Acupuncture
Abdominal acupuncture in Lugano
Fine needles placed at points on the abdomen, following Prof. Bo Zhiyun's method, after the specialist visit and assessment according to traditional Chinese medicine. The doctor holds the level 1 certificate from Istituto Paracelso in Rome. Usually well tolerated, like acupuncture in general.
- Fine needles at abdominal points, Bo Zhiyun method
- Level 1 certificate, Istituto Paracelso in Rome
- TCM microsystem on the abdominal wall, navel at the centre
How it works
The microsystem
It is a documented microsystem of traditional Chinese medicine: points on the abdominal wall reproduce a map of the body, with the navel at the centre (Prof. Bo Zhiyun's tortoise method).
The needles
Sterile single-use needles, fine, are inserted at the points chosen on the abdomen after the TCM assessment. Indication and technique are defined at the visit.
The certificate
The doctor holds the level 1 certificate (2026) from Istituto Paracelso in Rome, a course for physicians only. The institute has been, since 2009, the European representative of Beijing Bo's Abdominal Acupuncture Institute.
Classical acupuncture
Points on the abdomen do not replace needles on the meridians. That technique is on the classical acupuncture page.
When we offer it
Pain and joints
Back, neck, osteoarthritis, shoulder, headache. Acupuncture enters the pathway when the clinical indication is clear. The studies cited concern acupuncture in general: controlled studies of the abdominal technique are still few.
Function and tension
Headache, sleep, allergic rhinitis, digestive complaints, when the TCM assessment supports it.
Ear acupuncture RAC
Points on the outer ear are another technique, chosen at the visit. Details on the RAC acupuncture page.
Without needles
Anyone who prefers to avoid needles can use laserneedles on the skin. That technique is on the laser-acupuncture page.
How it is tolerated
As with acupuncture in general, the needles are thin: the most common sensation is tingling or a local heaviness. In a study of 229,230 patients treated by physicians, 8.6 in 100 reported at least one unwanted effect, most often a small bleed or bruise at the needle site. Serious complications were very rare. The study is of acupuncture in general, not of the abdominal technique alone. Say so at the visit if you take anticoagulants, if you are pregnant, or if you have a pacemaker.
Frequently asked questions
How does it differ from classical acupuncture?
Here the needles sit at points on the abdomen, a TCM microsystem, not on the body meridians. The meridians are on the classical acupuncture page.
Is it painful?
The needles are very thin and sterile single-use. If you are afraid of needles, laser acupuncture is used.
How many sessions are needed?
It depends on the complaint and how long it has lasted. The course is defined at the visit, with periodic review.
Is it covered by insurance?
The physician holds the RME quality label for acupuncture and Chinese medicine, and in Ticino the practice bills complementary insurers: with complementary insurance, under certain conditions, the treatment can be reimbursed. Patients with basic insurance only receive a clear cost estimate at the visit and pay directly. For acupuncture, the doctor is also recognised by Visana (ZSR number V272164, listed in Visana's therapist list): patients with Visana complementary-medicine insurance can be reimbursed according to their policy.
Are there other acupuncture techniques?
Yes: classical body acupuncture, RAC ear acupuncture and laser acupuncture. The overall picture is on the acupuncture page.
Scientific sources
- Linde K, et al. Acupuncture for the prevention of episodic migraine. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;(6):CD001218. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001218.pub3
- Linde K, et al. Acupuncture for the prevention of tension-type headache. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;(4):CD007587. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007587.pub2
- Vickers AJ, et al. Acupuncture for Chronic Pain: Update of an Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis. J Pain. 2018;19:455–474. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2017.11.005
- Witt CM, et al. Safety of acupuncture: results of a prospective observational study with 229,230 patients and introduction of a medical information and consent form. Forsch Komplementmed. 2009;16:91–97. doi:10.1159/000209315
Related treatments
This therapy is part of Acupuncture.
Not sure which treatment is right for you?
For musculoskeletal pain the practice follows several routes, often combined. The specialist visit, with ultrasound when needed, clarifies which one is indicated in your case.
Rheumatology
Diagnosis and treatment plan: the first visit when the pain is in the joints, back or tendons.
Interventional pain therapy
Ultrasound-guided injections of joints and soft tissues, with hyaluronic acid or PRP when indicated.
PRP for joints and tendons
Plasma prepared from the patient's own blood and injected into tendons and joints.
Laser therapy
Laser light applied locally, in the joint or in the bloodstream, without drugs.
The information on this page is for general information only and does not replace medical advice. The indication, expected benefits and risks of every treatment are assessed individually during the specialist consultation.
Let's assess abdominal acupuncture together
Indication, abdominal points and technique are defined after the specialist consultation.
We accept referrals and second-opinion requests from your physician, via HIN. dr.djordjevic@hin.ch
How to reach us
In Lugano, a short walk from USI and EOC
The practice is centrally located in Italian-speaking Switzerland, also reachable by car and by train from Mendrisio, Bellinzona, Locarno and Chiasso.
By car: the practice's own car park is right in front. By public transport: a short walk from USI.
Address
Via Alessandro Volta 1
6900 Lugano
Opening hours
Monday–Friday 08:00–16:30
Saturday and Sunday closed
Phone
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