-IBIS-1.5.0-
tx
urinary system
kidney stones/renal colic
psychospiritual approaches
metaphors and correlations
Fear may diminish blood supply to the kidneys' resulting in loin pain, kidney stones of chronic kidney inflammation. (Harrison, p. 141)
Kidney problems are associated with indecision. (Epstein, p. 140)
Kidney problems represent criticism, disappointment, failure; shame; reacting like a child. (Hay, 1984, p. 172)
Kidneys' represent the realm of partnership, and appear when we are engaged in conflicts with our partners (not just sexually but in the fundamental way we approach other people). The encounter with a partner is an encounter with the unknown aspect of our psyche, and we are attracted to that which we feel we lack in ourselves. The kidneys' job is to act as the central filtration plant and to control balance (acid/alkaline, blood pressure, water balance through diuresis).
(Dethlefsen, p. 171-179)
Chinese psychophysiology:
Kidney ~ Shen stores Jing (Essence) and governs birth, growth, reproduction, development, and aging; houses the Zhi (Will); expresses ambition and focus; controls mineralization and governs Water to regulate body fluids; facilitates inspiration by grasping and pulling down the Qi of the breath; and displays the effects of sexual dissipation, overwork, chronic degenerative processes, and extreme stress.
» Healthy expressions are gentleness, groundedness, and endurance.
» Kidney Xu (Deficiency) signs include indecisiveness; confused speech; dreams of trees submerged under water; cold feet and legs; abundant sweating (Seem, p. 28); fearfulness; apathy; chronic fatigue; discouragement; scatteredness; lack of will; negativity; impatience; difficult inhalation; low sex drive; lumbago; sciatica; and musculoskeletal irritation and inflammation, especially when worse from touch. As always, Yin Xu (Deficiency) predisposes to Empty Fire and/or acute inflammation.
» Intense or prolonged fear depletes the Kidney. Often chronic anxiety may induce Xu (Deficiency) and then Fire within the Kidney. (Maciocia, p. 250) Overwork, parenting, simple aging, and a sedentary or excessively indulgent lifestyle all contribute significantly to Kidney Xu (Deficiency).
therapies
imagery:
Imagine crystals in your urine are made of simple sugar or salt. See them dissolving and disappearing. Represent the acidic condition of your urine with a blue color, and change it to pink for a more alkaline condition. (Fanning, p. 229)
affirmation:
Divine right action is always taking place in my life. I release the old and welcome the new. Only good comes from each experience. It is safe to grow up. All is well. (Hay, 1984, p. 172, 177)
psychotherapy:
kidneys represent the realm of partnership (see metaphors) and asking the following questions may prove useful:
» Are there problems in my current relationship?
» Do I regard my partner's problems as his or hers alone?
» Am I refusing to recognize myself in my partner's quirks of behavior?
» Am I clinging to old problems and so stopping the flow of my further development?
(Dethlefsen, p. 171-179)
process paradigm: (experientially oriented)
What is the symptom preventing me from doing? What is the symptom making me do? (see process interview: urinary system)
related materia medica listings:
the shadow and physical symptoms
converting a signal to a symptom
imagery: precautions
imagery: techniques
affirmations: guidelines and precautions
process paradigm
footnotes
Reprinted from The Foundations of Chinese Medicine, Maciocia, Giovanni, 1989, by permission of the publisher Churchill Livingstone, a division of Elsevier Limited.