Abdominal Acupuncture (Bo's Method)

Presentation

Abdominal acupuncture is a relatively recent system developed in the 1970s–1990s by Professor Bo Zhiyun (薄智云) of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Unlike classical body acupuncture using the 361 points on 14 meridians, this method focuses exclusively on the abdominal region, considered a holographic microsystem reflecting the entire body.

Prof. Bo discovered that a complete somatotopic map — the 'turtle' (先天经络图, xiāntiān jīngluò tú) — projects onto the abdomen, centered around the navel (CV8 Shenque). This microsystem, connected to the innate meridian system (先天, xiāntiān), would allow access to deep energetic layers that conventional acupuncture reaches with more difficulty.

Insertion is superficial (2–10 mm), making the technique virtually painless and particularly suited for sensitive patients, children and needle-phobic individuals.

Creator: Professor Bo Zhiyun (薄智云), Beijing, 1970s–1990s.

Core Principles

• Holographic microsystem: the abdomen contains a miniaturized representation of the human body, centered on the navel (CV8). The head projects above (CV12 Zhongwan), the feet below (CV4 Guanyuan), the limbs to the sides.
• Innate meridian system (先天): according to Bo, the abdomen retains the memory of embryonic development and primordial energetic connections established in utero via the umbilical cord.
• Three depth levels: Heaven (天) — superficial insertion acting on deep energetic layers; Human (人) — medium depth; Earth (地) — deep insertion acting on superficial layers.
• Painless: no traditional De Qi seeking. Efficacy relies on positioning precision, not intense stimulation.

Main Indications

• Chronic pain: low back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, knee pain
• Musculoskeletal disorders resistant to conventional treatments
• Chronic headaches and migraines
• Functional digestive disorders
• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic fatigue
• Sleep disorders
• Needle-phobic patients (painless technique)

Session Overview

Diagnosis combines traditional assessment (pulse, tongue) and meticulous abdominal palpation searching for areas of tension, tenderness or emptiness. The practitioner locates points with millimetric precision using standardized anatomical landmarks referenced to the navel.

Fine needles (0.16–0.22 mm diameter) are inserted very superficially into the abdomen without seeking De Qi. A typical treatment uses 8 to 16 needles. Retention lasts 20 to 30 minutes. The effect on pain is often immediate.

Variations and Sub-techniques

• 'Celestial turtle' prescription: point combination reproducing the complete somatotopic map for systemic disorders
• Targeted prescription: point selection precisely corresponding to the painful area projected on the abdomen
• Combination with body acupuncture: joint use for complex cases

Contraindications

• Pregnancy (abdominal region contraindicated)
• Acute abdominal pathology (appendicitis, peritonitis)
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm
• Significant abdominal scarring (caution in point selection)
• Abdominal skin infections