As a body wellness and Shiatsu specialist, Laurie knows which foods keep bodies at their optimum. In this fall edition of our Q&A, I asked how seasonal eats and habits affect key pressure points.
ST: The spleen comes up a lot in Shiatsu. I was surprised to learn to what extent. Can you say more about its centrality for wellbeing?
LW: In Traditional Chinese Medicine the spleen meridian is paired with the stomach meridian as a yin yang pair. Together they are the main organs for digestion. One of the main roles of the spleen meridian is to take nutrients from the food we eat and turn it into usable energy for the rest of the body.
ST: In terms of diet, how can we keep the spleen healthy and happy?
LW: The fall is the perfect time to strengthen the spleen meridian. Warm broths, thick soups, sweet potatoes, squash, pumpkin and yams are all foods that nourish and strengthen the spleen. The spleen loves cooked foods so try to stay away from anything raw or cold, including iced drinks.
ST: If we can’t get to massage every week, is there a home exercise you recommend with the spleen in mind?
LW: One easy way to strengthen the spleen meridian and improve digestion is by applying pressure to spleen 6. This powerful point is located 4 finger widths above your inside anklebone.
