CONNECT WITH US!
Acupuncturists understand the body as a complex system of energy systems, meridians, and organs. However, when an acupuncturist talks about an organ, like the spleen, heart, or kidneys, they are not referring to the physical organ that sits inside your body, but rather the energetic side of these organs. The energetic system is much bigger than just the physical organ and governs certain functions in the body on many levels.
The kidney system is one of the most important of these energetic organ systems.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the kidneys represent the deepest, most fundamental levels of energy in the human body. They are said to be the root of yin and yang in the body – two fundamental forces at play in our physiology. The kidneys also store a substance called “essence” which is our genetic code, our life force, and our reproductive ability.
The kidneys in Chinese Medicine are related to the water element, which is the elemental energy of winter. Whereas many energy systems are all about movement, the kidneys are about rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation – they are the energy of holding, of turning inward, and of protecting that which is most important. Think of still-reflecting pools or a quiet winter night. These are kidney energy. The kidneys are often referred to in Chinese Medicine as our “root” – they are tasked with caring for the most precious parts of us that make us who we are.
On a physical level, the kidneys govern the water passageways within the body (appropriate being the water element!) as well as control growth and reproduction. In a five-element understanding of Chinese Medicine, the kidneys are at the end of the life cycle, before rebirth occurs again (such as winter making way for spring.) This means the kidneys have a vital role to play in end-of-life transitions.
The spiritual aspect of the kidneys is called Zhi, or willpower. Again, the kidneys are our root, our fundamental and core energy. When that system is weakened, a person may not feel drive, or motivation or can push themselves. Their understanding of who they are and what they can do has been diminished.
The emotion associated with the kidneys is fear. When the kidneys are weak, a person may be startled or frightened easily or may experience fear in disproportionate ways. Likewise, shock, trauma, and fearful situations weaken kidney energy, which is why many of the common symptoms of PTSD have a kidney imbalance at their root. The person’s core has been shaken.
The kidney energy, being the deepest level of energy in the body, takes time to replenish and strengthen, which means patience is key. Also, kidney energy naturally declines over the life cycle, which is the normal aging process. So, as we age, protecting the kidneys becomes all the more important!
Being associated with the water element, the kidneys are nourished by foods that come from the water – fish, seaweeds, and shellfish are nourishing to this system. The kidneys are associated with a salty taste, so naturally salty foods such as miso or millet also are good choices. Avoid foods that are damaging to your root energy, such as sugar, caffeine, alcohol, greasy foods, and highly processed foods.
The kidneys are damaged by overwork, too much responsibility, lack of sleep, and a frenetic schedule. In other words, most of us living in modern society are taxing our kidneys! This means it is even more important to carve out time and space to take part in kidney-nourishing habits.
As we mentioned, the kidneys are nourished through rest and rejuvenation. Pay attention to your sleep and be sure you are getting the hours that you need! Take a nap during the day if you need it. Engage in gentle, relaxing forms of exercise, like yoga or tai chi. Try meditation or guided visualizations to calm and center yourself. Find a schedule that works – one that really works – for you.
Bring the water element into your life and your home by getting a small decorative fountain, using essential oils, taking baths, or spending time near rivers or oceans, or other bodies of water.
The kidneys, being the source of our reproductive strength, are also weakened by excessive sexual activity. So go for quality over quantity.
The kidneys represent what makes you, you. So, take the time to give them the support they need!
The food we consume and the oxygen we breathe provide us with recharging energy (postnatal qi). It is critical to provide enough postnatal qi to the body in order to avoid depleting our reserve essence, which is required for good kidney function. Kidneys govern growth and development and promote the health of our brains, bones, bladder, ears, and reproductive system, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine. Our low back and knees are likewise governed by them.
Signs and symptoms of kidney deficiency or depletion include:
Developmental disorders, congenital issues in children (essence deficiency)
Premature aging: graying
Deafness
Weak brittle bones, hair/teeth loss
Infertility
Low Back Pain, weak knees
Extreme fatigue (can happen when both the rechargeable energy is depleted, and the battery is low)
Winter is the time to be very mindful of our kidneys as it is when our energy can be most easily depleted. Winter is the ultimate yin time, and calls for rest, reflection, conservation, and storage. Days are shorter while nights are longer. This is nature telling us to get more sleep. Your body responds to less sunlight by producing more melatonin in the winter, the hormone that helps us rest. If we do not adjust to the season, we can easily get burnt out. Consider your adrenal health when thinking about avoiding burnout, as those little glands that sit on top of your kidneys are, in part, responsible for what TCM considers kidney qi. The cold of winter presents an additional challenge too, as the adrenal glands, together with your kidneys must work extra hard in helping to regulate body temperature.
The bottom line when it comes to kidney health in winter is to recognize the need for rest (and don’t just disguise it with stimulants like coffee!). Extreme exercise and activity are contraindicated. With the cold of winter slowing things down to a near halt, gentle exercise like yoga, stretching, tai chi, and qi gong are perfect movement therapies to prevent winter stagnation.
Don’t be afraid to get some fresh air and sunlight, when possible, too! The morning is the ideal time to get out and go for a walk when winter weather permits. Dress appropriately but soak up as much Vitamin D as you can. It is essential for immunity, mood, bone health, etc. And if you are looking to slim down, take note that exercising in cold weather helps to transform white fat (belly and thigh fat) into calorie-burning brown fat. [1]
If you can’t get outside in the morning start your day with this simple qi gong exercise: (you can gently awaken your qi with a stretch session first)
~with feet hip-length apart and knees slightly bent
~slowly swing torso left to right, letting the head follow
~let arms/ hands percuss the front lower abdomen and lower back as you let the natural momentum take over
~can finish with a stimulating rub on the low back to send some love into those kidneys.
Let your acupuncturist give your kidneys some love this winter too! With treatments to support kidney function and preserve essence, your acupuncturist can help you relax into the specific balance you need to thrive in the colder months.
[1] https://www.accuweather.com/en/health-wellness/what-you-need-to-know-about-brown-fat-and-exercising-in-the-cold/663420#:~:text=%22Brown%20fat%20could%20be%20activated,than%20during%20the%20warmer%20months.
When it comes to their health, some men probably wouldn’t look at acupuncture as a first option for improving their health. The fact is, acupuncture is a great way to improve men’s health, especially as they get older. Here is a look at five of the unique health issues that can help improve men’s health:
If we look at most of the men’s health issues, they are related to the Kidney and an imbalance of Yin and Yang in their body. When the Kidney energy becomes weak, it cannot support the whole body optimally. When one organ goes out of balance others follow like a domino effect. Either by poor diet or other lifestyle choices or even simply by aging, our Yin and Yang can become deficient or imbalanced. The great news is all of these are treatable through Traditional Chinese Medicine, which includes Acupuncture, herbal medicine, Moxibustion, Exercises like Tai Chi or Qi Gong, and Cupping.
Other patterns afflicting men are blood stagnation and the accumulation of phlegm. Accumulation of phlegm can often come first through suppression of emotion, poor diet, and possible drug use over prolonged periods. Phlegm accumulation leads to blockages in the qi flow throughout the system which can lead to Yin and Yang deficiencies and as one advance in age blood stagnation increases.
If you know a man who is looking for ways to improve their health, give us a call today and schedule an appointment!
Your immune system is the most important part of your body when it comes to staying healthy and fighting off disease and illness. It works by detecting harmful pathogens and viruses and acting as a defense against them. When your immune system is not running properly, the body becomes more susceptible to illness.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has focused on immune health for centuries. TCM believes that disease and illness arise when there is an imbalance of Wei Qi in the body. When these energies are not in equilibrium, the body’s natural energy flow, Qi, experiences disturbances, and oftentimes results in illness.
To keep the body working properly, modalities such as acupuncture, Gua Sha, herbal medicine, acupressure, and exercises such as Tai Chi are used to bring the body back into balance. These methods of healing are what ultimately support a healthy immune system.
Acupuncture can help boost the immune system through specific acupressure points on the body. Here are a series of acupressure points to boost immunity and support your Wei Qi.
Acupuncture for the Immune System :
KIDNEY 27:
To locate this point, place your hands on either side of the depression on the lower clavicle bone. From here (with your fingers below the clavicle) separate hands approximately 1-2in horizontally (outward toward shoulders).
An excellent immune-boosting point used for common colds, influenza, and for people that have compromised immune systems. Kidney 27 is known to open the chest, descend lung and stomach Qi, and stop coughing.
LARGE INTESTINE 11:
Large Intestine 11 is located on the tip of the elbow. The easiest way to find this point is to bend your arm, look down the outer side of your forearm to the elbow, LI 11 lies there where the elbow crease meets the joint.
Acupuncture can be a great way to get your immune system flowing as it should be. Other ways to stay healthy and keep your immune system in tip-top shape is to take Vitamin C, get plenty of sleep each night, avoid alcohol, and other hindering depressants.
LUNG 7:
Lung 7 (LU 7) is located on the inside arm above the wrist. To find this point interlock your fingers (palms snuggly together) and direct your attention to your lowest thumb. On the outer edge of your thumb, you will find the crease of your wrist. The point lies roughly one inch down toward the elbow, in a depression between the sinew and the bone.
This is a very common point to use for systematic relief of cough, headache, and/or stiff neck. As the Luo point of the Lung channel, this point is used to treat anything related to the lungs (asthma, wheezing, bronchitis, cough, congestion, etc.) and can help symptoms associated with a weakened immune system.
STOMACH 36:
ST 36 can be found on the anterior (front) aspect of the lower leg. To identify the acupressure massage point, measure roughly four fingers below the kneecap on the outside edge of your shinbone. You will know you’re in the right place by flexing your foot back to feel the muscle below (the tibialis anterior muscle) begin to flex.
Performing acupressure on Stomach 36 is like a Vitamin C shot for your body. It is one of the most effective acupuncture points for strengthening the immune system, recovering from fatigue and boosting endurance.
Get into a comfortable position so that you can easily access all points. Apply finger pressure in a slow, rhythmic manner to enable the layers of tissue and the internal organs to respond. Never press any area in an abrupt, forceful, or jarring way. Keep track of the results of your self-acupressure practice to pay close attention to your progress and well-being.
Begin with Kidney 27 and work your way down the body.
– KIDNEY 27
– LARGE INTESTINE 11
– LUNG 7
– STOMACH 36
Stimulate each of the points on both sides of the body at the same time. Spend 30-60 seconds on each point and apply firm pressure while breathing steadily into your lower abdomen.
Strive to complete this routine at least once in the morning and once before bed. For more tips on how to take advantage of your body’s natural defense, call us or send us an email.
