The Kidney: The Body’s Energy Foundation
During ancient times, the Chinese medical doctors who had the least ill patients were considered the best. Traditionally, the practice of Chinese medicine was used to prevent disease, maintain health and contribute to longevity as well as to treat all kinds of illnesses. So, receiving regular acupuncture treatments can not only help prevent the occurrence of many diseases, but help you live longer. Treatments can help strengthen the body to improve immune function, inhibit disease growth, protect the organs to ensure their healthy functioning, and calm the mind and emotions.
Simply by living our lives and aging there is a natural amount of depletion we experience, so it is important to find ways to continually build our bodies and minds...
According to Chinese medicine, we are born with a given amount of energy, called our prenatal Qi, which is kind of like a savings account. After we are born, it is up to us to continue to replenish and build our reserves, called our postnatal Qi, which is like a checking account that we sometimes withdraw from, but that we need to make regular deposits into also. We do this through good lifestyle practices that will ensure longevity, such as consuming good food and drink, proper exercise, good sleep, stress management... and acupuncture!
According to Chinese medical theory, the kidneys are considered “the body’s energy foundation that generate the power for the entire body and support the activities of all other organs” (Lu, p.133.) They are responsible for growth, development and reproduction, they nourish the bones and marrow, regulate water passages, open to the ears and throat and are reflected in the hair on the head and are said to be the residence of our will.
The third point on the Kidney channel, is named Tai Xi (pronounced ‘tie shee’) which translates to supreme stream. It is located on the inside of the ankle in the depression between the high point of the ankle bone and the Achilles tendon. This point can nourish our deepest source of energy. Among the many actions and indications of this point, it is used to support many of the processes that occur with aging—it helps to strengthen the lower back, can clear heat contributing to night sweats and chronic dry sore throat, can help relieve frequent urination, tinnitus and insomnia.
The next time you are on the floor stretching, massage this point with your thumbs. Incorporating this into your self-care routine can help contribute to your longevity.
Sources:
A Manual of Acupuncture by Peter Deadman
A Woman’s Guide to Healing from Breast Cancer by Nan Lu, O.M.D., L.Ac.
