While smoking cigarettes is the leading cause of lung cancer, only about 10-20% of smokers actually contract the disease, reminding us that there is almost never a 1:1 correlation between some objective disease and etiology, logically implying that nor should there exist any 1:1 prescription for cures.
Smoking is also the leading cause of bladder cancer, and maybe not coincidentally there have been nearly 1,200 recorded cases of bladder cancer from the 9/11 attacks’ residual toxins.
From a Classical Chinese medicine perspective, this makes perfect sense.
The bladder vessel was originally named the “Foot Tai Yang,” meaning it ascends from the lower limbs and the bulk of its oxygenated blood, or “Qi,” exists closer to the surface of the body (most Yang) than all other organ vessels. The lung vessel was originally named “Hand Tai Yin,” meaning it ascends from the upper limb and the bulk of its oxygenated blood exists closest to the surface of the three Yin layers, but still inferior to the three Yang layers.
The Foot Tai Yang bladder and Hand Tai Yin lungs share in a mutually interdependent relationship of fluid exchange. The lungs’ job is to descend vital substances downward to imbue the organs located beneath them with ample blood and energy. The bladder’s job is of course to excrete urine, but then from a Chinese medical perspective, take those vital fluids that are not excreted and circulate them upwards to imbue the central nervous system, upper orifices, and musculature with ample blood and energy. In Chinese medical school we are taught that a point along the wrist, “Lung 7,” is used to treat neck pain. What was never explained to us (unless I was absent that day) is that this dynamic is the reason why it works—also that it is logically most effective for neck pain located close to the center, that is along the bladder vessel. “Neck pain” located closer to the trapezius is a result of a different mechanism.
Whenever we treat urinary issues, from UTI’s to enlarged prostate, it is important confirm optimum functionality of the lungs and their corresponding vessels. It is also why exercise and deep breathing exercises can greatly benefit urinary dysfunction. Common Chinese herbs that share a common tropism for both vessels include plantain seeds (Che Qian Zi), schizandra fruit (Wu Wei Zi), and of course cinnamon branch (Gui Zhi).
Acupuncture that treats this “Water/Metal” dynamic of Kidneys and Lungs includes Lung 5 at the crease of the elbow or Kidney 7 just above the inner ankle, a point pair that is as useful for treating asthma or sinusitis as it is urogenital conditions—especially when the two coincide.
The inverse is less common. While some respiratory ailments are due to a failure of the urogenital microbiome to effuse fluids upwards, they are more commonly a result of GI issues, as seen in the coinciding of obesity with asthma and/or sleep apnea, or even rudimentary snoring at night. Urinary dysfunction tends to be further along down the domino effect. Commonly used herbs to drain dampness from the bladder and at the same time strengthen the gut include poria mushroom (Fu Ling), bitter tangerine (Chen Pi), or again, cinnamon branch (Gui Zhi), making cinnamon branch, per usual from Han Dynasty thought, the grand winner!
