HARA DIAGNOSIS
By Michael Tierra
www.healthymagnets.com
Huang Ti Nei Ching Su Wen (Yellow emperor's classic) the first important written text on Chinese medicine
written around 2674 B.C. It records discussions between Huang Ti and six officials about the problems of
medicine. Probably the Yellow Emperor's classic is a compilation by many scholars who used Huang Ti's
name for authenticity.
The original nei ching consists of many parts of which the most important are the "Su Wen" and the "Ling
Shu." The former deals with physiology, pathology, etiology, and health maintenance; the latter with
anatomy, treatment, and the nervous system.
The "Su Wen" introduced the following methods of treatment:
1. Huei Shi cutting stone early surgery using stone knives, performed along the Eastern coast in Shan-Tung province.
2. Medicinals: Decoctions and medicinal soups used in Shan-Si province, Western China.
3. Acupuncture: Practiced in the plains of Southern China, Hu-Pei Province.
4. Moxibustion: Heat therapy preferred in the highlands of Northern China, Ho-Pei Province.
5. Massage: Manipulation and exercise which was popular in the plains of Central China, Hunan Province.
During the Warring States era (402-221 B.C.), Tsou Chien proposed the Five elements theory which compared
the human body to a small universe.
The Nan Ching or classic of difficult issues was compiled probably within two hundred years after the Nei
Ching. It pertains more strongly to medical issues that relate to the practice of acupuncture.
Chan Chung Ching (about A.D. 142-220) was the most famous herbal clinician writing the Shang Han Lun
(Treatise on Febrile Diseases caused by Cold) and the Ching Kuei Yao Lueh (Summaries of Household
Remedies. He formulated the principle of the Six stages of Disease and the formulas which are described
in his books are among the most revered and form the basis of Kanpo (Japanese-Chinese Herbal Medicine).
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:
The Nan Jing abdominal correspondences outlining the five phase diagnostic model is 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:
1. Liver 14 - liver
2. Liver 24 - gall bladder (?)
3. Gall bladder 25 - spleen
4. CV12 - stomach
5. CV 3 - bladder
6. CV 4 - kidney
7. Lung 1 - lung
8. Stomach 25 - large intestine
9. CV 15 - heart
10. CV 14 - Pericardium
ll. CV 17, 9, 4 - triple warmer
12. 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 & 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:
1. Hardness on the surface and hardness below.
2. Hardness on the surface and softness below.
3. Softness on the surface and hardness below.
4. Softness on the surface and softness below.
5. 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 & 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:
1. Dry skin represents vacancy.
2. If the skin is too moist it is generally not a good sign.
3. Some skin moisture, but not too much is normal.
4. Roughness, smoothness, color tones, paleness or redness may all have some significance.
Swellings & 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).
Chart is available from Acupuncture Products (See Link Below).
RELATED LINKS
Acupuncture Products: Shiatsu Chart of Meridians & Hara Diagnosis
The Shiatsu Man: The Hara
AcupunctureMedical.org: Hara Diagnosis (PDF)
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