Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/621015
EDEMA SEEN FROM TWO PERSPECTIVES In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the nature of edema is viewed as either being short and abrupt (yang edema) or slow and insidious (yin edema) in its cause and effect. As a result, a massage therapist's plan of treatment should have both short- and long-term goals. 1 The most common type of edema found in the massage therapy clinic, however, is yin edema, which takes weeks or months to progress. It starts at the top of the feet and ankles, slowly creeps up the legs, and settles in the waist. Yin edema is systemic and is caused by a combination of a toxic and excessive diet, lack of exercise or regular sustained movement, poor breathing habits, stress, pathologies of the organs, or trauma to a person's physiological systems caused by surgery. Whether your understanding of edema is from a Western or Eastern perspective, the principal organs of elimination heavily involved in the lymphatic system include the liver, kidneys, spleen, and intestines. But, in TCM, special emphasis is given to the spleen. This leads to the question: Why single out the spleen? THE SPLEEN'S IMPORTANCE The spleen is the largest lymphatic organ and has the same filtering function as lymph nodes. It also produces white blood cells called T-lymphocytes, which are an important part of the immune system. In TCM, the spleen is an Earth element and, in partnership with the stomach, is responsible for the transportation of nutrients. Whereas the stomach physically ripens and rots the food, the spleen is concerned with absorption and distribution of nutritious essences to all systems of the body. The metabolizing and breaking down of food into nutrients is essential; otherwise food stagnates in the stomach and intestines and turns into a damp slush. When there is a deficiency in this process, TCM refers to it as "dampness." Another function of the spleen is "sprinkling," or moisturizing all the systems of the body as it sends fluids upward to the lungs. The spleen assists the stomach in sending the "turbid" or toxic liquids into the intestines and ultimately the bowels. While the spleen physically controls the nourishment of muscles and flesh, it also controls blood and lymph. In TCM, clients with diabetes, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue have consistently weak spleens or weak spleen qi. Their digestion is sluggish and stagnated, and their overall circulation of blood, lymph, and body fluids is slow and impaired. These clients will complain of overall pain, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, and fatigue. Emotionally, from the TCM perspective, the spleen is responsible for negative worry and obsessive thinking. It also helps absorb information and logically categorizes it, as in reading a book or listening to a lecture. Muddled thinking and so-called "fibro fog" are believed to be the result of weak and stagnant spleen qi. Movement is essential in helping these clients feel better. During a session, the therapist can gently "pump" the client's spleen like an accordion for a minimum of 2 minutes (Image 1). The result is an amazing resurgence of qi. 66 m a s s a g e & b o d y w o r k j a n u a r y / f e b r u a r y 2 0 1 6 Contracting or "pumping" manipulations on the spleen help move spleen qi. Apply local acupressure on the Stomach 25 point for better digestion and metabolism within the spleen and intestines. The pressure used is equal to the weight of a coin. 1 2 According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), there are two ways to view the nature of edema: Yang edema is short and abrupt in its cause and effect. Yin edema is slow and insidious in its cause and effect.