Large Intestine and Bones

Hi Daniel,
I have heard Andreas speak to this, I think, in the Chautauqua. The idea of metal as structure and the Hand Yangming as dryness and cool. Put these together and you get bone that has integrity because it isn't damp and wet leading to bone rot/loss or losing integrity. I think this is a carryover concept from Toby using LI for the teeth to maintain integrity, as teeth are an extension of bone.

With plesure. Large Intestine is Yang Ming which corresponds to Metal. And it is the Metal ZangFu. By adding it we have a very metalish energy and structure. Metal is very hard, unbendable and (compared to other materials) will last very long and cannot be destroyed easily. After death most tissues will be rotten quite fast, but the bones will remain for very long. 

So just on a symbolic level this very much relates to the bones in our body compared with other kinds of tissue. Kim, Hong-Gyeong argues that Yang Ming is in supporting general functioning of the body. Let's look at this quote from his book "Secret of ther Meridians": The term "Yangming" (陽明) refers to a dry, cool, and firm "metal" energy, and its associated color is white. In the human body, the Yangming energy absorbs moisture and promotes dryness, corresponding to the function of the large intestine. It is also associated with strong bones (骨格, Golgak), similar to how a building’s structural framework must be strong before adding interior materials or furnishings. Similarly, in the human body, if the Large Intestine Meridian is weak, other bodily functions cannot operate properly." Kim also makes the example that Yang Ming Large Intestine is like the metal skeleton of a skyscraper buidling. It defines the basic structure and keeps it upright, all other structure will be built around it later. And if the metal foundation breaks down the whole building will collapse.  

So for the bones we can distiguish two kinds of tissue: The bone marrow (with a dark purplish colour) which produces new blood cells (and it therefore related to Jing) corresponds to Kidney energy. The harder parts of the bones (the outer layer / compacta) and the spongiosa are those parts of the bones that give them the fixed and stable structure. They have a white colour and correspond to the Large Intestine. So by using LI JG you would stimulate the hardening and stabalizing functure of the bone. Kid JG will address the bone marrow. 

I hope this helps for your understanding.  

Andreas

Thanks - that helps a lot . . . . .regarding Yang Ming and the overall uprightness of the body . . . I always felt the trajectory of the other Yang Ming (Stomach) seemed to convey "It defines the basic structure and keeps it upright" . . . through its distribution through the body and being a  yang channel on the largely Yin aspect of  the body.  But then its not metal and I can see the metal and bones connection.

@sharonsherman Hi Sharon . .  right - that makes sense . . .

@schulman81 

Well, in regards to Yang Ming Stomach, yes and no. Acutally one of my Korean teachers very strongly has the opinion that the Stomach energy is very responsible for our structural posture and to keep the body upright. Her special approach is to tonify the Stomach in all conditions that come with back pain and a wrong positioning of the pelvis and its consequences for the positioning of the spine. Her treatment is a combination of non-Saam body acupuncture and ear acupuncture. For back pain conditions where you will find a pelvic tilt the start of every treatment is to use the Stomach area and the muscle relaxation point of the ear (98a) before starting any other treatment. Her argument is exactly yours: Stomach is the Yang Ming meridian covering all the body from top to down and it is the only Yang meridian at the front of the body. This means if the pelvic muscular structure has tension that positions is incorrectly she will tonify the Stomach and see that musular relaxation can help to reposition. So it kind of weaves together the interplay of Yin and Yang of the muscoskeletal system in that sense because the Stomach meridian is the the "Yinniest" Yang meridian. It also corresponds to some approaches in Korean hand acupuncture. 

I have not heard this idea explicitly from other Koreans in Saam. But her treatments are very effective. So I think your general idea is correct. But I have not heard it being used that way in Saam. Which of course does not mean it might not exist here or not work anyway. 

Andreas

@bruechasiatische-medizin-com VERY interesting!! . . . this approach of one of your teachers . . I will have to try it myself!! . . some years ago, I had a very 'exotic' cancer on my Stomach channel - near ST-35 . . it was removed through surgery as was flesh around it . . and inguinal surgery to check lymphatic tissue for metastasis . .  and EVER since, I have had exactly the problems you describe above with posture, pelvic tilt, back pain!! . . I will try this ST channel and ear point combination!  thank you.

@schulman81 

Yes, you should try. In terms of the specific method I mentioned it is performed not using needles in the ear but rub them using golden or silver pen in specific direction after testing if the points need to be tonified or sedated followed by manual therapy to reposition the pelvis plus a kind of meridian massage. As I said it is a unique method developed by this therapist. So I do not have any experience only needling the stomach and muscle relaxation point in the ear. I just follow her whole procedure and combine this with Saam. 

Andreas

Stomach as the yang meridian that flows up through the yin meridians on the anterior of the body... that it acts as a kind of framework to hold the body upright with its resonance with the Yangming. Hearing you guys discuss this...it sounds right. 

I'd not considered this before. But it connects with what what Andreas was talking about for using the Taiyin/Yangming axis for treating back pain with flexion or extension. 

Looking forward to exploring this idea in clinic.