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tx
digestive system
hyperchlorhydria
psychospiritual approaches

metaphors and correlations

• Gut level fear, dread, anxiety; griping and complaining. (Hay, 1984, p. 170)
• People with stomach problems lack the capacity to cope consciously with what is annoying them or with their own aggressive urges. They either do not express their aggression at all ('get eaten up inside') or they show exaggerated aggression; yet either extreme does not help resolution, since they lack any foundation of self- confidence and security for coming to grips with their conflicts. If there is lack of adequate chewing (appropriate aggression), this task of expressing the aggression falls on the stomach, which duly produces more acid. Stomach sufferers are unwilling to enter into conflicts, and poor digestion causes them to avoid many foods (problems) and challenges. They want life bland. (Dethlefsen, p. 132)

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 balanced and centered.
» 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. Excessive mental work over a period of years leads to Deficiency of Stomach Qi. Anger, frustration, and resentment affect the Stomach indirectly through Liver Qi Stagnation which invades the Stomach. (Maciocia, p. 267)
» 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; maintains smooth flow of Qi and Xue (Blood); and reflects emotional harmony and movement.
» Healthy expressions are kindness, spontaneity, and ease of movement.
» Liver Shi (Excess) signs include discontent; anger; pain in lumbar region and genitals (Seem, p. 28); muscular tension; excessive sex drive; insomnia; moodiness; excitability; genital diseases; red, tearing eyes; compulsive energy; and bitter taste in the mouth. Chronically suppressed anger can implode and give rise to Fire in the Liver and Gall Bladder with symptoms of irritability, bitter taste, headaches, etc., and a tendency to "invade" the Stomach, Spleen, and Intestines.


therapies

affirmation:
• I digest and assimilate all new experiences peacefully and joyously. (Hay, 1984, p. 170)

theotherapy:
Midas, Prometheus, Tantalus (Lemesurier, p. 93)

psychotherapy:
• In cases of stomach disorders and digestive complaints, ask some related questions:
» What is it that I am unable or unwilling to swallow? Assimilate? Let go of?
» Is something eating me up inside? What am I feeling so sour about?
» How am I handling my feelings? How am I coping with my aggression?
» To what extent am I avoiding conflicts? Am I longing for the conflict-free time of childhood when I was secure, loved, and cared for? (Dethlefsen, p. 134)

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

related materia medica listings:
the shadow and physical symptoms
converting a symptom to a signal
affirmations: guidelines and precautions
theotherapy
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.