What Does Abdominal Acupuncture Do?

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:

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.