Dr Maggie Ju
Acupuncture London

The Abdomen: The Root of the Human Body

The human body is a marvel of biological engineering, with each part playing a vital role in maintaining balance, health, and functionality. While it may be easy to focus on more visible or active parts of the body—like the brain or limbs—it's the abdomen that can truly be considered the root of the body. From a physiological, energetic, and even symbolic perspective, the abdomen is at the center of everything, anchoring us and ensuring our well-being.

1. The Physiological Core

On a purely physical level, the abdomen houses many of the body’s essential organs, including the stomach, intestines, liver, kidneys, pancreas, and spleen. These organs are responsible for vital functions like digestion, metabolism, detoxification, and waste removal. Without the harmonious operation of these abdominal organs, the body would quickly fall into dysfunction.

Digestion and Nutrient Absorption: The stomach and intestines process food, breaking it down into nutrients that the body needs to function. This is where energy is derived, making the abdomen the literal center of life force.

Detoxification: The liver and kidneys filter toxins from the bloodstream, maintaining homeostasis and protecting the body from harmful substances.

Immune Support: The gut is often referred to as the "second brain" because of its vast network of neurons and its role in immune function. A healthy gut microbiome not only aids digestion but also fortifies the immune system.

2. The Core of Physical Stability

The muscles of the abdomen, known as the core muscles, play a key role in stabilizing the body. These muscles, including the rectus abdominis, obliques, and transverse abdominis, support the spine, assist in posture, and enable almost all forms of physical movement. Whether lifting, twisting, or simply standing, a strong core is essential for balance and mobility.

Athletes and fitness enthusiasts often emphasize core strength, as it improves performance and reduces the risk of injury. However, a stable core is not just for the active—it is critical for everyone. Without adequate abdominal support, other parts of the body, such as the lower back, take on unnecessary strain, which can lead to chronic pain and long-term health issues.

3. The Energetic and Symbolic Center

In many ancient traditions, the abdomen is seen as more than just a hub of physiological activity—it is considered the energetic core of the body. In Eastern philosophies, the "hara" (in Japanese culture) or "dantian" (in Chinese medicine) is located in the lower abdomen. This area is believed to be the seat of vital energy, or "qi" (chi), which powers the body and mind. The abdomen is also the location of the solar plexus in yogic and chakra systems. The solar plexus chakra (Manipura) is linked to personal power, confidence, and emotional health. 

In essence, the abdomen is regarded as the center of one's life force, grounding the individual and connecting them to the world around them. Practitioners of martial arts, yoga, and meditation often focus on strengthening and calming the abdominal area to foster inner strength and stability.

4. The Emotional and Psychological Connection

Interestingly, modern science is also beginning to support the ancient belief that the abdomen is intimately connected to our mental and emotional well-being. The gut-brain connection is now a well-established concept, highlighting the communication between the digestive system and the brain. This communication occurs through a complex network of nerves and hormones that influence our moods, thoughts, and emotions.

The term "gut feeling" isn't just a metaphor. When we experience anxiety, stress, or excitement, it’s often the abdomen that first signals these emotions. The gut-brain axis helps explain why digestive issues can worsen during times of stress and why improving gut health can lead to better mental health outcomes.

Moreover, abdominal breathing, also known as diaphragmatic breathing, is a well-known technique used to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and promote relaxation. By engaging the abdominal muscles and breathing deeply, individuals can tap into their parasympathetic nervous system, the body's "rest and digest" mode, which counteracts stress and anxiety.

5. Health Begins in the Abdomen

The idea that the abdomen is the root of the body also holds in the context of holistic health. Traditional systems like Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) often focus on the digestive system as the starting point for diagnosing and treating illnesses. In these systems, imbalances in digestion or energy flow through the abdomen are considered foundational causes of disease.

Maintaining the health of the abdominal organs is paramount for overall well-being. Eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet, staying hydrated, and practicing mindfulness and stress-reduction techniques like yoga and meditation abdominal acupuncture can all contribute to a healthy abdomen. Additionally, exercises that strengthen the core not only protect the body but also boost digestion and reduce the likelihood of gastrointestinal issues.

The Abdomen as the Anchor of Life

The abdomen, as the root of the body, is indispensable to our physical, emotional, and energetic well-being. Its role as a center for digestion, a stabilizer for movement, an energetic core, and a reflection of our emotional health underscores its importance in every aspect of life.

To nourish the abdomen is to nourish the whole self. Whether through diet, exercise, mindfulness or abdominal acupuncture focusing on abdominal health can lead to greater vitality, emotional balance, and physical strength. Understanding the centrality of the abdomen allows us to connect more deeply with our bodies and minds, reminding us that our foundation lies in the very core of our being.

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Abdominal diagnosis ---an ancient diagnosis method

Nanjing, or "The Classic of Difficult Issues," is a significant ancient Chinese medical text from the Han Dynasty. It serves as a foundational work in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and provides insight into diagnosis, particularly focusing on the pulse and the abdominal examination. The concept of abdominal diagnosis, also known as fukushin in Japanese, is rooted in Chinese medicine and was later developed extensively in Japan, especially by Changye Songben (also known as Sōhaku Matsumoto), a prominent figure in the Japanese adaptation of abdominal diagnosis.

1. Background of the Nanjing and Its Influence

The Nanjing, attributed to the scholar Bian Que, contains 81 chapters or “difficult issues” that attempt to clarify and address questions left by earlier works, like the Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic). Each chapter provides insights into diagnostic and therapeutic methods that were revolutionary at the time. The Nanjing emphasizes holistic approaches, combining observations on the pulse, tongue, and, notably, the abdomen as a means of understanding the body's internal health.

Abdominal diagnosis, as described in the Nanjing, emphasizes the palpation of specific areas on the abdomen to understand the state of internal organs, the flow of Qi, and the balance of Yin and Yang. This diagnostic method assesses tension, sensitivity, temperature, and other physical signs that reveal the underlying energetic state of the patient.

2. Abdominal Diagnosis in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

In TCM, the abdomen is seen as the center of the body's Qi, as it houses vital organs like the spleen, stomach, intestines, liver, and kidneys. The Nanjing's concept of abdominal diagnosis operates on the idea that each area of the abdomen corresponds to specific internal organs or meridians. For example:

Upper abdomen: Reflects the spleen and stomach's Qi.

Lower abdomen: Associated with the kidneys and reproductive system.

Liver area: Associated with the right side of the abdomen near the ribs.

By gently palpating the abdomen, TCM practitioners observe physical signs such as hardness, tenderness, or pulsations, which can indicate various conditions, such as Qi stagnation, blood stasis, or internal dampness.

3. Development of Abdominal Diagnosis in Japan: Changye Songben (Sōhaku Matsumoto)

Abdominal diagnosis gained further prominence in Japan, where it became known as fukushin. During the Edo period, Japanese medicine experienced a shift that emphasized the practical and observational aspects of Chinese theories, including abdominal diagnosis, and honed it into a unique diagnostic art form. Changye Songben (Sōhaku Matsumoto), a notable Japanese physician, was instrumental in advancing this method.

Changye Songben studied TCM texts like the Nanjing and adapted its theories to fit the evolving medical practices of Japan. He developed a structured approach to abdominal diagnosis that categorized different types of abdominal findings, such as abdominal hardness, tension, and specific reactive points, which became central to Japanese Kampo medicine (the Japanese adaptation of Chinese medicine).

Songben’s influence extended the scope of abdominal diagnosis to become a mainstay of Kampo, where specific abdominal findings inform herbal prescriptions. This method is particularly important in Japan, where abdominal palpation is used routinely and in conjunction with other diagnostic methods like pulse and tongue assessment. Practitioners find that it provides valuable insights into conditions such as gastrointestinal disorders, stress-related ailments, and energy imbalances.

4. Changye Songben’s Contributions to Abdominal Diagnosis Techniques

Changye Songben expanded upon the traditional Chinese techniques by organizing abdominal diagnosis into a more systematic method:

Patterns and Areas of Observation: Songben identified that specific abdominal patterns correlated with distinct pathological states and imbalances in TCM. For example, he noted that a cold, tight abdomen often related to Qi deficiency or cold syndromes, while warmth and distension were linked to excess heat.

Subcategorizing Abdominal Responses: Songben categorized abdominal findings into types, such as pulsation, pain, or rigidity, and linked these to specific organ imbalances, such as liver or spleen Qi stagnation.

Herbal Prescriptions Based on Findings: In Japanese Kampo medicine, abdominal findings directly inform herbal formulations. For example, a tight and sensitive abdomen might indicate the use of warming herbs like ginger to alleviate cold stagnation.

5. Legacy of the Nanjing and Changye Songben in Modern Abdominal Diagnosis

The Nanjing laid the groundwork for the holistic understanding of the human body in TCM, and Changye Songben's work ensured that abdominal diagnosis became a refined, systematic method in Kampo medicine. While abdominal diagnosis is less emphasized in TCM practices outside of Japan, it continues to thrive in Japanese Kampo clinics and schools, demonstrating the method’s practicality and efficacy in diagnosing and treating complex conditions.

The evolution of abdominal diagnosis from the Nanjing to Changye Songben’s Japanese adaptations highlights the interplay between classical Chinese theories and Japanese medical innovation. Songben’s structured approach has provided Kampo practitioners with a practical, hands-on diagnostic method that bridges ancient wisdom with modern therapeutic needs. The technique remains a testament to the enduring influence of the Nanjing on East Asian medicine, illustrating how diagnostic approaches can be both deeply traditional and continually evolving to meet the demands of modern clinical practice.