It’s time to celebrate! We’ve made it to Spring.
Spring represents the shift from the waning darkness (Yin) to the growing light (Yang). The length of the days gradually increase, the earth slowly warms, and plants begin to push their heads out of the ground, reaching to the sun! Kind of like us, as the winter falls away and brightness takes over.
This external change signals internal changes for humans.
Tune in and you may notice some subtle — or not so subtle — shifts in your physical, emotional or mental health. Spring is associated with the Liver— making it the time when our energy rises and moves outward. Generally, the Liver is the organ of flexibility, anger, eyes/vision, the tendons, and circulation of the blood and qi (think circulation, digestive and women’s health issues).
The role of the Liver: Psycho-emotional and physical health are intertwined.
Vision: An important aspect of the Liver is vision— meaning our actual eyesight AND our ability to have vision for where we are headed. If there is a deficiency, we may experience blurriness or floaters, and/or we can’t envision plans and take the necessary action to move forward to our destiny.
Stuckness: If there is an excess or stagnation of Liver Qi, we may notice pounding or pain and/or find ourselves pushing make things happen in an untimely manner, getting frustrated or irritable. It’s also common to feel more short tempered than usual or have sudden bursts of anger.
Flow: Acupuncture is all about smooth movement, and this is especially true for the Liver Channel. The Liver controls the “smooth flow of all things.” If we can remain flexible, we can execute our plans and vision with greater ease. When the body is tense, we experience aches, pains, coldness and other symptoms.
Other Symptoms: Specific symptoms such as migraine headaches, hay fever, vertigo, digestive distress, and PMS can all flare up when Liver Qi is out of balance.
Self-care tips to help you love your Liver and ease into Spring:
Acupressure on Liver 3: This powerful point on the Liver channel is often translated as Supreme Rushing. Whether you’re feeling stuck physically, mentally, or emotionally, stimulation of this point can offer the movement you crave and a sense of ease. To find it, place your foot flat in front of you. Identify the webbing between and below your 1st and 2nd toes (see below for an image). This point is usually tender. Massage for 30 seconds to a minute, while taking deep breaths, every day.
Walk and move: The forward, swinging motion of walking matches the forward action of the Liver. Just ten minutes a day can get your Liver qi moving smoothly. A brisk walk can also push out pent-up anger.
Focus your vision: As you know, a healthy Liver can see the path, not get bogged down in stressors, and be flexible when needed. Find things that help you clarify your short term and long term vision. Consider journaling, a vision board, or even a life coach. I’m in a weekly life & career coaching group with GEM that I highly recommend!
Eat green & light: We’ve moved on from winter stews! Leafy, upward growing greens nourish the Blood and gently move Liver qi. Spring is also the time to incorporate dishes that are cooked more lightly and for less time. Here’s a recipe for delicious Savory Stir-fried Greens (you can add chicken or meat)!
Acupuncture: This list wouldn’t be complete without it! The change of the seasons is an ideal time for an acupuncture tune up. You’d be amazed at how much difference one or two acupuncture treatments can make in balancing Liver energy and creating the free flow that we all desire.
