“FLEXIBILITY OF THE SPINE
It is often said that “you are as young as your spine”. If the spine is flexible and aligned the result can be seen in the whole body. Back problems are a common complaint and almost everyone has experienced stiffness, tension or pain in some part of their back, with some people suffering for years.
Back problems can affect the muscles and the meridians of the back. When muscular tightness builds up the meridians become stagnated, blocked or deviated which in turn can affect the health of the internal organs. Stretching can improve the condition of the spine by providing greater flexibility and elasticity which in turn will maintain internal health.
A variety of problems can arise from the spine. Spinal misalignments can compress and irritate the spinal nerves which can cause various physiological problems. The vertebrae, if displaced, bring pressure to the central nerves of the spine and, as a result, pain and malfunctions develop in the organs governed by the nerves involved. Long term physiological problems can also affect the spinal nerves leading to spinal misalignment.
Maintaining a Healthy Spine
Stretching the spine in different directions releases tension and keeps the spine properly aligned and balanced. By loosening the vertebrae and by relaxing the associated spinal muscles it is possible to restore optimum nerve and energy impulses to all the vital internal organs. Stretching exercises work on all the various parts of the spine from the sacrum to the topmost cervical vertebra – stretching it in different directions and stimulating almost all of the 31 pairs of spinal nerves.
Stretching is an effective form of self-treatment for spinal disorders and back complaints. With regular practice each vertebrae of the spine is moved and stretched, preventing uneven pressure on the spinal discs. It also promotes flexibility and strength, relaxes the back muscles and harmonizes the whole vertebral column. It encourages a healthy spine as well as an awareness of symmetry and good postural habits. This is so vital to the health of the spine and related structures.
The Yu Points
Out of the spinal cord and through each vertebra exit the nerves that control all our organs. Therefore the condition of the spine affects the condition of all the internal organs and the condition of the internal organs can also affect the condition of the spine.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine we can see the same relationship between the spine and the health of the internal organs through the Yu points on the Bladder meridian.
The back transporting points, known in Japanese as the Yu points, directly affect all the organs and their functions. The Yu points lie on either side of the spine down the pathways of the Bladder meridian with the points generally located near the associated organ.
ln Shiatsu the Yu points are useful in diagnosis because they become tender on pressure when their associated organ becomes diseased. They are also very useful in the treatment of chronic conditions.
Imbalances in the back can affect the Bladder meridian and the internal organs via the Yu points and any problems with any of the organs can also affect the back and the Yu points. Back
In both TCM and Zen Shiatsu the Bladder meridian and its paired organ the Kidney meridian govern the spine as well as the physical structure of the back giving it strength and influencing the posture. Many vertebral problems and structural distortions of the spine can consequently be related in some way to the Bladder meridian or to any long term imbalances in the Bladder Ki.”
