Tag Archives: Asthma

Catching a breath – Reaching the depth

Acupressure Points, Asthma, Breathing, Five Elements, Point Location, Psycho-emotional, Vitality, , , , , ,

BlakeIn the southern hemisphere, winter is waiting in the wings, anxious to take its place onstage during the dark months. But before autumn is done, let us take one more excursion into the realm of the Metal Element.

In the early years of my practice, I discovered the power of Lung 9 to help asthma sufferers. One client in particular found that by holding this point for herself whenever she felt an asthma attack coming, she was able to reduce the use of her inhalant medication by two thirds. Lung 9 is the source point of the meridian and as such it directly relaxes the organ as well as balancing the meridian. Source points are powerful points and if all you know about acupressure is the 12 source points, you have a valuable tool set

Other physical conditions that this point can treat include cough, wheezing, difficult breathing, dry throat, phlegm in the lungs, cold hands, weak voice and the weakness and fragility that result from Qi deficiency.

Reaching Deeper

Later in my practice, I came to discover that Lung 9 can go much deeper, to the psycho-emotional and spiritual levels of a person’s being. Indeed, the name of this point, Very Great Abyss, suggests more profound possibilities than simply treating the lungs.

Very Great Abyss influences the Po which is the spirit of the Metal Element. Of the five spirits the Po, also known as the Corporeal Soul, is the one that supports the functioning of the body. It is what gives us our instincts, our animal nature. It is our animal soul. Paradoxically, the Po also allows for a tricky balancing act of living life as a human being, namely that of being a creature of spirit inhabiting the body of an animal.

When the Po is troubled, this balance between spirit and body, between heaven and earth, can be disturbed. Lung 9 is able to go down into the abyss, to the depth of the soul. It can retrieve a person who has lost their way, calm one who is manic, stabilise someone who feels like they are cracking up or losing control. In short, it can reach down into the very depth of a person, calming, revitalising, rejuvenating and bringing a sense of security and stability.

Whether you simply want to breathe more deeply or if you want to feel more at ease in your body-soul, Very Great Abyss will help bring you back to yourself.

Location of Lung 9

LU 9Hold your left hand with the palm facing you. On the thumb side of the wrist crease, find the hollow between a tendon on the thumb side, the radial artery next to it, and the bone at the base of the hand. Hold the point with gentle pressure for 2 to 3 minutes. Tune into the Qi at the point. Notice how you feel as you hold it. Notice whether it affects your breathing or your mood. When you feel done, hold the same point on the right wrist and tune into the Qi there.

If you want to explore further, you can hold Lung 9 in combination with Large Intestine 4 which we learned earlier in the autumn. (See previous blog post). By holding the two source points of the Metal meridians together, you will be balancing the yin and yang of Metal. Doing this in the autumn, the season of Metal, makes it more powerful still. Try this on your friends and family. Self acupressure is good but treating another allows the work to go much deeper.

The Breath of Heaven

Acupressure Points, Breathing, Point Location, Vitality, , , ,

Deep breathWe continue our autumnal amble through the points of the Metal Element, this time pausing to examine the first point of the Lung meridian, Middle Palace. Most acupuncture point location books begin with this point as the first in the great cycle of all the points. This is because the ancients believed that when a newborn takes its first breath in life, the Heavenly Qi enters the body at this point. It represents the beginning of life.

This connection between the Lungs, the breath and heaven continues throughout our life. For with each breath we take, we inhale not only air, but also heavenly Qi. It is thought that while most of our Qi intake is gained through food, 30% comes from the breath. Middle Palace is a useful point for helping to open up the chest, making it easier to collect this free source of energy.

Lung 1 helps with any breathing difficulties such as asthma, coughing, wheezing, nasal congestion and throat obstruction. By opening the chest, it eases chest pain and allows a more upright stance. An open chest helps us to be open to all that the world has to offer us. It supports us to let come what may, to breathe in the world in all its richness. Last time we saw that Large Intestine 4 helps us to let go of that which no longer serves. Lung 1 helps us to take new things into the space thus created.

One of the things that causes congestion at this point is the suppression of emotions. To hold in emotions, there is necessarily a constriction in the breathing. Over time this can produce tightness in the upper chest. Treating Lung 1 with either static pressure or vigorous massage can help to loosen such constrictions and let the emotions come forth for expression. Grief is the particular emotion of the Lung and there are sometimes tears stored away in this point. It is supportive of those who are grieving.

At the level of spirit, this point can help to reconnect a person with his spiritual nature. It helps him to see the quality and value in his life. It provides access to inspiration, that which is both the taking in of a breath and the divine spark that makes the spirit soar.

Chest1Location of Lung 1

Lung 1 is located on the outside of the upper chest. Firstly find the large hollow directly under the outer third of the collar bone. This is known as the delto-pectoral triangle. From here, go down by a thumb’s width and move slightly further out on the side of the chest. Roll around till you find an area of sensitivity. This sensitivity may be subtle or strong. Hold the point for 2-3 minutes, first on the left side, then on the right. Tune into it as you also pay attention to your breathing. Notice whether there is a change in the sensation. Notice if there is a change in your breathing. Notice if there is a change in your emotions.