Microsystems

According to TCM, each organ has its channels and points. Then you have vessels that may borrow points from these channels. You then have extra points, family lineage points to empirical points. Each point is specifically selected for its functions. Local Ashi points, which are tender points, are sometimes often selected. With this in mind, distal points can also be chosen.

In East Asian Medicine, it is believed that every internal and external organ has a paired organ and each has an extension that stems out onto the skin. These channels may cross one another like roads on a map. Two channels may cross to even three or more and reach beyond where they are held. Some points of a different channel could even represent a channel not its own. Anatomically, these points and channels travel along the nervous system and major veins and arteries to rise at their location on the skin and dermatome regions.

Because of the channel's interconnectivity and extension, each body area or part can be said to be a mini representation of the entire body. Examples are scalp, ear, hand, foot, abdomen, abdominal ancient turtle and so on. The ear, for example, represents an upside down fetus. Organ points are selected based on where the fetus' organs appear on the ear. Other microsystems work similarly.

In general, every point selected can produce positive results for the right condition regardless of their location. Added to this, there are some things distal points might not be able to do as well as, let's say, abdominal points and vice versa.

Example of How Abdominal Acupuncture Ancient Turtle Works

After we are born, our life force and essence, or qi, is said to originate from the Dantian, a spot located slightly below the navel. The strength of both our mother and father heavily affects our health. But before we were brought into this world, we rely on our mothers qi or energy for sustenance via the umbilical cord. In brief, pre-heaven qi is transferred to the baby from the mother via the umbilicus before birth for survival. Pre-heaven qi will exist even after birth but will eventually deplete from external and internal pathogenic attacks which typically come from the elements, eating habits to stressors in life which ultimately affects the body's internal yin-yang balance.

Post-heaven qi is qi derived from food after birth. It is replenished with food. This qi helps the body process food and, based on how it moves or when it's blocked or deficient, affects our emotions which could lead to visible physical health symptoms like anxiety, stress, insomnia to hypertension.

One of Abdominal Acupuncture Ancient Turtle (AAAT) treatments combines points along the Ren channel called "Bringing the Qi Home" nourishes both pre-heaven and post-heaven qi, invigorates the kidneys and spleen. It is believed that when qi of each organ is not situated where it should be, flow smoothly or adequately, an imbalance causes illnesses to arise. "Bringing Qi Home" points can help guide this qi back to its origin. Blood is necessary for life and this aims to help the spleen and kidney function better since they are key organs involved in the formation or production of qi which is needed to create blood. It cannot restore pre-heaven qi completely but may help general health and wellbeing and a number of conditions when combined with other points.

This AAAT method uses the turtle's anatomy to pair with the body's abdomen. Some of the points reflect front-Mu points, where connections to the organs are deep and direct. A major uniqueness of this abdominal acupuncture method is that when certain point combinations are used, it can tap into pre-heaven qi and holistically support and help manage a number of health conditions. However, results from person to person may vary based on each person's unique health pattern(s).

References:

Cheng, X. (1987). Chinese acupuncture and moxibustion: Chief editor Cheng Xinnong. Foreign Languages Press.

Paul Ryan, M. (2009, September). A comprehensive introduction to abdominal acupuncture. Acupuncture Today. https://acupuncturetoday.com/article/32045-a-comprehensive-introduction-to-abdominal-acupuncture

Nugent-Head, A. (2021, April 27). Intro to Gut Health: Classical Chinese Medicine Approaches to Modern Day Challenges [Lecture notes]. https://pacificcenterforlifelonglearning.com/product/intro-to-gut-health-classical-chinese-medicine-approach-to-modern-day-challenges-on-demand/

Maciocia, G. (2015). The foundations of Chinese medicine: A comprehensive text. Elsevier.

Tan, S. G. (2018, August 11). Abdominal acupuncture Ancient turtle map and Ba Gua [Lecture notes]. AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine. https://www.facebook.com/events/113843396001626/120663165319649/?active_tab=about

Disclaimer: Information on this page, and all other associated links to this page, is not intended to make claims of any health benefits or that acupuncture, herbal supplements or recipes can cure, prevent or treat any health conditions but is for educational and informational purposes only.

Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine

Topic 1

Abdominal Acupuncture

	Topic 1 Abdominal Acupuncture Microsystems According to TCM, each organ has its channels and points. Then you have vessels that may borrow points from these channels. You then have extra points, family lineage points to empirical points. Each point is specifically selected for its functions. Local Ashi points, which are tender points, are sometimes often selected. With this in mind, distal points can also be chosen. In East Asian Medicine, it is believed that every internal and external organ has a paired organ and each has an extension that stems out onto the skin. These channels may cross one another like roads on a map. Two channels may cross to even three or more and reach beyond where they are held. Some points of a different channel could even represent a channel not its own. Anatomically, these points and channels travel along the nervous system and major veins and arteries to rise at their location on the skin and dermatome regions. Because of the channel's interconnectivity and extension, each body area or part can be said to be a mini representation of the entire body. Examples are scalp, ear, hand, foot, abdomen, abdominal ancient turtle and so on. The ear, for example, represents an upside down fetus. Organ points are selected based on where the fetus' organs appear on the ear. Other microsystems work similarly. In general, every point selected can produce positive results for the right condition regardless of their location. Added to this, there are some things distal points might not be able to do as well as, let's say, abdominal points and vice versa. Example of How Abdominal Acupuncture Ancient Turtle Works After we are born, our life force and essence, or qi, is said to originate from the Dantian, a spot located slightly below the navel. The strength of both our mother and father heavily affects our health. But before we were brought into this world, we rely on our mothers qi or energy for sustenance via the umbilical cord. In brief, pre-heaven qi is transferred to the baby from the mother via the umbilicus before birth for survival. Pre-heaven qi will exist even after birth but will eventually deplete from external and internal pathogenic attacks which typically come from the elements, eating habits to stressors in life which ultimately affects the body's internal yin-yang balance. Post-heaven qi is qi derived from food after birth. It is replenished with food. This qi helps the body process food and, based on how it moves or when it's blocked or deficient, affects our emotions which could lead to visible physical health symptoms like anxiety, stress, insomnia to hypertension. One of Abdominal Acupuncture Ancient Turtle (AAAT) treatments combines points along the Ren channel called "Bringing the Qi Home" nourishes both pre-heaven and post-heaven qi, invigorates the kidneys and spleen. It is believed that when qi of each organ is not situated where it should be, flow smoothly or adequately, an imbalance causes illnesses to arise. "Bringing Qi Home" points can help guide this qi back to its origin. Blood is necessary for life and this aims to help the spleen and kidney function better since they are key organs involved in the formation or production of qi which is needed to create blood. It cannot restore pre-heaven qi completely but may help general health and wellbeing and a number of conditions when combined with other points. This AAAT method uses the turtle's anatomy to pair with the body's abdomen. Some of the points reflect front-Mu points, where connections to the organs are deep and direct. A major uniqueness of this abdominal acupuncture method is that when certain point combinations are used, it can tap into pre-heaven qi and holistically support and help manage a number of health conditions. However, results from person to person may vary based on each person's unique health pattern(s). References: Cheng, X. (1987). Chinese acupuncture and moxibustion: Chief editor Cheng Xinnong. Foreign Languages Press. Paul Ryan, M. (2009, September). A comprehensive introduction to abdominal acupuncture. Acupuncture Today. https://acupuncturetoday.com/article/32045-a-comprehensive-introduction-to-abdominal-acupuncture Nugent-Head, A. (2021, April 27). Intro to Gut Health: Classical Chinese Medicine Approaches to Modern Day Challenges [Lecture notes]. https://pacificcenterforlifelonglearning.com/product/intro-to-gut-health-classical-chinese-medicine-approach-to-modern-day-challenges-on-demand/ Maciocia, G. (2015). The foundations of Chinese medicine: A comprehensive text. Elsevier. Tan, S. G. (2018, August 11). Abdominal acupuncture Ancient turtle map and Ba Gua [Lecture notes]. AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine. https://www.facebook.com/events/113843396001626/120663165319649/?active_tab=about Disclaimer: Information on this page, and all other associated links to this page, is not intended to make claims of any health benefits or that acupuncture, herbal supplements or recipes can cure, prevent or treat any health conditions but is for educational and informational purposes only.
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