Hello Cool Girls ! You might be wondering, What is the Kidney Meridian ? It might sound complex, but it’s a concept from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that can offer an holistic perspective on healing from trauma. We all know that abuse has devastating effects on the body and mind.
Many survivors of abuse spend years to first acknowledge the harm done to them and even longer healing from it. While traditional therapies like psychotherapy and newer methods like EMDR and somatic therapy are valuable, some survivors find that they don’t fully address the underlying issues.
TCM offers a holistic approach to healing. By focusing on the body’s energy flow, or Qi, TCM can help to restore balance and promote overall well-being. For survivors of abuse, this can mean addressing not only the psychological impact but also the physical consequences of trauma, such as chronic illnesses.
1. The Basics of Traditional Chinese Medicine
As Bessel Van der Kolk Said it in his bestseller ” the body keeps the score”. Traditional Chinese Medicine understood this statement well around the V century before JC through a large corpus of text. This medicine combines several disciplines, including pharmacopoeia, massage, energetic exercises (qi gong, taiji quan, kungfu, etc.), dietetics, acupuncture, and moxibustion.
TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) is built around three beliefs: the Jing, the Qi, and the Shen. We refer to them as the three treasures.
- Jing: it is the essence of the body transmitted by our parents. It is the original energy substance that nourishes and supports the growth and development of the body throughout our life. It is a finite ressource and decrease as we age. (Jing is the foundation for Qi and Shen.)
- Qi: it represents the life force that flows through the body’s “meridians”. It serves nourishing organs and tissues. It is responsible for various bodily functions like : digestion, metabolism, and immunity. ( Jing generates Qi, and Shen influences Qi.)
- Shen: it is the spirit, it governs ou mental and emotional health, as well as our overall vitality. It is influenced by the balance of Qi and Jing. (Shen is dependent on the balance of Qi and Jing.)
2. What is the Kidney Meridian ?
So Qi, the life force, flows through the 16 meridians of the body, it is an energy network that is invisible. Each meridian is associated to an organ, the kidney meridian is part of a subgroup : “the 6 yang meridians”.
The Kidney Meridian start on the sole of the foot and travels up the inside of the leg to the knee. From there, it continues internally to the area below the belly button and then ascends to the collarbone.
The Kidney Meridian is associated to the element Water and yin energy, its main functions are to govern water in the body and the elimination of toxins through urine. It also govern the reception and storage of the life force or Qi.
In TCM the Kidney Meridian is closely associated with the emotion of “fear”. This connection is partly due to the anatomical proximity of the adrenal glands to the kidneys. The Adrenal Glands are responsible for producing stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which play a crucial role in our body’s response to fear and stress.”
3. How abusers trigger your Kidney Meridian ?
A. Fear induction and Adrenal Response
Usually when we face a danger and experience fear, the Adrenal Glands release the adrenaline and cortisol as survival mechanism. We call it “the fight or flight response,” a cascade of physiological changes that includes increased heart rate and blood pressure, reduced sensitivity to pain, and heightened alertness and focus. This phenomenon requires to spend an important amount of vital energy (called also QI) essential to fight or flight the danger. That’s why we feel our energy depleted after such situation, the body needs to restore the energy.
B. Kidney Meridian Activation and Qi leakage
When an abuser triggers fear, they can also activate the Kidney Meridian, where Qi (vital energy) is primarily stored. This stimulation can cause Qi leakage, a condition that loses or depletes Qi. The severity of the Qi leakage can depend on the intensity and duration of the fear. A sudden, significant shock or prolonged exposure to fear can both contribute to this energy loss.
C. Chronic Qi Depletion
The “Fight or Flight” response is not designed for chronic activation. When experienced over extended periods, the adrenal glands become overworked and can lead to significant Qi depletion. It also affects the Shen, symptoms may include diminished mental clarity, a weakened spirit, and emotional imbalance.
Furthermore, prolonged Qi leakage can compromise Jing, or essence, resulting in premature aging, weakened reproductive function, and decreased vitality.
4. Effects of Abuse on our Kidney Meridian
How can I tell if abuse has disrupted the balance of my Kidney Meridian? Both the body and mind can exhibit various symptoms.
Disclaimer: This article explores the concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and does not constitute a medical diagnosis. Traditional Chinese Medicine is a complementary approach to Western medicine and should not replace conventional medical treatment. If you have any health concerns, please consult with a qualified healthcare professional. I am not a doctor.
Body symptoms:
- frequent urination
- incontinence
- enuresis
- sweating
- dry skin, mouth, hair
- lower back pain
- hearing loss or tinnitus
- premature grey hair
- hair loss
- cold hands and feet
Mind symptoms:
- insecure
- forgetfulness
- apathy
- anxious or fearful
- feeling restless
Disclaimer
This article explores the concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and does not constitute a medical diagnosis. Traditional Chinese Medicine is a complementary approach to Western medicine and should not replace conventional medical treatment. If you have any health concerns, please consult with a qualified healthcare professional. I am not a doctor.
