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Acupuncture
"My lower and mid back were extremely tense and sore like I had been really bruised. I found it very difficult to move my head to the left and right sides and it was also really hard to bend down and pick things up and I was constantly in pain every day.
(with acupuncture) it was improved. The stiffness has loosened up. I am able to perform my normal daily activities Acupuncture has been a blessing for me and ever since my treatment I have not been suffering from the pain everyday any more! Thank you."
–Stephanie B. 07-13-04
Hara Diagnosis - Abdominal Palpation
Palpation as one of the four diagnosis of Chinese medicine includes taking of the pulse, palpating the shu (bladder) points on the back, palpating the xi-cleft points on the meridians and palpating the mu points on the abdomen which is the basis of Hara or abdominal diagnosis.
Some quotes concerning abdominal palpation from earlier texts:
From Essential Prescriptions from the Golden Chest (200-300 B.C.)
"When one palpates an abdomen that is swollen and full, and the patient does not feel pain, this indicates vacancy. If the patient feels pain, this indicates repletion. Therefore with replete patients, one must address and eliminate the repletion."
In the Shang Han Lun, shao yang stage disease the patient feels subcostal fullness. There may be sensation of a lump or tightness below the heart and a general feeling of stagnation.
The Japanese physicians have developed hara diagnosis most extensively. Todo Yoshimasu described the types of lumps and location as follows:
Liver pulsing lump, tightness or pain on the left side of the umbilicus. Japanese practitioners tend to center this area just below the umbilicus on the lateral left side of the abdomen which roughly corresponds to the location of the portal vein.
Spleen around the umbilicus
Lungs right side of the umbilicus
Kidneys below the umbilicus
The so called "Mu" or mother points of the abdomen are as follows:
Liver 14 - liver
Liver 24 - gall bladder (?)
Gall bladder 25 - spleen
CV12 - stomach
CV 3 - bladder
CV 4 - kidney
Lung 1 - lung
Stomach 25 - large intestine
CV 15 - heart
CV 14 - Pericardium
CV 17, 9, 4 - triple warmer
CV 4 - small intestine
These can be used for diagnosis and treatment, in fact CV 12 is considered the command point for all the internal yang organs of transportation while Liver 14 is considered the command point for all the internal yin organs of transformation. Further CV 6 is considered the sea of chi, CV 9 is considered a point that governs water metabolism, CV 25 is a point that is considered the great eliminator, Spleen 15 and 16, especially on the left, are points that are used to stimulate intestinal peristalsis, point on the lower abdomen such as CV 3 (an important point for the chong mo meridian), stomach 29, 28, 27 are considered very important for gynecological problems, especially blood stagnation syndromes in women.
What to feel for:
Temperature variations - Feel the four quadrants and determine temperature variations, also compare the three warmers with each other. Many patients are cooler below the umbilicus and warmer above. This represents counter flow chi with vacancy in the kidneys and fullness above.
Tension - Tension or lack of tension should be observed, especially below the rib cage and along the rectus abdominal muscles. Tension usually represents vacancy rather than repletion. Lack of tension in the muscles is a good sign indicating an elastic, healthy abdomen. The release of tension is a prerequisite for healing.
Pressure Pain - Pressure pain found on palpation points is almost always of the utmost significance. Severe or sharp pains are more significant than dull, achy pains. Pain is usually considered a repletion sign of stagnation. If it is relieved by touch or pressure it is a sign of vacancy.
Sometimes psychological issues can exaggerate abdominal sensitivity. Check sp-10, st-36 to st-38 and between the 3rd and 4th toes. If there is any reactiveness on any or all of these points, shiatsu would be an appropriate therapy. These points can also relax the abdomen, making it less sensitive, allowing one to resume abdominal diagnosis.
Fluid Sounds - Whenever sloshing or gurgling occurs in the subcostal region it usually affects the stomach. It represents fluid stagnation in the stomach.
Traveling or Reactive Sensations - Sometimes when palpating a particular area there is a sensation or reaction that seems to travel to certain areas of the abdomen. These can occur anywhere in the body, including the extremities. The most significant of these may radiate areas of the body where the patient has problems. Check associated organs or meridians that may be involved. Sometimes pressure on a particular area of the abdomen will eliminate a pain occurring elsewhere. For instance, pressure on the abdomen can cause or relieve corresponding back pains. Other areas near the liver or stomach may relieve a headache.
Strength or Weakness of Abdominal Musculature
Too much strength may represent repletion, while flaccidity, lack of tone, softness can indicate vacancy.
Tightness -- Hardness and softness -- looseness
Tightness is different from tension. With tension there will be some rebound with tightness the is less or no springiness or rebound. Tightness is harder to treat than tension. It signifies a more exacerbated condition. Softness and looseness may appear similar to weakness, except that some springiness remains in the muscles. Softness does is not as great a sign of vacancy as is weakness.
Different depths can also be palpated:
Hardness on the surface and hardness below
Hardness on the surface and softness below
Softness on the surface and hardness below
Softness on the surface and softness below
Palpation around the midline will reveal softness on the surface and hardness below.
Lumps
Lumps have varying significance depending upon their location, size, and quality. Lumps may be soft or hard; stationary or mobile. Moving lumps are more yang in nature and easier to treat. Stationary lumps are more yin in nature and more difficult to treat. Rule out the possibility that some lumps may be gas or stools in the intestines.
Most lumps are not tumorous, but consists of knots of muscle or other tissues. Usually if a tumor feels smooth and not irregular it is probably benign, if it has irregular edges it could be more dangerous. It is generally advisable to not palpate directly on a lump, but around it.
Pulsing or Palpitations
Such symptoms and signs are usually an indication of vacancy. Their significance varies with their relative strength, depth and location. Some are visibly obvious, indicating greater vacancy. Sometimes it can be felt with slight pressure and others only with deeper pressure. It will have varying strengths.
A slight pulsing around the umbilicus is normal. It is considered the moving chi of the kidneys and is a favorable sign of health.
Skin Qualities and Textures
Loose, creased skin may indicate vacancy while tight skin may be a sign of repletion. Healthy skin will "pinch up" easily between the thumb and forefinger, evinces a normal springiness. If it is tight it will be difficult to pinch the skin, if it is loose it will be easy to pinch it. In extreme vacancy, when the skin is pinched it remains pinched and will not return to flatness.
The skin pinching technique can reveal various sensations including tightness, tension, small lumps and sometimes vague symptoms of "something there." It is a way of diagnosing the most reactive points and those points where a patient is under-sensitive. It is the most useful method for determining sensitivity. Some Japanese practitioners use the pinching with great dexterity and skill, being able to diagnose the entire hara and the lengths of meridians in just a few minutes.
Skin texture is also very important:
Dry skin represents vacancy
If the skin is too moist it is generally not a good sign
Some skin moisture, but not too much is normal.
Roughness, smoothness, color tones, paleness or redness may all have some significance.
Swellings and Indentations
Swollen or indented areas are usually palpable. Swelling is a sign of repletion while an indentation is a sign of vacancy. In general, when we speak of signs of repletion such as tension, tightness or swelling it is generally a sign of vacancy so that these signs are to be considered a kind of false repletion (yin deficiency).
