-IBIS-1.5.0-
tx
cutaneous system
acne vulgaris
psychospiritual approaches

metaphors and correlations

• person feels 'picked on' and wants to be left alone (Gentry, p. 43)
• acne may develop because the patient is unhappy about the way he looks; he increases his sebaceous excretion by hormonal control and increases muscular tension in his face, closing off pores; the resulting acne thus confirms his original belief (Harrison, p. 168)
• associated with feelings of embarrassment about making social contacts (Epstein, p. 50)
• non-acceptance, dislike of the self (Hay, 1984, p. 150)

Chinese psychophysiology:
Stomach ~ Wei is the Sea of Nourishment and origin of all fluids; transforms and digests food so that the Spleen can separate the distilled food essences; with the Spleen, is the root of post-natal Qi; and as Earth, relates to the ability to assimilate, stabilize, and feel centered and balanced.
» healthy expressions are fairness, openness, and nurturance
»
weakness, dysfunction, and illness associated with worry, anxiety, and overthinking. Worry will cause Stagnation of Qi in the Stomach and will manifest as a niggling, burning pain, belching, and nausea
» Stomach Xu (Deficiency) signs include slow digestion; vomiting after meals; painful eyebrows; emotionality; teariness; sadness; cold feet (Seem, p. 28); cold and shivering in the abdominal area; abdomen swollen and full; gastritis; loss of appetite; diarrhea; nausea; and leg weakness.
» Stomach Shi (Excess) signs include nightmares; acne; skin eruptions; excess stomach acid (Seem, p. 28); heat in the abdominal area; overactive digestive system causing hunger and thirst; dark yellow urine; gluttony; halitosis; swollen gums; red dry lips; pains and cramps in legs.

Liver ~ Gan is the home of the Hun (Ethereal Soul); it relates to decisiveness, control, and the principle of emergence; stores and cleanses the Xue (Blood); maintains smooth flow of Qi and Xue (Blood); and reflects emotional harmony and movement.
» Healthy expressions are kindness, spontaneity, and ease of movement.
» Liver Xu (Deficiency) signs include impotence; frigidity; pain in thighs, pelvic region, and throat; ready tendency to "the blahs" (Seem, p. 28); timidity; depression; irritability; vertigo; pruritus; dry skin and/or tendons; asthma; aching at the waist; hernia; and difficulty raising head up and down.
» Liver Qi Stagnation reflects and accentuates emotional constraint as the Liver's function of facilitating smooth flow in the body is constricted. Stagnation is associated with frustration, irritability, tension, and feeling stuck. With time this pattern tends to produce a gloomy emotional state of constant resentment, repressed anger or depression, along with tightness in the chest, frequent sighing, abdominal tension or distension, and/or a feeling of a lump in the throat with difficulty in swallowing. (Maciocia, p. 216)
» Liver Wind derives from Liver Yin Xu (Deficiency) and/or Liver Xue Xu (Blood Deficiency) and their subsequent inability to embrace the Yang, and can manifest as joint stiffness, dizziness, tremor, paralysis, convulsions, rashes, itching, and neurological problems.

Gall Bladder ~ Dan is the source of courage and initiative, and is responsible for decision-making as the bodily Minister of Justice; controls circulation of the nourishing and protecting energies [Ying Qi and Wei (Protective) Qi]. Its channel purifies Yang energy in the body.
» Healthy expressions are kindness, decisiveness, control, and spirit of initiative.
» Gall Bladder Shi (Excess) signs include tiredness; sighing; irritability; bitter taste in the mouth in the morning; pain in all joints; edematous knees and legs (Seem, p. 29); tinnitus; lateral headache; heaviness in head and stomach; muscular spasms; and limbs slightly cold. Chronically suppressed anger can implode and give rise to Fire in the Liver and Gall Bladder.
» Anger, frustration, and resentment can cause Liver Qi Stagnation which, in turn, can produce Heat which affects the Gall Bladder.
» Gall Bladder channel disorders associated with bitterness; lack of control; irritability; unfaithfulness; lack of courage; timidity; and hypochondria. (Seem, p. 28)

Large Intestine ~ Da Chang governs transformation and conveyance of waste from food to form stool; relates to strength and sustainability as the Yang aspect of Metal.
»
Weakness, dysfunction, and illness are associated with sadness, grief, and worry. Worry depletes the Lung Qi which fails to descend and assist the Large Intestine in its functions.
» Healthy expressions are righteousness and courage.
» Large Intestine Xu (Deficiency)
signs include skin eruptions; itching; cold; difficulty warming up (Seem, p. 29); shivering; rumbling in the bowels; and diarrhea.


therapies

behavior modification:
• Biofeedback-assisted, cue-controlled relaxation and guided cognitive imagery have been found effective as adjunct in chronic acne vulgaris. Treatment consisted of 12 sessions in 6 weeks and resulted in significant decrease in acne severity. Those who continued home practice maintained their gains, whereas those who discontinued failed to maintain gains. (Locke, 1986, p. 142-3)

imagery:
• the island (Chavez)

affirmation:
• I am a Divine expression of life.
• I love and accept myself where I am right now. (Hay, 1984, p. 150)

theotherapy:
• (skin problems) Dionysus, Heracles, Orestes, Pelops (Lemesurier, p. 115)

psychotherapy:
• Whatever happens to the skin corresponds to an inner process. The diverse functions of the skin (protection, contact, expression, excretion, respiration, temperature regulation, sexuality, etc.) encompass the two poles of separation and contact. Something is challenging our limits, or we are armoring an inner sensitivity.
• Questions to ask in the event of skin problems:
» What is it that is getting under my skin? What is trying to break through barriers?
» How easy/difficult is it to make contact with other people? Do I desire intimacy?
» Have I condemned myself to solitary confinement? What is useful about this?
(Dethlefsen, p. 162, 170)

process paradigm: (experientially oriented)
• What is this symptom preventing me from doing? What is the symptom making me do? (see process interview: cutaneous system)

related materia medica listings:
the shadow and physical symptoms
skin metaphors and correlations
converting a signal to a symptom
behavior modification techniques (see also: biofeedback, relaxation techniques)
imagery: precautions
imagery: techniques
affirmations: guidelines and precautions
theotherapy
process paradigm


footnotes