Tag Archives: headache

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.

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.