The bladder meridian is a detoxification pathway. Keeping the bladder meridian clear is essential for maintaining a strong flow of energy and metabolism in the body. When the bladder meridian becomes blocked, toxins can accumulate in the body, affecting overall health. So, what are the symptoms of a blocked bladder meridian?
Symptoms of a Blocked Bladder Meridian
The bladder meridian is the largest detoxification pathway in the human body. It controls both the urinary and sweat channels. When the bladder meridian is blocked, toxins can accumulate in the body, leading to diseases in the urinary system, reproductive system, digestive system, circulatory system, respiratory system, and the areas where the meridian passes through. Common symptoms include sore muscles in the lower back, weakness in the lower back and knees, frequent urination, increased urine output, painful urination, incomplete urination, chills and aversion to cold, and discomfort in the neck and shoulders.
Treatment Methods for a Blocked Bladder Meridian
Palm Slapping Technique
The bladder meridian runs along the sides of the spine on the back and the back of the legs. Depending on convenience and personal preference, you can choose to use a fist-slapping technique to stimulate the bladder meridian.
The person receiving the massage should lie on their stomach, and the person giving the massage should use palm slaps along the pathway of the bladder meridian on the back and legs. Repeat the technique in a circular motion for 8-10 minutes each time. Stimulating the meridian from the head towards the feet is a tonifying technique, suitable for conditions of bladder meridian qi deficiency, such as enuresis, urinary incontinence, and frequent urination due to weakened bladder contraction. Stimulating the meridian from the feet towards the head is a purging technique, mainly suitable for conditions of bladder meridian qi excess, such as urinary retention, dark and yellow urine, or painful urination due to excessive bladder constraint or urinary tract inflammation.
Back Pinching Technique
The bladder meridian on the back can also be stimulated using the back pinching technique. Use the index and middle fingers in the front and the thumb in the back to pinch and lift the muscles on both sides of the spine. Pinch three times and lift once, following the direction from the lumbar region to the neck and shoulders. Generally, repeat the technique 3-5 times. For the bladder meridian on the head, use a circular rubbing technique.
The Best Time for Bladder Meridian Massage
The best time to massage the bladder meridian is between 3-5 pm. During this time, the air has been exposed to the sun all day, and the oxygen content is abundant. It is when the energy, blood, and fluids in the bladder meridian are most abundant. Stimulating the meridian during this time can have a positive regulating effect on the organs and systems in the body.
The Pathway of the Bladder Meridian
The bladder meridian starts at the inner corner of the eye, and ends at the tip of the little toe. It runs through the head, neck, back, legs, and feet. It is symmetrical on both sides, with 67 acupoints on each side. It is the meridian with the most acupoints among the fourteen meridians and consists of one main line and three branches.
The Branches of the Bladder Meridian
The pathway: Starts at the inner corner of the eye, and meets at the top of the head.
The branch on the top of the head: Goes from the top of the head to the corner of the ear. The straight pathway on the top of the head: Enters the brain from the top of the head, and does not go down to the back of the neck. It goes along the inside of the scapula, along the spine, reaches the waist, and enters the body cavity through the muscles on both sides of the spine, connecting to the kidneys. This belongs to the bladder meridian.
The branch in the waist: Goes down through the buttocks and enters the hollow.
The branch in the back of the neck: Goes straight down along the inner edge of the scapula, passes through the buttocks, goes down along the outer side of the thigh, and meets the branch coming down from the waist in the hollow. From there, it goes down the back of the lower leg, behind the outer ankle, along the fifth metatarsal bone to the outer side of the little toe, connecting to the foot's kidney meridian.
