Emotional Issues go Organ Deep
The mind and body are inseparable. And why Traditional Chinese medicine has long understood and emphasized that to be in a state of optimum health, this includes more than our energy or immunity – it’s having a positive outlook on life, with our internal organs functioning as they are designed to.
Every organ in our body corresponds to the energy of a certain emotion, and every disease stems from an imbalance in an organ or its meridians. All emotions are inevitable – this is true. However Chinese medicine only considers emotions as pathological when they are repressed or expressed intensely.
Fear for example, is an emotion of the kidneys and bladder, organs associated with the water element. Kidney issues often arise when we are dealing with fear - such as a change in life direction. When we experience extreme fright, our kidneys struggle to hold Qi and we can literally pee our pants. Often called stage fright.
Anxiety is another emotion associated with the bladder. Our adrenals regulate our stress response and when adrenal problems become chronic, our anxiety levels increase, causing more stress and worry.
“Anxiety, the illness of our time, comes primarily from our inability to dwell in the present moment.” —Nhat Hanh
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the bladder is one of the six yang organs, paired with one of the six yin organs. The yin organs store vital substances such as qi, blood, yin and yang. The yang organs are more active and have a function of constantly filling and emptying. The bladder is a yang organ and it’s paired Yin organ is the kidney.
To put this into clearer context, I came across a study paper which noted “the bladder is the longest, biggest, baddest meridian in the body”. It’s connected to holding grudges, suspicion and jealousy.
“The bladder channel starts at the inner canthus of the eye. It ascends the forehead and joins the governing vessel at DU-20. From here, a branch goes to the temple. From the vertex, the channel enters the brain to re-emerge at the nape of the neck. It flows down the occiput and all the way down the back.
From the lumbar area, it enters the kidney and bladder. Another branch runs down the back along the medial aspect of the scapula, down the back to the gluteus and the popliteal fossa. Here it meets the previous branch and runs along the posterior aspect of the leg to end at the lateral aspect of the fifth toe where it links with the kidney channel. “
Some of the most common used bladder Acupuncture points are BL2, BL40, BL60, BL62.
BL2 is great for sinus issues and frontal headache as well as hiccups.
BL40 is my personal all-time favourite point for low back issues! As well as hip and knee issues. It’s also a great point for acute vomiting.
BL60 works wonders on tension headaches. Located between the ankle bone and Achilles’ tendons on the outside of the foot. It’s also a fantastic point to treat back pain, from low to middle and upper. Because it’s often counter indicated during pregnancy until the end, it can also help with difficult labour.
BL 62 is a great acupuncture point for mental and physical health issues. It alleviates back pain or stiff neck, as well as relieves tension headaches. It calms the mind, helps with insomnia and releases the heaviness of emotional trauma by helping the patient feel lighter.
Along with acupuncture, specific herbs and foods can help strengthen, tonify and detox certain organs. Foods such as black beans, walnuts , mushrooms, seaweed and black tea are beneficial. While it’s best to avoid foods such as cheese, heavy meats and sugars.
Lifestyle practices to reduce stress and promote calm are imperative too. From getting regular acupuncture to daily yoga, Qi Gong, journaling and meditation. The more we can find our breath, slow down and take notice of our emotions and physical well-being, the closer we will be to achieving a state of harmony and balance.
As I continue to read more on the fascinating connection between our emotions and our organs – specifically the bladder. I’ll be sure to share!