Category Archives: Constipation

The Next Chapter of Your Life

Constipation, Decision Making, Depression, Digestion, Gall Bladder pain, LV 13, Planning, Transitions, Vision, Wood Element, , , , ,

Zhangmen – Chapter Gate – Liver 13

As we move into spring in the antipodes, the energy of the Wood Element is all around us. Time once again to roll out Wood points to smooth our passage through this sometimes jerky season.

New chapterI struggled a bit with getting this blog out. You may have noticed that it’s a week overdue. So it was with some amusement that I discovered that the Wood point I wanted to write about, Liver 13, is good for writer’s block!

One of the point’s many names, Chapter Gate, suggests support for the start of a new chapter, whether it be a piece of writing, or metaphorically a new chapter of your life. Zhangmen helps us to move to new beginnings.

The point is a meeting point, a place where the Liver, Gall Bladder and Spleen meridians converge. It is therefore a great harmoniser of the relationship between Wood (Liver) and Earth (Spleen). It smooths away the frustration and irritation that can be caused by stagnation in the Liver Qi; and it supports Spleen’s capacity for clear, productive thinking. Altogether, this makes for the ability to see the road ahead, think clearly, make plans for the future, and move forward with purpose. When you’re at a crossroads, Zhangmen helps you to navigate the next stage in your life.

From Chapter Gate the Qi moves upwards to Gate of Hope, Liver 14, which we looked at two springs ago. These two Gates are often treated together, mutually supporting the freeing of stuck energy and moving smoothly through transitions. This combination can be a powerful support for depression that is caused by stagnant Liver Qi.

At the physical level, the point treats abdominal pain and distension, gurgling tummy, loss of appetite and diarrhoea which may alternate with constipation. It supports the Spleen in its function of transforming food into Qi and transporting its energy around the body. Good for those times when overindulgence in food leaves you overfull and nauseated.

Another name for the point is Camphorwood Gate. Zhang denotes the camphor laurel tree and by extension any valuable wood. This point is where Wood receives Earth and The Book of History teaches, “When Wood receives the virtue of Earth it becomes a thousand pieces of valuable lumber.” Wood’s ability to see the way forward is united with Earth’s capacity to transform plans into manifestation. A valuable product is the result.

When you’re having trouble turning the page to reveal the next chapter of your life story, try holding Zhangmen.

Location of Liver 13

LV 13Located at the tip of the 11th rib. Another of the point’s names is Elbow Tip: if you let your arms hang at your sides and press your elbows in, the tip of the elbow locates the point. Another method is to palpate downwards along the fixed ribs. As you get towards the side of the body, the fixed ribs give way to a gap. Keep going and you’ll touch the tip of the 11th rib.

Master of the Seas

Constipation, Depression, Digestion, Insomnia, Menstrual disorders, Reproductive, Tiredness, Transitions, , , , , ,

You may be wondering why on earth I’m introducing an Earth point at the start of the southern summer. It is because the Earth Element makes an appearance at each change of  season, mediating the transition. In this case Earth eases us from spring to summer.

Gongsun – Grandfather Grandson  – Spleen 4

5.7In our demanding, fast-paced, modern world, stress can produce tension in the organs and tissues of the abdomen, affecting digestion and elimination as well as the reproductive organs.

In Gongsun – Grandfather Grandson we find a point that acts upon the abdomen in multiple ways. It is a powerful point of the Spleen channel and the luo-connecting point of that meridian. And it is the master point of the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) which influences the whole of the abdomen and all its organs.

Its name alone alerts us to its prominence in the pantheon of points. Gongsun was the family name of the legendary Yellow Emperor Huang Di whose conversations with his physicians form the basis of the Neijing, that towering classic of Taoism and Chinese medicine. The translation of Grandfather Grandson suggests continuity through the generations, while at a mundane level using the analogy of the grandson for the connecting channel, offshoot of its grandfather, the main Spleen channel.

Yellow is the colour of Earth and the Yellow Emperor was said to have ruled during the Earth phase of China’s history. His reign laid the foundations for Chinese civilization in the same way that the Earth Element is the base and orientation of all the other Elements.

Whichever explanation of the name we wish to take, Gongsun is a potent point for influencing the Earth Element and its organs of Stomach and Spleen. It is particularly effective in combination with ST 40, the luo-connecting point of Stomach meridian. By activating the Spleen it treats lethargy, fatigue, chronic tiredness and weakness.

Like other connecting points of the yin meridians, SP 4 exerts a pronounced influence over the emotions. Because of Spleen’s connection to the Heart, SP 4 can settle the spirit when there is restlessness, agitation, insomnia, mania and depression. The point also addresses an imbalance of sympathy, where a person suffers self-pity and feels unsupported by others and by the world at large, or relies too heavily on others to meet their needs.

Already we can see that Gongsun is an influential point. But there is more. Another of its roles is as master point of the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel), one of the Eight Extraordinary Vessels. The Vessels are fields of Qi as opposed to the rivers of Qi that are the meridians. Gongsun exerts an influence over the entire field of the Penetrating Vessel which extends throughout the torso from the pubis to the throat and includes the spinal column and the insides of the legs. The Penetrating Vessel is described as both the sea of blood and the sea of the meridians. It therefore exerts a strong regulating effect on Blood and Qi.

As the master point of the sea of blood, SP 4 regulates blood circulation, stops bleeding and addresses all menstrual irregularities. It has an influence on the uterus and treats gynaecological disorders such as endometriosis, fibroids and cysts.

As the master point of the sea of the meridians, it ensures good circulation of Qi throughout the 12 meridians. It addresses counter-flow Qi, for example where Stomach Qi is rising rather than descending and causing chest or gastric pain.

It is believed that the Extraordinary Vessels develop at conception and form the basis of the energy network of the body, well before the development of the 12 organ meridians. Treating the Vessels therefore treats the depth and foundation of who we are as humans

Spend some time with Gongsun and become master of your own inner seas.

 

5.8Location of Spleen 4

In the arch of the foot, in a depression at the base of the first metatarsal bone. Find Spleen 3 in a depression at the ball of the toe, then slide your finger up the shaft of the metatarsal until you are at the base of the bone. Apply firm pressure directed towards the ankle.

 

Cover

 

 

This is an extract from John’s book ‘The Way of the Five Elements’ published by Singing Dragon Press and now available from discerning booksellers.