Cycles, Seasons and Kidneys: The TCM approach to boys and men’s Health

As we move into autumn in the western hemisphere it is important to slow down and observe the changes taking place in the environment and within us. Doing so, especially within the context of Traditional Chinese Medicine, can help toward producing good health and its maintenance, if not to improve the quality of life. I am by no means an expert on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurvedic Medicine (AM), but over the past few years I have endeavored to educate myself traditional approaches to health. In this post I want to briefly describe the benefits of paying attention to the 8-year cycle in TCM for boys and men.

Until about two years I would describe my knowledge of TCM, and I am being generous here, as pedestrian. The deepening of my appreciation, however, began when a close friend of mine described his visit to a TCM practitioner. I learned from him that what was missing from my knowledge tool kit was the philosophy of the 8-year cycle males (and the 7-year cycle for females). How many of us have had our health formed in those first 8 years? According to TCM, everyone! More than this, the rest of our lives moves in 8-year cycles. And for males over their 8-year cycles, the kidneys are central to their mental and physical well-being. I carefully researched available TCM practitioners to identify someone I believed suited my needs. I have had great success with the recommendations.

Now, what man hasn’t been told by their physician, “Well, you are over 50 so we have to start paying attention to your prostate”. What man past 40 has not noticed the results of decreased testosterone? What man has not noticed increased nightly urination past the age of 50? While these changes can be sudden and extreme in some cases with men over 50, younger men often fail to notice changes simply because they are not encouraged to tune into their cycles under the mistaken belief that only women go through hormonal changes. 

I am well-passed 50 and the changes associated with aging have been unsparing: joint pain, night-time urination and decreased energy resulting from decreased testosterone. It is not all bad, though. Many men past 50 begin to ‘cool out’ and start to focus on legacy-building for their families and communities. But to help men to become their best selves, not only in their post-50 years, but across their life-span, it is probably a good idea to explore the TCM philosophy of cycles and seasons that will enable them to thrive. 

 My recommendation is to begin a TCM understanding of the 7-year cycle for females and the 8-year cycle for males. While it is surprisingly difficult to access good online information about the male 8-year cycle, this article is a great starter: “How Men Age in Chinese Medicine: The Five Elements Starting from the Kidney”. While this post aims at educating men about the TCM 8-year cycle, it would be good for the overall health of our family members to introduce the concept of the 7-year cycle to girls and women in our families. For those already with advanced knowledge or are ready for more detailed reading, I recommend The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine edited by Maoshing Ni.

While regular exercise is essential for good health and high quality of life, it is also important to exercise with a focus on the kidneys. Qi Gong and Tai Chi offer traditional routines and movements that direct gentle attention to the kidneys. I like to search Youtube for Qi Gong and Tai Chi practitioners. When I find those that I like I try them for 21 days. If you are not familiar with Qi Gong or Tai Chi, start with short videos that offer clear explanations of movements and which provide good information on how the movements relate to meridian points and organs. At 9-minutes, here is a great starter video: Qi Gong Exercise to Boost the Kidney System. After 21 days you will want to try something a bit more advanced. I find this 20-minute video a great way to start my day with a gentle but great testosterone boost: Boost Your KIDNEY ENERGY with Taichi and TCM Secrets!. And if you start that 21-day journey, you can throw into the routine a weekly Saturday or Sunday kidney pamper session with a routine that combines Qi Gong and Yoga to balance the yin and yang energies: Yin Yoga for Happy Kidneys.

Of course, always consult your health practitioner when starting new and unfamiliar exercises. Across Canada we are blessed with many TCMs, a few of which are also functional medicine practitioners or those that combine TCS with the allopathic approach. It is easy to search the internet to find TCM practitioners who are accredited with TCM colleges of practitioners in your province. If your experience and researches into TCM leads to thriving, gently share this knowledge with boys, young men and friends who may also benefit.

Happy kidneys, happy life!