The 9-Palaces Acupuncture 九宫针法 (Jiǔ Gōng Zhēn Fǎ) combines classical Chinese medicine with the cosmological and numerological concepts of the Yi Jing and the Luo Shu. Its foundation is the structure of the Nine Palaces, which has been handed down in classical texts of Chinese Medicine.
The Nine Palaces consist of the eight outer areas and the central palace. The underlying Luo Shu diagram arranges the numbers 1 to 9 in a 3 × 3 structure. Each row, column and diagonal adds up to 15. In traditional Chinese cosmology, this structure connects, among other things, directions, seasons, the Five Phases of Transformation and the Eight Trigrams.
The Nine Palaces in Chinese Medicine
The connection between the Nine Palaces and the human body is described, among other places, in Ling Shu, Chapter 78. Different regions of the body are assigned to the nine areas. The central palace represents the centre, while the other palaces are associated with particular directions, seasons and phases of transformation.
This concept forms part of a broader classical understanding of the relationship between human beings and nature. The Nine Palaces do not constitute an isolated diagnostic system, but are connected with Yin and Yang, the Five Phases, the Trigrams and the meridians and channels.
The Clinical Application according to Dr. Feng Ning Han
Dr. Feng Ning Han developed these classical foundations further for clinical acupuncture and applied them in his practice. His approach combines the structure of the Nine Palaces with the principle of Heaven – Human – Earth.
Three levels of the body are considered. At the level of Heaven, points in the upper Jiao may be used. The level of Human is considered through the Nine Palaces in the area of the navel. At the level of Earth, the Eight Lines and the three Jiaos are considered on the forearms and lower legs.
In the area of the navel, the structure of the Luo Shu is transferred onto the body. The central palace corresponds to the navel; the other areas are arranged according to their position. The selection and combination of the areas is based on the individual findings.
Findings and Point Selection
An important part of the method is the careful palpation of the corresponding areas. Changes in tissue tension, tenderness, temperature, elasticity or skin colour may provide additional information.
The findings are not considered in isolation. They are related to the classical TCM diagnosis, in particular tongue and pulse diagnosis, as well as to the patient’s complaints. This creates an individual picture of the disharmony and provides a basis for the selection of acupuncture points.
A Clinical Example
A 43-year-old female patient presented with recurring lower abdominal pain after menstruation, accompanied by sleep problems and a depressed mood. The tongue, pulse and examination of the Nine Palaces revealed a specific pattern.
On this basis, points were selected at the levels of Heaven, Human and Earth. After four treatments, the patient reported a significant reduction in pain as well as improvements in sleep and mood.
This example illustrates how the findings of classical TCM diagnosis can be combined with examination of the Nine Palaces and used for individual point selection.
Dr. Feng Ning Han
Dr. Feng Ning Han 冯宁汉 was born in Hangzhou in 1948. He began learning Traditional Chinese Medicine from his father, Dr. Feng Da Qi, at the age of 14. After studying at Hangzhou University, he headed the acupuncture department of the Railway Hospital in Hangzhou for more than 20 years.
After retiring in 2008, he continued to work at the Tong Jun Tang TCM Clinic in Hangzhou and taught his method to Chinese and international students.
I had the opportunity to learn his method during my training in China. This article is based on these experiences and on Dr. Feng’s teaching of classical acupuncture. His lecture at Zhejiang Chinese Medical University in 2012 is one of the sources for this article.
9-Palaces Acupuncture Today
For me, 9-Palaces Acupuncture according to Dr. Feng Ning Han is a way of combining classical Chinese models of thought with a differentiated clinical approach.
The Nine Palaces provide an orientation for assessment, the interpretation of relationships and individual point selection.
They do not replace classical TCM diagnosis, but complement it with another level of observation.