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It was just a few years ago, in 1998, when researchers discovered that nerve cells can, do, and probably must regenerate in the brain. Now, this neurogenesis is being linked to one contributing factor in depression.
Specifically, new nerve cell growth in the hippocampus has been found to have a statistical relationship with those suffering from depression, at least in autopsied brains. Other observations made include the fact that there is more new cell growth in the hippocampus in those who enjoy regular exercise, and stress impedes this new cell growth.
Exercise and stress. What do these two things have in common? They both have a rather intimate relationship with the flow of Liver Qi in the body. And how does Liver Qi stagnation manifest as in many? Depression.
Here's how it works from the TCM perspective:
Firstly, depression isn't always sadness or grief. If there is a personal loss in a patient's immediate history and they're feeling depressed, this isn't necessarily Liver Qi stagnation. This is letting go, a little different. However in most of the depression cases that we see in the TCM clinic, there is a more significant amount of anger beneath the depression. Anger is the emotion of the wood element and is associated with the Liver organ in TCM.
We call it Liver Qi stagnation rather than depression, even though the patient's chief complaint may be, and often is, articulated as "depression", we still see signs of Liver Qi stagnation. Treating it as such often provides positive clinical outcomes.
Now, looking at depression as Qi stagnation, we can say two things:
1) Stress aggravates (and usually induces) this condition of Qi stagnation. The Liver is very sensitive to stress. Stress is not a very well defined term, but generally has some component of unfulfilled expectations, either not getting what you want, or getting something you don't want.
2) Exercise helps Qi stagnation. Naturally when we have a pathology that arises from the lack of movement, then movement will assist this condition. Exercises that marry the breath to movement such as yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong (Chi Kung) or others can have an even greater positive effect on Qi stagnation (and thus, depression). This is because the Lungs too have a relationship with Qi circulation in that they are said to "dominate" the Qi. They seem to have a sort of pumping effect on the Qi's movement something like the Heart pumps the blood through the body. The Lungs are the propelling force for the Qi while the Liver is in charge of keeping the channels lubricated so that Qi can circulate more easily.
The fact that stress prevents neurogenesis of the nerves in the hippocampus and exercise stimulates this new growth indicates that Qi stagnation can be at least partly quantified by the amount of new nerve growth in the inner brain.
Researching the other indications of Qi stagnation, Western science may be able to locate other parts of the brain effected by the Liver's Qi stagnation such as frequent sighing, pain beneath the ribs, moodiness and just about any pathology that is aggravated by stress.
(link) [www.freep.com]
The American Heart Association (AHA) has identified 24% of the US population as having “metabolic syndrome" — a precursor to serious diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure. When three of the following five conditions are true, patients have metabolic syndrome:
1) A waist circumference that exceeds 40 inches (men) or 35 inches (women)
2) A triglyceride level of at least 150 milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL)
3) A level of HDL, the "good" cholesterol, below 40 mg/dL in men and 50 mg/dL in women
4) Blood pressure of 130/85 mm Hg or higher
5) Fasting glucose levels of at least 110mg/dL
The astute student of Oriental Medicine will note that all of these factors are related to food intake and digestive efficiency. In Oriental Medicine, excessive weight is generally related to inefficient digestion (spleen qi xu) and resultant damp accumulation. The exact process described Oriental Medicine leading from this to diabetes and high blood pressure can vary from person to person, making the individual specifics very significant for individual treatment.
Typical consequences from inefficient digestion include:
* Insufficient blood
* Fatigue
* Inflammatory conditions
* Increased stress levels
* Poor circulation
* Weight gain
Here are some examples of the causes of these conditions and their relationship to inefficient digestion:
1) Oriental medical theory describes inefficient digestion as typically caused by excess consumption of sweet foods—also implicated in both elevated blood glucose and high triglycerides.
2) Dampness, created by inefficient digestion impairs the free flow of qi (vital energy) and blood, leading to blood stasis (poor circulation), which can manifest as elevated blood pressure.
3) When sufficient vital energy is not available because of inefficient digestion, the liver cannot efficiently move energy through the body. This stagnant energy (metabolic stress) creates heat and impairs the body’s ability to produce blood and yin fluids, leading to high blood pressure from hyperactive yang.
4) Inefficient digestion also directly impairs the efficient production of blood and yin, which, as above, can lead to high blood pressure from hyperactive yang. Both high blood pressure from hyperactive yang and diabetes are ultimately related to yin vacuity in Oriental Medicine.
The causative factors identified by Western Medicine for diabetes & high blood pressure are all related to digestive inefficiency as well as lifestyle excesses. This means the treatment principles the practitioner would consider for reversing this process should include: supplementing the spleen (improving digestion), regulating the liver (reducing stress & depression), clearing heat (relieving inflammatory conditions) and dealing with whatever additional symptoms may be manifesting, such as blood stasis (poor circulation), hyperactive yang (high blood pressure) and disturbed shen (manifestations of stress). Obviously, some lifestyle modifications would be in order along with acupuncture and/or herbal treatments.
(link) [news.yahoo.com]