used. The needling at this level makes the acupuncture rather pain free, as the needles are much shallower inserted than in conventional acupuncture (whole-body acupuncture) and no ‘deqi’ (needling sensaton) is required. Abdomen acupuncture of the superficial level therefore is safer and more comfortable than conventional acupuncture.

When abdomen acupuncture only treats the superficial level of the abdomen, it is commonly combined, or alternated, with acupuncture of more distal body points.

Most abdomen acupuncture treatments though require a combination of needles at different depths (three depths). In conventional acupuncture, needling techniques are also done at different depths (three depths). This concept of three levels (Heaven, Humanity, and Earth) is widely used in Chinese Medicine, think for example of pulse diagnosis (three depths).

It is stated that Dr. Zhi-yun Bo’s method of abdomen acupuncture is amazing. The method is therapeutically ‘miraculous’ powerful due to its successful regulation of the flow of Qi and blood substances of the whole body, by only needling the abdomen. Moreover, it is stated that the effects of this method with minimal needle sensation often are instantaneous.

Sources

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