Zang Fu Organ Theory

The Zang Fu organ theory of Chinese Medicine is fundamental to the treatment and diagnosis of diseases. This theory works in conjunction with other fundamental theories of Chinese Medicine, like the Meridian and Yin-Yang theories, to explain phenomena in the body under normal circumstance and when affected by a disease.

What are the Zang Fu Organs?

The Zang Fu organ theory covers all organs in the human body. There are five Zang organs and six Fu organs. Zang organs include the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, and spleen. While Fu organs include the gallbladder, large intestine, small intestine, urinary bladder, and the san jiao (the triple system).

Zang Fu organs and other essential components like Qi and blood make up the body and its vitality. It is possible to pinpoint the root cause of disease through observation and analysis of external signs manifested by zang-fu organs.

The Yin -Yang of Zang Fu Organs

Zang Fu organs have a yin (passive) and yang (active) nature. For example, the heart’s structure and blood it pumps fall under the heart-yin. While the action of the heart, the pumping action is considered the heart-yang. There must be a balance between heart yin and yang energies for health to flourish. When an imbalance arises so does disease.

Due to their inter-connectedness (via Qi and blood), zang-fu organs can affect each other and manifest a series of symptoms in the body. It is possible to treat such disease with techniques, like acupuncture, which works to restore the yin and yang energies of organs.

Chinese Medicine and Biological Medicine

Organs in both Chinese and biological medicine share common structures, but their concepts differ. The functions of an organ in Chinese medicine may incorporate the functions of many organs in biological medicine and vice-versa. The function of the heart in Chinese medicine, for example, incorporates functions of the nervous system and psychology (emotion) in the biological sciences.

Furthermore, organ concepts in Chinese medicine incorporate more than anatomy (structure) and physiology (function), it includes pathology (disease). A Chinese medicine practitioner is able to assess the pathology of an organ by its external signs and symptoms.

At Santa Cruz CORE, our acupuncturists work with multiple healing modalities during an acupuncture session to get you feeling better. Working to create positive change in the body, we use a combination of needling, moxa, gua sha, cupping, ear seeds, massage, and Tai Chi and Qi Gung. Visit us today to find how Chinese medicinal practice can benefit you!