Organ Massage: The Liver
Brief Introduction:
The liver is the largest and heaviest digestive organ of the body consisting of numerous hepatic lobules that make up its soft sponge like form. All our fluids stream through this sponge like organ thus making the liver the organ of the etheric processes within the human body. It is the central metabolic organ and is involved in almost all anabolic processes that take place. It has high regenerative powers and is capable of creating new tissue even after surgery. It is also one of the main detoxification organs of the body, (Layer, 2006).
Knowledge of Metal:
Tin is a malleable, supple and highly crystalline silvery-white metal that shines like silver. When a bar of tin is bent, a crackling sound known as the thin cry can be heard due to the twinning of the crystals. Tin is primarily obtained from the mineral cassiterite and is extracted by roasting it in a furnace with carbon and is chiefly mined in Malaysia. It is a metal with great inner strength and is rust and fatigue resistant. It is a metal that is reluctant to leave the fluid state. It has strength of form and plasticity of substance; it seeks to maintain a balance between melting and congealing. As iron and lead, tin is a poor conductor of electricity, (Taruna, 2012).
Tin metal shows us some of its Jupiter-nature through it crystalline forms and malleable elements. As the ‘thinker’ within our planetary system, Jupiter is related to creative energetic thought forms that radiate to us in the mobile forms of dreams and intuition, (Steiner, 1988). When we are willing to reflect inwardly Jupiter will often initiate answers to difficult questions while we sleep. It also shows within the structural elements of the body such as the muscular and smooth round surfaces of the organs
Tin harmonizes with the liver and the etheric forces of the organ. As a therapeutic substance, tin carries fluid and forming qualities that establishes the correct relationship between liquid and solid states within the body. It is vital for creating the correct balance between form and fluid in the body’s cartilaginous areas. It actively brings form into areas of the body that are too liquid as it works to reabsorb and solidify. For example: hydrocephalus, bronchitis, pleurisy, liver congestions or slow bile flow.
Where the polarity of excessive degeneration due to abnormal drying exists, this substance actively helps to restore the fluid balance; e.g. arthritis, gout and cirrhosis of the liver. Tin is also helpful when the etheric forces are over powered by stronger physical forces which can result in hardening processes taking place within the body. In such cases tin’s ability to negotiate between fluidity and form is active in restoring equilibrium between the etheric and physical processes, (Pelikan, 1973).
Knowledge of Indications:
As tin harmonizes so well with the liver it is a useful substance in cases of great tiredness within body and mind, where the person has lost their ‘will’ to do anything. It helps in cases of hardening such as arteriosclerosis, arthritis and chronic eczema. From the opposite aspect it can prove helpful in cases of fluid retention as in bronchitis and pleurisy.
Tin is also useful in migraines due to sluggish metabolism, some cases of digestion problems, allergies and the need for detoxification of the liver due to chemical exposure and excessive intake of allopathic medications.
Contraindications for Liver Organ Massage:
- An acute inflammatory condition
- Acute migraine
- In cases where liver tumor or metastases are present
Form, Dynamic and pace:
- The liver lies in the right upper quadrant of the body just below the diaphragm. It is protected by the lower right ribs. It extends to the right flank to just beyond the midline of the body.
- The left hand gently supports the client underneath the liver region while the right hand performs one ellipse that carries the ointment into the organ massage. The movement starts at the prominent point of the ribcage arch. The left hand that remains ‘awake’ opens gently to allow the right hand carry its movement towards the flank region.
- The right hand continues to perform evenly flowing circles over the liver area in an anti-clockwise direction. The right hand makes approximately 6 progressive ellipses over the liver area maintaining form with the horizontal plane while the lower aspect of the movement becomes fuller as the hand moves towards the left flank. The left hand continues to remain awake to the right hand, opening to allow free passage when needed.
- The touch is warm and full contact is achieved with the right hand as it progresses over the liver area towards the right flank. As the hand gently makes the rhythmical movement it carries the dynamics of the impulse into each new circular movement.
The last ellipse is a gentle upward stroke from the deep aspect of the left flank moving towards the beginning point of the ribcage arch. The left hand moves in unison with the right hand and both gently lift off a short way to the umbilicus.
Anthroposophical Nursing 