It is often said that all of Chinese medicine can be reduced to the fundamental theory of yin and yang. If you practice Asian bodywork therapy, the ability to understand, interpret and apply the concept of yin and yang are essential to one’s practice. All anatomy, physiology, pathology and treatment principles boil down to yin and yang. The beauty of yin and yang is that something so simple can be all-encompassing and profound when examined more deeply.
It is interesting to see that as people age, they naturally start to get low in their gender-related yin or yang energy. For example, as women age and their yin begins to decline, they go though menopause. They may experience hot flashes, night sweats and frequent waking, which are all symptoms of yin deficiency. Their character also tends to become less yin. Some women grow less meek — going out, doing more and standing up for themselves. If they become pathologically yin-deficient, they may become agitated, demanding and shrill. This is all relative, I suppose, based on your perspective or proximity to the person;
The opposite happens with men — their yang decreases and they mellow with age, becoming more yin: easygoing, less confrontational and less combative. It’s a good thing this happens to men, because their partners may be going in the other direction! This certainly isn’t to the point of being pathologically yang deficient; on the contrary, both men and women may feel more centered, balanced and comfortable with themselves and others as they develop more gender-neutral dispositions.
If yang deficiency develops, men may become sexually impotent, thus the multi-million dollar market for Viagra. Getting up at night to go to the bathroom, cold extremities and lower back pain all point to a possible yang deficiency as well. A man’s character may become too mellow, to the point of losing his confidence, becoming listless and apathetic. If he tries to “treat” his boredom with a younger woman, how ironic it would be if he couldn’t “perform.”
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Kidneys
When The theory of yin and yang is used to explain the organic structure of the human body; the physical form pertains to yin, while activities or functions pertain to yang. The physical forms are the material basis for functions, while functions are the motivating power for physical forms. They are mutually complementary. TCM views the kidneys as the center of the body’s yin and yang, the “congenital foundation,” or the origin of life. In other words, the kidneys store the primordial yin and primordial yang (also called kidney yin and yang), which is the place where nutrients are stored and physiological functions take place.
Kidney yin, also called primordial yin, true yin or true water, is the foundation of the yin fluid of the whole body; it moistens and nourishes the organs and tissues.
Kidney yang, also called primordial yang, true yang or true fire, is the foundation of the yang qi of the whole body; it warms and promotes the functions of the organs and tissues.
Kidney yin provides energy for physiological functions while kidney yang promotes storage of kidney yin. Kidney yin and yang are mutually dependent, promoting and restraining each other, leading to an internal harmony of yin and yang, and healthy functioning of the body’s organs. It is the dynamic interaction between the two that maintains the normal life activities. The third chapter of Suwen (The Book of Plain Questions) confirms this by saying, “When yin is stabilized and yang well-conserved, the spirit will be in harmony; separation of yin and yang will cause exhaustion of essence and qi.” This statement implies the mutual relationship of yin and yang.
When imbalance Occurs
When the balance of kidney yin and kidney yang is disrupted, pathological changes take place and illness occurs.
Presentations of kidney yin deficiency include: soreness and weakness of the lumbar regions and knees, dizziness, ringing in the ears, hearing problems, a dry mouth and throat, a hot sensation in the palms, soles and chest, spontaneous sweating, constipation, and seminal emission. The pulse is weak or fine and rapid; the tongue is red and covered with a light coating of fur. Kidney yin deficiency syndrome always produces signs of yin vacuity internal heat.
Presentations of kidney yang deficiency include: soreness or cold sensation in the knees and lumbar regions, aversion to cold, cold limbs, spiritual fatigue, difficulty in urination, enuresis, incontinence, declining libido, or impotence in severe cases; female sterility, and general edema may also appear. The pulse is fine or fine and deep; the tongue is bulky, moist, and covered with white fur. Kidney yang deficiency syndrome always produces signs of yang vacuity internal cold.
