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fingers and toes.
    Figure 1.5 (Rotational Toe Stretch)
    5. Rotational Foot and Ankle Stretch
    Purposes and Techniques
    These are the same as for Exercise 4, with these additions. Physically, it strongly stretches the muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the ankle; opens the ankle joint space. Mobilizes the metatarsal bones and opens the associated joint spaces. Energetically, it strongly stimulates most of the Shu Stream points of the foot, mostly found at various places along the general circumference of the foot up from the web of the toes, toward the ankle. Stream points are most commonly used to treat Bi (pronounced “be”) Syndromes, more colloquially called Painful Obstruction Syndromes, and which are often the same as or associated with various types of arthritis pain. This is especially true if Damp is part of the pathogenic picture, which is almost always the case in Bi Syndromes. That Damp may or may not visibly manifest as swelling or edema. (Damp, along with Dryness, Wind, Cold, and Heat, are both external, environmental, pathogenic influences and internally generated ones when organ systems are not functioning properly.) The reader who may be unfamiliar yet interested in this and other Chinese medical terms used in this book is directed to The Web That Has No Weaver by Ted Kaptchuk, for further insight. While such insight is useful and encouraged, it is not necessary in order for you to get the most from the exercises taught here.) The Kidney Shu Stream point, Kidney 3, is located just behind the inner ankle. Because of its association with bones and hence joints, that’s a particularly important point used to treat most Bi Syndromes. This exercise also provides moderate to strong stimulation to the foot Jing River points, which are located at various points around and above the ankle.
    Method
    Beginning where you left off in Exercises 4, grasp your lower left leg with your right hand, just above your ankle. Your right hand holds your leg immobile, so that above your ankle, nothing moves.
    Keep the palm of your left hand at the sole of your right foot with your left fingers interlocked between your right toes. Ideally, the web of your fingers should touch the web of your toes.
    The palm of your left hand maintains contact with the sole of your foot as much as possible, to stimulate the Bubbling Well point. With your left hand, gently pull all of your toes straight out from your foot to create the traction used in Exercises 2, 3, and 4. As in Exercise 4, the traction is useful and beneficial, but secondary to what comes next, so if you lose it, don’t be too concerned. Do your best to maintain that traction, and rotate your entire foot from your ankle in clockwise circles at least ten times ( Fig 1.6A and Fig 1.6B on next page ). Then reverse direction, rotating your foot and ankle in counterclockwise circles an equal number of times. When you finish, hold your foot still, slightly grip your toes with your interlocked fingers, and pull your fingers straight out beyond the tips of your toes. This gives your toes one last stretch, and may spread them just slightly farther than previously. If you have dislodged any stagnant qi, this pull will help remove it from your foot and toes.
    Figure 1.6A (Rotational Foot and Ankle Stretch)
    Figure 1.6B (Rotational Foot and Ankle Stretch)
    Although your entire foot will move, you’ll feel the rotation most strongly in your ankle. You may feel or even hear clicks and pops. As long as there is no pain, that’s fine, and even expected if you haven’t moved your ankle like this before. If your ankles are typically somewhat painful, feeling that much pain is also okay, you just want to be careful to not make the pain increase beyond that. Over time (many days or weeks of practice), both the pain and the pops and clicks will improve.
    Foot, Seated: Series Two
    1. Foot Wringing, Upward
    Purpose
    Physical: Opens the joint spaces between all the bones of the