How well do you know your body - especially your Abdomen?

Kit Li

Have you ever felt, touched or listened to your abdomen while resting?  Or do you think of your abdomen when experiencing discomfort, such as stomachache or pain after eating the wrong foods?  

There is much more to discover than you might think.

From the Abdominal Acupuncture perspective, our abdominal area dominanted by the Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water), and correlates with our internal organs: Liver (Wood), Heart (Fire), Spleen (Earth), Lungs (Metal) and Kidneys (Water). This principle emphasises balance, as well as the dynamic interaction of Yin and Yang. Such an incredible system is rooted in the ancient diagram of 'HeTu' (Yellow River Chart)* and 'LuoShu' (Inscription of the River Luo)*, representing the transformation of the universe energies.

Recently, I encountered two female patients over 40 years old.  Through the palpation method of Abdominal Acupuncture. I found that both had very similar issues involving the Liver, Spleen and Kidneys.

Due to hormonal imbalances, unhealthy diets, extremely high stress levels, and a certain degree of emotional disorders, they also experienced cold extremities and a cold sensation in abdominal area, along with irregular menstruation.

From a TCM perspective, this pattern is known as 'Wood attacking Earth', where excessive Liver Qi invades and weaken Spleen. As a result, there was a combination of Liver Qi-stagnation, Spleen Qi-deficiency, Kidney-Yang deficiency, and chronic Damp-Cold accumulation in the lower abdomen. Their pulse diagnosis confirmed with the Guan position on the Right was wiry, while on the Left, it was weak. 

Additionally, the Qi in the Middle Jiao was unable to regulate properly due to Qi-stagnation, leading to a wiry pulsation felt on the Ren-mai near the stomach area (RN-9 and RN-10).

How do we treat this condition with Abdominal Acupuncture*? ‘Guiding the Qi downward’, needling the acupoints on the Ren-mai superficially in the abdominal area combined with selected points on Stomach, Liver and Kidney meridians (mainly on the lower trunks).

In terms of Chinese Herbal Medicine: A combination of 'Sini San' (四逆散)* and 'Sini Tang' (四逆汤)* is ideal for regulating Qi in the Middle Jiao, harmonising the Yin and Yang and warming the meridians to address cold extremities.

If the patient presents with a Yin or Yang imbalances, 'JinGui ShenQi Wan' (金匮肾气丸) is recommended to promote Yang; if there is Yang-deficiency, 'LiuWei DiHuang Wan' (六味地黄丸) is used to tonify Kidney-yin deficiency. In cases where Yin-deficiency leads to empty-heat, 'ZhiBai DiHuang Wan' (知柏地黄丸) is appropriate to nourish Yin and clear empty-heat. 

As a final note, it is always advisable to consult with a qualified TCM practitioner who can tailor herbal remedies and acupuncture treatments to your specific needs, as individual constitutions vary.

If you have any concerns regarding your health, please do not hesitate to contact me at kitsinli28@gmail.com, I would be pleased to offer further assistance.

References:

*HeTu: it's also called Yellow River Chart, it combined with the LuoShu (Inscription of the River Luo) to make it into two cosmological diagrams used in ancient China.

http://www.chinaknowledge.de/Literature/Daoists/hetuluoshu.html

*Abdominal acupuncture (腹针疗法) is a micro-system acupuncture where very fine needles are inserted shallowly into the abdominal area to treat diseases throughout the body, not just digestive issues, but also musculoskeletal pain, internal organ problems, emotional disorders, and more.

*Sini San (四逆散):  Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae Preparata) 6 g, Zhi Shi (Fructus Aurantii Immaturus) 6 g, Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri) 6 g, Shao Yao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) 9 g

*Sini Tang (四逆汤):  Fu Zi (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata) 5-10 g, Gan Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis) 6-9 g, Zhi Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae Preparata) 6 g

*JinGui ShenQi Wan (金匮肾气丸), LiuWei DiHuang Wan' (六味地黄丸) and ZhiBai DiHuang Wan' (知柏地黄丸) in capsules.  

A practitioner can fix everyone and also heal herself?

Kit Li

I study TCM to serve my purpose of helping people in need and also to help myself and my family.

In April 2021, I was diagnosed by a neurologist with a mature infarct in the right superior cerebellar artery territory.  Unfortunately, due to a misdiagnosis at the time of the stroke in November 2020, because I did not receive proper follow-up or treatment, as a result, I have suffered from pain and numbness in my left lower limb.  I thought I had to live with it for the rest of my life until I learned about Scalp Acupuncture.

From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the first six months after a stroke are considered  the most crucial time for acupuncture treatment. Unfortunately, I missed this opportunity, until I met my professor, Dr Tian Jun Wang in person and  began receiving intensive Scalp acupuncture treatments.

Before studying TCM, I had never heard of Scalp Acupuncture. Nor did I realise how effective it could be, not only for post-stroke syndrome and neurological conditions, but for a wide range of health issues.

For that reason, after my first two years of TCM studies, I also trained as a scalp acupuncturist and became an Academy of Scalp Acupuncture UK (ASA) member in July 2024.

Since then, Scalp Acupuncture has become one of my most essential techniques for treating neurological diseases, such as post-stroke syndrome, anxiety disorders, depression, ADHD, and Autism. I even helped a friend of mine who has been suffering from Tourette syndrome since he was a teenager. The results have been improved; at least the tics have been under control.

This journey has also strengthened my determination to study and practise TCM after everything I had been through.  Becoming a Chinese acupuncturist not only allows me to heal others, but also continues to be a path of healing for myself.

References:

Dr Tian Jun Wang: Chinese Acupuncture Ilford, Essex: TJ Acupuncture

Potential scalp acupuncture and brain stimulation targets for common neurological disorders: evidence from neuroimaging studies: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40329319/

Books:

https://books.google.com/books/about/Acupuncture_for_Brain.html?hl=zh-TW&id=lhi8zgEACAAJ

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0361923024001680

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348127381_Acupuncture_for_Brain_Treatment_for_Neurological_and_Psychologic_Disorders

What does it strike you?

This story is thought-provoking and reveals the confusion modern people face when treating illnesses.....

I was in the stairwell when, all of a sudden, I felt a slight itch in my left ear. My wife insisted that I see a doctor—she said that a lack of caution often leads to serious illness.

The doctor examined my ear and, after about half an hour, finally looked up and told me, “Take six penicillin tablets; this will immediately clear the dirt from your left ear.” I swallowed the pills. Two days later, the itch was gone, and my left ear felt as if it had been reborn.

The only thing that dampened my spirits was a rash on my abdomen—intensely itchy and unbearable. I immediately sought out an expert. With only a cursory glance, he told me, “Some people are not suited for penicillin and may have an allergic reaction. Do not worry; take twelve aureomycin pills and in a few days everything will return to normal.”

Aureomycin worked as expected: the spots vanished. However, I then discovered that my knees were swollen and I had a high fever. Staggering, I dragged myself to a veteran doctor.

“We are not unfamiliar with these phenomena,” he consoled me, “they are often closely linked to the efficacy of aureomycin.” He prescribed 32 terramycin tablets. Miraculously, the fever subsided and the swelling in my knees disappeared. However, my kidneys soon began to ache with a pain that was nearly fatal.

There are many things in this world that enslave us, and drugs are undoubtedly among them.

An expert was then summoned to my bedside. He determined that the excruciating pain in my kidneys was the result of taking terramycin—a matter not to be taken lightly, for the kidneys are vital organs.

Thus, he had a nurse administer 64 injections of aureomycin, intent on annihilating every bacterium within me.

In the modern hospital laboratory, numerous tests unequivocally confirmed that while not a single living bacterium remained in my body, my muscles and nerve fibers had suffered the same fate as those bacteria.

Only a large dose of chloramphenicol could save my life.

I took a large dose of chloramphenicol.

Those who admired me soon arrived to attend my funeral, though many idle individuals were mixed in among them.

A rabbi, in his moving eulogy, recounted my valiant struggle against disease. Regrettably, the treatment proved ineffective, and I was forced to die in the prime of my youth—a deep source of sorrow. It was only in the afterlife that I inadvertently discovered the truth: the itch in my left ear had been caused by a mosquito bite.

This story was written by Ephraim Kishon.

Reference:

https://en.ephraimkishon.com/books

Understanding Your Body’s Imbalances Through the Wisdom of TCM

Kit Li

Did you know the deeper imbalances of Yin-Yang, Qi-Blood, and organs systems manifest to our physical and emotional symptoms, externally and internally.  

According to the wisdom of the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon, we all experience some forms of Yin or Yang deficiency, Blood or Qi stagnation, Dampness, Stasis, or Phlegm at various points of life. These imbalances are always interconnected, for instance, if Dampness develops in our body, it can lead to the formation of Phlegm and become associated with Qi-stagnation.

Let me briefly explain some of these concepts using basic Tongue diagnosis, which can help you recognize the characteristics of each imbalance:

1) The root of Fire (Internal Heat) is Yin-deficiency (火的根源是阴虚):

Excessive heat symptoms such as night sweats, dry mouth, tinnitus or irritability often appears from insufficient Yin, for instance, Kidney yin-deficiency. Yang becomes comparatively excessive when Yin is insufficient, therefore 'Empty Heat' is manifested.  

Tongue: red near the center or tip with little to no coating, cracks in midline.

2) The root of Coldness is Yang-deficiency (寒的根源是阳虚):

Yang governs warmth, active force and movement, if your body lacks of Yang energy, especially in Kidney (pre-natal) and Spleen (post-natal) you often feel cold internally or externally, which leads to chills, cold limbs, fatigue, and a slow metabolism.  

Tongue: a puffy tongue with pale, swollen, slippery coating with teeth marks, a noticeable indentation in the center of the tongue.

3) The root of fatigue is Qi-deficiency (疲的根源是气虚):

Qi-deficiency means insufficient Qi and lacking of vital energy that fuels all bodily functions, such as tiredness, lack of physical strengths, or weakness. When Qi is low, organs such as Spleen and Lungs cannot perform optimally, leading to exhaustion and lack of vitality.  

Tongue: a pale and swollen tongue with teeth marks, also a noticeable indentation in the center of the tongue.

4) The root of acne/pimples is Damp-Heat (痘的根源是湿热):

Skin eruptions like acne are commonly due to an accumulation of dampness and heat in the body, particularly in Stomach and Lungs. This internal imbalance, often caused by unhealthy diet (like greasy, spicy, sugary and processed food), stress, or imbalance hormones, leads to inflammation, swelling, and pus.

Tongue: Red with yellow, greasy coating, especially in Stomach or Liver area. Slightly swollen with strawberries spots.

5) The root of dizziness is Blood-deficiency (晕的根源是血虚):

Blood nourishes the brain and senses, and when deficient, it fails to anchor the spirit (the disharmony of Heart and Liver) causing these symptoms, dizziness, light-headedness, or blurred vision.

Tongue: Pale and thin, slightly dry, indented and raised.

6) The root of stagnation is from Blood Stasis (滞的根源是淤阻):

Pain, swelling, or clots are caused by poor blood circulation, therefore, a feeling of sluggishness, fullness, or lack of flow in the body often points to Blood Stasis.

Tongue: dark or purple-ish colour may appear, also with red or purple dots; sublingual veins may be dark and swollen.

7) The root of pain is lack of free flow (痛的根源是不通):

Pain arises when Qi or Blood is blocked, whether due to cold, trauma, or emotional factors. According to TCM, 'if there is free flow, there is no pain; whereas, if there is pain, there is no free flow'.

Tongue: depends on the types of blockage, please refer to Qi-stagnation, Blood Stasis, Damp-heat.

8) The root of lumps (or nodules) is phlegm accumulation (结的根源是痰凝):

Nodules, cysts, or other types of bodily 'knots' often come from the accumulation of phlegm and dampness, which congeal into physical masses. This includes thyroid nodules, lymph node swelling, even brain fog, etc.

Tongue: A puffy and swollen with teeth marks, greasy white or yellow coating.

9) The root of sorrow (or depression) is Qi-stagnation (忧的根源是气郁):

Emotional distress, especially worry and sadness, often originates from Liver Qi-stagnatin, which means it is not flowing smoothly, emotions can become suppressed, leading to mood disorders.

Tongue: normal or slight red in both sides, thin white coating, may have slight teeth marks.

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, all of these symptoms can be treated effectively with a combination of acupuncture, moxibustion, and personalised Chinese Herbal Formulas. The goal is not simply symptom relief, but restoring the balance and harmony within the body and mind.

Please feel free to contact me at kitsinli28@gmail.com if you have any further questions or concerns about your health.

References:

Understanding diagnostic reasoning in TCM practice: tongue diagnosis

Traditional Chinese medicine tongue inspection: an examination of the inter- and intrapractitioner reliability for specific tongue characteristics

Traditional Chinese Medicine Constitution Identification Based on Objective Facial and Tongue Features: A Delphi Study and a Diagnostic Nomogram for Blood Stasis Constitution

XunZhen Meridian Palpation Therapeutics - Dr Ye Liuzhong

Kit Li

Have you ever heard of "XunZhen Meridian Palpation Therapeutics by Dr Ye Liuzhong'?

Prof Ye Liuzhong, esteemed founder and expert in the field, will conduct a five-day intensive course in palpating methods from April 6th to 10th. This course has been extremely popular, all spots for the five-day program are fully booked.  

"If you feel unsure about how to apply precise diagnosis and treatment…"

"If you’ve encountered obstacles while exploring how to effectively use the Six Meridians Diagnosis and familiar formulas…"

"If you think the approach of Zang-Fu differentiation isn’t effective enough for treating some complex and difficult conditions…"

"There is a diagnostic system that uses meridian signs, acupoint tenderness, and combines fast-acting treatments to precisely locate the pathogenic mechanisms."

"This method can assist you in achieving accurate differentiation and prescription, giving your diagnostic skills a powerful boost."

"This is XunZhen Meridian Palpation Therapeutics, a milestone new diagnostic and treatment system in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that teaches you Six Meridians Diagnosis from the meridian perspective and how to flexibly apply classic formulas and seasonal formulas."

"You’ll get to witness miracles for yourself..."

(Dr Ye Liuzhong, 2025)

My thoughts:

I was thrilled to have the opportunity to attend a two-day, in-person XunZhen Meridian Palpation Therapeutics workshop here in the UK, alongside a group of passionate classmates and Dr Ye.

Over the past two days, I was introduced to a completely new way of feeling, seeing, and understanding the body through this brilliant technique, which skilfully blends with Tongue and Pulse Diagnosis, Meridian Palpation, Truth-Seeking Points, and the powerful Reducing and Strengthening Manipulations.

The uniqueness of Dr. Ye’s approach is truly transformative, a profound experience that deepened my connection with the healing wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Thank you Dr Ye....

References:

https://chineseacupuncture.org.uk/team/dr-liuzhong-ye/

Our Board – British Acupuncture Federation

http://www.qihuanghealthcare.cn/live/detail/1537# 

http://www.qihuanghealthcare.cn/live/detail/1598

The Wisdom of our Renowned Chinese Physician - Zhang Zhongjing

Kit Li

Not long ago, I watched a video on the social media about a young mother who brought her 2 year old son to a Chinese Practitioner.  Her son never slept well and cried throughout the night, leaving her exhausted and agitated. She had been suffering from sleepless nights, struggling to cope with the demands of motherhood. However, unexpectedly, it was the mother, not the child, who ended up receiving treatment.

This reminded me of one the most renowned Chinese Physicians in history, Zhang Zhongjing*.  Recently, I watched a four part of documentary series about his journey. It outlined his path from a diligent student of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to becoming one of the most respected physicians of his time. His encounters with experienced mentors, his tireless search of wisdom, and his remarkable achievements made his story truly inspiring.

One particularly fascinating anecdote is about Zhang Zhongjing treating a young mother who brought her baby boy to see him. Her son cried restlessly all the time, leaving the mother was exhausted and agitated.  Using the Four Diagnostic Methods of TCM (Observation, Olfaction, Inquiry, and Palpation), Dr Zhang quickly realised that the true patient was not the baby, but the mother. Since she was breastfeeding, her physical and emotional state directly impacted her child. If the mother was unwell, how could she produce healthy milk for her baby?

From a TCM perspective, the mother had developed Yin-deficiency due to prolonged exhaustion and stress, and leading to internal heat. This imbalance affected the quality of her breast milk, transferring excessive heat to her baby. As the child consumed this milk daily, his body accumulated heat, resulting in discomfort, restlessness, and persistent crying. Instead of treating the child's symptoms directly, Zhang Zhongjing focused on restoring the mother's health, ensuring she could provide nourishing, balanced milk that would naturally soothe her baby. 

This case beautifully illustrates one of the fundamental principles of TCM: treating the root cause rather than just the symptoms. It also highlights the deep connection between mother and child, spotlighting why mental health is crucial in early childhood development.

Zhang Zhongjing's insights were truly ahead of his time, and his work continues to influence medical practices around the world. His ability to understand the deeper causes of illness, look at the whole person, and treat the root problems is what makes his legacy so special.

References:

Zhang Zhongjing - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghan_Lun

Shanghan Lun* (also known as Treatise on Cold Damage Disorders), was written by Zhang Zhongjin in the late Han Dynasty, circa 20-200 A.D.  

The original text was then divided into two texts, 'ShangHan Lun (which focused on external conditions) and the other one was 'Jin Kui Yao Lue' (which focused on internal conditions). It has been translated into at least 12 languages, including English, French, Spanish, Japanese, and Korean, etc.  

What many may not realize is that Japan's traditional medicine system, Kampo, is highly dependent on the principles and formulas elaborated on Shanghan Lun. For over 1500 years, Kampo practitioners have used these formulas to diagnose and treat various illnesses.