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Chinese medicine is based on a set of organs and their channels (pathways) of Qi (energy). The Liver is in charge of maintaining the circulation of energy throughout the body. Just a reminder here: We are not talking about your physical liver here, or your actual blood when we refer to Blood. The energetic organs may or may not relate to Western anatomical structures. For example, our physical liver cleans our blood, including the breakdown of our natural hormones, so there is an understandable connection with the Liver, which affects female health as one of its many functions.
If your Liver Qi is stagnant, it can cause menstrual problems, emotional irritability, and even digestive problems due to the Liver attacking the Spleen (I personally think this is a mistranslation for pancreas, since the Spleen turns your food into Qi). Liver Qi stagnation will also increase pain if you have any musculoskeletal problems, especially in the legs and lower back. As with most relationships in Chinese medicine, there is a chicken & egg factor: A severe injury can cause Liver Qi stagnation, too.
Psst - Don’t feel bad if you’re confused at this point – the entire first year of acupuncture school we all walked around with dazed expressions. It wasn’t until we started learning how to use and treat the various channels that it all came together.
Using acupuncture to soothe the Liver is not an instant cure. Generally speaking, the longer you have been out of balance, the longer it will take to correct. Most people feel immediate improvement in their moods, though, and real constitutional change can happen within a few short weeks.
One of my favorite patients originally came to see me with out-of-control anxiety and severe depression. It seemed pretty clear that the problem was hormonal. She'd had some temporary relief using birth control pills, but was still unhappy and needed further care. We've been working to calm her Shen (spirit) and rebalance her Liver Qi. I'm happy to report that she's been showing gradual improvement. This past weekend she was able to handle an anxiety attack with no crying and without resorting to her usual pharmaceutical drugs. You go, girl! :)
Events at the Spirit of Yoga
SOY has a whole list of new classes, including meditation, dance, and yoga for kids. Check out the list of workshops - including one that's donation-based!
Also, Maggie Christy has a new trick up her sleeve: Lypossage. This is a series of massage sessions designed to smooth cellulite.
Point of the Month: LV-3, Tai Chong (Great Surge)
Liver 3 is found on the top of the foot, between the bones of the 1st and 2nd toe. It’s a very important point for the Liver, and helps to move Blood in the lower body. Use it to treat lumbar back pain, leg or knee pain, red eyes or other “Yang Rising” problems, dysmenorrhea & hormonal imbalances, and grouchiness, particularly if it’s due to menstrual issues.
When used in combination with LI-4, these points are called the Four Gates and can really blast out some stuck Qi. DO NOT use any of these points if there is any possibility of pregnancy, since they can induce a miscarriage. In fact, they are some of my favorites for evicting overdue babies. It will also increase menstrual flow if the patient is having her period.
Press firmly for a few seconds and think healing thoughts.
Thanks for reading! Next month... Avoiding repetitive stress injuries!
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