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The most publicized neurological abbreviation looks like this: L5-S1, the articulation of the fifth lumbar vertebra and the sacrum. This is the most common area for a herniated disc to form. What is this “enchanted” place, why do hernias and protrusions form here – and how to protect yourself from this?
There is a tremendous load on the articulation of the lumbar spine with the sacrum. It is the base of the spine and bears the weight of the upper body. And if a person has posture disorders in the thoracic or lumbar regions, then they inevitably affect his “foundation” – the sacrum area.
In Taoist medicine, the L5-S1 region is called Yang Gwan, and, according to Chinese doctors, the overall level of a person’s energy depends on its condition. If there is tension here, and even more so a protrusion or hernia, this means that a person does not have access to his natural energy. What does this mean and can it be fixed?
Access to energy
In the Chinese tradition, it is believed that a person has a supply of qi energy – vitality, our “crowd” on which we work. There are two types of qi: yin and yang. In many Western sources, one can find the idea that these are “female” and “male” energies, but in fact, both types of them are inside each of us.
The energy that gives us mobility, drive, allows us to manifest ourselves outside, that is, to be realized, is yang. And at rest, yang accumulates in the pelvic region: in tradition, this energy store is called Dan Tien. What’s going on in the Yang Gwang area? Translated from Chinese, this name means: yang – as we have already discussed, energy; Gwan is a barrier. That is, “barrier for Yang.”
When we act, the energy from the pelvic area – Dan Tien – rises up. If there is tension in the Yang Gwang area, then it cannot rise. And a person, despite the presence of vitality and a clearly expressed potential, does not have access to his own energy. There are forces, but it is not possible to put them into action.
Doesn’t hurt – so everything is fine?
In order for the energy to circulate freely throughout the body, it is necessary that the space of Yang Gwan be opened – that is, relaxed and free. If there is already a hernia here, it is a clear illustration of the accumulated tension in this area.
It is important to note that not all people who already have a hernia in the lower back area feel this area tense. That is, there is tension, but there is no feeling that something is wrong. Why?
The reason lies in the adaptive systems of the brain. When there is a structural problem somewhere in the body – for example, there is excessive tension – the brain registers this signal. We can feel tension in some area, and then if it persists for a long time, then pain develops.
But if you do not pay attention to the aching pain for a long time, then … it passes! Why? The brain recognizes the fact that it is impossible to change something for the better here, which means that receiving a pain signal is useless! The signal is blocked on the way to the brain, and we stop feeling the problem as a problem.
Therefore, even if it seems to you that “everything is fine in the lower back,” but at the same time there is a potential to be a more energetic person and you want to get this energy, there is a reason to work on opening the Yang Gwan area.
Uncovering the Yang Gwang area
What exercises help open up the Yang Gwan area? As a rule, they are associated with tilts in various positions – when the lower back is stretched, relaxed and, most importantly, visually straightens.
According to Western standards of beauty, it is believed that there should be a spectacular deflection in the lower back. In fact, an indicator of health is the flexibility of the lower back: when there is an opportunity to bend and straighten completely. In the case of stable chronic stresses, the deflection will be present, but the possibility of straightening the lower back goes away – and this function needs to be returned.
Another indicator of the effectiveness of Yang Gwan opening exercises – they can be found in various Eastern practices, in particular, in qigong for the spine Sing Shen Juang – will be a feeling of warmth in the lower back. As soon as the energy begins to flow through the Yang Gwan area, it begins to feel like an overflowing, pleasant warmth.
Tiger Stretch
To understand which practices are suitable for developing Yang Gwan, let’s do the Sing Shen Juang course exercise. Please note: if there is acute pain, you can not perform the exercise. And if you have a large L5-S1 hernia, but there is no acute pain, then the exercise can be performed while relying on a chair for safety.
- Stand straight, feet slightly wider than shoulders. Turn your feet inward – as far as it is comfortable.
- Make a 45 degree tilt: arms are moving forward, the spine is straight as an arrow, a straight line from the crown to the tailbone.
- Rolling at the hips, bend down, keeping the spine straight and relaxed. If you have hernias, place a chair in front of you with the back facing you. And bend over so that your forearms rest on the back of the chair. Put your head in your hands.
- While hanging, ask yourself the question: “How can I feel my head heavier? How can I further relax the muscles along the spine? If you’re doing the chair exercise, look for that relaxation in the back of the chair.
- Vertebra by vertebra grow up. Your task is to maintain in the rise the relaxation that was found in the hang. If you are doing the exercise with a chair, then get up, helping yourself with your hands – rest your palms on the back of the chair.
Do this tilt several times and note how the sensations in the lower back have changed: how much freer and more relaxed has it become?