WINTER /|\ WATER ELEMENT

The organ systems associated with WATER are the KIDNEYS + URINARY BLADDER

Some “life” correspondence that we see in the WATER element are:
* ears are the associated sense organ
* the tissue it affects, are the bones
* emotion of fear
* black color
* salty taste
* cold climate

WATER /|\ KIDNEY

In TCM, the function of the kidneys are to store Essence and to govern the growth, reproduction, and development

The kidneys are also responsible for:
* controlling the reception of Qi
* open into the ears
* manifest in the hair
* control saliva
* house our willpower (zhi)
* control the Gate of Life (Ming Men)

When we consider KIDNEY patterns, they often tie into reproductive problems, congenital issues, and diseases with aging

Some clinical manifestations can be:
Lower backache, cold + weak knees, swollen legs, desire to lie down, impotence, low libido, low sperm count, infertility, depression, apathy, chronic diarrhea, excessive urinating, lassitude + apathy

Any of these symptoms do not solely indicate a KIDNEY imbalance, we need to also see the corresponding pulse + tongue presentation

Taking herbal supplements for KIDNEY tonics is never advised without the guidance of your Doctor of Chinese Medicine. You can do more harm if you self prescribe KIDNEY remedies

Remember the TCM approach to health assessment of the 8 principles?

Is is excess of deficiency? Internal or external? Yin or yang? Hot or cold?

Well, the KIDNEY organ system is unique, in that is does not have an EXCESS pattern

It can only present as a DEFICIENCY : lower backache, dizziness, tinnitus

It can be both simultaneously deficient of YIN + YANG

YIN DEFICIENCY: kidney deficiency symptoms as mentioned + night sweating, feeling of heat in the evening

YANG DEFICIENCY: kidney deficiency symptoms as mentioned + cold knees, general feeling of cold

Other KIDNEY deficiency patterns are the following:

ESSENCE DEFICIENCY: + poor memory, weak bones, hair loss, premature getting of hair

KIDNEY QI NOT FIRM: + frequent urination, discharge

KIDNEY QI UNABLE TO RECEIVE QI: + chronic asthma, breathlessness, difficulty inhaling

The TCM KIDNEY organ system is easily affected by fear anxiety shock

Fear will descend the Qi in children (bed wetting, unable to hold urine)

In adults, fear will give ascend the Qi, and long term this can result in dry mouth, flushing, mental restlessness, and insomnia

Are you finding yourself sitting with fear + anxiety? You can see my previous post for more insight into the emotions affecting the KIDNEY

The first point on the KIDNEY meridian - K1 aka Bubbling Spring - has a very strong calming effect on the Mind.
It can be needled or massaged in sever cases of anxiety with agitation, insomnia, poor memory, fear, and “rage with a desire to kill” (that’s a direct quote)

This point is found on the bottom of your foot; in the center of your foot, just below the “ball” of your feet. Go ahead, feel for it. It might be tender.

This point has the maxing ability to draw downward, and to clear empty heat

Use a calming essential oil of your choice, or apply magnesium oil to help soothe heightened emotions,

SALT is the flavor of the WATER (KIDNEY) element; prepare yourself a epsom salt or sea salt foot bath to create a powerful soothing ritual at home

The KIDNEY meridian begins at the bottom of your foot, it travels up the inside of your leg to the sacrum, from there the meridian ascend along the spine to enter the kidney and urinary bladder. Then the meridian continues on to enter the liver, cross through the diaphragm to enter to lungs. It rises to cover the throat and ends at the root of the tongue.

This coverage of the meridian, allows us to us the KIDNEY meridian to treat:
* issues on inner side of the leg
* issues in the genital area (including urinate system issues)
* chest + throat problems, respiratory issues
* low back issues

I love using points on the KIDNEY meridian; almost every treatment has at least one kidney point included

Since the channel literally goes from your head to your toes, there is a plethora of treatment opportunities on the KIDNEY meridian

One point, specifically, has such a broad treatment function, that this can be included in treatments for:

* anxiety
* fatigue
* respiratory issues
* reproductive health
* low back pain, knee pain
* menstrual support

If I just use a needle, we influence the Yin attributes. If I add moxa, we influence the Yang attributes.

With acupuncture, I am sure that you are not too surprised when a point on your ankle treats your eyes

Meridians are the connections between head + toes, internal organs + external tissue, hands + feet

Not surprising is it then, that the 6th point on the KIDNEY meridian has the function to nourish + moisten the eyes

The nature of SHINING SEA KD 6, is that it is the opening to another Vessel (Yin Qiao Mai)

This is an extra meridian, and it has the function of absorbing excess Qi and Yin from the main channel. This channel goes from your heel up to your eyes

Not only do meridians create pathways to communicate from head to toe, they also intertwine + create new networks

Nothing is simple in Chinese Medicine, but it is a beautiful + thorough Medicine

When we discuss the TCM organ systems, it’s important to remember that we are addressing an organ system very different from Western Medicine organ association

Some TCM KIDNEY functions will be associated with the Western kidney function, however this does not mean we are treating renal issues - your nephrologist does this

We look at the elemental manifestations of how your Kidney system is contributing to your overall health presentation

According to your nephrologist or fertility specialist, there is not connection to reproductive health + the common understanding of your kidney function. To your Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, there most likely is. The TCM Kidney system, plays a crucial role in your reproductive health.

This separate understanding of our organ systems, is what allows us to go deeper than just hormones when it comes to reproductive health. Our understanding of these systems working as a whole can allows us to optimize reproductive health that might leave your OBGYN saying “I don’t know how, but acupuncture might help you”

The Kidneys are the root of all other organ systems, specifically their Yin + Yang energies

KIDNEY YIN is the root of: Liver | Heart | Lungs

KIDNEY YANG is the root of: Spleen | Lungs | Heart

There is almost always a combined pattern when it comes to disharmonies of the KIDNEY system

And the Kidneys are almost always affected when it comes to chronic diseases

GREATER STREAM | the third point on the Kidney meridian:

* Tonifies both YIN + YANG
* strengthens the function of the kidneys to receive Qi (asthma, cough)
* calms the mind
* benefits essence (reproductive health, aging)
* strengthens the low back + knees
* regulates the uterus (regulates cycle, infertility)

Since the Kidneys always present as DEFICIENT, this point is crucial as it tonifies every aspect of the Kidneys (Yin, Yang, Qi, Essence)

In order to tonify the YANG, moxa is used.

I almost always incorporate this point into my treatments, especially for low back pain + insomnia

The Five Spirits (visceral psyche) are the HUN, SHEN, YI, PO, and the ZHI

These carry much richness + depth for our personality, our emotions, our behavior

The Zhi relates to the WATER element, specifically the KIDNEY

The Zhi is our:
* realization
* strength of will
* persistence to achieve our goals
* strength of character
* self-affirmation

When it comes to the psyche, we can have both an excess + a deficiency

Excess expression of Zhi: our willpower turns into authoritarianism

Deficiency expression of Zhi: indecisive + lacking strength to confront difficult situations, loosing sight of our goals as they appear unattainable

“The Kidneys fill up the brain and control the bones”

When we tonify our Kidneys, we stimulate our memory

When we nourish our Kidneys, we nourish our bones

Here are some acupressure points that you can use:

1. MEMORY: take your thumbs and place them on the top of your ears, and connect your index fingers at the top of your head

Use your fingers, your gua sha stone, your reflexology pen, etc and gentle apply circular pressure where your index fingers meet. You can even gently tap tap tap at the top of your head

2. BONES: in the inside of your ankle, find the highest point on the ankle bone, and find the center from that point to your Achilles’ tendon. Use your thumb to apply ample pressure on this midway point. Not enough to bruise yourself, but enough to feel a little pressure. Repeat on the other ankle

DAHE | great manifestation

What an appropriate name for a point which has the function to promote ovulation

Found on the KIDNEY meridian, this point tonifies the Kidneys, benefits the Essence, regulates the Uterus + Menstruation, clears heat

HE can also be translated into ‘glory’, ‘flourishing’, ‘bright’, ‘luminous’

This is where the Essence concentrates and it is where pregnancy manifests

***These posts are meant to give you insight into this beautiful medicine, and is purely meant to educate + never act as medical advice or a tool to diagnose. This is just one example of a pattern disharmony, and it is never wise to self-diagnose or self-medicate without the guidance of an acupuncturist + doctor of Chinese medicine. DMs + comments are not a good spot to share medical questions, as your privacy is compromised. For medical concerns, please contact your doctor of Chinese medicine***

Please also note, that all these Organ System posts, do not mean that you have something wrong with your organ health. These posts can help you understand how we look at your body as a whole. Not separate systems working on their own. These posts are not meant to offer any medical advice. These posts give you a little glimpse of the complex + beautiful medicine that changes lives.