Abdominal palpation can be used as a diagnostic tool and can help us identify what needs to be treated first to balance the body. There are several methods and maps of the abdomen that distribute it into areas that correspond to the five elements. These diagnosis methods are studied in Japanese acupuncture, such as Toyohari or Dr. Nagano's. Other abdominal palpation mappings relate palpation of points on the abdomen with the 12 main channels and with the 8 Extraordinary Channels.

Observations in abdominal palpation

With abdominal touch we can feel:

• Temperature: very gently and quickly (so as not to heat or cool the areas with our hand) we feel if overall it transmits heat or cold, if one area stands out as hotter or colder than the rest or if the heat distribution is abnormal. In a state of harmony, the Water area should be hotter than the rest.

• Pain: if it hurts on palpation it indicates blockage. Observe the intensity and whether it rejects pressure or, on the contrary, pressure relieves the pain.

• Elasticity, hardening, hollows: with deeper palpation, we feel the consistency of each area of the abdomen. If it sinks as if hollow under our fingers it indicates deficiency. Hardening, masses, lumps or tension that pushes against our fingers indicate fullness or stagnation.

At the end of treatment, repeating abdominal palpation helps us verify that the treatment we have chosen has been effective.

The five elements in the abdomen

• Fire: the epigastrium area. Fire ascends, so it is in the highest area.
• Earth: the center, between the epigastrium and the umbilicus, around the umbilicus.
• Water: between the umbilicus and the pubis. Water descends, so it is in the lowest area.
• Wood: to the left and below the umbilicus. The left is the path of the East, of Wood.
• Metal: to the right of the umbilicus, the path of the West. In Toyohari they palpate it under the ribs while Nagano below the umbilicus, as a mirror of the Wood area.

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