Kidney

[Mara]

Since I have been practicing macrobiotics seriously and
doing chi-kung exercises in an effort to get over insomnia,
that has been the past couple months, I have noticed
new sensations in the kidney area of my back-- sometimes sharp pain or ache, sometime tingling or warmth. I was wondering two things about this. Is this part of the discharge that I read about?
My other question is, how do I know if I am experiencing contracted kidney symptoms or swollen kidney? I have stopped eating much salt besides miso and some tamari, and don't eat much sugar except some dry or cooked fruit, and don't drink lots of liquid. Also, what is a good book for understanding more about the organs, meridians, their relations to food and emotion -- something that would make me able to explain this to others?
Thank you again Roy. I am enjoying your on-line class.
Mara

[Roy Collins]

Hi Mara. This could be a kidney stone passing or possibly some changes going on in ovaries. I would not worry unil pain gets unbearable then go get an ultrasound from your primary care physician. They have good dignostic tool for this.

In the mean time I think it is a good idea to use hot ginger compress on kidneys in the evening before you retire. A sitz bath of daikon radish tops would also help you. You do this at night too, every other night for 1 week.

Drink a little extra hot liquid for the next week to see if this helps.

There are many books out that show meridian, facial diagnosis and food correlations. My favorite are:

1.Reading the Body by Ohashi (Akana)
2. How to See Your Heatlh: Book of Oriental Diagnosis by Michio Kushi (Japan Publications)
3. The Web that has no Weaver by Ted Kaptchuk(Rider)
4. The Book of Do-In by Michio Kushi (Japan Publications)
5. Healing Ourselves by Noburo Muramoto (Avon Books)

[JanetM]

Hi Mara and Roy

I am interested in strengthening my kidney/bladder. I am currently doing the first round of the 64 series of ginger compresses, and feel this is very helpful (I've only done 8 so far - 56 to go!)

Mara - you mention chi-kung exercises. Are you able to tell me a few that you find useful regarding the kidneys?

Roy, I am interested to read you conduct on-line classes. Can you please tell me more about these classes and how I might be able to join :

Many thanks, Janet

[garymill]

Hi Janet,

Roy conducted the online courses during the beginning of 2002. Maybe in the future we may find a way to offer online courses again.

Gary

[Mara]

Originally Posted by JanetM

Hi Mara and Roy

I am interested in strengthening my kidney/bladder. I am currently doing the first round of the 64 series of ginger compresses, and feel this is very helpful (I've only done 8 so far - 56 to go!)

Mara - you mention chi-kung exercises. Are you able to tell me a few that you find useful regarding the kidneys?

Roy, I am interested to read you conduct on-line classes. Can you please tell me more about these classes and how I might be able to join :

Many thanks, Janet

Hi Janet,

It was a long time ago when I made this post, and I must say I am not as diligent in practicing qi kung as I was at the time. But it was the Balancing Gong set that I practiced most often, which has a number of exercises specifically aimed at strengthening the kidneys.

You should try to find a teacher, or instructional video, for specific recommendations. I wish I could be of more help. Qi Journal's homepage may be helpful to you, though: http://www.qi-journal.com/

Best of luck,

Mara

[JanetM]

Many thanks Mara. I really should have looked at the date of your thread before I sent my message!!

I will do my best to find out some more information as suggested. I live in Australia and we are a little limited in the teachers and information available here!

Many thanks again.

Janet