Mental/Emotional Aspects related to Kidney
Many years ago, when I was an acupuncture
intern, I saw a patient who had lost all of his hair within a single week. All
of his hair, including eyebrows, eyelashes and body hair fell out immediately
after learning his unborn child was not going to survive. Miraculously, the
following week, he learned the tests used on his pregnant wife were faulty and
that the child would in fact be healthy. Around that time, this patient went in
for acupuncture session to see what could be done for him.
Fear & The Kidneys
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the kidney is
the organ system that rules bones, teeth and hair and the mental-emotional
component of the kidney is fear. It was fascinating to witness such a vivid
example of how tightly the emotional and physical aspects are intertwined in
this medicine. This poor man experienced such a deep level of shock and fear,
the immediate physical manifestation of this disruption in kidney energy was
complete baldness.
In five-element theory, kidney personality
types can be introspective, enjoying time alone to philosophize. They might be
seen as unconventional, perhaps a little quirky. As the element of kidney is
fear, an imbalance in this energy might lead to the types of worries and
anxieties that are unfounded. This type of patient might obsess about death,
even though they are currently healthy or may even question their existence.
Since this organ is connected to willpower, a balanced kidney type would have
optimistic, realistic long-term life goals. They would feel as if their life
had a purpose. Out of balance, this type might be too fearful of an uncertain
future to move forward. They might exhibit an aura of being directionless, or
lacking in follow-through.
Other Impacts of the Kidney
The kidney is also linked to the sex drive.
Deficient kidney energy might manifest in a lack of sexual desire. On the other
end of the spectrum, excess kidney energy can result in a hyperactive sex
drive.
When I see patients that seem to have grown old
before their time, I think of the kidney as this organ regulates the aging
process. Some people maintain their youthful vibrancy throughout the years due
to healthy kidney function. Other people appear to become hardened as they
complain about their various aches and pains, fearful about growing old and
consumed with worries about impending health issues that could manifest.
How
Acupuncture Can Help
Getting an acupuncture tune-up on your kidneys
won’t bring you eternal youth, unfortunately, but it can help to give you an
energetic boost and reset your system. I often see patients who exhibit the
“tired but wired” paradox so often caused by a mix of stress, overwork and
stimulants. These patients are running on overdrive, and the kidneys take the
hit. By treating the kidneys, we can stimulate your natural energy reserves
while we get your body and mind back into a state of homeostasis.
Ask me how Acupuncture can help your Kidneys!
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