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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. Abuse can have profound effects on both the body and mind.

Many survivors 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 feel that these methods don’t fully meet their individual needs.

TCM offers another layer of support by focusing on the body’s energy flow or Qi to restore balance and promote overall well-being.

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 resource 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 starts 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

When we face danger or fear, the adrenal glands release hormones that trigger the “fight or flight” response. This involves physiological changes like increased heart rate, heightened focus and reduced sensitivity to pain. These reactions require a significant expenditure of vital energy (Qi), which the body later needs to restore.

B. Kidney Meridian Activation and Qi leakage

Trauma or abuse can impact the Kidney Meridian, where Qi is primarily stored. This may lead to what TCM describes as Qi depletion. The intensity and duration of fear can influence how much Qi is lost.

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

While everyone’s experience is unique, TCM identifies certain physical and emotional patterns that may be linked to the Kidney Meridian.

Disclaimer: The following symptoms are discussed in the context of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and are provided for educational purposes only. This is not a medical diagnosis, and TCM is a complementary approach. If you have health concerns, please consult a licensed healthcare professional.

Body symptoms (as described in TCM):

• frequent urination
• sweating
• dry skin, mouth, hair
• lower back pain
• hearing loss or tinnitus
• premature grey hair
• hair loss
• cold hands and feet

Mind symptoms(as described in TCM):

• insecurity or lack of confidence
• forgetfulness
• apathy
• anxious or fearful
• feeling restless