Reflexology: The 5 Elements and their 12 Meridians: A Unique Approach. Inge Dougans

maybe in the subtle body or maybe in the physical body. Furthermore, it will drain the Chi that is otherwise needed for homeostasis. Caroline Myss, in her book Anatomy of the Spirit, brings it together concisely when she says that ‘your biography becomes your biology.’

       How Much Chi do We Need?

      Food labelling on most man-made products indicates the amount of kilojoules or calories they contain, converting them into a measure of energy. In addition, an indication of the content of fat, vitamins, colouring and preservatives using E-numbers gives the consumer an estimated idea of what they are eating. Lifestyle experts have worked out how many kilojoules an average male and female will need in order to stay healthy and active without too much of a weight problem – yet the developed world is becoming obese and lethargic with many diseases relating to a weak immune system.

      However, no food labelling gives the Chi content of a product, nor do we know how much Chi we need for our meridians to function optimally, thereby supplying our cells, tissues and organs with the correct amount in order to experience homeostasis.

      As an analogy, vital energy may be seen as a form of electricity. This does not mean it is electricity, but that its behaviour, responses and reactions indicate that many of the laws applying to electricity also apply to vital energy – Chi. Every life function depends on this energy. According to Eastern tradition, it circulates in the viscera, the flesh and, ultimately, permeates every cell and tissue.

      According to Chinese medicine, the body has 12 pairs of meridians, as well as 2 special meridians. Together these constitute the body’s energy system, which works to maintain the health of the human body. The meridians are pathways forming a continuous circuit through which the universal energy – the life force, the Chi – circulates. It circulates through the body organs and keeps the energetic system of the body in harmony. In these terms, the meridians can be thought of as electrical pathways, which can be used as an assessment tool by warning us that there is insufficient energy running through them.

       Internal branch congestions versus meridian congestions

      Throughout the artwork of the meridians found in this book, you will see dotted and solid lines, representing ‘Internal Branches’ and ‘Meridians.’

      When I first wrote The Art of Reflexology in the late 1980s, I came across this division, although scarce information was then available on the subject. Since then, I have since come to appreciate the difference and have added my own interpretation. The ‘normal’ meridian is illustrated with the solid line and the internal with the dotted line.

      To continue the electrical analogy, when we flick a switch in our home, we automatically have electricity supplying us with power; however, we rarely even consider the source. With the meridians, the idea is very similar. The meridians (solid lines) can be compared to outdoor electricity. Each streetlight can be likened to an acupuncture point, which is an amplifier for this electricity. These are needed because without boosters the effect of the electricity would be weakened and eventually lost over the course of the circuit. Our acupuncture points are like these electrical amplifiers; when stimulated they release blockages along the pathways, amplifying the energy and allowing it to flow freely again. This is one way to try and visualize the internal meridian.

      The external meridians differ from the internal meridians, as they warn us of potential blackouts in our electricity (Chi) supply, by means of congestions along the pathways. In order that each of the 12 meridians are at their optimum balance, feeding every cell, tissue and organ with Chi, imagine that the body needs 1200 watts of electricity daily. Everything we eat becomes electricity or Chi, however if our food chains are loaded with chemicals and impurities, we might only consume the equivalent of 300 watts of electricity.

      If each meridian automatically divided the 300 watts between them resulting in a 25% of delivery of our optimum need, the meridians would effectively be dimmed down, just like a soft light in your living room. The body would not have the energy required to function normally and maintain itself. In such a situation, one is forever tired, lethargic and often has aches and pains throughout the body. However, the meridian system might decide to divide the 300 watts differently, resulting in some of the meridians having more supply while others struggle due to energy starvation. We find that we are heading for an ‘electrical blackout’ - a serious disorder or malfunction.

      If we take the case of the lung meridian, we could be suffering from arthritis in the thumbs, pain along the arm and even skin conditions along the path of the meridian, as well as pain in front of the shoulder blade. If we do not take notice of these warnings and understand that they are signs of a particular meridian struggling due to vital energy starvation, we may find that we are heading for congestions within our internal meridian, ending with serious and chronic conditions.

      While we may go to our doctor and hand over the responsibility for treating the condition by numbing or suppressing it with medication, this may only give a temporary illusion of well-being. Since the internal lung meridian passes through the lungs and part of the colon, if we ignore the warning signs we may end up with a serious asthma attack, difficulty in breathing or ongoing infections within our respiratory system, simply because the Chi has diminished to such a degree that the lungs cannot function properly. (Each meridian and their internal implications is discussed in detail in chapter 4.)

       Stress

       ‘The mass of men leads lives of quiet desperation.’

      HENRY DAVID THOREAU

      Stress is one of the most commonly used words today but stress is not new to the human condition. It has always been present, but is now more prevalent as the pressure and demands of the 21st century take their toll. The word ‘stress’ is derived from the Latin word stringere that means ‘to draw tight.’ The modern word ‘uptight’ accurately describes the response to stress.

      The stress reaction is a primitive response to a threatening or dangerous situation, and has been of essential importance in ensuring the continued survival of the human species. Man is the product of thousands of years of evolution. Our survival has depended on quick physical responses to dangers and the stress reaction is commonly referred to as the ‘fight-or-flight’ reaction. In primitive times, this burst of energy was utilized in physical activity such as a life-or-death struggle or a quick dash to safety. Today these responses are largely unacceptable or inappropriate.

      Until recently, it was believed that all stress was a result of external forces exerting pressure on an individual. However, this does not explain why, when confronted by similar situations, one person will react calmly while another may be completely devastated. More recent theories emphasize that the stress response depends on the interaction between people and their environment. The intensity of the stress experience is determined by how people feel they can cope with an identified threat. The hormonal and chemical defence mechanisms that evolved over the centuries as a means of protection have been retained, but today they have little outlet. The inability to express a physical response to a stressful situation means that our natural instincts are suppressed and this can cause dire harm.

      But what exactly are the physiological effects of stress? When confronted by a situation we perceive as threatening, our thoughts regarding ourselves and the situation trigger two branches of the central nervous system – the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.

      The sympathetic nervous system initiates involuntary responses designed to activate all the major systems of the body. The first response is a flood of hormone secretions. The hypothalamus, when recognizing a danger, triggers the pituitary gland. This gland releases hormones which cause the adrenal glands to intensify the output of adrenaline and nor-adrenaline into the bloodstream. These two hormones mimic the actions of nervous stimulation in a number of organs in the body. Although any number of factors can trigger the adrenocortical stress reaction, the response itself is always the same. It involves the release from the adrenal glands of specific hormones, mainly the corticosteroids, which in turn mobilize the body against invading germs or foreign proteins and enhance one’s level of arousal. The stress response always activates the immune system.

      The stress chemicals