Traditional Body Acupuncture (TBA)

Presentation

Traditional body acupuncture (TBA) is the master branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Practiced for over 2,500 years, it involves inserting fine, sterile needles at specific body points — acupuncture points — located along energy pathways called meridians (经络, jīngluò). The classical corpus, notably the Huángdì Nèijīng (Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, ~200 BCE) and the Zhēnjiǔ Jiǎyǐjīng (Systematic Classic of Acupuncture, 282 CE), identifies 361 regular points on 14 main meridians, plus hundreds of extraordinary points (奇穴, qíxué).

Acupuncture is founded on the concept of Qi (气), vital energy circulating throughout the body. When this circulation is disrupted — by stress, climate, diet or emotions — disease arises. The needle removes blockages, tonifies deficiencies and disperses excesses to restore homeostasis.

Origins: Ancient China, codified between the 3rd century BCE and the 3rd century CE.

Core Principles

TBA relies on several theoretical pillars of TCM:

• Yin-Yang Theory (阴阳): all biological phenomena result from the dynamic interaction between two complementary poles. Acupuncture aims to restore this balance.
• Five Elements Theory (五行, Wǔ Xíng): Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water — each organ is associated with an element and interacts with others through generation and control cycles.
• Meridian Theory (经络): 12 bilateral main meridians, 2 median extraordinary meridians (Ren Mai and Du Mai), 8 extraordinary meridians total, and multiple collaterals forming a Qi circulation network.
• Zang-Fu Theory (脏腑): 5 Yin organs (Heart, Liver, Spleen, Lung, Kidney) and 6 Yang organs (Small Intestine, Gallbladder, Stomach, Large Intestine, Bladder, Triple Burner) govern physiological functions.
• De Qi (得气): characteristic sensation (heaviness, distension, tingling, propagation) felt by the patient when the needle reaches the Qi — a sign of effective stimulation.

Main Indications

• Musculoskeletal pain: low back pain, neck pain, knee pain, frozen shoulder, sciatica
• Headaches and migraines
• Digestive disorders: nausea, vomiting, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation
• Respiratory disorders: asthma, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis
• Gynecological disorders: dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome, fertility support
• Emotional disorders: anxiety, insomnia, mild depression, chronic stress
• Addictions: smoking cessation, alcohol withdrawal support
• Oncology support: post-chemotherapy nausea (WHO-validated)
• Neurological disorders: facial palsy, post-stroke sequelae, neuropathies

Session Overview

The consultation begins with a complete energetic assessment using the four diagnostic methods (四诊, sì zhěn): observation (望, wàng), auscultation-olfaction (闻, wén), inquiry (问, wèn), and palpation (切, qiè) including radial pulse taking. The practitioner establishes a differential diagnosis (辨证, biànzhèng) identifying the energy imbalance.

The patient lies comfortably. The practitioner inserts 4 to 20 sterile single-use needles (diameter 0.16–0.30 mm, length 13–75 mm) into selected points at varying depths (3–50 mm depending on location). Needles are manipulated by rotation, lifting-thrusting or vibration to obtain De Qi. They remain in place for 20 to 40 minutes.

Recommended frequency: 1–2 sessions per week during the acute phase, then gradual spacing. A typical protocol includes 6 to 12 sessions.

Variations and Sub-techniques

• Dispersing needling (泻法, xiè fǎ): rapid rotation, slight needle withdrawal, strong stimulation — for excess syndromes (heat, stagnation)
• Tonifying needling (补法, bǔ fǎ): gentle insertion, slow rotation, prolonged retention — for deficiency syndromes
• Transparent needling (透刺, tòu cì): a single needle passes through two adjacent points
• Heated needles (温针灸, wēn zhēn jiǔ): moxa fixed on the needle handle combining acupuncture and moxibustion
• Bloodletting (刺络放血, cì luò fàng xuè): micro-bleeding with triangular needle on congested points

Contraindications

• Severe coagulation disorders or high-dose anticoagulant therapy
• Pregnancy: certain points are strictly forbidden (合谷 Hé Gǔ, 三阴交 Sān Yīn Jiāo, abdominal and lumbosacral points)
• Medical emergencies (myocardial infarction, acute stroke, pneumothorax)
• Skin infections or open wounds at puncture sites
• Pacemaker (if electro-acupuncture is combined)
• Intoxication, severe hypoglycemia, extreme exhaustion