肝積
かんしゃく

Translation: liver shaku (a type of infection)
Alternate names: hiki
Habitat: the liver

Appearance: Kanshaku roughly resemble a breast. Their heads look like nipples, and their sack-like bodies resembles breast tissue. They have two long moustache-like growths sprouting from their heads.

Behavior: Kanshaku live in the liver; however, they are born in the left side of the chest. They develop in the area of the pectoral muscles and fiercely headbutt their host’s organs as they crawl around inside the body.

Interactions: Symptoms of kanshaku infection include anger, irritability, and a short temper. The host’s face grows pale and sickly. They develop a craving for sour, acidic foods, and a revulsion towards oily foods.

Treatment is accomplished by alternating acupuncture techniques. First, the left side of the torso is treated. After that, the spine around the 9th thoracic vertebra is treated.

When the patient’s energy is low, the shaku’s energy will also be low. A slow treatment is performed. The body is stabbed very gently with the needle. The needle is left in place for some time, after which it is quickly removed. The puncture wound is massaged deeply.

When the patient’s energy is high, the shaku’s energy is high. In this case, the body is stabbed quickly with the needle, and then the needle is violently wiggled about. After that, the needle is slowly removed. The puncture area is not massaged.