The Beginner's Guide to Acupressure

Introduction

Acupressure, acupuncture, and related practices Do-in, G-Jo, Shiatsu, and Myotherapy, practiced in Asia for thousands of years, have gained wider acceptance in the West in recent times. Traditional Asian medicine emphasizes personal responsibility for one's health. This page is designed to put the relief of common and minor discomforts and symptoms into your own hands.

By learning how to stimulate your own pressure points, you can relieve minor or moderate symptoms, and reduce the need for nonprescription drugs. Unlike most drugs, relief is usually immediate.

How Does It Work?

It is believed that the human body encloses a perpetual flow of bioenergy, or life-force called "chi ("ki" or "qi") - This energy flows into the body and along specific pathways called "meridians", influencing the functioning of all the organs.In healthy individuals, this flow maintains a constant balance with both itself and the external environment. When external or internal events occur which disturb this balance, disease ensues. Along the meridians are a large number of pressure points that act as "valves" for the flow of chi. The stimulation of these points, when properly performed, acts to restore balance to the internal environment, thereby relieving symptoms.

Most states have laws against the practice of remedial massage, or medicine of any kind, without a license - Only attempt to use it on your family and friends once you are familiar with using acupressure on yourself. Be cautious of the warnings listed below. Also, be sure to explain what you are doing and what they can expect.

Warnings

Do not use acupressure to replace standard emergency procedures or licensed medical treatment.   If you are seriously injured or have persistent symptoms seek urgent medical treatment.

Acupressure should not be used:

•  As the only treatment for illness - if you are sick, see a doctor

•  If you have a heart condition

•  Just before or within 20 minutes after heavy exercise, a large meal, or bathing

•  If the point in question is under a mole, wart, varicose vein, abrasion, bruise, cut, or any other break in the skin

•  If you are pregnant - especially if more than 3 months

Note that symptoms marked (M) indicate that the need for medical attention is likely, and those marked (EM!) indicate that emergency medical attention may be needed if the condition is severe or life-threatening.    For these symptoms, only use acupressure to supplement professional medical care, or when no professional medical care is available. Only try acupressure for these symptoms after seeking professional care and after using standard first aid and emergency techniques.

Directions for Using Acupressure

You must apply deep probing pressure - therefore, only apply pressure with:

(1)  Finger Tip

(2)  Knuckle

(3)  Pencil eraser (or something similar)

Before beginning, try to accurately classify your problem.    E.g. if you have a backache brought on by stress, you might be better off treating the stress rather than the backache itself.

Chart of Accupressure Points

Applying acupressure

-     Explore the area with a deep probing pressure, until the exact point announces itself to you with a sharp twinge -It starts as a jolt, and after a moment becomes a numbing sensation, or a tingling radiating from the point. It can be quite a shock the first time, but sensitivity decreases with experience. Acupoints are normally beside and in between bones, ligaments and tendons. They are never found on bones, blood vessels or arteries, but in depressions between or beside them.

-   When you have found the point, apply pressure for 15 to 30 seconds

-   Repeat using the same point on the other side of your body -You should feel immediate relief. You may feel a release of tension, sinus drainage or perspiration. Sometimes points on opposite sides of the body will have different effects.

-   If symptoms increase, do not use that side or point

-   If the first point doesn't work, try the next point or points until you find one that does - There may be more than one approach to your symptoms, such as "kidneys" vs. "backache." When you find a point that helps, use that point. If the relief is temporary, re-stimulate the point. Sometimes a pain will go away and return 3 or 4 times, lesser each time.

-   Thumb widths and hand widths shown on the diagrams refer to the width of the thumb or hand of the person being treated - Ask for feed-back from them to be sure you've located the right spot, as exact locations of points vary from person to person.

-   You are trying to harmonize your inner environment, so isolate yourself from the external environment as much as possible -Find a quiet place, sit down, and try to relax. Avoid loud music, exercise, food, and any drugs, including alcohol, while stimulating your acupoints.