Your Kidneys are more important than you think

Our kidneys are located at the back of the abdominal cavity pretty much just above the back of your waist. They are important in homeostasis which has got to do with the balance and regulation of how the body works. They also play a part in regulating the acid and electrolyte balances, the fluids in the body and the regulation of blood pressure.

The kidneys are also responsible for removing waste products from the body and forming urine. The kidneys in conjunction with the lungs maintain the acid base homeostasis which maintains the pH balance of the body by regulating the concentration of bicarbonate.

Often it is years of neglect before you realise that there could be a problem with them. Something which often goes unnoticed is the impact of stress. Stress affects the kidneys and adrenals however they can cope with some stress and still be quite healthy. However the way we live makes it difficult sometimes for the balance of energy to remain stable.

An example of this is when you have caffeine and it sends a message from the kidneys and adrenals to the brain that more adrenaline is needed. This brings in a rush of adrenaline and depletes that in the kidneys.

However there are a few things you can do to keep your kidneys healthy. The first and most important is to drink water – about 2 litres a day. This will keep you hydrated, is good for your skin and also allows the fluids in your body to work in better harmony and balance.

It is also a good practice to massage the kidneys up and down for a few minutes. This will also benefit your back. Massaging your feet is also good as the start of the kidney meridian which brings the energy into them is on the soles of your feet. You can start by squeezing your toes from under the sole of the foot. Then from the pad at the top of the foot where you see a small indent in the middle at the base of the pad, about 1/3 down the foot is where the kidney point is and that supplies them with energy and assists in reducing stress. You can use the palm of your hand on the bottom of your foot from the heal up towards the toes and rub it firmly. Do this for about 4 minutes. Start with about 30 seconds and build up each day. This will help with your circulation and help you have calmer sleep. An added relaxant would be a nice foot bath before the massage. Combine these if you have had ongoing sleep problems to relax you before bedtime.

It is also important to find ways to diminish your stress levels as this affects both your kidneys and adrenals. Eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, meditate or go to yoga or Pilates classes to keep your energy flowing. Make sure you also watch your calcium levels if you have had kidney stones in the past and do not take too much calcium. Often a clue as to what is happening can be the types of issues you have physically such as fluid retention, Candida or kidney infections. If you are prone to get these then consult a natural therapist to raise your immunity and work with the underlying energy blockages to clear them.