Four Abdominal Acupuncture Points: A Classical Therapy for Preventive Medicine and Modern Applications

I. Point Location and Needling Techniques

The "Four Abdominal Points" are a key combination in acupuncture therapy, consisting of:

  1. Zhongwan (CV12) (4 cun above the umbilicus): A major point on the Conception Vessel (Ren Mai), the Front-Mu point of the Stomach, primarily treating spleen and stomach disorders.

  2. Guanyuan (CV4) (3 cun below the umbilicus): A meeting point of the Conception Vessel and the three Yin meridians of the foot, essential for reinforcing primordial qi.

  3. Tianshu (ST25) (2 cun lateral to the umbilicus, bilateral): The Front-Mu point of the Large Intestine, crucial for regulating intestinal qi.

Needling Method:

  • After insertion, needle manipulation is performed at three depths (Heaven, Person, Earth), with techniques based on deficiency/excess patterns:

    • Deficiency (sensation of emptiness upon insertion): Rotate clockwise three times to tonify.

    • Excess (sensation of tension, soreness, or sharp pain): Rotate counterclockwise three times to drain.

II. Historical Origins

The theoretical basis of the Four Abdominal Points traces back to The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine and The Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing).

  • The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine introduced the concept of "Front-Mu points," emphasizing abdominal points for regulating internal organs (e.g., Ling Shu: Pathologies of the Zang-Fu states: "Ying-Spring points treat external channels, He-Sea points treat internal organs").

  • The Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (compiled by Huangfu Mi, Jin Dynasty) systematically documented the locations and indications of Zhongwan, Guanyuan, and Tianshu, laying the foundation for clinical application.

  • Later physicians, such as Yang Jizhou in the Ming Dynasty (Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion), further refined abdominal point techniques. However, the formalization of the "Four Abdominal Points" as a fixed protocol was advanced by modern scholars like Dr. Wu Mingjie, who expanded its theoretical framework through clinical research.

III. Therapeutic Effects and Clinical Evidence

  1. Gastrointestinal Disorders

    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): An RCT (n=120) showed a 93.3% efficacy rate for the Four Abdominal Points combined with medication, significantly higher than medication alone (76.7%) (Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion, 2020).

    • Functional Dyspepsia (FD): A meta-analysis (8 RCTs, n=680) found acupuncture (including the Four Abdominal Points) superior to prokinetic drugs (World Journal of Gastroenterology, 2019).

  2. Immune Regulation

    • Postoperative Recovery: In gastric cancer patients (n=60), the Four Abdominal Points group showed significantly better immune markers (CD4+/CD8+ ratio, NK cell activity) (Journal of Clinical Acupuncture, 2021).

    • Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Ulcerative colitis patients (n=90) exhibited reduced inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α) (Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2018).

  3. Oncology Supportive Care

    • Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea/Vomiting: Breast cancer patients (n=80) receiving the Four Abdominal Points had a 15% vomiting rate vs. 42% in controls (Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science, 2022).

    • Preventing Recurrence/Metastasis: Colorectal cancer patients (n=150) had a 3-year recurrence rate of 12.5% vs. 25.8% in controls (Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2023).

IV. Global Implications for Preventive Medicine

Dr. Wu Mingjie posits that the Four Abdominal Points exemplify the core TCM principle of "prevention over cure," with unique advantages:

  • Complementary to Western Medicine: While conventional oncology relies on "surgery/radiation/chemotherapy" (targeting symptoms), the Four Abdominal Points address the root by modulating the internal milieu.

  • Healthy China Initiative: Promotes cost-effective, accessible care in primary health settings.

  • Globalization via BRI: International training programs can disseminate TCM’s preventive philosophy.

Important Note:
The hypothesis that the Four Abdominal Points "modify the tumor microenvironment" stems from Dr. Wu’s 40-year clinical observations. Rigorous validation through large-scale RCTs and mechanistic studies is warranted. Future research should explore its scientific basis to advance integrative medicine.

小朋友 张