Category Archives: Neck pain

Regeneration Mountain

Achilles tendon, Headache, Low back pain, Neck pain, Relaxation, Urination, , , ,

In the nether regions of Australia winter is already spreading its cold blanket across the land. We therefore turn our attention once more to points of the Water Element.

Kunlun Mountain – Bladder 60

* Forbidden during pregnancy

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAChinese mythology relates that after the cataclysm of a great flood, the only human survivors were a brother and sister who landed on Kunlun Mountain, rising above the floodwaters. Here they began the repopulation of the world. The two siblings of the story symbolise the primordial yin and yang, while Kunlun represents the central axis of all creation, uniting heaven and earth.

In the human body, this axis of yin and yang is reflected in the fundamental balance between Fire, the great yang, and Water, the great yin. The acu-point Kunlun – Kunlun Mountain, the Fire point of the Bladder meridian, provides a means of harmonising the Fire and Water Elements and therefore the yin/yang balance of the body.

When a person feels the cold, there is a contraction of the muscles, but there can also be a tightening of the mind, emotional withdrawal and an evaporation of compassion for others. When the Water freezes in this way and the Fire is doused, Kunlun is a good point for warming both body and soul.

The distal points of meridians are known for their effects on the whole length of the channel, and this point is particularly strong in its influence upon the whole length of the Bladder meridian. For example, it is well known for relieving chronic back pain, especially in the lumbar region. It combines well with any of the back-shu points where pain is located. It is also effective in treating pain in the shoulders, neck and head, especially the occipital region at the back of the head.

Kunlun has a strong descending action, pulling down yang from the upper body, hence its effectiveness for head, neck and back pain. Similarly it treats conditions of the head such as heat in the head, swelling and pain in the eyes, nosebleed and toothache. By causing yang to descend it has a calming and settling influence on the mind. Because of its descending action it helps to promote labour and is therefore to be avoided during pregnancy.

Another of its functions as a Fire point is in clearing heat from the body. When there is heat in the bladder itself, for example burning urination or bladder infection, this point is helpful.

Kunlun combines well with K 3 which is its mirror point on the inside of the ankle. This pair brings to mind the flood story in which the brother and sister come together to regenerate the world. Treating the yang of BL 60 with the yin of K 3 is a powerful way to enhance the jing or essence.

When you feel inundated by the waters of life, too exhausted to move, Kunlun can raise you to the mountain where a fresh, wider perspective is available and the power of regeneration is possible.

 

2.4Location of Bladder 60

The anatomical mountain is the outer ankle bone. The point lies in the hollow midway between the tip of the lateral malleolus (outer ankle bone) and the back of the Achilles tendon.

Choosing Wisely

Anxiety, Arm pain, Confusion, Depression, Heart problems, Neck pain, Shoulder pain, , , ,

ChoosingWe have seen in recent blogs that the Heart is protected by three “ministers” of the Fire Element. The Small Intestine official, sometimes referred to as the Sorter, is the minister who is closest to the sovereign, the Heart. His job description includes the functions of personal assistant, liaison officer, food taster, adviser and friend. Just as the organ of small intestine sorts the pure from the impure in the food we eat, so too the Small Intestine official is responsible for sorting out what is good for the Heart and what is not. This sorting includes the transformation of food and the absorption of nutrients, but also operates more widely at the level of mind and spirit.

Small Intestine is the paired partner of the Heart. It is yang to the Heart’s yin. This official listens attentively to the needs of the Heart and is in constant, direct contact with it. This close attention facilitates the communication from the Heart to the outside world and from the world back to the Heart.

An imbalance in Small Intestine can cause a breakdown in the attentiveness to the Heart’s needs. This might result in making poor food choices, taking in food that is not good for the body. It may also extend to choosing relationships that are harmful, situations that are toxic, and failing to engage in activities that nourish the spirit. In our busy modern world we have so many choices to make, so much information to filter and sort, that the Small Intestine official can become overwhelmed and fail to adequately protect his friend the king.

When the Small Intestine is not listening to the Heart, it tends also not to listen to the world. There can be confusion in communicating with others, misunderstanding what others are saying and being misunderstood by them.

A point to support the healthy relationship between Small Intestine and Heart is Zhizheng – Branch of the Upright. This is the luo connecting point of the meridian which supports balance between the yin and yang meridians. The upright referred to here is the Heart itself, while the branch is the connecting channel.

Zhizheng helps to resolve ambivalence and confusion by conveying faithfully the intent of the Heart. It calms and balances the Heart when its sprit (shen), is disrupted by restlessness, fluctuating moods, fright, anxiety, depression or mania.

At the physical level, Branch of the Upright is used to treat problems of the forearm and elbow, painful fingers and difficulty gripping. As with most Small Intestine points, it treats problems in the shoulder and neck through which the meridian passes. It also reduces fever, visual dizziness and blurred vision.

If you have trouble sorting the sheep from the goats, get confused about the choices in your life, or have lost touch with what your heart is telling you, Zhizheng can help restore connection with the purity of your Heart.

Location of Small Intestine 7

SI 7The point is on the little finger (ulnar) side of the forearm, five-twelfths of the distance between the wrist and the point of the elbow (5 cun). Locate with your arm bent as shown. The point lies in the hollow between the ulna bone and the muscle next to it on the front of the arm (carpi ulnaris).