Category Archives: Immune system

We Are One

Constipation, Digestion, Immune system, Menstrual disorders, Tiredness, Uncategorized, , , , , ,

cupcakeYou will be forgiven for  thinking that this is a post about the non-dual nature of reality and the truth that we are all continually arising out of the same fabric of the universe. Another time perhaps. No, this is something far more mundane: a celebration of the first anniversary of this blog. And while you are enjoying the celebratory cup cake, here is a point to help you metabolise the sugars.

I introduced Spleen 3 in the previous posting as a good grounding point after air travel. Here we explore more deeply into this very balancing Earth point.

 

Transport Yourself

Years ago when industrial strike action was common, there was nothing more paralysing than a transportation strike. Planes grounded, trains halted, ports closed, trucks idle. The transport of people and goods is vital to the functioning of a country and its economy.

In the human body, the job of moving things around falls to the Spleen official. Of all the organs, the Spleen is the most unlike its western namesake. In fact it can be regarded more like a network than an organ like the Liver. Think of a subway map with its network of criss-crossing lines. Spleen is like the Minister for Transport who keeps things moving.

The main function of the Spleen is to assist the Stomach in the transformation of food essences and to transport these throughout the body. It is also responsible for the movements of Qi and fluids. When the Spleen Qi is strong there will be good appetite, digestion and elimination. When it is weak, there may be poor digestion, bloating and loose stools.

Another function of the Spleen is to control ascending Qi, partnering the Stomach’s role of controlling descending Qi. One way this operates is that the Spleen sends food Qi upwards to the Lung to support its function of gathering Qi from the breath. It also sends food Qi upwards to the Heart to assist in forming Blood. In an overall way, the Spleen provides support and upward lift to the body.

One interpretation of the pathway of the Spleen meridian is that it is like a crutch under the armpit, supporting an upright stance. When Spleen Qi is weak, there is often fatigue and sagging as if this upright support has been lost. The state of the Spleen is one of the most important factors in determining the amount of energy a person has.

When the functions of transformation, transportation and ascendance of Qi are operating well, then thinking is clear and the thoughts are settled. When the Spleen official is taking a sick day, then the mind can become fuzzy and muddled, worried by repetitive and obsessive thoughts.

Disorders of the Spleen are common and Spleen Qi deficiency is one of the most common patterns seen in clinical acupuncture practice in western countries. Causes of this include stress, lack of exercise, poor diet, eating too much sugar, eating cold food, eating irregularly and worrying about what you eat. Looking at this list, it is easy to see how this has become a western malaise.

One of the strongest points for tonifying and revitalising the Spleen is its source point, Taibai – Supreme White. As the Earth point on an Earth meridian, it is tremendously supportive of the Element and particularly effective between the hours of 9 am and 11 am when the Spleen Qi is at its highest level during the day.

It activates and strengthens the Qi of both Spleen and Stomach, thereby treating many digestive disorders including abdominal pain and fullness, intestinal gurgling (borborygmus), constipation, diarrhoea and haemorrhoids. By encouraging the Qi to ascend, Taibai also treats lethargy, fatigue and feelings of heaviness in the body, especially of the limbs. It also treats pain of the knees and thighs along the pathways of Stomach and Spleen.

Taibai is a good point for resolving damp. The Spleen is particularly susceptible to external damp, such as humid weather or wearing wet clothes. But internal damp often arises when the Spleen is not functioning well. Many of the symptoms of Spleen imbalance are a result of this dampness in the body.

The Spleen is also injured by ongoing obsessive thoughts and excessive worry. In these cases, Taibai helps to recharge the brain and the thinking processes. It brightens up your ideas! Similarly, when thinking is fuzzy and mental activity is fraught, this point clarifies thinking and improves memory. It brings groundedness, stability and a sense of coming back to centre.

So if you feel like your inner transport minister has gone on strike, hold Taibai and get him back to work.

Location of Spleen 3 – see previous posting

 

Guarding the Frontier

Arm pain, Ear problems, Headache, Immune system, Shoulder pain, Temperature regulation, , , , , , ,

CustomsIn recent posts, we explored two of the officials that protect the Heart, namely the Heart Protector* and the Small Intestine. The third of these officials is the Triple Heater. It is the outermost of the Fire officials, concerned with protecting the borders of the kingdom. This relates to protection of the exterior of  the body and to negotiating social and societal relationships.

At the physical level, the Triple Heater maintains homeostasis in the body. In particular it is the thermostat, keeping the body’s temperature in the Goldilocks zone, neither too hot nor too cold. It regulates conditions in the three burning spaces (lower abdomen, upper abdomen and chest) for which it is named, and maintains the crucial balance between Fire (yang) and Water (yin). It plays a role in the immune system, keeping harmony among all other officials, coordinating the functions of all the organs and ensuring harmonious interaction between them.

At the psycho-emotional level, Triple Heater manages social relationships, deciding who in the world it is safe to befriend, who can be trusted to enter the kingdom of the Heart. In this sense it sets boundaries, restricting the entry of people who may harm us, and guiding our own appropriate social behaviour. In this arena, Triple Heater works closely with Heart Protector which we looked at previously.

When Triple Heater falls out of balance, there can be disruption to the heating system of the body, causing us to feel very hot or very cold, and sometimes both in rapid succession. A person might hate the winter and love the summer, or vice versa. At an emotional level, it can make for difficulty in distinguishing between social and intimate relationships, falling in love quickly and repeatedly, behaving in socially inappropriate ways, even becoming an exhibitionist.

The point Waiguan – Outer Frontier Gate is perhaps the most important point on the meridian. It is effective for keeping balance and harmony between the Heart and the wider world, resolving conflicts between the inner and outer. It connects to the Heart Protector meridian through HP 5 and is often used with it to balance the channel with its yin partner.

Another of its roles is as the master point of the Yang Linking Vessel which rules the exterior of the whole body and connects to all of the yang meridians. Therefore it can be used for all external pathogenic invasions from wind, cold, heat and damp, as well as fever and many types of headaches.

Waiguan treats ear disorders including tinnitus, deafness, earache and itching ears. It is a also good for pain and stiffness of the neck, shoulder, elbow, arm and hand.

Forearm yourself against external invasion from disease and guard your heart from harmful influences by strengthening the guard at the Outer Frontier Gate.

Location of Triple Heater 5

TW 5 bThe point lies on the back of the forearm between the ulna and radius bones, 2 cun (approximately 3 fingers width) above the wrist where it bends when flexed.

Hold the point for 2 to 3 minutes or until you feel the Qi move. Treat the left side first, then the right.

 

 

 

* In previous posts I used the term Pericardium; I have chosen to change to the term Heart Protector as this is more evocative of its functions.