Conception Vessel Blockage – Not a good thing
A navel piercing may seem like a benign adornment, but acupuncture theory strongly suggests that this is not a healthy or safe practice.
The problem is that the piercing is creating a semi-permanent obstruction in the flow of a very important energy channel known as the Conception Vessel (or Ren Mai in Chinese). The conception runs from between the legs up the front of the body, ending below the mouth. Here’s a diagram of the Conception Vessel, for the curious. If you do look at the diagram, notice that the navel is an acupuncture point on the Conception Vessel- CV-8. You may also notice CV-8 is a point that one is specifically forbidden to needle.
When an obstruction like a navel piercing is placed in a channel it creates a physical blockage to the flow of the channel. The piercing represents a constant interruption in the energetic field of the body. As you might gather from its name in English, the Conception Vessel is a very important channel in the energetics of the reproductive system.
Consequently the blockage created by the piercing can possibly lead to problems down the road, particularly with the reproductive system:
- Infertility
- Amenorrhea (no menstrual periods)
- Cervical Dysplasia (abnormal cells of the cervix which may lead to cancer)
- Uterine fibroids
- Endometriosis
When a woman comes to me for treatment with menstrual complaints or infertility it is very common for her to have either a navel piercing or surgical scar along or across the Conception Vessel. It is also pretty rare that I talk to someone who has had a navel piercing for more than five years who doesn’t have some sort of menstrual or cervical abnormality.
Some people can do okay with navel piercings for a few years, but problems may develop down the line. I’m sure it is possible that most people will never develop symptoms from a navel piercing. Is it worth the risk? You’ll need to decide for yourself.
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So It Basically Messes With The Reproductive System Meaning It May Cause Birth Defects Or What? I Do Not Understand The Problem That Is Being Explained. Can Someone Please Explain It To Me?
Hi Tiffany,
Thanks for your question. First off, I have never made any claims about birth defects. What is happening with navel piercings is a disruption in a woman’s energy alone. A fetus in the womb is well protected, and I doubt would be directly affected by a belly button piercing.
What I am describing is a scenario that may make it more difficult to conceive, or possibly create problems for a woman’s health. I know of no link to birth defects at all.
I’ve recorded a video on this topic since this blog post. Perhaps it will help clear things up. Here is the link: Navel Piercings vs. Reproductive Health
The piercing isn’t going to block anything, it’s just in the skin. It’s not like the poke a big hole into your stomach. That I could understand. But it would hurt more if they really did it like that. They just pierce the skin. It’s like the top of the “circle” where the belly button is and it goes out the stop of that skin. It doesn’t even go below the actual navel itself. A better fact, is that they don’t bleed. So it’s not hitting ANYTHING. It would probably be illegal if this was true. I’m still getting one.
Thanks for your comment, Rikkel. I hope you are happy and healthy with your piercing and stay that way.
We’re talking about the energetic anatomy of the body, not the physical anatomy. The whole basis of acupuncture is affecting the field of the body with metal needles in a very specific way. With a navel piercing you are creating an artificial perturbation in a vulnerable spot in the energetic field of the body. Over a period of years, in my experience, this seems to have a deleterious impact on health.
I have 2 questions….
1. Will using a non-metal ring effect the energetic field? My naval has been pierced for 10 plus years and recently was advised to take it out for this reason or at the very least change to a non-metal ring. I am not currently trying to get pregnant and don’t really notice any issues….however I understand what you are saying here.
2. Does a nipple piercing have the same effect?
I’m so happy I came across your website! I just recently had mine pierced about 4 months ago, and I wasn’t aware of any of this! Very helpful information that tattoo artists/piercers don’t tell you!
Can it still be harmful i taken out
Does removing the ring solve the problem?