Dr. Fu Zhonghua is a globally recognized leader in integrative myology and traditional Chinese medicine innovation. As the founder of the American Myology Association (AMA) and pioneer of Fu’s Subcutaneous Needling (FSN), he has dedicated 30 years to bridging Eastern medical wisdom with modern myological research—redefining how the world understands and treats muscle-related conditions. His work has not only transformed clinical practice but also laid the academic foundation for the emerging discipline of myology.
Academic & Professional Background
Dr. Fu’s medical journey is rooted in interdisciplinary rigor. With formal 10-year training and 8-year teaching in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncture and a doctoral focus on pain physiology at Nanjing University, he brings a unique dual perspective to muscle health research . His clinical career began at the First Military Medical University (1994–2002), where he honed his expertise in acupuncture and soft tissue disorders—setting the stage for his groundbreaking innovations . Today, he serves as a doctoral supervisor at Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, visiting professor at Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. His academic appointments reflect his global influence as a bridge between Eastern and Western medical communities.
Dr. Fu’s work is defined by two transformative achievements: inventing FSN and pioneering the field of myology.
Inventing Fu’s Subcutaneous Needling (FSN): A Modern Acupuncture Revolution
In 1996, during his tenure at the First Military Medical University, Guangzhou, South China, Dr. Fu developed FSN after observing unexpected efficacy from superficial subcutaneous needling in a tennis elbow patient . Unlike traditional acupuncture, FSN targets the superficial fascia layer with painless sweeping movements, avoiding deep muscle penetration—resulting in rapid, reproducible relief with minimal side effects . Over three decades, he expanded FSN from a single technique to a comprehensive medical system, introducing foundational concepts such as:
Tighened Muscle (TM): Identifying pathologically tense muscles as the root cause of diverse conditions (from pain to internal disorders) ;
Reperfusion Approach: Combining needling with targeted movement to restore muscle blood flow and accelerate healing ;
Second-hand phenomenon: Explaining how muscle dysfunction in one area manifests as symptoms elsewhere (e.g., neck tension causing headaches) .
FSN has since earned global recognition: it is included in China’s national TCM textbooks (2011–2025), and its needles are registered with the FDA and CE, and adopted by clinicians in 20+ countries . To date, over 50,000 practitioners worldwide have trained in FSN under his guidance .
Founding Myology:
Elevating muscle health to a discipline Dr. Fu’s clinical observations revealed a critical gap in modern medicine: muscles were widely overlooked as "silent contributors" to chronic illness, with no dedicated medical specialty for their care. In 2023, he published “Essential of Myology: An Explorations Based on the Practice of Fu’s Subcutaneous Needling”—the world’s first monograph on myology—officially establishing it as an interdisciplinary field integrating muscle anatomy, physiology, pathology, and therapeutics . His vision for myology challenges conventional thinking:
Beyond "Laborer" Stereotypes: Demonstrating that muscle dysfunction causes not just pain, but also insomnia, digestive disorders, and even gynecological issues ;
Unifying Therapies: Showing that acupuncture, massage, and massage therapy all work by targeting muscle pathology—providing a unifying framework for integrative care ;
Clinical Access: Advocating for dedicated "Myology Departments" in hospitals to address the millions affected by underdiagnosed muscle-related conditions .
Guiding Philosophy: "Integrity & Integrated Innovation"
At the heart of Dr. Fu’s work is his commitment to "Integrity & Integrated Innovation（守正融新）"—honoring proven TCM principles while integrating modern science. He rejects both blind adherence to tradition and wholesale dismissal of ancient wisdom, stating: "Neither complete rejection nor uncritical acceptance of TCM serves patients. We must test, refine, and fuse old and new to advance care" . This philosophy drives his patient-centered approach: FSN prioritizes safety (no deep needle insertion, minimal pain) and transparency (clear diagnosis of "Tightened Muscles" so patients understand their condition) . As he often says: "FSN advances not through speculation, but through thousands of clinical trials" .
Dr. Fu’s influence extends far beyond clinical practice:
Education: Training generations of FSN practitioners through apprenticeships (e.g., with Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine) and international workshops ;
Research: Leading clinical trials on FSN for pain, insomnia, and functional disorders—publishing findings in peer-reviewed journals ; - Advocacy: Founding FSN Committee of World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies (WFCMS), FSN Committee of China Association of Acupuncture-Moxibustion (CAAM) and AMA, to promote FSN and myology as a global discipline. For Dr. Fu, AMA represents the culmination of his life’s work: "Myology is a stepping stone—I hope future generations will build a complete discipline upon it" . Through AMA, he aims to ensure every patient has access to specialized muscle care, and every practitioner has the tools to deliver it.
