-IBIS-1.5.0-
tx
respiratory system
bronchitis
psychospiritual approaches
metaphors and correlations
Grief, loss and sadness. (Epstein, p. 188)
Inflamed family environment; arguments and yelling, sometimes silent. (Hay, 1984, p. 158)
Inflammation: fear; inflamed thinking; seeing red; anger and frustration about conditions in one's life. (Hay, 1984, p. 170-1)
Chinese psychophysiology:
Lung ~ Fei is the home of the Po (Corporeal Soul); governs the Qi; facilitates the immune function by assisting the dispersal of the Wei (Protective) Qi; regulates the rhythm of respiration, the pulse, and all bodily processes; relates to strength and sustainability; includes the throat; opens at the nose; and controls the pores.
» Healthy expressions are righteousness and courage.
» Weakness, dysfunction, and illness are associated with excessive grief, sadness, worry, and depression. Worry depletes the Lung Qi.
» Lung Xu (Deficiency) signs include cold shoulder and back; changing complexion; inability to sleep (Seem, p. 28); shortness of breath; changes in urine color; rumbling in the bowels with loose bowel movements; pallor; malar flush; chills; sniffles; sneezing; light cough; and sensitivity to cold. Chronic Lung Yin Xu (Deficiency) increases susceptibility to Heat rising and acute Shi (Excess) conditions such as Phlegm, Wind, Cold, and Heat.
» Lung Shi (Excess) signs include panting; yawning; sneezing (Seem, p. 28); pain in the upper back, shoulder, and chest; colds with stuffed nose; hoarseness; wheezing respiration; frequent urination with small amounts; heavy chest; reduced lung capacity; coughing; and nasal discharge.
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); controls the muscles, especially their contractility; and reflects emotional harmony and movement.
» Healthy expressions are kindness, spontaneity, and ease of movement.
» 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 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 "insult" the Lung causing a dry, irritating cough.
Kidney ~ Shen stores Jing (Essence) and governs birth, growth, reproduction, development, and aging; houses the Zhi (Will); expresses ambition and focus; facilitates inspiration by grasping and pulling down the Qi of the breath; and relates particularly to chronic illnesses because it carries the constitutional endowment from the parents.
» 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); hearing loss; 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.
» 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:
anti-allergen (Fanning, p. 270)
at the forge (Chavez)
chest treasure (Chavez)
open flow (Chavez)
steam whistle (Chavez)
imagery for immune enhancement
affirmation:
I declare peace and harmony within me and around me.
All is well. (Hay, 1984, p. 158)
(Inflammation)
My thinking is peaceful, calm, and centered.
I am willing to change all patterns of criticism.
I love and approve of myself. (Hay, 1984, p. 170-1)
psychotherapy:
In the event of breath-related illness, the following questions may be asked:
» What is it that takes my breath away?
» What is it I am unwilling to accept? . . . to give out? . . . to come in contact with?
» Am I afraid to take a step towards some new freedom? (Dethlefsen, p. 122)
In the case of infectious illness, there is an attempt to avoid conflict. Consider:
» What conflict am I dodging? What conflict am I failing to admit to?
» What conflict am I failing to see, hear, feel, take in? (Dethlefsen, p. 108)
process paradigm: (experientially oriented)
What is the symptom preventing me from doing? What is the symptom making me do? (see process interview: respiratory system, process interview: immune system)
related materia medica listings:
the shadow and physical symptoms
converting a symptom to a signal
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.