The Wall In Us All
The diaphragm is a unique, dome shaped muscle that lies below the lungs and drapes over the liver, gallbladder, stomach and spleen. It forms a literal wall between the chest cavity and the abdomen and is the primary muscle for respiration.
It’s supposed to flexible, expanding downward upon inhalation, it gives the other organs a little massage. However, and especially in our culture, the diaphragm gets locked down the surround organs can’t perform their functions properly and problems arise including —
Breast patterns — Distention, pain, abscess
Digestive patterns — Indigestion, GERD, acid reflux, ulcers, bloating, gas, abdominal pain, nausea, sugar imbalances, and sour taste in the mouth, fullness in the abdomen and diaphragm, sighing — you can’t get a full breath because the diaphragm is locked down. Minor gallbladder attacks and flank pain.
Fever — Minor and tidal fever, steaming bone syndrome,
Fatigue patterns - Mental/emotional, chronic fatigue syndrome
Headaches — Especially dull, but I have seen it address most headaches patterns.
It can help when Liver Yang is rising too much. Think high blood pressure, ringing in the ears, and yes…running piglets.
Mental and emotional patterns — PMS, anger, frustration, frequent crying, irritability, emotional fatigue, sighing, and pent up anger. It can smooth over the whole spectrum from when you are wanting to cry, have pent up emotions and spring fever, to wanting to rage against the machine.
Menstrual patterns —PMS, irregular periods, painful periods, irregular stools with cycles, vaginal discharge.
Sleep disharmonies — Insomnia, restless sleep, waking at 3 am. To understand some of them, let’s jump to Chinese Medicine’s and look at the main pattern and organs that influence the diaphragm.
It becomes a bit like a crowded room, with each organ pushing, shoving, over controlling or bullying another. We need relax the diaphragm and harmonize the organs in the area.
The primary pattern that affects the diaphragm is good old stagnation which blocks the Qi, Blood and fluids, and, in this case, from the muscle moving fluidly. Physically and metaphorically, we become stuck.
The Organs That Interact With The Diaphragm
Note—I use capitalize organ systems when I am referring to their functions according to Chinese medicine.
The Lungs — Resting directly on top of the diaphragm the Lungs play a crucial role in regulating the diaphragm (and the Liver). The descending function of the Lungs is activated on inhalation and it presses the diaphragm downward. This function also helps the Liver in from rising excessively. Lungs breathe in inspiration. Breathe deep!
Below the diaphragm the Liver, Gallbladder, Stomach, and Spleen (and pancreas) are all packed close together. In harmony they work together supporting each other. When there is stagnation, excess or deficiency of one or more of the organs it becomes a bit like a crowded room, every elbowing and irritating each other for space. This wrestling match causes friction and irritation, and things can heat up. Pancreatitis and cholecystitis, and blood sugar imbalance are common examples of this pattern in western terms.
In excess, Wood (Liver and Gallbladder) will invade Earth (Stomach and Spleen).
The Liver — The Yin organ of the Wood element, Liver rules the diaphragm, and it is prone to getting stuck, tight, bound up…whatever you want to call it. It locks the wall down and starts messing with the organs in the region. One of the Liver's jobs is that of free and easy flow. When the Liver is functioning properly, Qi, Blood and Fluids will move smoothly and easily in all directions. Read Breaking Through Stagnation to get the big picture. Mentally and emotionally, Liver helps us plan out our lives.
The Gallbladder — Liver’s Yang partner, the Gallbladder is an odd and curious organ. It plays a role in post viral flare ups, complicated digestive patterns such as difficulties in digesting fats. Gallbladder provides us the ability to use wise judgment to decide how to act on our plans and gives us the gall to act.
The Spleen — In charge of transformation and transportation, Spleen (Earth in general) does some heavy lifting when it comes to doing the work of acting on your life plans. It plants the garden, hoes the weeds, harvests, etc. It creates integrity and holds the structure firm. Literally, the firmness of your muscles depends on Spleen’s vibrancy. Spleen can be easily overwhelmed by and invaded by Wood. And now you are worrying excessively and can’t focus through the muzziheadness.
The Stomach —Rots and Ripens the food, but if it can’t move it’s Qi properly, you may end up with the verps and erps.
The general treatment is to harmonize. Get all the organs working smoothly together. From there treatment is personalized — one person may need help tonifying their Lungs, while another needs more damp draining.
Tips To Help Harmonize
Meditation & Qigong — Meditation and Qigong help to create space outside of emotion and they regulate the breath. You may feel frustrated at first--but stick with it, it will dissolve. Aghhhhh....
Sour Flavor — Sour moves Liver Qi Stagnation quickly. Including sour foods like lemons, sauerkraut and vinegar can be a blessing to move the Qi. Avoid sour, however, if you are overly tight and very Yin deficient, as it astringes, it will further dry and tighten you up.
Mint— Mint cools, soothes and moves stagnation beautifully. Double bonus - it prevents wind if you are someone with Liver wind conditions like twitches or epilepsy mint should be your buddy.
Use lavender — A Qi and Blood regulator, lavender eases through stagnation.
Watch your thoughts —Harboring long term anger, hatred or frustration creates stagnation that damages the Liver, Heart and Lungs...crud.... If you have a habit of staying in an emotion look into methods such as guided meditation, coaching, and counseling to move beyond being in a state of constant emotion.
Movement —Walking, running, dance, swim, play…anything that twists the torso is particularly beneficial
Formulas — Asian/Chinese medicine provides us with a lot of great formulas for stagnation like Ban Xia Ho Pu Tang, Aspiration or Xiao Yao Wan (Relaxed Wanderer). Check with your Amma therapist or Asian/Chinese medicine practitioner to get a match for your pattern.
Here's to moving forward!
April
