腹哀 : Fuai : Abdomen Sorrow

Location Guides:

Meetings:

Meeting of Spleen with Yin Wei Mai

Location:

On the abdomen at the depression at the lateral border of the rectus abdominis muscle, 4 cun from the midline, 3 cun superior to Daheng Sp-15, level with Jianli Ren-11 and Guanmen, St-22

Needling:

Perpendicular insertion 0.5 - 1 cun

Warnings:

In thin patients, deep needling may penetrate the peritoneal cavity. Deep needling at this point on the left may penetrate an enlarged spleen

Classical Needling:

"The Taiyin usually has much Qi and little Blood" (Su Wen 素問 ch. 24) implying this channel should normally be needled.
"The foot Taiyin is to be pierced 3 fen deep and remain inserted for four exhalations" (Ling Shu 靈樞 ch. 12).
"It is needled to a depth of seven fen and moxaed with five cones" (Huangfu Mi 皇甫謐, 3rd Century, Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing 針灸甲乙經).

TCM Actions:

Regulates the Intestines

TCM Indications:

• Periumbilical pain, cold of the abdomen, undigested food in the stool, Dysenteric Disorder (痢疾, Li Ji), stool containing pus and blood, constipation.

Neuroanatomy:

Superficial Innervation: Lateral cutaneous thoracic nerve from T9

Dermatome Segment: T9

Martial Applications & Effects of Injury:

Well protected by the external obliques, but if caught unawares then a strike here can have devastating consequences due to its location near the diaphragm potentially causing death suffocation, and at least causing the recipient to sit down and catch their breath (Montaigue, Dim Mak Locations, Taijiworld.com).

In seizing martial arts (Qin Na) striking the right side of the abdomen, just the under the ribcage, located approximately at this point, is a method of striking the organs (Da Qi Guan, 打器官) in order to cause a rupture of the liver (Yang, 2004, Analysis of Shaolin Chin Na, 2nd Edition).

Striking the left side may have a similar impact on the spleen.

Major Combinations:

• Undigested food in the stool:
    Fuai Sp-16 and Taibai Sp-3
    (Wang Zhizhong, 王執中, 1220: Zhen Jiu Zi Sheng Jing, 針灸資生經, Classic of Supporting Life with Acupuncture and Moxibustion).

Notes:

This points name, "abdomen sorrow", its function of regulating the intestines, its location under the ribcage where Liver Qi stagnation is diagnosed by palpable tightness and its assignment to the Yin Wei Mai (opened with Pc-6) suggest its main use is for digestive disorders due to emotional trauma.

In Ayurvedic medicine:
Lad and Durve (2008) in Marma Points of Ayurveda locate two point with different names and functions on the left and right between here and Riyue GB-24, directly below the nipple on the costal margin. Both are associated with Ranjaka Pitta, Pachaka Pitta, Samana Vayu, Apana Vayu and Kledaka Kapha.

The point on the right side is called Yakrut has the following functions:
- Regulates the function of the liver and gallbladder
- Stimulates bhuti agni (liver metabolism) and detoxifies ama
- Regulates digestion and metabolism of all seven dhatus (tissues)
- Regulates functions of small intestine and colon
- Relieves pain locally
- Pacifies fiery emotions

The point on the left side is called Pliha and has the following functions:
- Regulates spleen functions
- Regulates and detoxifies blood
- Enhances immunity
- Enhances lymphatic circulation
- Regulates functions of small intestine and colon
- Relieves pain locally
- Balances emotions

Reference Notes:

Basic information on location, needle depth, TCM actions, indications and combinations is taken from Deadman et al (2001): A Manual of Acupuncture with additional anatomical information researched by reference to Gray's Anatomy (38th Ed., 1995) unless otherwise referenced. Images were found on acupunctureschoolonline.com and can be traced back to Claudia Focks (2008) Atlas of Acupuncture originally. I cannot claim any credit or rights over them. Other sources should be quoted in the text.

For some of the more unusual terms I have created a glossary here