Let’s face it—nobody eats perfectly. Between skipped meals, fast food, and the comfort of ice cream after a rough day, our digestion takes a hit. The result? Bloating, discomfort, and a growing list of modern health complaints. Thankfully, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers tools that meet real-life habits with real relief.
One such tool is Abdominal Sorrow (Fu Ai, SP16), an acupoint with a tricky name and powerful digestive benefits. For anyone struggling with modern-day gut issues, it’s one worth knowing.
Why TCM Practitioners Swear by Fu Ai
First recorded in the “Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing” (“The A-B Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion”), a foundational TCM text from nearly 2,000 years ago, Fu Ai has a reputation among seasoned practitioners as a must-know point for regulating the digestive system.
What makes Fu Ai unique is its location at the intersection between the abdominal space and the lower ribs. In TCM, this gives it a connection to multiple hollow organs: the stomach, intestines, bladder, gallbladder, and even the lesser-known Triple Energizer. These organs are involved in breaking down food, moving it through the system, extracting nutrients, and eliminating waste. If that rhythm breaks down, symptoms like bloating, heaviness, poor absorption, or even signs like undigested food or blood in the stool can emerge. Fu Ai’s job is to restore the rhythm.
What Fu Ai Does and Why It Matters
Fu Ai is often included in clinical protocols when digestive imbalance is the primary complaint. Its strength lies in its ability to restore the movement and function of internal hollow organs, particularly the intestines. It’s commonly used when digestion slows to a crawl, when bloating and pressure in the abdomen build up, or when patients report frequent or irregular bowel movements.
Beyond surface-level discomfort, Fu Ai is also used in more serious cases involving ulcers, abnormal gastric acid secretion, and intestinal bleeding. In TCM theory, it works by encouraging the body’s qi (vital energy) to resume its proper flow and helping the intestines process and move food more effectively—critical for anyone with a diet high in processed foods or low in fiber.
Modern Research Gives Fu Ai a Clinical Boost
While ancient texts laid the foundation, modern studies are now catching up. One clinical trial investigated how effective abdominal acupuncture was for treating acute pancreatitis, a serious and painful condition. Fu Ai was one of the abdominal acupoints used. Patients were split into two groups: one received abdominal acupuncture, and the other received limb acupuncture. Both groups also received herbal support.
While both groups improved, the abdominal group showed significantly greater pain relief, especially during the most severe phases of the illness. No side effects were reported, underscoring the safety of this treatment. These findings reinforce the TCM principle that acupoints treat the area they’re located in, showing that abdominal acupoints like Fu Ai play an active role in healing abdominal pain and discomfort.
How to Locate and Activate Fu Ai
To locate Fu Ai, start at your belly button and measure four finger widths upward. From that spot, move six finger widths to either side of your body. That intersection is where you’ll find Fu Ai. It’s a bilateral acupoint, meaning you have one on each side. Press gently until you find a spot that feels sore or tender—that’s your target.
Ways to Activate Fu Ai
- Firm pressure: Press firmly for three to five seconds, then relax for three seconds. Repeat for one to three minutes on each side.
Circular massage: Massage in small circles with your index finger or thumb for one to three minutes on each side.
Herbal patch: Apply an herbal patch overnight for longer activation.
Advanced methods: Acupuncture, cupping, or moxibustion (a gentle heat therapy with dried mugwort) by a trained professional can deepen the therapeutic effects.
Precautions
Avoid Fu Ai if you have any injuries or skin conditions in the area. Herbal patches should be free of harsh synthetic chemicals, especially if you have sensitive skin. If you’ve had long-standing digestive issues, this point may feel unusually sore or tight at first—that’s normal. Start gently and let your body ease into the stimulation.
Digestive Relief Without Detox Fads
Fu Ai isn’t a quick fix for a bad diet, but it’s a powerful tool in your self-care kit. Instead of punishing yourself with juice cleanses or endless crunches, consider supporting your digestion from the inside out. Use Fu Ai to check in with your gut. If it feels sore, it’s asking for attention. A little massage today may spare you a lot of discomfort tomorrow.
TCM expert Shihhsiang Hung reviewed this article for accuracy and clarity.
Originally published in Epoch Times on 17 June 2025
