Meridian of the Month: Let’s talk about the Liver meridian

The Liver is the system that’s responsible for smooth flow throughout the body. As such, it’s the system most directly affected by things that cause us to tense up—stress, changes in environment and less than ideal lifestyle choices. When things aren’t flowing smoothly, we start to experience what acupuncturists think of as stagnation-type symptoms. This commonly happens in the spring as we make the adjustment from the slow hibernation of winter into the newness of spring.

The Liver is associated with the Wood energy in the five-element theory of Chinese medicine. What does that mean? Thousands of years ago, theories were put in place in order to try to understand our internal landscapes in relationship to our external environment, and the doctors of the past looked to nature to inform them on how to care for the body, emotions and spirit. These theories are still used today. Learning about them helps us to understand more of how to work within the support of our environment depending on where we are in life and where we are in space and time (a fancy way of saying, how old we are, where we live, what season is it, what time of day is it).

The Five Elements, An Introduction

The Liver is associated with the Wood energy in the five-element theory of Chinese medicine. What does that mean? Thousands of years ago, theories were put in place in order to try to understand our internal landscapes in relationship to our external environment, and the doctors of the past looked to nature to inform them on how to care for the body, emotions and spirit. These theories are still used today. Learning about them helps us to understand more of how to work within the support of our environment depending on where we are in life and where we are in space and time (a fancy way of saying, how old we are, where we live, what season is it, what time of day is it).

• Fire element: Heart and Small Intestine, associated with the middle of summer, it is about transformation, movement and activity.
• Earth element: Spleen and Stomach, associated with late summer, about abundance and digestion of food and thoughts (think of a good meal, or a good book)Metal element: Lung and Large Intestine, associated with the fall, it is about letting go and releasing.
• Water element: Kidney and Bladder, associated with winter, it is about stillness, holding and storage.
• Wood element: Liver and Gallbladder, associated with spring, it is about growth, movement, renewal and achievement.

 

The Liver and Spring

Entering the springtime energy, you may notice in yourself a bit of renewed energy, vigor, or desire to take on new things. But, if your Liver energy is blocked, you may instead notice more signs of blockage like frustration, irritability, insomnia, or increased headache, increased PMS symptoms. All of these are associated with the Liver, or Wood energy, not moving freely in the body.

Easy Ways to Help Support the Free Flow of Liver Qi

• Move your body, move your Qi. Get out and move a bit more, yoga, walking, or more vigorous exercise can really help. Most of us have experienced the amazing feeling you get after getting in some good movement, this is the feeling of your Qi, or energy, moving smoothly in your body.
• Get out in nature. The more time you spend outdoors, the more room there is for your Qi, or energy. Many of us start to feel a bit housebound by the end of winter. Getting in nature has been shown to improve your mood, boost your health, and improve your energy. Bundle up and get out there!
• Acupressure and Acupuncture. There are many acupressure points you can use to help move your ‘stuck’ Liver qi. A point I love for Liver conditions is Gallbladder 34. GB34 is located on the lateral aspect of the leg in the space made below the head of the fibula. The point is often tender to the touch which makes it easier to locate. It’s one of my very favorite points to needle and have needled.

In addition to alleviating Liver Qi stagnation, this acupuncture point, because of it’s location, is especially common in treating stiff muscles and joints in the lower body. It also works for addressing stiff neck and shoulders as well as joint issues in the arms and hands because it is a special point for any soft tissue, joint or muscle issues.

Remember and incorporate all of these tips as we enter into spring. It is like spring cleaning for your liver.

Julie