This Secret Acupuncture Point Could Be Why Your Back Pain Won't Stop

If your spine has good alignment, your back will likely not have chronic pain.  

In parts of the world where most people have a "J Spine," back pain is rare.  

In most Western countries, we're taught that an "S-Spine" is healthy.  However, in the US, nearly 80% (!!!) of people experience back pain.  

Part of the reason could be that many people end up slouching their way into a "C-Spine" shape.  Also, an S-Spine

• can lead to excessive curvature in the back
• can be tiring to hold up, so then ends up leading to slumping anyway
• doesn't leave room for the shoulders to stay down and back and thus -->
• is common in people with shoulder tension (ME!! YOU??) 

Don't stress too much about the shape of your spine.  You can't fix it overnight.  But you can start to take steps today that will change your spinal shape over the next few months.  

There are a handful of muscle groups designed to "bear load."  

They're your naturally strong muscles that hold your posture in place.  Lots of people with chronic pain spend so much time "stretching," but really, it's strengthening that's often missing.  

I'm not talking about "lifting weights."  I'm talking about strengthening your posture muscles.  Do you know what they are and how to activate them?  

Dan Tian 

One of the treatments we do in acupuncture is for the "Dan Tian."  

Let me explain what that is - 

It's your energy center.  

It's where the first cells that divided to make you into a person originated.  

It's called the source of the Yuan (Primary or First) Qi.  It's the Qi that your parents gave you simply by creating you.  

There are 3 parts of the Dan Tian, but the most important is the point halfway between your belly button and pubic bone.  

This acupuncture point ("Ren / Conception Vessel 4") is also called the "Cinnabar Field."  

Cinnabar is an element that changes colors when it's combined with other elements.  That's the idea - it's an area that can transform and change.  It's where life originates and unfolds.  

Sometimes we're born with a weak Dan Tian.  This shows up with genetic malformations or bone problems that start in childhood. 

Sometimes we create Dan Tian problems from working too hard; having too much stress; or eating an improper diet.  Your Dan Tian weakens when you're infected with pathogens that don't go away easily or after suffering a severe injury. 

Typical Dan Tian symptoms include 

• Lower back pain (especially L5-S1 area) 
• Anxiety and panic disorders
• Post-partum depression or hemorrhaging
• Gynecological issues including infertility and heavy bleeding
• Auto-immune problems
• Digestive problems like IBS or Chron's 
• Headaches and migraines, especially when they involve the eyes

I also love how the 3 parts of the Dan Tian line up roughly with the 3 parts of the core, or Bandhas, in yoga.  

Other than "Ren 4," we have the center of the chest ("Ren 17") and between the eyes ("Yin Tang").  

To strengthen the Dan Tian, acupuncture works, of course.  

Posture is also key to a healthy Dan Tian.  In yoga, you want all 3 "locks" active in your poses.  This protects your spine and strengthens your muscles.  

How the Dan Tian Relates to Back Pain

The Dan Tian is opposite your back. 

If you're familiar with acupuncture, you may see how that's significant.  Opposites like Yin and Yang frequently come into play. 

When people say to "strengthen your core" to get rid of back pain, this is (basically) what they're talking about.  

If you're tried this already, how did it work out for you?  Is your core strong now?  If so, great!  No need to keep reading.  If you're still figuring it out, keep reading. 

It's one thing to do a PT exercise or something from a Youtube video for back pain. 

It's quite another to have a deep, body-level understanding how to constantly and consistently activate your core throughout your day to keep the pain away.  

One common exercise given for back pain is called "Cobra Pose" in yoga. ( * NOTE:  I'm not recommending to Google this and start doing it.  Please keep reading. :) * 

Why it often won't work to affect long-term pain or posture is that it's often done completely WRONG.  

❌ Many people focus on arching their back in the Cobra.  

While this may work for some people, it won't teach you anything about posture or core strength.  It's merely another stretch.  

What I focus on when I do the Cobra, is on my Dan Tian.  Pushing it into the floor.  And then, NOT arching. 

Arching of the back - let's refer to that as the "Cow" position:  

Instead, in my Cobra, I'm doing the opposite of that.  I'm doing a Cat.  

I'm pushing my lower abdominals into the floor so I can lengthen my spine via my core.  

It happens by activating the OPPOSITE SIDE of the spine.  Otherwise known as the core.  

Over time, this can correct an S-Spine by strengthening the core and keeping the shoulders down and back.  

If you get this, awesome.  😎

If this sounds more confusing than when you started out, I have a workshop coming up soon where I'll teach this technique.  Let me know if you have ANY questions.  💚