Category Archives: Detoxification

One for all, All for one

Detoxification, Digestion, Ear problems, Menstrual disorders, Reproductive, Tiredness, Urination, Vitality, , , , ,

Late Summer is upon us in the southern hemisphere, time to return once more to points of the Earth Element. We begin with Spleen 6, a really useful point as you will see.

Sanyinjiao ~ Three Yin Crossing ~ Spleen 6
* Forbidden during pregnancy

5.9The motto of the Three Musketeers could well be applied to Sanyinjiao – Three Yin Crossing where three meridians unite at a single point. While the point is given to the Spleen meridian because its primary influence is upon the Spleen, it is a meeting point with the Kidney and Liver meridians. Like a river that joins together with two other tributaries, producing a combined force, SP 6 is a powerful confluence of forces where the combined action is more than the sum of the parts.

The wide range of conditions addressed by this point makes it one of the most frequently selected points in treatment. As it influences the three yin meridians of the leg, it treats conditions of the digestive, urinary, lymphatic and reproductive systems, treats damp, tonifies Qi and Blood, and raises the Qi upwards.

As a Spleen point, it strengthens the Spleen, thereby treating all Spleen Qi deficiency symptoms: feelings of heaviness and fatigue, abdominal fullness, loss of appetite and loose bowels. It clears oedema by mobilising the Spleen’s capacity to move fluids. Similarly it has a strong influence on nourishing the Blood and clearing Blood stagnation.

Three Yin Crossing is a great point for resolving damp, a pathogenic factor to which the Spleen is particularly prone. Damp in the lower burner can manifest as infections of the bladder, vagina and prostate; damp in the middle burner can cause diarrhoea, poor digestion, abdominal pain and nausea.

In its role as a Kidney point it strengthens Kidney Qi which is the source of our vitality. It treats difficult and painful urination, tinnitus, night sweats, dry mouth and difficulty with hot weather.

As a Liver point, it promotes the smooth flow of Liver Qi, treats painful menstruation and abdominal pain generally. It also treats pain in the genitals, seminal emission and sexual hyperactivity in men, impotence and infertility, blurred vision and hypertension.

Sanyinjiao is one of the best points for regulating the uterus, and so is very useful for all menstrual irregularities. Its effect on the uterus makes it one of the best points for promoting labour, and is therefore forbidden during pregnancy except in the final stages.

Emotionally it soothes the spirit when a person is despairing, feeling weighed down by the burdens of life. It helps calm a worried mind and ease insomnia. Its influence over the Liver means it can calm irritability, especially when associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Spleen 6 combines well with Stomach 36 to strengthen the middle burner and balance the Earth Element. A nice little treatment is to combine SP 6 with the source points of the three associated meridians, namely Spleen 3, Kidney 3 and Liver 3. The quality of the Qi at these three points will tell you much about the health of these meridians and organs.

If you want to raise your game, raise your Qi with this triple crown winner of a point.

 

5.10Location of Spleen 6

 

Located 3 cun (four fingers width) above the crest of the inner ankle bone. Press towards the back of the tibia bone.

 

Cover

 

 

This is an extract from The Way of the Five Elements by John Kirkwood. Available now from your favourite bookseller.

Battle of the Bulge

Constipation, Detoxification, Low back pain, Pain Relief, Psycho-emotional, , , , , ,

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAA common problem of the spine is the bulging disc that occurs when the cushioning disc of connective tissue between two vertebrae bulges out, causing inflammation and putting pressure on the nerves that emanate from the spine. A more serious development is a herniated disc which sees a tearing of the outer layer of the disc. 95% of spinal disc herniation cases occur in the lower lumbar region at L4-L5 or L5-S1. Interestingly, the first of these positions is the location of a point on the Bladder meridian that relates to the Large Intestine.

Dachangshu – Large Intestine Shu can be of great benefit to those suffering from these disc protrusions and other painful conditions of the lumbar region. It is also useful in treating sciatica which originates in the lumbar region and radiates along the pathway of the sciatic nerve, through the buttocks, down the back of the leg and sometimes into the calf and foot.

As the shu point of the Large Intestine, Dachangshu exerts a strong influence over the organ as well as the functions of the official. When there is stagnation in the intestines, there can be a build up of waste material resulting in constipation, causing the abdomen to distend and bulge. This in turn creates abdominal discomfort and pain, and sometimes noisy gurgling of the intestines known as borborygmus.

On the other hand, the intestines may be loose, producing loose stools and diarrhoea. When waste moves too quickly through the Large Intestine, water and important minerals cannot be reclaimed and are lost. The Large Intestine shu point is helpful in treating conditions at both ends of this constipation – diarrhoea spectrum as well as treating rectal and anal prolapse.

The outer shu points are the points that treat the psycho-emotional dimension. As there is no outer shu point for the Large Intestine, this inner shu point can serve. Where a person is emotionally constipated, holding on to things, people, ideas or beliefs that are no longer of value, or even toxic, Dachangshu can assist in the process of letting go. Alternatively, when a person is unable to retain what is valuable and needed to live a healthy life, and lets go of or throws away things and people that are of value, this point is called for.

Location of Bladder 25

BL 25Located 1.5 cun lateral to the spine at the level of the junction of the 4th and 5th lumbar vertebrae, the point is tucked into the space above the sacrum and inside the ileum. Apply direct pressure. For treatment of lumber pain, press both BL 25 points and apply lateral pressure, thereby spreading the tissues of the low back. This treats the acu-points and releases the fascia of the region.

 

This is an extract from John’s forthcoming book on the Five Elements to be published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers www.jkp.com