Acupressure

The healing art of Acupressure is at least 5,000 years old and remains the third most popular method for pain and illness relief in the world. It is a complete health system that has been documented to be used for over 3000 conditions. Anyone looking for options to their current treatments or are concerned about situations in which they may not be able to get to medical help, should consider this as the first treatment choice for any home self care system.

Based on the same principles as Acupuncture using pressure instead of needles, Acupressure works by stimulating specific reflex points located along the lines of energy which run through the body, called meridians. There are fourteen main meridian lines each of which corresponds to an individual organ of the body. When the vital energies are able to flow through the meridians in a balanced and even way the result is good health. However, when we experience pain or illness it is an indication that there is a block or leak in the energy flow within your body.

There is a natural source of healing power in everyone. When this healing power is activated, it triggers a series of complicated internal processes producing a Healing Response. Pain or injury act to alert the body that damage control is needed, at which point the Healing Response begins and endorphins are generated to repair the affected area. This increases the heart rate and alters the blood pressure to speed up the elimination of toxins from the damaged area.

Acupressure induces this Healing Response by simulating injury through pressure. When applied to specific sore points along the meridians at different points for different conditions, this pressure tricks the body into thinking it has been damaged. The body then produce endorphins to relieve distress in the organs and systems corresponding to that Acupressure point. While the body is healing at the point of pain, it produces a Healing Response all along the meridian.

The goal with Acupressure is to learn the points that will produce the Healing Response for the conditions we want to fix. Through repetitive Acupressure treatments, the body learns a new and effective way to activate the Healing Response on its own and increases the power to heal itself without any outside intervention.

For the conditions listed below, you will find points that the experts agree help these conditions and that are easy to find. Sometimes you only need a few points to get results. The points follow (as shown in the diagrams below):

* GB 20 – just under the base of the skull in two small muscular grooves at the back of the neck
* GB 21 – on top of the shoulder, 2"-3" from the side of the neck
* GB 30 – near the "ball-joint" of the hips in the depression formed by squeezing the buttocks (relax before stimulating)
* Li 4* – on the back of the hand between the thumb and index finger, in the center of the large bone on your finger – to be probed inward toward the main body of the hand, directly on the bone
* Li 11 – on the extreme end of the outer crease of the elbow – bend arm tightly to find point (open arm and relax before stimulating)
* SP 6* – on the front of the leg, just behind the shin bone – the width of one hand (three thumbs) above the crown of the inner ankle
* St 36* – in the trough or valley just away from the most prominent shin bone, the width of one hand (three thumbs) below the bottom of the kneecap toward outside of leg the width of one thumb.
* T 5 – on the forearm two thumb widths above the most prominent crease of the upper wrist, in line with the middle finger
* UB 54 – at the rear of the knee, in the center of the crease between the two ligaments
* UB 60 – in the hollow or valley behind the crown of the outer ankle

*Pregnant women should avoid using SP 6, Li 4, and St 36.

Conditions:

* Allergies: Li4,11 SP6 St36
* Arthritis: GB20 Li4,11 St36 T5 UB60
* Asthma: Li4 GB20,21 SP6 St36
* Bronchitis: Li4 GB20,21 St36
* Cold and Flu: Li4,11 T5 GB20 St36 SP6
* Constipation: St36 SP6 Li4,11
* Diarrhea: St36, SP6 Li4
* Ear Infection: Li4,11 T5 St36 GB20
* Fainting: St36 Li4 GB20
* Fatigue: St36 GB21
* Fever: Li4,11 T5
* Hemorrhoids: Li11 SP6 UB60
* Indigestion: SP6 St36 Li4
* Infection: Li4,11 St36
* Insomnia: SP6 GB20 St36
* Menstrual Cramps: Li4 St36 GB20 SP6
* Motion Sickness: GB20 St36 SP6
* Multiple Sclerosis: GB20 UB60 St36 SP6
* Nausea: GB21 St36
* Pain Control: Li4 SP6 St36 Gb20 UB60
* Pneumonia: St36 Li4,11
* Sciatica: GB30 UB54,60 SP6
* Sinusitis: GB20 Li4,11 SP6
* Toothache: Li4,11 St36
* Vertigo: Li4 GB20,21 UB60 T5 St36

Administration:

To find the appropriate point, read the description and look at the diagram illustrating the location of the point, and then find the general area on your skin. Gently probe the area until you find that point which gives you a "funny bone" feeling or is sensitive, tender or sore. Then press hard enough to make the point hurt.

You can use a steady pressure or a five seconds on and five seconds off rotating pressure for the time you stimulate the point. Usually one minute is sufficient for each treatment session.

Regular, systematic treatment usually gets the best results because the effects of Acupressure are cumulative. At first, frequent treatment is recommended. Treatment three times daily for five to ten minutes may be necessary. Or treat more frequent, such as every two hours, until you start feeling relief. You cannot overdose.

Some report almost immediate results; others may need a few weeks to get lasting results. Acupressure is safe. Side effects are very rare. Treat while sitting down and do not administer after meals.

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