Monthly Archives: May 2020

Winter Healing – The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Way.

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Esther Ram

JUNE O1, 2020

“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.”
–Edith Sitwell

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is based on the idea that the universe is made of energy. This energy flows through nature, the planets and stars, and is also through our bodies, in a 24-hour cycle. In TCM all life is interconnected and all things are possible. The five elements originated in ancient Chinese medicine over 2,000 years ago. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) scholars theorized that the universe is composed of five forces; 5 phases:

Water

Wood

Fire

Earth

Metal

Understanding these elements helps us stay in balance physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. Kinesiology is based on the premise that the body innately knows what it needs to heal itself (just like a cut heals on its own). Everyday stressors from our environment, choice/ quality of food we consume and work-related and physical stresses can weaken and obstruct the flow of energy (Qi or Ch’I – pronounced “chee”, which is the TCM descriptor for the body’s life force and energy). Kinesiology sessions can help uncover “blocks” to this energy flow and re-set and “balance” the body back to a state of homeostasis. Homeostasis is the body’s state of “balance” and optimal functioning. It is when all physiological process are in stable equilibrium and carrying out their normal functions as they should to keep the body healthy and functioning efficiently.

The Role of Qi (Ch’i) in Optimal Health and Wellbeing.

In TCM, the 5-Element Theory suggests that the 5 elements in nature cycle in phases through the different seasons and also through our organs. The five elements are energies that succeed each other in a cyclical nature.

Having an unobstructed flow of Qi (or Ch’i aka “Energy” or “Life Force” or “Life Energy”) through the five elements and organs ensures that one is in optimal “balance” in their physical body as well as their mental and emotional health.

Qi flows through meridians in the body. Meridians are life-energy pathways or “circuits”. Acupuncture points or acupoints lie on these energy circuits and acupuncturists use these energy pathways / channels to help mobilise energy via fine acupuncture needles that may be “blocked” in individuals.

A Kinesiologist uses these same acupoints on meridians to also revitalise energy flow via the use of pressure, known as acupressure.

Acupoints function like tiny “energy pores” in the skin that absorb subtle energy into the meridians from the environment and distribute it to the organs of the body. The acupuncture points are like little energy relay stations along a power/ energy line along each meridian.

Qi energy comes from three primary sources:

  • Inherited Qi from our parents (aka ancestral ch’i)
  • Energy absorbed (and produced) from the foods we eat and
  • Our Environment.

In TCM, illness is mainly the result of an imbalance in the flow of Qi energy to the organs of the body.

In TCM, Winter is associated with the Water Element. The water element is about our inner will to live our heart’s desire (fear & anxiety suppresses this).

Organs Associated With The Water Element:

  • Kidney and
  • Urinary Bladder

These are paired organs associated with the Water Element. Kidney is our Yin Water organ and Bladder is our Yang Water organ.

The Kidney play an important role in the proper functioning of our endocrine (hormones) and reproductive system.

The tissues and body parts associated with the water element are bones. The strength and function of bones (especially lower back and knees) and teeth health depends on the flow of Qi through the water element.

Imbalanced Qi in the Water Element can lead to issues relating to growth, libido and stamina and degenerative bone conditions like osteoporosis, specifically in the lower back and knees.

Emotions Associated With The Water Element:

The emotion of fear is associated with the Water Element.

Kidney:

  • Fear of heights
  • Fear of the dark
  • Fear of spiders
  • The fear of not being good enough
  • Financial fears
  • Anxiety
  • Indecisiveness
  • Procrastination

Bladder:

  • Fearful
  • Anxious
  • Impatience
  • Dread
  • Inner Direction

What Depletes our Kidney Energy?

  • Over-exertion
  • Lack of sleep
  • Cold weather
  • Stress
  • Excessive consumption of coffee and stimulants.
  • Being in a state of chronic fear

The Time of Day for the Water Element Organs:

Within our body, our life energy, Qi or Ch’i, circulates through each organ in turn. In TCM, we have twelve organs:

  • Heart
  • Small Intestine
  • Bladder
  • Kidney
  • Pericardium
  • San Jiao (or Triple Burner)
  • Gall Bladder
  • Liver
  • Lung
  • Large Intestine
  • Stomach and
  • Spleen

They are best described as ‘organ systems’ as they also have meridians or invisible energy pathways associated with them.

Every two hours a different organ is energised in a 24-hour cycle. Each organ has a specific physical, emotional and spiritual function so every two hours there are certain things we should be doing to maximise the effect of the energised organ and don’t waste our energy stores. Balancing action (yang) times with (yin) rest times is crucial for optimal energy flow through the meridians and organ systems and can prevent issues like burnout, chronic fatigue, digestive problems, food allergies, road rage, addiction, psychosis, obesity, heart disease and panic disorders to name a few.

At 3pm, our qi/ ch’i moves from the small intestine to our bladder and we shift from the fire element to the water element. By 3pm we should have done all the pushing for the day and put “cruise control” on by doing the easier tasks of the day. Between 3pm and 5pm our work should be enjoyable, not hard. The morning is for productive work and now is the time to tackle the more routine and mundane jobs that don’t require intense energy and creative input, but still need to get done. Jobs like routine correspondences, paperwork, unimportant meetings, processing and accounts are perfect for bladder time.

By 5pm each day, our qi / ch’i moves to our kidneys. It’s “happy hour” time. A time for social drinks, sharing a laugh, bragging, joke about the dramas of the day, have sex, have a relaxing massage and some reflection on the day. These are some of the ways to transition from the yang activities of the day to yin activities. Most people are finishing their work day around 5pm and preparing to go home. On a spiritual level we are also in the process of “returning home”. It’s a time to “switch-off” from the day to ensure good quality sleep. So the most important thing to do between 5and 7pm is consciously switch from yang activities of the day to a yin mode, so this process can take place.

Exercising is not a method for “switching off” in the way your kidneys need. Especially if you are doing yang exercises like HIIT training. Happiness does not come from yang followed by yang, it comes from balancing yin and yang and accepting that we will never finish all our tasks. If we do the right things at kidney time, it helps lay the foundation for peace in our lives.

Behaviours and Issues Evident When the Water Element is Out of Balance:

Balanced

One is able to assess risks and know the appropriate degree of threat. One is able to use their wisdom to get through the fear and anxiety.

Out of Balance

One is either terrified or fearless and reckless.

Main Issues of Concerns are about:

  • Needing to be safe
  • Being reassured
  • Trusting
  • Drive
  • Excitation in danger

Behavioural Responses to Issues:

  • Risk-taking or Fearing the worst all the time / being over-cautious
  • Distrusting or Trusting too much
  • Double-checking: often will not accept the advice from only one person, but will double-check by looking through books, finding more information from the internet or by asking more than one “expert”.
  • Intimidated and the need to be reassured
  • Driven or No drive (Lack strong will / drive and determination)

Ways To Protect Your Kidney and Bladder Qi:

  1. Guided meditations to acknowledge and explore fear.
  2. Yin Yoga pose such as the ‘Butterfly Pose’ to enhance the flow of qi into the kidneys.
  3. Use of Essential Oils like:
    • Juniper Berry – encourages one to face their fears
    • Basil – improves fatigue, low energy, being overwhelmed and helps one cope with life’s stresses, especially after long periods of burn out and exhaustion.
    • Sandalwood – aids with quietening the mind and offers support with meditation and spiritual practice.
  4. Rest
  5. Keep warm and protect the body from cold invasion particularly in the soles of the feet (kidney 1 point), the kidneys (in the back just below the ribs) and the greater yang (around C7 vertebra at the base of the neck)

Foods To Eat for a Balanced and Healthy Water Element:

  • Warm and salty foods
  • Seaweed
  • Brown rice
  • Walnuts
  • Parsley
  • Kidney beans
  • Mushrooms
  • Leafy greens and
  • Fermented foods such as sauerkraut and kimchi

Foods to Avoid for a Balanced and Healthy Water Element:

  • Minimise coffee, sugar and processed foods

Mind Muscle Mojo Tips to Support Your Kidney and Bladder Qi This Winter:

Mind:

  • Journal – Write down what concerns and fears you have and explore them. Writing your thoughts down on paper enables to get your fears out of your head and on to paper for you to “see” and often has a sense of “freedom”. Some reflective questions to consider are:
    • What are my greatest fears?
      • Why are they my greatest fears?
      • When was the very first time I experienced this fear?
      • What is my fear teaching me?
  • Get professional help to assist you to uncover your subconscious stressors. Get a “Balance” if self-help techniques are still not helping you – In Kinesiology, having a session is called a “Balance” and involves a Kinesiologist using muscle-monitoring techniques to gain bio-feedback from your body to help discover the “blocks” to the flow of your energy in the body that is causing an imbalance in your mental, emotions and physical body. Energy blocks can show up as pain, changed behaviours, emotional unrest and dis-ease. More specifically related to the water element, it can manifest as a lack of will, willpower, ambition, drive or motivation.

Muscle:

  • Take 5 minutes a day to sit still and notice your breath and breathing OR
  • Practice ONE Yin yoga pose a day.
  • Practice exercises such as Qi Gong and Tai chi which increases qi / ch’i.

Mojo:

  1. Have a hot bath before bed with Epsom salt and lavender oil (5 drops of oil to 1 cup of salt).
  2. If you don’t have a bath tub, have a foot bath instead.
  3. Have a drink of a cup of your favourite tea without doing anything else.
  4. Get 7-8 hours of well-rested sleep.

References:

  1. A Practical Guide to Vibrational Medicine: Energy Healing and Spiritual Transformation – Richard Gerber, Quill Publishers (2001)
  2. Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture (2nd Ed)– Angela Hicks, John Hicks and Peter Mole, Churchill Livingstone (2011)
  3. Five Elements Six Conditions: A Taoist Approach to Emotional Healing, Psychology, and Internal Alchemy – Giles Marin, North Atlantic Books (2006)
  4. The Zen of Touch – Gwyn Williams, PI Productions Photography (2011)