As we continue our journey in understanding and working with the meridians (energy pathways) of the body, we come to the Gall Bladder Meridian (GB). The Gall Bladder organ stores and concentrates the bile from the liver and helps with digestion and metabolism of fats and oils. Working with the lymphatic system, it helps to clear toxins from the muscular system, and balancing this meridian can help to strengthen the muscles and tendons.
GB is most active between 11 pm and 1 am, so insomnia or waking in the middle of the night could possibly be associated with an imbalance in this meridian. GB runs from the eyes, along the side of the head, down the side of the neck, through the shoulders, down the sides of the ribs to the hips, through the knees and ankles and ends at the fourth toe. Because of its path, headaches, jaw pain, neck and shoulder tension, hip and knee pain, along with ankle and foot pain could all be related to a possible imbalance in GB.
Paired with the Liver Meridian, GB makes up half of the Wood Element, and GB is Liver’s right-hand man. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Liver (LV) is “The General,” and GB is “The General’s Advisor,” implementing Liver’s plans, making judgments and important decisions, and together helping to regulate blood, digestion, and emotion.
In TCM, the Gall Bladder governs daring and decisiveness, and also provides us with courage and initiative. A balanced GB helps us to make just decisions and show mercy and kindness to others. When it is out of balance, we display judgmental behavior and can feel rage toward whatever crosses our path. We can also be indecisive and easily discouraged. Luckily, there are many ways to work with GB.
To calm the stress response of anger and frustration, simply place the fingers of both hands on your forehead above your eyes and put your thumbs on the points outside of your eyes about a half an inch from where your lids meet. Hold with a light touch for as long as you want and take some deep breaths. You can also hold the area behind your knees to calm Gall Bladder and balance it a little more.
Working with points on a meridian called the Source Points, sends energy directly to the organ itself. Working with GB’s Source Point (GB 40) can also help the joints. Massage and hold this point located on both feet near the outer ankle (see diagram).
Working with the GB Neurolymphatic Reflex Points can help balance the meridian and the organ by removing toxins. With deep pressure, rub down the center of the chest (see diagram).
GB’s path ends at the fourth toe, by simply massaging and rubbing that toe on both feet, you can help to balance Gall Bladder Meridian.
“The Blow Out” helps to release emotional toxins and can help you let go of built up anger and frustration associated with both LV and GB. To begin, bring your arms to either side of your body and make fists, imagining that all your frustrations and negative feelings are in your hands. On an inhale, bring your arms above your head, and on an exhale, bring them down quickly and open your fists, using the “shhh” sound. Repeat three times and on the last movement, bring your hands down slowly and deliberately and let it all go.
(Published in Front Porch Magazine- April 2020)
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