Kidney (YIN) Bladder (YANG)
The kidneys rest against the back muscles in the upper abdomen. The kidneys filter waste naterial, useful material, and water from the blood. Most of the water, along with the useful material is reabsorbed back into the blood. The rest of the water and waste products go down the ureters to the bladder. The kidneys filter about 50 gallons of blood per hour.
The three main functions of the kidneys are: excretion of wastes, maintaining the water balance, and maintaining the acid-base balance.
The kidneys have several functions in Chinese Medicine. They store Qi for the entire body, produce reproductive energy, and contribute to the nurturance of the fetus. They regulate the amount of water in the body, and keep the body’s temperature under control.
The kidneys are also associated with the bones, marrow, brain, adrenal glands and parathyroids. Lethargy, or a general lack of energy can indicate an imbalance of the kidney meridian.
IMPORTANT POINTS ON THE KIDNEY MERIDIANS
- K 1 “Bubbling Spring” Entry Point Retention of urine, releasing pent up emotions, first aid for fainting, coma, shock and epilepsy, dry or sore throat, convulsions
- K 2 “Blazing Valley” Fire Point Cystitis, diabetes, irregular menstruation, night sweats, prolapse of uterus and other dysfunctions of the sexual organs
- K 3 “Mountain Stream” Source Point cough, diaphragm spasm, mouth and throat conditions, toothaches, impotence, inflammation of the mammary glands, labor
- K 4 “Water Spring” Lo Point Painful heel, impotence, hysteria, crying, premenstrual depression
- K 6 “Shining Sea” MASTER POINT Insomnia, menstrual irregularity, tonsilitis, epilepsy, throat, ankle painful or swollen, insect bites
- K 7 “Returning Current” METAL Edema, night sweats, lumbar pain, diarrhea, uterine bleeding
- K 10 “Yin Valley” Water Point Knee pain and weakness, disorders of the genitals, vaginal discharge, genital pain, impotence
- K 11 “Transverse Bone” Penetrating Channel Hernia, impotence, tension in pregnancy, penis and scrotum pain
- K 27 “Storehouse” Chest pain, cough, asthma, vomiting, influences direction of meridian flow, increases energy in the body
TRADITIONAL INDICATIONS FOR USE
- cold in the limbs
- chest problems
- diabtes
- diarrhea
- ears ringing
- edema
- fatigue
- fear
- impotence
- insomnia
- menstrual disorders
- sensitive to cold
- sterility
- urinary problems
The bladder is used for temporary storage of urine. If the bladder does not function properly, the body can become very toxic as the waste products accumulate. The bladder influences and maintains the normal level of fluid in the body. If too much urine is excreted dehydration occurs, if too little than swelling (edema) occurs. Adaptability and flexibility are associated with the bladder meridian.
The bladder meridian is the longest and most yang of all the meridians. It runs over the head, down the neck, down the back twice, and down the back of the legs. These areas are associated with flexibility, but also armoring or protecting.
Traditionally it is associated with the fluid balance. The inner bladder meridian can have an effect on all the other meridians through the YU points.
“If you can balance this meridian you can balance the body.”
IMPORTANT POINTS ON THE BLADDER MERIDIAN
- B 1 ”Eyes Bright” Entry Point eyes, facial paralysis
- B 2 “Collect Bamboo” Pituitary Point Sinuses, eyes, allergic sneezing, headache
- B 7 “Penetrating Heaven” Brain Tonic Point headache, nose (smell), eyes
- B 10 “Heavenly Pillar” Sea of Energy Point Neck tension, headache, nose blocked, sore throat
- B 50 ”Receive and Support” Sciatica, leg paralysis, hemorrhoids
- B 51 “Prosperous Gate” Back pain, thigh problems, conditions or imbalance, sciatica
- B 54 ”Commanding Middle” Sciatica, back pain or stiffness, knee pain, headaches, stiff neck, hip disorders, arthritis
- B 57 “Supporting Mountain” Hemorrhoids, constipation, lumbago
- B 58 ”Soaring” Lo point Epilepsy, dizziness, vertigo, lumbago
- B 60 ”High Mountain” Lower back ache or pain, convulsions in little children
- B 62 ”Extended Meridian” MASTER POINT epilepsy, headache, dizziness, uterus spasm, backache
- B 64 “Capital Bone” Source Point Headache, dizziness, leg pain, epilepsy, lumbago
- B 67 ”Extremity of Yin” Exit Point Eye pain, difficult labor, malposition of fetus, dysuria, urinary dysfunctions
TRADITIONAL INDICATIONS FOR USE
- cystitis, urinary problems
- diabets
- back trouble
- ear problems
- epilepsy
- eye problems
- genital disorders
- hemorrhoids
- hip pain, sciatica
- headaches
- neck pain
- pain or spasms in the calf
- little toe stiff
- nosebleeds
- paralysis
- sciatica
EXCERPT FROM INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED ACUPRESSURE COURSE BOOKLET: by Acupressure Institute
