When we talk about nodules and cysts in the body, such as breast nodules, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids (which are specific to women), as well as lung nodules and liver cysts that can occur in both men and women, these types of issues are referred to as phlegm and qi stagnation in traditional Chinese medicine.
Phlegm and qi stagnation refer to the entanglement of visible phlegm and invisible qi in the body. Phlegm is tangible and can obstruct the circulation of qi and blood in the body, while qi is intangible but can cause stagnation and affect the movement of substances. The combination of these two is called phlegm and qi stagnation, which can lead to the formation of stasis when prolonged, further aggravating the condition. In terms of manifestation, nodules or cysts often appear in specific areas of the body, and interestingly, these issues are common in women's bodies and can occur in various locations.
If there are nodules or cysts in multiple locations in the body, it is often related to a specific meridian in the body, namely the Gallbladder Meridian of Foot Shaoyang. This meridian is directly related to the body's qi movement, which involves the functions of lifting, descending, floating, and sinking. Lifting & descending refers to the function of the diaphragm, and floating & sinking refer to the functions of the abdomen. These two major functions directly affect the functions of the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, and glandular secretion rhythm. The gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, and glandular secretion in the body all depend on this rhythmic, regular, but variable and adjustable self-regulatory mechanism.
The Gallbladder Meridian of Foot Shaoyang passes through the chest and abdomen of the body, connecting to the main structures that regulate these lifting and sinking functions. Therefore, abnormality in the Gallbladder Meridian of Foot Shaoyang can lead to imbalance of the body's qi movement. Imbalance of qi movement affects the regulation of heart and lung function, the ability to regulate the heart, and the pressure in the abdomen. This can further lead to imbalance of floating and sinking, which refers to the disorder of mechanisms related to digestion, absorption, metabolism, and elimination in the body, as well as the disorder of the autonomic nervous system. These changes can also lead to a series of changes in the endocrine and immune systems. In short, it is a prelude to the disorder of the body. When the body's metabolism is also disordered and there is accumulation of substances, and the body's qi movement is also disrupted, the rhythms of various organs and tissues are abnormal, leading to the formation of phlegm and qi stagnation.
As a result, nodules can form along this meridian pathway, such as nodules in the thyroid gland, breast nodules, liver cysts, ovarian cysts, and uterine fibroids. This pathway connects all the susceptible areas together, making it the fundamental starting point for regulating these issues using meridian-based methods to regulate liver qi and relieve these problems.
So why are women more prone to these issues? It is because of the physiological characteristics of women, who undergo different physiological changes during a menstrual cycle of 28 days, divided into four periods of 7 days each. The body undergoes changes from yin-blood deficiency to yin-yang abundance to yin-blood congestion and stasis, and finally the discharge of yin-blood. Especially during the third phase, the 7 days before menstruation, stasis forms in the body, which means stasis is constantly being produced. However, with the production of stasis, the smooth flow of Qi naturally becomes impeded, leading to possible Qi stagnation. If stasis cannot be effectively discharged, Qi stagnation naturally becomes more severe, and the combination of stasis and Qi stagnation leads to phlegm and Qi intermingling. At this time, it is necessary to promote the circulation of the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian.
So, what should be done? Female should grasp their own regulatory mechanisms and make use of the last seven days of the menstrual cycle to effectively promote the discharge of stasis, regulate liver function, and transform phlegm and dissipate stagnation. The simplest method to promote the Foot-Shaoyang Meridian is to rub the ribs, which can promote the harmonization of the liver and spleen, normalize the ascending and descending functions of the diaphragm, and complement it with the method of kneading Zhāng Mén, by holding the Zhāng Mén acupoint on the left and right sides to regulate the ascending and descending functions of the abdomen. When the smooth flow of Qi is restored, the Gallbladder Meridian will also be unblocked, and the problems mentioned above will naturally be resolved.
By promoting the circulation of the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian and regulating the smooth flow of Qi in the body, the regular elimination of metabolic waste from the body can be achieved. This allows the body to eliminate old and welcome new, and radiate the charm of life.
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