Abdominal Acupuncture is a form of TCM Acupuncture that relies on abdominal Acupuncture points to treat conditions across the whole body. In this article we take a deeper look at this form of acupuncture, the type of conditions it can help with and the associated Acupuncture points.
So, what does abdominal Acupuncture do? According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, abdominal Acupuncture has a wide range of applications, helping to treat a variety of conditions including: back, neck and knee pain, stress and anxiety, obesity and weight loss. It can also help to strengthen both the upper and lower back, reduce swelling and help with brain-related problems.
Read on to learn more about abdominal Acupuncture and its benefits with Breeze Academy.
Abdominal Acupuncture - What Can it Help With?
Abdominal Acupuncture is rooted more in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) than in western Acupuncture applications. In modern times, Dr. Zhiyun Bo discovered just how useful abdominal Acupuncture is and its many applications.
Provided that the correct abdominal Acupuncture points have been selected, TCM claims that it can help with the following functions:
- Chief points (Jun) - top-level complaints; also regulates and harmonises the organs
- Deputy points (Chen) - enhances the organ regulating effects of the Chief points
- Assistant points (Zuo) - enhances Chief and Deputy functions, as well as regulating affected channels
- Envoy points (Shi) - provides symptomatic relief and are often used as guide points
TCM also claims that abdominal Acupuncture is also effective against a number of symptoms, pains and concerns. These include:
- Back, knee and neck pain
- Multi-site pain, such as with Fibromyalgia
- Anxiety, stress and depression
- Obesity and weight loss
Benefits of Abdominal Acupuncture
As well as being able to help with a range of conditions, there are a number of benefits that make abdominal Acupuncture particularly useful according to TCM philosophy:
- Typically, there is less needle sensation and discomfort than with other Acupuncture points
- Needles are not inserted into joints, therefore there is less risk of infection
- It can treat a number of problems at once
- Rapid results
Abdominal Acupuncture Points
To reap the benefits of abdominal Acupuncture, you (as an Acupuncture practitioner) need to know where the relevant points are. In line with TCM, these point are:
CV Points
These abdominal Acupuncture points image the spine and correspond with the vertebrae and GV points.
- CV12 (Zhongwan) - Treats head, brain and sensory organs
- CV11 (Jianli) - Used to treat brain problems
- CV 10 (Xiawan) - Treats back problems associated with the C7 vertebrae
- CV9 (Shuifen) - Reduces swelling associated with acute back and neck pain
- CV6 (Qlhal) - Treats a number of chronic conditions
- CV3 (Zhongji) - Treats conditions associated with the sacrum
Other Abdominal Acupuncture Points to be Aware of:
In addition to the CV points above, the following abdominal Acupuncture points support the upper and lower extremities.
- ST24 (Huaroumen) - Used for arm and hand issues. It also helps to strengthen the upper back
- ST26 (Wailing) - Used for back and leg issues. It also helps to strengthen the lower back
Abdominal Acupuncture Contraindications
For the most part, the contraindications to abdominal Acupuncture are similar to Acupuncture contraindications as a whole. These include:
Absolute Contraindications
The use of Acupuncture is forbidden in the following circumstances:
- The use of points LI 4; SP 6; UB 60, 67 and sacral foraminal points B 31, 32, 33, 34 during pregnancy
- On clients with uncontrolled movements
- On those at risk of lymphoedema
- On areas of spinal instability
- On scars, keloid, recent incisional wounds
- On skin with sensory deficit
- If the patient is on anticoagulant therapy or is a haemophiliac
Relative Contraindications
Acupuncture may be used in the following circumstances with careful consideration of the relevant risk factors and against the client’s medical history.
- Acute stroke
- Cancer
- Poor skin condition
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
Special Precautions
Whilst not strictly forbidden, the following conditions require special precautions.
- Imuno-supression
- Pregnancy
- Unclear diagnosis
- Abnormal physical structure
- Patients that have previously had strong or adverse reactions to Acupuncture.
Learn more about the contraindications of Acupuncture in our blog, Is Acupuncture Safe?, where we go into more detail about absolute and relative contraindications, as well as a number of other risks associated with the practice.
Final Thoughts
Whilst not rooted in western medicine, TCM abdominal Acupuncture appears to be a particularly beneficial form of the treatment with its ability to treat a wide range of conditions simultaneously.
If you are a medical professional interested in learning more about Acupuncture and how you can incorporate it into your practice, take a look at Breeze Academy’s foundation level Acupuncture course. We offer courses for beginners at all major UK cities that provide you with everything you need to be able to safely and effectively practise Acupuncture. If you already have a base-level knowledge of Acupuncture, take a look at our range of intermediate and advanced courses.