What is the Solar Plexus

What is the Solar Plexus

In the human body, a complex collection of nerves of the nervous system in one specific location is known as a plexus. And this is exactly what the solar plexus really is. It is a location where a number of nerve endings meet, and this increases the sensitivity and the functionality of this specific region. The general location of the solar plexus in a human being is in the back of the stomach, or the upper abdomen, and it is also referred to as the celiac plexus by doctors and medical experts. Some of the components that merge in the solar plexus location are as follows.
Splanchnic Nerves - These are nerves that stretch to both sides of the body, and the sensory fibers that they carry enable a person to feel pain and other feelings.
Vagus Nerve - These are nervous tissues that communicate the state of certain organs to the human brain, so they too are sensory nerves in their own right.
Celiac Ganglia - These are 2 big nerves located in the abdomen, and they overlook and communicate information about the digestive system.
Aorticorenal Ganglia - These constitute a part of the celiac ganglia.
Where is Your Solar Plexus Located

This basic information should be enough for you to get a simple idea about the solar plexus. This is why the area is so sensitive, and causes an individual to reel in agony if he receives a blow there. When you learn self defense or any other martial arts techniques, you will be told about the solar plexus location in the body, and you will be instructed on how to target it in your opponent. Doing so will enable you to gain an upper hand in combat.

Solar Plexus Chakra

In Hindu mythology and in the Sanskrit language, Chakra represents a wheel of energy. This information was used for medicinal purposes in ancient times, and there are apparently 7 such Chakras in the body. The Solar Plexus Chakra is known as the Manipura or the Manipuraka, and it is associated with the digestive and metabolic processes of the human body due to the Solar Plexus location (Read more about the other Chakra points). The symbol of this Chakra is a downward pointing triangle enclosed in a circle, and bordered by 10 flower petals. Even Tibetan Buddhism propagates the concept of these Chakras, and they have a symbol for the Solar Plexus Chakra as well. This Chakra is also said to correspond with feelings of fear, anxiety, introversion, personal power, opinion-formation and spiritual growth.

With so much known about the solar plexus location, there is still a lot of mysticism and spirituality associated with this part of the human anatomy. Its vulnerability to physical blows is well known, but its real significance runs much deeper than that.

By Rahul Thadani
Published: 12/4/2010


Solar Plexus Pain Causes

As mentioned earlier, because the cluster of nerves in the solar plexus is interconnected to various parts of both the digestive and the nervous system, the causes of solar plexus pain can be many and may also be hard to define without proper medical examination. The common causes of solar plexus pain are as follows.
Improper functioning in the nerves of the solar plexus.

A hit or a blow on the stomach or the solar plexus area.

Cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Chronic Pancreatitis
A pulled muscle can again be a cause for pain in solar plexus as there are so many nerves in there.
Too much of stress
Metastatic cancer
Acid reflux diseases which may cause solar plexus pain after eating.
Treatment of Solar Plexus Pain

When speaking of the treatment of solar plexus pain, it is very important to first determine the appropriate cause for the same. This is done through various medical procedures for testing including the scans, MRI's, blood tests etc. Therefore, in order to treat the solar plexus pain, it is best to get in touch with your health care specialist as soon as possible. Below mentioned are some treatments that might be helpful by the time you check with your doctor.
Avoid taking painkillers as they may cause trouble if the cause of the pain is ulcers.
You can go for antacids which may prove to be beneficial for the first 3-4 days, however, if you still fail to get some relief, then it is best advisable to get in touch with your doctor.
If you feel that the solar plexus pain is due to a muscle pull, then application of hot and cold packs on the solar plexus would also help.
If the pain is way to much then you can also take a few drops of chamomile or lavender oil on a warm damp towel and place it on the naked skin for sometime. Remember to cover it with a blanket so that the heat passes through the solar plexus.
There are many yoga exercises for muscle relaxation which can prove to be of help. Some simple activities like deep breathing, chanting loudly while placing your hands on the solar plexus, shallow and rapid breathing, etc, can help to relieve the pain.
Although the above mentioned treatments and causes might help you understand this subject better, I would like to remind you again about the amount of muscles and nerves that are a part of the solar plexus. Therefore, it is best to check with your doctor to know the exact cause of solar plexus pain, who will then provide you with the correct and relevant treatment. Do not take it lightly as a delay might only worsen the situation. The solar plexus is a complicated and sensitive part of your body, so you need to take special care of it. Take care.

By Shalu Bhatti
Published: 12/6/2010