Camilo Sanchez - Self-Healing with Qigong for Lower Back Pain

Self-Healing with Qigong for Lower Back Pain

Self-Healing with Qigong, Volume 1

camilo sanchez

Published by camilo sanchez, 2019.

Regain Back Strength, Stability, and Ease of Movement

Camilo Sanchez, L. Ac, MAOM

Copyright 2019 Camilo Sanchez

Photography by Bethany Otten - www.bethanyotten.com

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Disclaimer

The information provided in this book is written solely for educational and recreational purposes. The author and publishers of this book are not liable or responsible whatsoever for any liability, loss, damage, or injury resulting directly or indirectly from following the instructions, practices, advices, or performances presented in this book. The activities and exercises presented in this book may be too strenuous, difficult, or risky for some people and not suitable for everyone. As with any physical exercise, there is always the risk of injury. Before engaging in this or any exercise program or physical activity it is recommended that you consult with your doctor or primary health provider. Other special cautions may apply to individuals with specific health issues. The advice and information provided in this book is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition or as a substitute for professional medical care. Please, always use caution when engaging in any exercise program.

The lower back sits on the core of the body and it serves as the pillar for proper structure, support, stability, strength and movement of the whole body.

Due to its central location the lower back area takes a great percentage of the weight of the body. The compressive force of the upper body is transferred down to the lower back region and lower spine. In particular, the fifth lumbar and first sacral vertebras take a great amount of mechanical pressure. In addition, the pull of the gravitational force increases the compressive downward stress upon the body. For this reason, the area of the lower back is easily prone to injury and strain.

The structure of the lower back is comprised of five lumbar vertebras, five sacral vertebras that are fused together at the sacrum, the hips (iliac bone), the coccyx (tail bone) and their supporting soft connective tissues. The lower back vertebras and lower spine are kept in place and properly aligned by ligaments, muscles and fascia located on either side of the spine. As a result, most structural problems of the lower back area can be traced back to imbalances and disorders of its supporting tissues, which help keep the lumbar structure in place.

At the same time, the lower back area is in close proximity to the sacrum, hips, abdomen and pelvic regions. As such, disorders of these areas also can affect the structural integrity of the lower back.

Fig. 1 The spine: central pillar of the body

In Chinese medicine and Qigong, the lower back area is regarded as, The residence of the kidneys. It is considered that the kidneys also include the functions of the urinary bladder, adrenal glands, and the sex glands or gonads (ovaries in females and testis in males). Accordingly, in Chinese medicine the kidney energy system comprises the urinary, reproductive and hormonal systems.

At the same time, the kidneys are the source of the original energy of the body (prenatal chi). The prenatal chi determines our inborn nature, inherited traits, constitutional strengths, susceptibility to disease and basic life force. As such, the lower back area harbors the deep energy of the body and mind responsible for our inner power, courage, sustained effort and stamina.

Within the five elements model of Chinese medicine, the area of the lower back belongs to the domain of the water element (kidneys and urinary bladder) and it is associated with the core energy of the body.

The elemental energy of water represents the origin of life. It is estimated that life, as we know it, originated from single-celled organisms that developed in a primitive fluid environment. The presence of water is a prerequisite for the emergence of life.

Fig. 2 Water molecule

Similarly, in the human body, the gestation of a new life takes place within the amniotic fluid of the mothers placenta. Every one of the bodys trillions of cells is bathed by the medium of the interstitial fluid circulating outside the cells. Even after birth, and throughout our lives, we still carry the same fluid environment in the plasma of our blood, which has retained the precise saline composition as the primitive marine fluid from where it initially originated.

Fig. 3 The Five Elements of Chinese medicine

There are four main acupuncture channels that run along the lower back area as follows.

1. The urinary bladder channel - It has two branches that run 1.5- and 3.0- inches lateral along both sides of the spine.

2. The governing vessel It travels along the midline of the back.

3. The gall bladder channel It travels through the buttock and hip areas.

4. The kidney channel It has an internal branch that connects to the kidneys on the lower back.

Fig. 4 The Urinary Bladder acupuncture channel

In addition to the main acupuncture channels of the body, there also are muscle channels that correspond to the group of muscles and fascia located along the path of the main channels.

The urinary bladder and gall bladder channels both have muscle branches that run along the back, and the stomach channel has a muscle branch that travels along the abdominal area hence help balancing the lower back muscles.

Urinary Bladder muscle channel

Multifidus muscle - Part of the transverso-spinalis muscle between the vertebras along the spine.

Longissimus muscle - Part of the erector spinae muscle along the back.

Ilio-costalis - Part of the erector spinae muscle between the posterior ribs along the back.

Quadratus lumborum - Lower back region between the lumbar vertebras and the hips.