Beginning the journey to conquer breast cancer requires saving your stamina and recognizing the spiritual purpose behind your healing process. As with any journey, you'll want to embark on it calm and well-rested. The emotional and physical states you’re in when you begin is what you will carry forward down this path.
You may feel the need to start researching treatment options immediately, but consider taking several days to rest and regroup. Rather than running from specialist to specialist, give yourself a little time. The calmer you are, the better decisions you will make about treatments options that fit your unique needs.
You are now dealing with a serious long-term condition. Today’s illness is the result of many years of problems that have built up on many levels. Likewise, it may take years to fix this condition until you are free. By being calm and focused, you'll be better able to eliminate anything that does not support the healing journey ahead. Also, the more peaceful and well rested you are, the more effective any treatments will be over the long term.
Six Meridian Energy Pathways in the Breast Area
If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you can view its location through the lens of traditional Chinese medicine’s understanding of its origins. In this ancient medical system, six major meridians, or energy pathways, run through the breast area—Stomach, Liver, Kidney, Lung, Pericardium, and Spleen.Where Breast Cancers Occur
In terms of frequency, the upper outer quadrant of the left breast, where the Spleen/Stomach meridian runs, has the highest incidence of breast cancer. The nipple area, where the Liver meridian runs, and the inner quadrant of the breast, where the Kidney meridian runs, are the next most frequently diagnosed areas. The least frequently diagnosesd location of breast cancer is the lower inner quadrant.If you have a tumor or breast cancer in any of these areas, think back and try to recall some of the physical symptoms that TCM considers early warning signs of imbalances that can lead to breast problems. These organs will send signals of imbalance long before physical evidence of breast cancer appears.
TCM Understands the Body’s Early-Warning Signs of Energy Imbalances
If you’ve already had breast cancer and still experience any of the conditions listed below, be careful and take extra good care of yourself. The root cause of the condition still has not been healed. Have you returned to the same lifestyle patterns, emotional reactions, and body-mind-spirit disruption that contributed to your breast cancer in the first place? Here’s where you and you alone can take responsibility for your own health and healing.STOMACH:
TCM relates these signs to imbalances in the organ's function.
- frequent migraines across the forehead area
- bad taste in the mouth
- bad breath
- loose stool
- constipation
- TMJ
- swollen gums
- appetite loss
- depression
TCM relates these signs to an imbalance in the relationship between these two organs.
- continual cold feet and hands
- PMS
- irregular menstrual periods
- anger related to breast tenderness during periods
- headaches on one side of the head
- frequent pain in the lower abdomen
- frequent nightmares
- vaginal yeast infections
- mood swings
TCM relates these to an imbalance in Kidney function.
- feeling cold inside all the time
- afraid of the cold
- chronic lower back pain
- urinary frequency
- bladder infections
- hair loss
- frequent vaginal discharge
- infertility
- feeling frightened or panicked frequently
- loss of sexual desire
- chronic knee or heel pain
- ringing in the ears
