The Bladder meridian
The Bladder meridian (figure 2.19) is a Yang channel with 67 points. It originates on the face on the medial edge of the eye, contours the head and the neck then descends the lateral side of the vertebrae to connect with the bladder and the kidney. An offshoot from the lumbar area passes around the gluteal muscles of the buttocks to terminate at the popliteal fossa, the depression at the back of the knee. There is a secondary channel running from the neck area down the vertebrae to this point, but this secondary branch carries on down splitting the gastrocnemius muscle of the calf to emerge on the lateral side of the malleolus to run alongside the lateral side of the fifth metatarsal and terminate in the little toe.
The nerve line is along the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve, the fourth cranial nerve, the trochlear, and the third cervical nerve. It then descends the thoracic nerves that serve many muscles of the back, carrying on to connect with all the lumbar nerves 1–5 and the sacral nerves; it continues down through the buttocks, serving all the hamstring muscles, and along the peroneal nerve, connecting to the digital plantar nerves of the foot.
Figure 2.20 The Kidney meridian
Disorders of this meridian, with signs and symptoms, include: all head and neck problems; some urogenital disorders; lumbago; foot and leg problems.
The Kidney meridian
The Kidney meridian (figure 2.20) is a Yin channel with 27 points. It originates on the fifth toe and emerges on the plantar surface of the foot, passing to the medial edge of the internal malleolus where it ascends the leg, entering the body at a point at the coccyx. There it runs deeper to connect with the kidneys and bladder through the lungs, to be lost in the roots of the tongue. An offshoot leaves the lungs and connects with the heart to terminate in the clavicle.
The nerve line is along the plantar nerves, connecting with the saphenous and tibial nerve, a branch of the sciatic nerve. It then enters the lumbar-sacral plexus and continues on into the upper thoracic, and intercostal and pectoral nerves.
Disorders of this meridian, with signs and symptoms, include: all head-related disorders of an acute nature; distension or pain of the abdomen or gastritis; most urogenital disorders and irregularities; all lower back and knee problems; most of its problems end in ‘itis’ or are of sudden onset.
Conclusion
By looking at the nerve pathways involved it is possible to answer why working on a meridian or zone has such a powerful outcome. Nerve transmission works on the ‘all or none’ principle, so that the channel will open to stimuli that are strong or long enough; providing there is no congestion of toxic matter the impulse will travel right along the pathway. If there is a blockage then several treatments are usually needed to clear the nerve pathway.
It has been found empirically that the distal points used for acupuncture and acupressure are particularly efficacious. These are in many ways the same points that we may cross at some time throughout the reflexology treatment session. Comparing the two systems, the point SP-1, for example, the first point on the Spleen meridian, is for the nose. This is also the point for the nose in reflexology. Qi is considered to be ascending in this channel. Equally, the last point of the Stomach meridian, ST-45, is known as the ‘sick mouth’, because it is an ideal point to treat those problems at the opposite end of the body. Qi is considered to be descending in this channel. So by treating distal points, and regardless of which way Qi or nerve energy is moving, we get a response. This is exemplified by the aphorism that stubbing your toe gives you a headache, and by the Babinski reflex, the foot indicating what is happening in the brain.
A recent hypothesis to explain the effect of acupressure and acupuncture is that when a needle or pressure is applied at a certain skin depth it seems to stimulate the nervous system in a series of reflex arcs, thus releasing endorphins into the system and producing pain-relieving and opiate effects. We know that the Chinese use acupuncture for anaesthesia and pain relief, and this practice often relieves some other physical symptoms in the process. Acupuncture can be explained by a wave of electrical depolarisation that travels along the nerve pathways activating the deep sensory nerves which cause the pituitary and midbrain to release endorphins, the brain’s natural painkillers. The problem the person is suffering from is often alleviated after a few treatments.
Since the early 1960s, electroanalgesia has been used as a safe and effective method of pain control, regardless of whether it is acute or chronic. There are many manufacturers of electroanalgesic instruments. The theory regarding this therapy is that stimulation by a small electric current, like the stimulation caused by insertion of an acupuncture needle, activates descending inhibitory neurons that block the transmission of pain signals. It is said to ‘close the pain gate’, so this theory is known as the ‘gate control theory’.
The Chinese state in many books that the meridians follow the pathways of the major nerves, and needling or acupressure will activate a point. The nerves lie very close to the bones, and we know that peripheral nerve innervation of the skeleton closely follows muscle innervation. This shows that the same nerve innervates muscles that are attached to that bone. Did Dr William Fitzgerald simplify this whole concept? He stated that pressure over any bony eminence or on the corresponding zone to the location of injury or problem would relieve pain. One of the theories he put forward was that certain control centres in the medulla are stimulated, or that the function is carried out by the pituitary body and its multiple nerve paths from it. He went on to explain that we induce a state of inhibition throughout the body when pressure is brought to bear. When inhibition or irritation is continuous, many pathological processes disappear. He also stated that it was certain that lymphatic relaxation followed lymphatic pressure.
Today there is no concise explanation of the rationale of how or why reflexology works. We as practitioners just accept and know that it does. A recent hypothesis for the effect of acupuncture is that when pressure or needles are applied at a certain depth it stimulates the nervous system in a series of arcs or reflex actions; this may send a motor impulse down a nerve to supply a muscle or gland into stimulation, either contraction or relaxation. One other theory is that this technique stimulates production of pain-relieving endorphins within the brain. These recent theories confirm Fitzgerald’s early thoughts and writings.
The zones and the divisions of the feet and hands
The zones and divisions of the hands and feet according to contemporary reflexology are shown in figure 2.21 and plates 1 to 4. (Note that in the anatomical texts the person is depicted standing upright with the feet on the ground and the palmar surface of the hands are facing the front. In the zonal or reflexology position the body is depicted with the palmar surface of the hands facing towards the posterior part of the body. However, this is not adhered to in all representations of the zones.) The dorsum of the hand and foot represent the anterior surface of the body. The palmar surface of the hand and the plantar region of the foot depict the posterior portion of the body. Each numbered line represents the centre of its respective zone (see figure 2.21). There is considered to be an imaginary line showing the division between the anterior and posterior parts of the body. (Fitzgerald said this was so that when treating any of the viscera, it was usually preferable to treat both anterior and posterior zones simultaneously.)
Figure 2.21 The ten longitudinal zones on the hands and feet
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