Imagine yourself stuck in an endless traffic jam on a hot day. Cars are crawling slowly. You're late for an important meeting.
Slowly you lose patience. You grip the steering wheel nervously, every small noise disturbs you, the drivers around you become hostile strangers. The traffic jam is outside, but your body also feels jammed from within.
This traffic jam, a routine matter on roads, actually accompanies us all the time, at every point and in every situation in our lives. Every time things don't work out as we expect them to, we feel a sensation of tension, impatience, and frustration. Often we comfort ourselves that "this is the situation" and we need to learn to live with it. But Chinese medicine warns against "internal traffic jams" and points to them as a condition that can worsen and transform from a temporary state to a permanent one.
So what exactly gets stuck?
According to Chinese medicine, the body exists through a life force called "Qi" (pronounced "chee"). Qi flows in our body through many channels, similar to the movement of cars on roads. The flow of Qi in the body enables all the physiological functions necessary for existence, warms the body, and protects it from diseases. When we are healthy, Qi flows in our body without interference, and the body functions optimally. However, when a blockage occurs—that is, when Qi gets stuck and doesn't flow properly in the channels—we feel those familiar sensations from the traffic jam at the entrance to the Rami Levy parking lot.
When Qi gets stuck, we may feel a variety of physical and emotional sensations, even though laboratory tests may reveal nothing. Qi stuck for a long time can cause the development of serious illnesses. Therefore, early identification of this condition and addressing it is actually preventive medicine at its best.
Why does Qi get stuck?
The main reason Qi gets stuck in our body is unresolved emotional distress. When we accumulate anger over time and cannot free ourselves from it, the body enters tension, and Qi gets stuck. Children rarely suffer from stuck Qi, because when something angers or saddens them, they express it with dramatic crying, which releases them relatively quickly from the distress and allows them to forget the disturbing event.
With adults, the matter is different. We tend to accumulate old angers, suppress frustrations, but the body reminds us that they exist.
What do you feel when Qi is stuck?
We may feel lack of joy, tension, depression, and tendency toward changing moods. In addition, we may feel transient pains in different parts of the body, digestive system disturbances such as nausea, vomiting, heartburn, and hiccups. Women will suffer from irregular menstruation, menstrual pain, and breast swelling before menstruation. According to Chinese medicine, this feeling is indeed subjective but it indicates real distress. The body signals to us that there is a need to address the distress.
So how do we ensure that Qi flows and doesn't get stuck?
We must address the root of the problem, which usually lies in improper regulation of emotions. Many of us prefer not to deal with unpleasant emotions that arise in us, and ignore the accompanying bodily signals by using painkillers.
There are many ways to cope. One can talk with friends, family members, or professionals. One can give creative expression to these emotions through creative writing, dance, or drama therapy. In short, try to solve the issue that bothers us.
Physical activity is highly recommended. When we move our body, we actually move the body's Qi, and thus release the internal blockage. Walking in nature, yoga, and Tai Chi are also activities that encourage Qi flow in the body.
Sometimes Qi is so stuck that a therapist's involvement is required. In such cases, it's recommended to take a break and receive relaxing treatment such as Chinese acupuncture or Shiatsu. A Chinese practitioner will diagnose through pulse, tongue, and questioning where the Qi is stuck and which organs in the body have been affected as a result. They will use acupuncture needles and medicinal herbs to release energetic blockages. In acupuncture, thin needles are inserted into specific points in the energy channels through which Qi flows. This action releases blockages and allows Qi to flow more freely and help the body return to balance.
We'll conclude with a small exercise that anyone can practice on themselves or ask a friend or partner to do for them. The idea is to press gently on an acupuncture point and gradually increase the pressure until mild but tolerable pain is felt. Be careful not to press too hard. Then release the pressure gently. You can repeat the exercise several times.
Locating the Point:
In the illustration on the right, the acupuncture point is marked in a black circle. The point is located on the top of the foot. Move your finger from the junction of the "duck web" between the big toe on the inner side of the foot and the toe next to it through the "valley" formed between the two toes until you reach a depression. The depression is also on the same line as the protrusion on the inner side of the foot. This is the balanced line in the drawing.
This point releases internal blockages and can help relieve tension, headaches, and menstrual pain.