The first professional committee of myology was established in China

On November 15,2024, the first professional committee of myology in China was established in Jiangsu Province. The full name of the society is: Myology Specialized Committee of Jiangsu Association of Acupuncture-Moxibustion.

According to reports, myology is a new discipline. It was proposed by Dr. Fu Zhonghua, the inventor of Fu's Subcutaneous Needling therapy, based on over two decades of clinical practice and research. The concept of myology builds upon the theory of affected muscles in Fu's Subcutaneous Needling therapy. Muscles include skeletal muscles, cardiac muscle, and smooth muscle. In terms of volume, they are the largest organs in the human body, serving as pivotal organs that connect upper and lower parts. They are also the only organs that provide kinetic energy, supporting daily activities and heavy workloads, making them prone to fatigue and injury. Currently, there is insufficient attention or many misconceptions regarding various clinical conditions caused by these issues. There are no specialized departments for treating muscle diseases in clinical settings. Many cases originally diagnosed as muscle-related problems have been misdiagnosed or treated incorrectly, leading to unnecessary surgeries. Based on this, Dr. Fu Zhonghua proposed the concept of myology and authored the monograph "Essentials of Myology" in October 2023. The book provides detailed discussions on the mechanisms of muscles, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention. The book "Essentials of Myology"  not only offers a new perspective for clinical medicine but also clarifies relevant clinical diagnoses, promotes the development of rehabilitation medicine and integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine, and provides new ideas for public health and wellness, saving medical costs and resources for society.

Dr. Fu Zhonghua, based on years of clinical exploration, has discovered that not only can muscles in the human body become diseased, but also tissues and organs closely related to muscles, such as bones, blood vessels, the nervous system, lymphatic system, glands, and fascia, can be affected by muscles and develop various conditions. The complexity of diseases caused directly or indirectly by muscles is astounding. Dr. Fu categorizes these conditions into three main types: pre-muscular  diseases ( secondary to other diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, periarthritis of the shoulder, post-stroke sequelae, Parkinson's disease, peripheral facial paralysis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, etc.); in-muscular  diseases (caused by pathological tension in muscles and their associated structures, including cervical spondylosis, lumbar disease, chronic knee pain, ankle sprain, tennis elbow, myogenic headache, chronic gastritis, constipation, chronic diarrhea, chronic cough, urinary incontinence, uterine prolapse, etc.); and post-muscular diseases ( caused by pathological tension in muscles affecting other organs, including focal numbness and coldness, localized edema, partial dizziness and vertigo, chest tightness and palpitations, breast hyperplasia, floaters, macular degeneration, partial tinnitus and hearing loss, chronic mouth ulcers, diabetic foot, excessive sleepiness, insomnia, forgetfulness, depression, etc.). From these conditions caused by muscles, it can be seen that myology is a broad interdisciplinary field. Many previously thought-to-be-intractable diseases are related to muscles. To provide patients with convenient and comprehensive treatment, more in-depth exploration from a clinical perspective is also necessary to promote the robust development of myology.

Dr. Fu Zhonghua first advocated for the establishment of a Department of Musculoskeletal Medicine. The first department was set up at Bao'an District Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital in Shenzhen in July 2023. Since then, 12 Departments of myology have been established in public secondary hospitals and above in multiple regions including Guangdong, Sichuan, Henan, Hebei, Jiangsu, Anhui, and Shandong. Currently, these departments are operating well and have received high praise from both their respective hospitals and local communities.

In addition, it is reported that Dr. Fu Zhonghua, after the research of TCM and basic medicine, and based on years of clinical observation and summary, put forward the "New Qi-Blood Theory" in 2018, and published the book "New Qi-Blood Theory -Based on Fu's Subcutaneous Needling Medicine" in October 2021. The New Qi-Blood Theory points out that Qi and blood is the core of Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), the cornerstone of human life activities, and the observation index and the main grasp of TCM diagnosis and treatment."Qi" has four characteristics:the material, dynamic, intangible, extensive. "Qi" has physiological functions such as promotion, warmth, defense, solid photography, gasification and nutrition. The four tissues that constitute the human body are respectively epithelial tissue, connective tissue, nerve tissue and muscle tissue, among which only the muscle tissue can have the characteristics and functions of "Qi". That is to say "Qi" is about equal to the function of the muscle, and blood is equivalent to the blood (blood circulation). The relationship between Qi and blood is about equal to that of muscle-blood (blood circulation). The New Qi-Blood Theory connects qi and blood in Traditional Chinese Medicine with modern basic medicine, helps to broaden clinical thinking, expand therapeutic means, break down the barriers between Chinese and Western theories, promote the modern research of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and innovate and develop Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Dr. Fu Zhonghua has come a long way from inventing the Fu's Subcutaneous Needling technique to establishing the concept of "tightened muscles," proposing the "New Qi-Blood Theory," and advocating for the establishment of myomancy. Throughout his journey, he has been deeply rooted in clinical practice, dedicated to research, and tirelessly promoting his academic ideas. He now boasts a large group of doctors who study and apply myomancy. Thanks to the support and assistance from the leadership of Jiangsu Association of Acupuncture-Moxibustion, he pioneered the establishment of China's first professional society dedicated to myomancy, providing a platform and academic home for those who love, study, and practice myomancy.

On November 15, the Myology Specialized Committee held an election meeting. Dr. Fu Zhonghua, the first advocate of muscular science, was elected as the director of the committee; Lu Jin and seven others were elected as deputy directors; Shi Juanjuan and 27 others were elected as standing members; and 134 people were elected as members of the committee.

May the emerging discipline of Myology Science flourish and thrive. We extend our best wishes for the Myology Specialized Committee to grow ever stronger with the support of leaders at all levels. May more patients find swift recovery through this field of medicine.