For an overview of how internal organs are thought of in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), I highly recommend my first post in this series “The Internal Organs in Chinese Medicine.”
The Urinary Bladder in TCM is similar to its counterpart of the same name in Western Medicine in that it stores urine before excretion in both systems. However, in TCM, several organ systems exert influence over the Urinary Bladder to ensure its proper function, which is crucial in our understanding of how vastly different root pathologies can affect urination.
In a healthy physiological state, the Urinary Bladder requires influence from the Liver (to ensure the smooth flow of Qi to the Urinary Bladder), the Heart (to descend Qi to the Small Intestine and Urinary Bladder in order to urinate), the Small Intestine (to separate and send the appropriate fluids to the Urinary Bladder for excretion), the Lungs (to descend Qi to the Kidneys to be used by the Urinary Bladder to transform fluids into urine), the Kidneys (to provide the Qi and heat for the Urinary Bladder to transform fluids) and the Triple Burner or San Jiao (to make sure that the Lower Jiao is open and ready to urinate).
For this reason, issues that affect the Urinary Bladder typically involve at least one other organ system and must be treated accordingly.
The next post will cover “The Functions of the San Jiao or Triple Burner in Chinese Medicine”
To start this series from the beginning, go to “The Internal Organs in Chinese Medicine”
Like what you’re reading and want to learn more about how these concepts may be useful in your health care? If you are in the Austin area, contact me for a free consultation here.
