A Look At Lungs
A Classic Example of Visceral Somatic Dominance and Why Organ Treatment is Crucial
Lungs are a very common cause of lameness and overall vitality. Deep lung dysfunctions often do not heal by themselves and remain for years unless dealt with. If a lung is in dysfunction, it will be inflamed and in spasmodic torsion. The greater the torsion or metabolic distress, the greater the inflammation and affect on associated tissues.
This is true for all organs. Even minor lung issues will cause significant forehand/thoracic spasms that control muscle and bone function and create lameness. This a supreme example of “Visceral Somatic Dominance” where organs dominate soft tissues and bone. Hence, I love moving bone, but bone doesn’t move itself, so one should release torsions on the bone and then they’re easy to reset. When I’ve taught dissection classes as a teacher, it always amazes me how spongy lung tissues are, yet how POWERFULLY they create massive, intense spasms over a large area- deep to the surface, and numerous core muscles.
Lung patterns will usually create lameness in the forehand, lower cervicals, the liver and diaphragm. They will often cause cranial/brain/CNS spasms by occluding blood draining through the jugular vein. Lung torsions are usually found one per lung lobe. There are 2 left lobes and three right lobes in the horse, and it is common to see multiple torsions typically on one side. Dramatic traumas, slow-motion traumas (such as being cast), infections all create lasting lung issues. But the most extreme lung torsions are caused by unresolved emotions. Deep seated sorrow and grief tend to settle in lung tissue as a general pattern that has roots going back millennia.
When one goes in deeply to the core space of a lung emotional cyst, it will cause it to mobilize, surface and come out of “The Shadow Self”, it is then a horse (person, canine) can fully face it and let it go. I’ve had numerous experiences treating a strong lung issue when suddenly a powerful emotion of grief/sorrow exudes the space, so much so that all people watching are overcome by it and there is not a dry eye to be found. Usually, it is the human owner’s grief, and they always offer a story of a loved one dying- the healing here is for the human and their horse simultaneously. It is experiences such as these that miraculous healing can happen, and all doubts removed. “Proof is in the Puddin”.
I’ve come to understand that all traumas are not random, they’re path issues- everything has a purpose to illuminate that which we restrict deeply within ourselves. A common human example of the intensity of lung issues is a moderate to severe car accident where the seat belt held but the force of the accident centered around the lung, thoracic area. There will be some ‘Whiplash’ neck issues that may resolve with good physical therapy, but months later there will remain a deep, heavy hold in that side of the chest with significant core and shoulder motion/strength difficulties, and oxygen vitality dysfunction. If this person can be treated (generally) by an Osteopathic or good Craniosacral Practitioner, the lung spasm will completely let go and instantaneous massive releases will occur.
Basic Lung Assessment
Lung dysfunctions are incredibly powerful and problematic in most thoracic/forehand lameness issues. They are the embodiment of the breath of life and commonly exert a 24/7 intense holding spasm deep to surface. A simple yet accurate way to assess lung involvement and to “Flinch Test” the lung association point on the bladder meridian. The bladder association points run just lateral on both sides of the spine along the longissimus groove and where spinal nerves exit. The bladder meridian is a kind of gatekeeper modulating meridians and organs. For me it’s a piano keyboard that tells me which note/ meridian / organ is out of tune.
Just behind the scapula is T8 or the 8th Thoracic vertebra- here is the association point for Lung. Apply slight to moderate medial/lateral pressure here on the left and right. I use a retracted ballpoint pen as a guide. Try going along the spine and find the right pressure to use. Even clear areas if given too deep a pressure stimulation will react and too little pressure will have no response anywhere. So as with all healing modalities it’s a balanced appropriate connection that’s needed. When you find this lung point reactive or in spasm left or right tells you which lung is the issue and most likely what side of the forehand is dysfunctional.
Secondary test is to flinch the longissimus muscle along the spine on the same side as the T8 lung association point reactivity. Here the longissimus muscle will be in protective spasm due to lung domination. This is classic visceral somatic dominance and is a game changer in treatment outcomes.
A deep osteopathic assessment is to spring test the ribs over the affected lung and - my go to favorite- to energetically pick up the heavy energy cyst which is the core issue- physically and mental emotionally- and surround it engage it transmuting its negativity. But try running the same reactive T8 lung point with one hand and your other hand on the peak of the pectoral muscle at Lung 1. Hold both points, breathe into them deeply as in deep within the body of the horse. Then go neutral and do it again. Feel the releases… every one of us have inherently an ability to affect deep change we’ve just forgotten or been conditioned to not know. Then go back and assess T8 lung point and flinch the longissimus muscle to see if it returned to normal function.