Treating Kidney Essence Deficiency with Qi Guidance to the Source and Postnatal Supporting Prenatal Essence

Kidney essence deficiency, a common syndrome in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), often manifests as weakened constitution, premature aging, memory decline, and reduced sexual vitality. According to TCM, kidney essence originates from prenatal energy but is also supported by the postnatal qi and blood generated by the spleen and stomach. Therefore, a combined acupuncture approach using “Qi Guidance to the Source” and “Postnatal Supporting Prenatal Essence” can be applied to comprehensively treat kidney essence deficiency, enhancing both postnatal qi and the kidney essence.

I. Qi Guidance to the Source

“Qi Guidance to the Source” directs the postnatal qi and blood to the kidney, supplementing kidney essence. This technique primarily involves stimulating several key acupuncture points: Zhongwan (CV12), Xiawan (CV10), Qihai (CV6), and Guanyuan (CV4), guiding the qi and blood downward to the kidneys.

1. Zhongwan (CV12): Zhongwan is the Mu point of the stomach and is located in the upper abdomen. Stimulating this point significantly enhances spleen and stomach function, boosting qi and blood production to provide ample postnatal energy for guiding it to the kidneys.

2. Xiawan (CV10): Located below Zhongwan, Xiawan helps with qi flow downwards, allowing the generated qi and blood to flow smoothly towards the kidney pathway.

3. Qihai (CV6): Qihai, located below the navel, is a primary qi point that further strengthens qi and blood, providing the driving force to move the postnatal qi to the kidneys.

4. Guanyuan (CV4): Guanyuan, located three cun below the navel, is the final point in this sequence. Stimulation of Guanyuan enables qi and blood to enter the kidneys, replenishing kidney essence and nourishing the body’s core energy.

II. Postnatal Supporting Prenatal Essence

Postnatal Supporting Prenatal Essence aims to enhance spleen and stomach function, increasing qi and blood supply to nourish kidney essence. The spleen and stomach are the “foundation of postnatal energy,” and when qi and blood are abundant, they naturally support the kidneys, fortifying overall health. Two key acupuncture points are Zusanli (ST36) and Taixi (KI3).

1. Zusanli (ST36): Zusanli, the He-Sea point of the stomach meridian, is located on the outer leg. Stimulating Zusanli significantly improves spleen and stomach function, enhancing digestion and absorption, thereby boosting postnatal qi and blood supply for the kidneys.

2. Taixi (KI3): Taixi is the Yuan-Primary point of the kidney meridian, located on the inner side of the foot. Stimulating Taixi directly nourishes kidney essence, supporting core vitality and is especially effective for kidney essence deficiency.

III. Combined Treatment Approach and Effects

To treat kidney essence deficiency, practitioners can sequentially stimulate the above points to achieve both Qi Guidance to the Source and Postnatal Supporting Prenatal Essence effects. The process includes:

1. Acupuncture Sequence: Start with Qi Guidance to the Source by stimulating Zhongwan, Xiawan, Qihai, and Guanyuan in order. Then apply the Postnatal Supporting Prenatal Essence treatment on Zusanli and Taixi to enhance spleen and stomach function and replenish kidney essence.

2. Acupuncture Technique: Use mild reinforcement for Zhongwan and Xiawan, reinforcement for Qihai and Guanyuan, apply balanced stimulation for Zusanli, and reinforcement for Taixi, with moxibustion if needed to enhance the kidney-boosting effect.

3. Therapeutic Effects: This acupuncture therapy effectively relieves symptoms related to kidney essence deficiency, such as physical weakness, memory loss, and reduced vitality. It promotes qi and blood production and channels this energy to the kidney meridian, enriching kidney essence. Over time, patients experience improved overall vitality, enhanced immunity, and symptom alleviation.

This method is ideal for treating kidney essence deficiency by supplementing qi and blood while fortifying kidney essence, making it an effective approach to health improvement and vitality restoration.