The Small Intestine Meridian

Small Intestine: Joy/Agitation

The Organ: The small intestine separates the pure foods and liquids from the impure. It also helps nutrients and water to be absorbed while the waste is passed onto the large intestines.

The Meridian: The small intestine energy will help you to observe pure or impure thoughts that may cause pure and impure emotions. Try to find the silver lining in all situations to keep your thoughts positive and pure.

Location: Runs from the tip of the little finger up the lower back of the arm. Behind the shoulder and then up the side of the neck and cheek. Ends in front of the ear.

Physical Imbalance: Digestion problems, food allergies, enlarged lower abdomen, bloating, headaches, shoulder pain, and tinnitus.

Emotional Imbalance: mental restlessness, feelings of abandonment, and vulnerable thoughts

How to Balance

*In balance, the small intestine meridian, facilitates clear discernment, decision-making, and mental clarity. It is also associated with healthy boundaries and the ability to separate the pure from the impure.

Acupressure/Massage: *The are many pressure points in body. This is one example.

Acupuncture Point/ Massage:Applying pressure to this point can be done in the comfort of your own home. In addition to holding the point, you can also gently massage the area in small circular motions to enhance the effects.

Herbal Therapy/Diet: In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the stomach is associated with worry. Many people spend a good part of their day worrying about what they eat and how it affects their health and life.

The small intestine meridian is particularly sensitive to cold. Therefore eating lots of cold, raw foods can actually lead to problems in the small intestine. When excess cold invades the small intestine, there may be pain around the navel, watery diarrhea or loose stools, frequent clear urination, and loud gurgling sounds in the abdomen.

Also, drink plenty of fluids, especially water to prevent dehydration. This helps with completing digestion and not clogging the small intestine with undigested food.

Meditation/Mind:

Pay attention to your thoughts. Stop negative thoughts and self-talk immediately and replace them with pure and positive thoughts.

First, find a nice quite place. Sit however you like (on the floor or on a chair.
Close your eyes. Rest your hands on your lap.
I like to start my meditative practice by saying a positive affirmation in my head such as “May this be of benefit.”
Start by taking a few deep breaths and just observe yourself breathing. Breath in through your nose and breathe out through your mouth. If you notice your mind already wandering, it’s ok; just gently redirect your mind to the breath without any judgement.
Once you have gotten into a rhythm. Make sure you are inflating your belly when you take these deep breaths. Take a breath in through your nose to a count of 4. Hold it in your belly to a count of 7. Breath it out through your mouth to a count of 8. Do this at least 4 times and no more than 8 times.

Physical Exercise:

Start the exercise in the four-foot stance. Then place your head on the floor with your forehead. Now interlace your fingers behind your body. Very carefully shift your weight forward by lifting your pelvis slightly off the floor.

Now raise your arms up to above your head. This stretches the small intestine meridian and strengthens your neck muscles.

Warning! Do not do this exercise if you suffer from acute neck problems.

Resources

Small Intestine: Joy/Agitation

How to Balance

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