Bio Holographic or “micro-acupuncture” system, in which holographic correspondence with other parts of the body is found, has been identified on various parts of the body, including ears, hands, scalp, eye orbit, second metacarpal, etc. Acupuncture treatment of the philtrum bio-holographic system was first described by Qiang fu in 1991.
The philtrum is the vertical groove on the median line above the upper lip; a portion of the Du vessel traverses this region. It originates in the lower abdomen and emerges from the perineum, ascends posteriorly along the interior of the spinal column of Fengfu (DU-16) at the nape of the neck where it enters the brain.
It ascends through the brain, emerges at the vertex and descends along the median line of the forehead and the nose, to the upper lip, then continues to Yinjiao (Du-28) where it connects with the Ren (conception) vessel.
The various internal branches from the Du vessel make connections with the Kidney meridian organ, the Bladder and Stomach meridians, and travel through the bladder and heart. By way of these connections, the Ren and Du vessels are linked to all 12 yin and yang meridians.
In Chinese, the philtrum is known as renzhong, literally translated as “man centre” and meaning “centre of man” and “centre of the body,” thus, describing an important location of the body. According to traditional Daoist theory, the nose of the body opens to the sky (fresh air), which circulates with each inhalation.
The mouth opens to the Qi of the Earth, which circulates in the body by way of the energy extracted from water and food (food essence). The human body is regarded as occupying the place between the sky and the earth; that is to say, “where the body manifests under the nose, above the mouth, is where the whole body may be embraced.”
This type of confluence is characteristic of other bio-holographic acupuncture systems. Therefore, the philtrum is regarded as the pathway for Qi and blood transport in the meridian. Stimulation of points in the philtrum region could maintain balance of yin and yang, Qi and blood, and regulate the function of the Zang-Fu organs.
The philtrum system is divided into three regions: the upper, middle and lower; within each region there are three points. These nine points are located on the midline from the upper lip to the base of the nose and are designated Ph-1 through Ph-9, respectively.
The correspondence of these points to body regions can be readily understood if one visualises a small human body superimposed over the philtrum, upside-down, with the head located near the top lip and the feet at the base of the nose.
Conditions indicated for the three regions of the Triple Warmer (Sanjiao or upper, middle and lower), inversely correspond to the three major regions (lower, middle, upper) within the philtrum system. Thus, diseases of the face and head can be treated with good effect by stimulating points located on the lower region of the philtrum.
(The author is Head of Acupuncture at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi)