What's the Point?
by Dave Fischer
On Saturday March 20, we will have the Spring Equinox. Spring is associated with new growth, new leaves, new sprouts, the Liver and Gallbladder, the Wood organs. The substances of the wood organs are the blood, marrow, sinews, and nails. Gall Bladder 39, Xuan Zhong also known as Suspended Bell, strongly benefits the bone marrow, sinews, and bones, and can treat a large number of conditions indicated by flaccidity, contraction, and pain in the limbs. The brain is known as the "Sea of Marrow," yet using this point for headache, dizziness and cognitive issues is a relatively modern indication.
The great physician and one of the heroes of The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Hua Tou is reputed to have needled a patient at GB30 and GB39 for lameness of the legs, and the patient was able to walk immediately thereafter. This point is also an important point for hip and sciatic pain, neck pain, and headache. In the Great Cavern Authentic Classic system of meditation GB39 houses Liu Hai Chan, a Taoist saint and one of the Seven Patriarchs of the Quan Zhen school of Taoism.
A quick test for issues with the Gall Bladder meridian is to press three fingers below the lateral aspect of the knee below and outside the head of the fibula with twice times the amount of pressure you use to test an avocado. If there is pressure pain, it implies that there is some underlying dis harmony. In cases of imbalance, acupuncture can restore proper gall bladder function by strengthening the channel and addressing the root cause of the issue.
Dave is available M,Tu,F for acupuncture
