The season of late summer is associated with the Spleen organ, which is related to dampness. (If you live in Baltimore, you are no stranger to the pathogenic factor of humidity!) Dampness in late summer injures the Spleen organ and can affect us with symptoms of fatigue, heaviness in our bodies, foggy heads, low appetite, bloating, loose stools, UTIs and yeast infections. In this context, we are talking about how the climate of dampness can affect us, however, it must be said that we can also have symptoms of dampness due to our constitution or from diet (most notably dairy, sugar, cold food and drinks).
Spleen 9 is a beloved and commonly used point among acupuncturists. It is most well known for its indication of ‘draining’ or resolving dampness. It is a great point to use acupressure on at home and it is quite easy to find. Here’s a tip on how to locate it: put a finger at the inside of your ankle bone and trace it all the way up the (tibia) bone until you meet resistance, right below the inside of the knee. In that little depression is Spleen 9 and it is typically a bit tender when pressure is applied.
