With all the stress most of us have been through in recent times we could all use a little extra help with our health and vitality! In this article, I share with you some information on how we can balance our kidney and adrenal health for general vitality. I will also share with you some self-help tips for stimulating energy and giving you more vitality helping you stay in tip top condition throughout the coming months.
Kidney and adrenal health – Location of the kidneys and adrenals
The kidneys are located on the back of the body on each side in the region bounded superiorly by the twelfth rib, medially by the vertebral column and inferiorly by the superior lilac crest. The adrenal glands are located just above the kidneys on both sides, each gland has an outer cortex and an inner medulla.
Physical function of the kidneys and adrenals
The primary physical function of the kidneys is to remove waste products of metabolism from our bodies. Our kidneys perform essential activities to the urinary system and also serve homeostatic functions such as the regulation of electrolytes, maintenance of acid-base balance and regulation of blood pressure. The kidneys work to filter the blood and remove water soluble wastes which are diverted to the bladder.
The adrenal glands are endocrine glands and they produce a variety of hormones including adrenaline, cortisol and aldosterone.
The kidney and adrenals work together synergistically to regulate several body functions one of the main functions, for example, is blood pressure. The kidneys make renin which tells the adrenals to make hormones that regulate fluid volume, vascular tension and sodium levels.
Kidney health and Traditional Chinese Medicine
In terms of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) our kidneys are where we store our vital energy and general vitality. The balance of kidney energy is crucial and essential to good overall health and balance. When the kidneys are well the qi or energy in a person is balanced and well and this qi / energy can be distributed as it is needed. When the kidneys are damaged this ability to distribute qi / energy becomes impaired. A TCM practitioner, Acupuncturist or Kinesiologist would generally work to stimulate the kidney meridian by gently massaging or needling points on the kidney meridian and on the bladder meridian. This stimulation would help balance the kidney energy and kidney health would become balanced as a result. In practice, I would use a combination of the Bowen kidney procedure along with some kinesiology based self-help tips for balancing the meridian and some very specific nutritional guidance.
Situations that can affect kidney and adrenal balance may include;
- Over excursion of any sort
- Stress
- Fear
- Dehydration / over hydration
- Infections
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Specific health issues
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Consumption of stimulants
- Excessive exercise
- Some pharmaceutical drugs
Problems that may arise with kidney and adrenal imbalance include;
- Dizziness
- Tiredness and exhaustion
- Headaches / Migraine
- Abdominal pain
- Pain in back, thighs and knees
- Arthritic conditions
- Urinary infections
- High blood pressure
- Hair loss
- Hormonal related problems in both sexes
- Thyroid related issues
- Oedema / water retention
How you can help your kidneys and adrenals
Tap your K1 and K27 points – The K1 point is the start point of the kidney meridian and is situated just below the ball of the foot on both sides. If you bunch your fingers together and tap or gently massage this area you will hit the point. In Traditional Chinese Medicine this point is called the “wellspring of life” point because it is considered so potent at balancing not only kidney energy but enhancing general vitality and well-being.
The K27 point is the end-point of the kidney meridian. The K27s are located on each side of the body, just below your clavicle, you will feel a slight dip/indent. If you bunch your fingers together and tap this area it will help to energise the kidney meridian.
Drink beetroot juice – Beetroot is a wonderful kidney tonic either eaten raw or as a juice, it will really benefit the kidneys. Buckwheat, beans, brown rice and sea vegetables are also excellent kidney foods.
Keep hydrated – when we are dehydrated the kidneys don’t function as well as they should but do not over hydrate the body otherwise the kidneys will have to work much harder.
Book a Bowen treatment – In Bowen we have a specific procedure that can address the kidneys and adrenals. This procedure works at a physical level to address problems in these areas but also at a subtle level addressing the kidney meridian. In practice, I use this procedure for a multitude of symptoms including; back problems, adrenal exhaustion, fatigue, ME, specific kidney related problems i.e. infections, bladder problems, Incontinence, oedema, dizziness, lymphatic blockage, fear/fright, arthritic conditions and on occasion knee problems.
Book a Health Kinesiology treatment – Health Kinesiology (HK) is an holistic therapy that is concerned with balancing the body and energy systems. Health Kinesiology communicates with your body by using a technique called muscle testing which helps reveal where there is imbalance and identifies how balance can be restored. In a HK session I may work to identify allergies, or chemical imbalance, release psychological or emotional stress, re-balance meridians and chakras or other parts of your energy system, and advise on nutrition or other lifestyle issues. The treatments I offer can help with Kidney and Adrenal health.