Hopefully colds and flus are almost behind us, days are longer, brighter and warmer already, so why are some of us feeling off in the early days of the Spring season? The culprit may be your Liver meridian! Chinese medicine considers each season to be a peak time for a specific element and its associated organs systems and functions and the transition from one season to the next can be a struggle for some. If your Liver (associated with the Wood element and Spring season) isn’t in tip top conditions it will be all the more vulnerable at this time of year and you could find a number of things more difficult. Note that “Liver” in Chinese medicine encompasses your actual liver organ as well as other functions and physiological processes so don’t rush to the doctor and have your liver functions checked out just yet!
So how does this change of season struggle manifest you might ask….
You have more frequent headaches and other pains than normal: in Chinese medicine the Liver is responsible for the smooth flow of Qi and when it fails to function properly we may experience sensations like pressure, tightness so tension headaches or even menstrual cramps may be more prominent at this time. If you are experiencing one-sided headaches affecting the temple or eye area, that is also down to the Gallbladder meridian (paired to the Liver meridian in Chinese medicine) not feeling the love right now.
You feel tense, irritable or frustrated. Chinese Medicine associates the Liver to a smooth flow of energy throughout the body and healthy tendons and ligament so poor response to stress, feeling physically tense, stiff in your muscles or joints, clenching your jaw, having a shallow breathing are all signs that the Liver isn’t working optimally and at this time of year those signs may even be exacerbated. If emotionally you fuse has become shorter and you find yourself more irritable and easily annoyed, that can also be down at least partly to one aspect of the Liver functions.
You digestion is not at its best, more specifically you experience wind, bloating, heartburns or constipation. These are all signs of “stuckness” from the Liver Qi not moving smoothly throughout your system.
You may also be more prone to developing allergies at this time of year, especially if they affect your eyes a lot (dry and irritated or itchy eyes).
Spring should be a time when the Liver and all its associated functions should thrive but before reaching that state it may struggle to finds its balance through the seasonal transition.
If you are struggling with the change of season or Spring allergies and would like a seasonal tune up, book your acupuncture session today.