-IBIS-1.5.0-
tx
urinary system
kidney failure: chronic
psychospiritual approaches
metaphors and correlations
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:
Heart ~ Xin houses the Shen (Spirit) and reveals itself through the brightness in the eyes; governs Fire and Heat; rules the Xue (Blood) and its vessels and directs the circulation; opens into the tongue and controls speech; and relates to the integration of the organs and the personality.
» Healthy expressions are warmth, vitality, excitement, inner peace, love, and joy.
» Heart Xu (Deficiency) signs include sadness; absence of laughter; depression; fear; anxiety; shortness of breath (Seem, p. 28); cold feeling in the chest and limbs; palpitations; cold sweat; inability to speak; memory failure; nocturnal emissions; and restless sleep. Yin Xu (Deficiency) predisposes to Empty Fire, acute and chronic.
» The Heart is the Emperor of the bodily realm so that when the Heart is disturbed all the other organs will be disrupted.
Kidney ~ Shen stores Jing (Essence) and governs birth, growth, reproduction, development, and aging; houses the Zhi (Will); expresses ambition and focus; governs Water to regulate body fluids; controls the bones, particularly the lumbar spine and knees; nourishes the brain to sustain concentration, clear thinking, and memory; and displays the effects of sexual dissipation (especially excessive ejaculation), 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:
self-cleaning drain (Chavez)
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.