Mastering the locations and indications of over 400 acupressure points on the body can be an overwhelming task. Our experts highlight 10 of the most effective points on the body, explain how to find them and describe the benefits of these points.

The human body is like a map with key points that, when pressed, can stimulate the body’s natural healing and self-curative abilities. Acupressure, the more than 5,000-year-old healing art of using the thumb and fingers to press on these key locations, is one of the most effective complementary modalities a massage therapist can employ. Acupressure can release muscular tension, promote circulation of both the blood and the body’s vital energy (Qi) and enable the body to relax deeply. By relieving stress, acupressure strengthens the body’s resistance to disease and promotes wellness.

The Qi of the body is produced in the internal organs and circulated through the body in the energy channel system known as meridians (pathways). The meridians are extensions of the 10 internal organs and contain specific acupressure points along each pathway. The points are sensitive to bioelectrical impulses in the body and conduct those impulses readily. Stimulation of these points with pressure releases endorphins. Endorphins are the neurochemicals that close the “gates” of the pain-signaling system. The closing of these gates prevents painful sensations from passing through the spinal cord to the brain.

Acupressure points can be located easily via anatomical landmarks that either lie underneath major muscle groups or near a bony structure. Points are located by proportional measurements called a “cun” — one cun is approximately equal to one thumb’s width. In order to assure accuracy, the width of the recipient’s thumb is the best determination of this measurement. After locating the point, the therapist stimulates it by pressing directly on the muscular knot of tension or directly into the hollow or indentation near the bone with the thumb or the fingers. Points that are painful when pressed are considered to be areas where excessive energy has accumulated. Points that welcome touch are considered to be areas of energy deficiency. Points are typically addressed bilaterally.

John Hickey, author of the Institute for Integrative Healthcare’s Shiatsu Anma Therapy program, gives the following instruction for applying specific pressing techniques to acupressure points:

“Ordinary pressure is considered tonifying to the point and can be used in excess or deficient energy conditions. Locate the point and with moderate pressure, gradually press directly into the point with the thumb at a 90-degree angle from the surface of the skin, hold for a few seconds and then release, gradually. To address points that feel painful or excessive, perform a stronger more dispersing technique using the tip of the thumb and applying a deeper, stronger pressure to break up the excessive and stagnant energy in the point. Hold the point until the excess energy is released. To address energy deficient points, and to encourage more Qi and blood to the area, use the flat part of the thumb, relax the hands, and use moderate pressure on the point to draw energy into the area.”

The Chinese names (translated into English) assigned to the acupressure points on the meridians can serve as a powerful meditation tool and can help establish the intention of your work. By pressing a point, silently repeating its name, breathing deeply and visualizing the point’s benefit, both you and your client can realize the full potential power held in each point.

There are hundreds of effective acupressure points that influence the functioning of the body. Ten of the most common and useful points to facilitate health are described below:

1. Lung 1, “Central Treasury”
Location: On the chest, 6 cun lateral from the midline, at the level of the first intercostal space, 1 cun below the lateral extremity of the clavicle.

• This is the collecting point for all the energy of the lungs.
• Helps the lung Qi to descend downward in the body to connect with the kidneys.
• Supports the lungs.
• Addresses acute coughs, asthma and a tight chest.
• Alleviates pain in the shoulder and upper back.

2. Large Intestine 4, “Union Valley”
Location: In the dorsal web space, between the first and second metacarpal bones, approximately level with the midpoint of the second metacarpal bone. Also – on the highest point of the bulge formed when the thumb is adducted.

• This is the command point for the face, mouth and head.
• Treats sinus congestion, allergies, headaches, sore throat, fever and toothaches.
• Strengthens the body’s defensive Qi and is helpful for colds, sneezing, runny nose and sore eyes.
• Alleviates pain in the shoulder and arm.
• Contraindicated during pregnancy.

3. Kidney 1, “Gushing Spring”
Location: On the sole of the foot, between the second and third metatarsal bones, one-third the distance from the webs of the toes to the heel.

• This is a very important point for grounding, connecting with the earth and rooting the energy downward.
• Helpful to calm someone who is in a disturbed state of restlessness or shock.
• Useful for headaches, anxiety, hypertension, diarrhea and insomnia.

4. Bladder 23, “Back Shu Point of the Kidney” or “Sea of Vitality”
Location: 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebrae, on the quadratus lumborum muscle.

• This point is a powerful place to strengthen both the yin and yang kidney energy.
• Helps strengthen the lower back and knees.
• Builds core energy.
• Helps the body replenish during times of personal transformation.
• Alleviates low back pain and fatigue.
• Fortifies the digestive organs and the immune system.

5. Liver 3, “Great Surge”Location: On the dorsum of the foot, between the first and second metatarsal bones, approximately 2 cun superior to the web margin.

• This point is the source point of the liver meridian.
• This is a thoroughfare for Qi activity.
• Releases pent up energy that causes anxiety, anger, irritability, tension headaches, depression and PMS.
• Liberates energy that is caged.
• Smoothes energy that is aggressive and edgy.
• Nourishes tendons and ligaments by alleviating tightness, tension and spasms.
• Particularly effective in conjunction with Large Intestine 4.

6. Gallbladder 30, “Jumping Circle” or “Jumping Round”
Location: In the gluteal region, 1/3 the way along a line drawn from the greater trochanter to the inferior end of the sacrum.

• Benefits the low back and all leg joints.
• Strengthens and comforts the low back and leg.
• Alleviates sciatic pain, hip pain and rheumatism.
• Relaxes tendons and restores joint mobility.

7. Heart 7, “Spirit Gate” or “Mind Door”
Location: On the transverse crease of the wrist, in the depression on the radial side of the insertion of the tendon of flexor carpi ulnaris into the pisiform bone.

• Calms the mind when overactive thinking is the culprit.
• Relieves insomnia due to overexcitement.
• Relaxes and eases anxiety.
• Reduces heart palpitations by regulating the heart and strengthening the spirit.

8. Small Intestine 11, “Celestial Gathering”Location: In the depression of the scapula half way between the left and right borders of the scapula and 1/3 the distance down from the spine of the scapula and the inferior angle of the scapula.

• Alleviates soreness of the shoulder and back.
• Reduces rigidity of the neck.
• Helps pain and numbness in the arm.
• Helps gather scattered or manic Qi in the body
• Sorts the real from the dream and the authentic from the inauthentic.

9. Spleen 6, “Three Yin Intersection”
Location: Three cun directly above the tip of the medial malleolus, less than a finger’s width posterior to the border of the tibia.

• This is the meeting point of the three yin channels (spleen, kidney and liver).
• Important for treatment of all gynecological, sexual, urinary, digestive and emotional imbalances.
• Nourishes and builds the blood.
• Use in the treatment of anxiety, insomnia, headaches, menstrual cramps, abdominal distention/pain and diabetes.
• Contraindicated during pregnancy.

10. Stomach 36, “Leg Three Miles”
Location: Three cun below the inferior border of the patella, one finger width lateral to the edge of the tibia. There is a small notch next to the tibia at this point.

• Ancient physicians said working on this point could treat all diseases.
• Chinese foot soldiers used to halt every three miles and massage Stomach 36 for renewed energy.
• Restores and builds energy in the stomach and spleen.
• Strengthens the stomach and improves digestion.
• Indicated for all digestive disturbances including gas, bloating, nausea, diarrhea and constipation.
• Alleviates abdominal pain, distention, coldness and numbness in the legs.

The best way to learn more about these points is to begin practicing on yourself. Daily practice will result in noticing a slight pulse at the point. This pulsation is a good sign that circulation has increased. Start adding some of these highly effective points in with your massage routine, explaining to your clients what you are doing and why. Take care to avoid those points that are contraindicated during pregnancy on an expectant mother. The body’s vital energies concentrate inward during a treatment, so to maximize healing, be sure to keep your clients warm and advise them to stay warm following a session.

The body has many more effective acupressure points that can address different imbalances. There are specific points along either side of the spine which reflexively influence every organ in the body. Watch for a follow up article addressing these powerful points on the bladder meridian.

Recommended Study
Shiatsu Anma Therapy

References:
1. Carey, Donna and de Muynck, Marjorie. Acutonics: There’s No Place Like Ohm, Sound Healing, Oriental Medicine and the Cosmic Mysteries, Devachan Press, 2002.
2. Gach, Michale Reed. Acupressure’s Potent Points, Bantam Books, 1990.
3. Hickey, John. Shiatsu Anma Therapy, Institute for Integrative Healthcare Studies, 2005.
4. Lundberg, Paul. The Book of Shiatsu, Simon and Schuster, 2003.
5. Tedeschi, Marc. Essential Anatomy for Healing and Martial Arts, Weatherhill, 2000.
6. Xu, Xiangcai. Chinese Tui Na Massage, YMAA Publication Center, 2002.

Posted by Nicole at 04:33 PM
© 2009 Institute for Integrative HealthCare Studies. This work is reproduced with the permission of the Institute. www.Integrative-Healthcare.org

Preparation for this seasonal change can maintain health and balance during the chilly months that lay ahead. This comprehensive approach to wellness includes six detailed methods (from acupressure to food choices) that will keep us in alignment with the cycle of nature.

The fall equinox, September 22, 2005, announces the first day of autumn, when day and night are of equal length. The cooler temperatures and shortened daylight hours following the fall equinox signal the growing predominance of yin. This time of year, both animals and plants become more yin, turning inward to build up the stores of nutrients they will need to get them through the long winter. Trees store nutrients as sap, which descends down the tree, and animals store nutrients as fat, converting everything they eat into that which will protect them from the cold and be converted into energy when food sources are scarce.

Autumn brings on a time when our vital energy also becomes more yin, moving downward and inward, to be replenished, nourished and refined. As in nature, we also must prepare for the oncoming winter months by strengthening our immune system, the body’s defense against colds and flu, which are often brought on by the change in seasons.

The Metal Element

According to Chinese Five Element theory, each season is represented by an element in nature. The metal element is associated with autumn and represents the mineral ores and salts in the earth. Metal is formed and contained deep inside the earth, where high temperatures and pressures cause molecules in molten magma to separate into homogenous layers. Some layers cool quickly into volcanic basalts, while others condense gradually into minerals and ores. Others stack themselves in precise lattice-like structures to form crystals. This process of separation pushes away impurities and molecules of dissimilar composition, forming metals that are pure and distinct.

In the body, metal manifests as the organs and meridians of the lung (yin) and large intestine (yang). The lungs and large intestine, when healthy and in balance, absorb and transform food and oxygen, utilize the food and oxygen’s essence and release what is not needed. An internal weakness in the metal element can result in problems associated with these organs, such as breathing or elimination difficulties. According to Chinese medical theory, the lung and large intestine perform the following functions:

The Lungs

• The lungs purify the air that we breathe. During inhalation, the lungs extract the purest essences from the air and distribute them throughout the body while eliminating impurities through exhalation. Impaired function of this aspect of the lungs can result in breathing difficulties like asthma and general fatigue.

• The lungs defend the body from pathogenic invasion by distributing protective or defensive energy to the body’s surface. This is primarily accomplished through the opening and closing pores to maintain thermal regulation of the body. Dysfunction of this aspect of the lungs can lower immunity, resulting in colds and flu.

• The lungs keep the body dry by dispersing fluids. Fluids that accumulate in the body are dispersed through the skin’s pores as perspiration and through the bladder as urine. When the lungs fail to disperse excess fluids, dampness can accumulate, causing the mucus and phlegm associated with colds and flu.

• The energy of the lungs can be evaluated in the quality of the skin and body hair, be they moist or dry, elastic or limp, shining or dull, soft or rough.

The Large Intestine

• The large intestine separates solid wastes and impure essences and eliminates them in the form of feces.

• Dysfunctions in the large intestine can result in constipation, diarrhea or an inability to “let go” of situations or attitudes. Poor intestinal elimination may affect the skin, another area of the body governed by the metal element.

Acupressure

Tonify and strengthen the metal element through the lungs and large intestine by performing acupressure on Lung 1 and Large Intestine 4. View the previous article Ten Highly Effective Acupressure Points for application and location information.

Emotions and Autumn

As the energy descends during autumn, the lungs and large intestine can be affected on an emotional level. Grief, sadness and depression are possible manifestations of this energetic shift. Just as high temperatures and pressure within the earth transform molten magma into gold and other minerals, the sadness and grief within our lives must be transformed into learning experiences from which we grow our courage and wisdom.

In the action of letting go we face our grief and mourn our losses. Through our losses and honoring our grief we derive strength and the courage to persevere. Although emotionally painful, this process can bring many gifts, crystallizing the essence of what is most important to us. Grief reminds us of how much love we can feel, and there is no greater strength than this deeply humanizing experience. Transforming grief by releasing it keeps our metal element in a healthy state of balance.

Resolve, the gift that comes after grief, is the recognition of what we still have; it is the pure gold that is transformed from the ashes, the distilled essence of what we have and what we can never lose.

Keeping ourselves emotionally healthy can positively impact our physical health. Understanding the connection between physical and emotional health can help us seek courage, strength and clarity to embrace the natural process contained in the energies of autumn.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage

As the daylight hours decrease and the weather becomes cooler, people generally spend more time indoors and at home, participating in more relaxed leisure activities. The lessening of physical activity has a profound effect on the lymphatic system and our immunity to colds and flu. Through inactivity, the immune system becomes sluggish and fails to adequately move stagnant fluid out of the tissues and into the lymphatic vessels and nodes where it can be purified by lymphocytes.

Lymphatic drainage massage (LDM) is an excellent means of assisting in this process. A massage therapist performing LDM moves his/her client’s skin in different directions: lengthwise, horizontally and diagonally. These movements, which stretch the microfilaments just below the skin that control the openings to the initial lymphatics, allow interstitial fluid to enter the lymphatic system while stimulating the lymph vessels to contract. Fluids are propelled forward through the lymph vessels and away from tissue areas where fluid has pooled from inactivity. LDM stimulates the lymphatic vessels to contract more frequently.

As the lymphatic fluid flow is enhanced, the body is put into a parasympathetic state, which slows the heart rate and breathing, relaxes muscles and allows organs to resume normal functioning. A deeper, more relaxed rhythm of breathing occurs during this massage and the therapist can work simultaneously with the client to perform specific breathing techniques that rejuvenate the lungs and increase the body’s defensive vital energy via the lungs.

Breathing Techniques

Inhalation nourishes every cell in our body, while the exhale eliminates byproducts and waste that no longer serve us. Every breath offers the opportunity to cleanse and purify the body. The two breathing techniques below can be done separately or combined to ensure maximum expansion of the lungs.

• Abdominal Breathing: Massage therapists can assist their clients with this exercise. Begin by breathing normally. Slowly direct the focus of breathing to the abdomen. Place your hand lightly on the client’s abdomen and ask them to inhale and expand the belly to push your hand upward. At this time, the diaphragm sinks downward, allowing the lungs to expand more fully. When exhaling, the shoulders drop, the chest sinks inward, the diaphragm rises and the belly should contract gently and easily. This action pushes the stale air out through the lungs. Do this exercise for at least three minutes.

• Yin/Yang Breathing: Make a loose fist with the index and middle fingers of the right hand, leaving the thumb and last two fingers extended. Using the ring and pinky fingers, gently close off the left nostril and breathe deeply in through the right. At the top of the inhalation, release the left nostril and close off the right one with your thumb. Exhale slowly and smoothly. At the inhalation, breathe in deeply through the uncovered left nostril. When complete, open the right nostril and close the left one again with the last two fingers, exhaling deeply and slowly through the right nostril. Do this exercise for two to four minutes.

Autumn Diet

Autumn offers an array of fruits and vegetables that can support the lungs and large intestine as well as our overall health. A week of juice cleansing in early autumn will provide a boost of energy and may eliminate any potential illnesses by flushing out excess toxins. Fresh fruit juices in the morning and vegetable juices in the afternoon or evening are ideal.

Since it is autumn, grapes are harvested and prove to be a fine cleanser, harmonizer and tonic for both the lungs and large intestine. Juice the dark grapes in a juicer with organic apples and pears or oranges, or eat them as a snack during the day. Balance the sweetness of the grapes by drinking a glass of lemon water.

Pungent foods penetrate the lung and large intestine, where they can be used in combination with other foods to affect various disorders in those organs. Eating warming pungent foods in moderate amounts such as garlic and onions, chili peppers, horseradish, fennel, anise, dill, mustard greens, cinnamon, nutmeg, basil, rosemary, scallions, cloves, ginger, black pepper and cayenne can disperse excess dampness in the lungs and large intestine. Cooling pungent foods like radishes, cabbage, marjoram, white pepper, parsnips and turnip roots can help balance excess heat in the lungs and large intestine.

Eating root vegetables in season can strengthen deficiencies and support the lungs and large intestine. Sweet potatoes, turnips, carrots, radishes, ginger, garlic and onions are plentiful in the autumn and help to consolidate the lower body energy so that it doesn’t become too dispersed. Baking and/or roasting foods like squash, pumpkin and meats help draw heat energy into the foods to keep our bodies warmer in the winter months.

Those foods that congest the large intestine are sweets (cookies, cakes, etc.), cheese, noodles and breads. To keep the large intestine healthy and balanced, eat ample foods that lubricate this organ such as nuts (pecans, brazil, walnuts), seeds (sunflower, pumpkin) and oils made from seeds (sunflower, sesame, olive). To support the large intestine, include soups that are made from the pungent food groups, roots and squash, which are also plentiful in the autumn.

Exercise and Meditation

Because the energies of nature are turning inward and becoming more yin, it is important to concentrate more on staying relaxed and loose. Stretching, calisthenics, yoga, tai chi and qigong all keep the body flexible and the energy moving during this season and can be done indoors during the cold months. Meditation is also valuable during the autumn to quiet the mind and regulate our breathing. Setting aside 15 to 30 minutes each morning to focus on abdominal and yin/yang breathing can contribute to strengthening of the body’s vital energy.

Change is a recurring process in nature and in our lives. Adapt to this change in season by taking advantage of lymphatic massage, acupressure, eating seasonal foods, exercising and meditating. These proactive lifestyle suggestions can support the immune system, the lungs and the large intestine helping to maintain our health and vitality during the autumn months.

Posted by Nicole at 05:48 PM |
© 2009 Institute for Integrative HealthCare Studies. This work is reproduced with the permission of the Institute. www.Integrative-Healthcare.org

Often a neglected part of the body, the ears hold a special place in bodywork. Discover why clients love their ears rubbed during a session, what ear massage is particularly effective for and how to use the ears to increase a session’s effectiveness.

by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.

Auriculotherapy is reflexology of the ear. The auricle of the ear (the external, protruding portion), can be viewed as a microsystem representing the entire body. Microsystems are valuable in many disciplines, including neuroanatomy, foot and hand reflexology, face and scalp acupuncture, and iridology.

The first defined microsystem is a figurative representation of the human body mapped in the brain’s cortex. Called somatosensory mapping, a distorted human figure reflects the corresponding body parts in the sensory and motor cortex. Also known as the cortical homunculus, this figure has disproportionately large lips, hands, feet and genitals, reflecting the larger cortical area allocated for the innervation of these body parts.

Similar to the cortical homunculus, the ear has been mapped in detail to reflect associated areas with the entire human body. Due to its high level of accessibility, this auricular microsystem can be used to treat health conditions affecting all parts of the body. Stimulating points on the ear can alleviate problems associated with nearby regions of the face and head as well as relieve pathological disorders in the chest, abdomen, lower back, and feet. According to microsystem theory, there are no direct connections between the ear and specific distal body parts. Rather, nerves from the ear connect to reflex centers in the brain that send neurological reflex pathways to the spinal cord, which in turn, sends them on to the neurons reaching distal body parts.

While ear massage can be used to address a countless array of health issues, musculoskeletal pain and addiction have demonstrated some of the most dramatic responses to auriculotherapy.

Pain
Regardless of the mechanism, applying pressure to the ear in specific locations has been found to relieve distal body pain. Ear massage triggers the release of the body’s natural painkillers, endorphins. Studies have demonstrated that ear stimulation increases levels of endorphins in both the blood and cerebrospinal fluid.

Ear massage also aids in breaking the pain-spasm-pain cycle. Most chronic pain is due to the constriction of connective tissue surrounding muscles in spasm. Muscles remain in spasm when the brain instructs motor neurons to initiate and sustain their contraction. The stimulation of ear reflex points connected to the brain can reset the brain’s electrical prompts, stopping unwanted activation of spinal reflexes. According to Oleson, “Pain sensations that are due to irritated nerves can be relieved by the normalizing of pathological, hypersensitive reflex pathways that interconnect the ear microsystem and the somatotopic brain.”

Consult an auriculotherapy map to locate the correct reflex area to address a specific painful body part. Identification of a tender area on the ear typically corresponds with the most beneficial point to relieve the distally located pain.

Addiction
Auriculotherapy is used throughout the world to reduce substance cravings and assist in the detoxification of addictive substances. Explanations for the effectiveness of auriculotherapy in facilitating drug independence derive from both a Western neurological conceptualization and a Traditional Oriental Medicine perspective. The first evidence of auriculotherapy’s in reducing substance cravings of drug addicts came from Dr. Wen of Hong Kong in the 1970s, and was expanded upon by Dr. Michel Smith, a physician who practices Oriental Medicine in New York City.

A Western neurological basis for using auriculotherapy as part of drug detoxification focuses on the area of the ear primarily used in addiction treatment, the concha. The two concave or hollow areas of the outer ear, the concha correspond to the autonomic nervous system via the vagus nerve and the brain’s hypothalamus. Influencing these nervous system components enhances relaxation and maintains balance. Auriculotherapy’s release of endorphins has the additional benefit of improving mood without the aid of the addicted substance.

Traditionally, five points are stimulated on the outer ear to aid the addiction recovery process. Possession of an illustrated ear map will facilitate locating each of the five points: Sympathetic, Shen Men, Heart, Liver and Lung.

Don’t skip the ears
While the majority of research has focused on ear acupuncture, auriculotherapy works with any type of ear stimulation. Many massage therapists include a general, feel-good ear rub at the conclusion of a session. However, learning the anatomy and body map of the ear can add a new level of healing to a massage. Since the ears provide direct access to the central and peripheral nervous systems, spending some time to focus on specific ear locations will benefit your client by amplifying the bodywork performed.

References:

Netter, MD, Frank H., Atlas of Human Anatomy, Ciba-Geigy Corporation, 1989.

Oleson, PhD, Terry, Auriculotherapy Manual, Health Care Alternatives, 1998.

www.auriculotherapy.com, FAQs, Terry Oleson, PhD, 2006.

www.brainconnection.com, Motor Humunculus, Scientific Learning, 2006.

www.emedicine.com, Massage, Traction, and Manipulation, J Michael Wieting, DO, MEd, 7/18/05.

Posted by Editors at 02:26 PM

© 2009 Institute for Integrative HealthCare Studies. This work is reproduced with the permission of the Institute. www.Integrative-Healthcare.org

With so many consumers living with chronic pain, massage therapists astutely study and practice techniques aimed toward pain relief. However, the most potent tool for helping a client overcome their pain resides in the therapist’s head - not in their hands.

by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.

The bulk of most massage therapists’ work is with clients in chronic pain. To offer the most beneficial treatment, bodyworkers continually study mechanisms of pain, observe dysfunctional patterns in their clients, interview clients to uncover the source of their pain and learn new methods to relieve pain. However, helping clients triumph over their pain could be simpler than most practitioners realize. In fact, when working with each individual, the massage therapist’s mindset could possibly be the most powerful aspect of the healing process.

Defining Pain
When we are hurt, there is no question what pain is. From a physiological perspective, pain is defined as a bodily discomfort. From a psychological perspective, pain is regarded as an unpleasant sensory experience or emotional suffering. As recognized by Livingston in his book, Pain Mechanism: A Physiologic Interpretation of Causalgia and Its Related States, “The chief difficulty encountered in a search for a satisfactory definition for pain, is the fact that it can be considered from either a physiologic or psychological perspective. Any consideration of pain, by one approach alone, without due regard for the other, is incomplete.”

Clearly, the experience of pain encompasses phenomena larger than what can be explained in simple anatomical terms. By jumping outside of the confines of biology, physicists may have a firmer grasp of what pain actually is. Since Albert Einstein taught us early in this century that matter and energy are interchangeable, quantum physics has amply confirmed his theory. Despite this universally understood concept, conventional medicine continues to address the body primarily as matter. Fortunately, massage therapists and other complementary medical providers are able to bridge this disparaging gap in understanding pain with insight into the dynamics of energy.

Healing with Energy
Comprehending the presence of energy throughout every human being is a cornerstone for many types of bodywork. In general, physical, chronic pain is viewed as a disruption of a person’s energy flow. Especially prominent in the modalities of acupressure derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine and Therapeutic Touch, encouraging unobstructed energetic movement is the basis for many effective pain relief sessions.

· Acupressure techniques are mostly designed to stimulate energy circulation. In Chinese culture and medical thought, energy is the source of life and its ability to flow without restriction is the primary gauge of a person’s health. A Chinese proverb says that “where there is blockage, there is pain and where there is no blockage, there is no pain.” This refers to the definition of pain as an energetic blockage, and removing the blockage eliminates pain.

· Practitioners of Therapeutic Touch use their own energy to detect their client’s energy field and correct any imbalances. It has been theorized that healing touch affects patients through the connection of energy fields within and outside of the physical body. The treatment of symptoms is thought to occur when the movement of energy (originating within the practitioner then influencing the client’s energy) stimulates internal, self-balancing mechanisms.

Mindset
Massage therapists who can appreciate the effortless conversion between energy and matter, who recognize the association between hampered energy flow and pain, and who use their own energy to positively influence their client’s healing process are just a short step away from recognizing the importance of their mindset for healing. Assuming Einstein’s E=mc2 is correct, practitioners purposefully channeling their energy toward free flowing, pain-free energy flow can transfer that same intention to their client’s physical body.

While advising therapists to think positively about their client’s health condition is easy to instruct, the biggest challenge lies in the intense quest to provide pain relief. After a thorough interview and evaluation of a client’s complaints, it is natural for practitioners to mentally become completely absorbed in their client’s painful condition. The most common thought process entails focusing on a client’s pain and imbalance, and then shifting to how to relieve the pain and correct the imbalance. Unfortunately, both of these perceptions still hold the painful problem as the primary focus.

Instead of staying in the frame of mind associated with pain, practitioners can be much more valuable to their clients by completely reversing their perspective. With an intentional focus and visualization on your client feeling great and experiencing free and easy energy flow throughout their body, you can influence their cells to entrain with your thoughts. Practitioners able to envision their clients being pain-free while working with them can exert a subtle yet more powerful influence on their health than any medical intervention possibly could.

Using positive mental imagery for accomplishing a goal is nothing new. Professional athletes do it to prepare for a sports event and entrepreneurs write a business plan to ensure their goals come to fruition. Confirmed by quantum physics, acupressure theory and the therapeutic touch model, massage therapists can improve their clients’ outcomes by maintaining a positive mindset. By holding a mental vision of health for their clients, bodyworkers can assist in their transformation from congested energy and subsequent pain into a state with freely flowing energy that is completely pain-free.

Recommended Study:
Healing Energy and Touch
Shiatsu Anma
Accepting Your Power to Heal
The Spiritual Dimension of Therapeutic Touch

References:

Chen, Lih-Mih, RN, PhD, et al., Concepts Within the Chinese Culture That Influence the Cancer Pain Experience, Cancer Nursing, March/April 2008.

Livingston WK, Pain Mechanism: A Physiologic Interpretation of Causalgia and Its Related States, New York, NY, MacMillan, 1943.

www.ih1.com, Therapeutic Touch, Aetna Intelihealth Inc., 2008.

www.liversupport.com/wordpress, Law of Attraction Combo for Liver Health, Nicole Cutler, L.Ac., Natural Wellness, 2008.

www.wholistichealingresearch.com, Spiritual Healing: A Unifying Influence in Complementary/ Alternative Therapies, Wholistic Healing Publications, 2008.

Posted by Editors at 03:10 PM
© 2009 Institute for Integrative HealthCare Studies. This work is reproduced with the permission of the Institute. www.Integrative-Healthcare.org

With just a few simple changes, discover more tips on how massage therapists can take better care of the earth and their clients.

by Linda Fehrs, LMT

As massage therapists, our clients often look to us for simple ways to improve and maintain their health. Massage therapy could be thought of as a collection of non-invasive, non-toxic techniques and tools that help to reduce blood pressure, increase circulation and improve muscle tone. Our needs as professionals are few. All that is required at the very basic level is a trained pair of hands and a body to work on. The next step up would perhaps include a good quality massage table, some clean sheets and safe, healthy lubricants. A good location, somewhere to set up, is of course also necessary. It doesn’t get much easier, or greener, than that.

As time goes on, though, we may develop some bad habits, or not look into newer, more environmentally friendly ways of doing things. Most, if not all, of us can do better. We can make our practices healthier for ourselves and for our clients and, in turn, help the earth.

Here are ten simple ways to make your home and your practice a place that is not only safe and healthy for you, but also has a positive effect on the environment.

1. Drive Less – If possible, use public transportation, or if your office is close enough, walk or ride a bicycle to your practice. You might want to consider the benefits of working out of your home and eliminate commuting all together. There are no motorized vehicles that are totally non-polluting. Even the newer hybrid cars use some gasoline, and a totally electric car still uses unhealthy materials to produce electricity and batteries.

2. Adjust Your Thermostat – By lowering your thermostat by a few degrees in the winter months and raising it in the summer, you will not only reduce the use of energy that is used to produce it, but could also see a savings of 25 to 30 percent on your heating and air-conditioning bills. Remember to lower your thermostat as well during times you are not using your office, such as overnight or while on vacation.

3. Switch to Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs or LED’s (Light Emitting Diodes) – Consider using these instead of incandescent bulbs at your desk or in your waiting room. They last longer and are more efficient than incandescent bulbs, resulting in the use of between 30 and 75 percent less electricity. If you are concerned about the harshness of the light, soften it with warm colored lampshades. Also, remember to turn off any lights in unoccupied rooms.

4. Buy in Bulk – Purchasing often used items in larger containers will save on packaging as well as cost. Massage oils, lotions and creams can be bought in large quantity and your small bottles can be refilled.

5. Use Environmentally Friendly Cleaners – Massage offices need to be clean, but that doesn’t mean having to use harsh or toxic chemicals. Many stores now carry gentle but efficient cleaning products. Going back to basics is often the best and there are many books and websites offering easy recipes for creating your own cleaning materials.

6. Use Cloth Bags Instead of Paper or Plastic – Using and reusing cloth bags for shopping ends the debate on paper vs. plastic when it comes to groceries or other products you purchase. Cloth bags are stronger, usually hold more and nothing new is added to landfills.

7. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle – Reducing your consumption of one-use items such as disposable razors, plastic water bottles and overly packaged food, reusing what you already have on hand like glass containers, and recycling things made of paper, plastic and metal items helps to lighten the load on local landfills.

8. Visit Your Local Library – By taking advantage of the library you can reduce the number of magazines you buy or subscribe to and minimize the number of books you buy. This helps to save valuable trees, which in turn helps wildlife to survive.

9. Buy Organic – As much as possible eat organic food and use organic materials, such as oils and sheets in your practice. Crops grown using pesticides have been shown to have negative health effects including damage to the nervous system, cancer and birth defects. Growing crops organically decreases this risk not only for the consumer but also farmers and animals.

10. Support Local Vendors – By shopping locally, especially at farmer’s markets or small businesses, you help lower your own fuel consumption as well as reduce the amount of energy it takes to transport goods across the country. Shopping within your community also helps the local economy, providing jobs close to home and resulting in less gas consumption.

Every day, in both large and small ways, we can help to make our offices and homes more eco-friendly. Something as simple as using essential oils instead of commercial air fresheners can reduce allergic reactions and may even help to alleviate the symptoms of asthma or other respiratory problems. Walking short distances instead of driving not only reduces air pollution, but it also gives our body exercise, allows us to slow down and we may see the world around us in new ways.

Setting good examples and letting our clients know that we care about the environment shows we care about their health and safety as well.

Recommended Study:
Developing a Wellness Center

Resources:

Bond, Annie, Home Enlightenment: Practical, Earth-Friendly Advice for Creating a Nurturing, Healthy, Toxin Free Home and Lifestyle, Rodale Books, September 2005.

www.care2.com, Green Living, Care2, 2008.

www.earthshare.org, Workplace Campaigns, EarthShare, Spring 2007.

www.epa.gov, Pollution Prevention and Recycling, Environmental Protection Agency, 2008.

www.greenbiz.com, Small Business, GreenBiz.Com, 2008.

www.greenthislife.com, A Bright Idea: Eco Conscious Lighting, Blake Frino, Green This Life, December 2008.

www.massagemag.com, How Green is Your Massage Practice?, Karen Menehan, Massage Magazine, March 2008.

www.amtamassage.com/mtj, Going Green, Elizabeth Barker, Massage Therapy Journal, Fall 2007.

Posted by Editors at 12:27 PM
© 2009 Institute for Integrative HealthCare Studies. This work is reproduced with the permission of the Institute. www.Integrative-Healthcare.org

Acupressure is a form of massage therapy. It originated in China many years ago and is also used in Japan where it is called shiatsu. It was once used in Great Britain to treat headaches prior to the discovery of aspirin.

The theory of acupressure is based on the Chinese belief that all living things contain a vital energy, which is known as chi. Within the body are invisible paths called meridians that connect all the parts of our body. The chi flows along these paths. There are various points located on the paths, which can be stimulated to relieve pain. The points are named such as Large Intestine 4, Liver 3, and Stomach 36.

For example, Large Intestine 4 is a point located in the web of skin between the thumb and first finger. You can effect headache pain relief by applying pressure to and massaging this point in the direction of the index finger. But if the headache were a migraine, then you would apply the pressure to Colon 4 and Liver 3.

Liver 3 is located between the big toe and second toe in the back of the webbing. Massaging this point will also help relieve stress.

Unlike other massage therapies, acupressure uses no oils or equipment so it is simple to do. There are trained acupuncturists who administer acupressure but you can also learn to do it yourself. However, self-administered acupressure may not be as enjoyable as having someone else do it.

To perform acupressure, you use your thumb, finger or knuckle to apply pressure to a point. The pressure applied should be firm but not painful. The point should be massaged from five to fifteen minutes until the pain subsides. But be careful not to over-stimulate the point, as this will make the pain worse.

The challenge in self-administered acupressure is the correct location of the points. There are many books that have charts of the meridians and points together with complete directions. There are also charts available at various sites on the net.

However, these points are only .5mm in diameter so there isn’t much of a margin for error. If you are not feeling any benefit after applying the technique it is probably because you haven’t properly located the point. Therefore, you might want to schedule one or two visits to an acupuncturist to have them teach you the technique.

Acupressure has no significant side effects. The points may feel a little sore after a session and some people may experience a temporary feeling of lightheadedness.

Women who are pregnant should not use acupressure without the approval of their doctor. And even with a doctor’s approval, they should not self-administer but need to consult a trained acupuncturist. Some of the points are dangerous for pregnant women.

Acupressure should not be applied over any area that is bruised or swollen. It also shouldn’t be done over varicose veins.

People who have circulatory problems, osteoporosis, any type of bleeding disorder, a recent fracture or who are using blood thinning medication should only have acupressure administered by a qualified therapist.

Acupressure has been found to be helpful in treating nausea, motion sickness, headaches, muscle tension and stress.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brenda_Williams

With over 250 different types of massage and new types of massage emerging every day it is hard to know what is best for you and your needs.

For the most part, it really depends on your needs and the type of massage you like the most. Discovering your needs often involves trying different types of massage and even just different massage therapists to see what you like and don’t like.

Rolfing is named after a woman, Ida Rolf who created it. It is a series of sessions that is based on reorganizing the alignment of the body. It is deep tissue bodywork and works best when you are having structural based issues such as chronic knee problems, neck or back problems. It can be very painful at times and also more expensive than most types of massage. Rolfers usually go through more schooling than just regular massage therapists.

Polarity therapy is quite the opposite as far as the depth of the touch used in the massage. Polarity therapy isn’t really even massage in some ways. It was developed by Randolf Stone and combines pressure point therapy with diet and exercises that uses breath and sound and self awareness. The theory is that energy flows between two poles (negative and positive) inside and outside of our bodies. Increasing the flow of energy between the two poles can help alleviate pain and sickness. The Polarity therapist then applies pressure of varying degrees to areas of the body that are blocked and sometimes they don’t even put any pressure or touch at all. Practitioners are certified by the American Polarity Therapy Association.

Shiatsu is a system that uses ‘finger pressure’ to treat what are called ‘Tsubos’ or acu-points. There are 360 tsubos along the meridians on each side of the body. There are different types of Shiatsu - Zen Shiatsu, Macrobiotic Shiatsu, Integrative Eclectic Shiatsu, Japanese Shiatsu.

So you can see that just reading about different types of massage doesn’t do much to explain what it really is. Each therapist will also have a different learning background and own application of each technique making it even more difficult to know what type of massage to get.

In getting a massage some of the things to remember is to just always be honest with the massage therapist about what you are feeling. Many people think that going to a massage therapist that the therapist will know what is best. The fact is that you know best. If it hurts too much, if the pressure isn’t deep enough, if the room it too hot or cold or if you hate or love the music - let the therapist know.

Julie Onofrio a licensed massage practitioner in Seattle WA for 20 years and author of the “Massage Therapy Career Guide: The truth about becoming a massage therapist ” and “How to Find a Job in Massage”.

My websites http://www.massage-career-guides.com and http://www.thebodyworker.com are great resources to help you learn more about different types of massage.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_Onofrio

A combination of acupressure and breath awareness may help people with diabetes, according to a study originally published in the journal Health & Social Work. The study showed that a short stress-relief program including touch could lower blood sugar and improve health in diabetic patients.

Researchers at the New Mexico State University’s social work department (now the School of Social Work) observed a high incidence of diabetes among Mexican-Americans in southern New Mexico. They believed that the use of a short relaxation program could have beneficial effects on the health of those with diabetes and their families.

In cooperation with the San Miguel clinic, a study was designed that provided 15 minutes of breath work and acupressure with the goal of relieving stress for both the patient and the patient’s family. Two students in the social work department were chosen to conduct the exploratory research study. A one-group, pre-test/post-test design was used. The group size was 12.

At the start of the project, clinic staff and patients were introduced to holistic health practices, such as breathing techniques, acupressure and stress management.

Once a week for six weeks, the patients came to the clinic for a “15-minute stressout,” which had three components:
First, the patient and researcher both focused on their breath throughout the 15-minute session, in order to maintain emotional balance and empathy.

Second, the researcher applied gentle touch: applying feather strokes on the back, shoulders and arms, squeezing the arms, stretching the hands, and gripping the wrists and fingers.

Third, the researcher used acupressure on points on the patient’s hands, shoulders, back, neck and head.

There were three dependent variables measured in the study: stability of metabolic control, measured with blood sugar levels; persistence of physical symptoms, as measured by the Dartmouth COOP charts ( a question-and-answer test that assesses health and functioning); and self-perception of well-being, using post-session interviews, more COOP charts, and a “stressout survey” that measured perceived benefits of the sessions to the patients and their family and friends.

Patients experienced an overall reduction in blood sugar, anxiety, headaches, depression, and work stress and anger. They also slept better and had improved relations with their families. Patients also reported an inclination to continue with a healthier lifestyle after the project’s conclusion.

Because of limitations to the study in terms of validity and reliability (lack of a control group, and the concurrent standard medical treatment for diabetes, which may have also accounted for improvements), the authors made no claims of statistical significance. However, they said, “These limitations notwithstanding, the authors believe there is sufficient evidence to support that this alternative health practice holds promise for this population and warrants further study.” They continued, “The results of this research project support the need to integrate holistic health concepts and practices into rural area health-care systems.”

- Source: Professor Gerald W. Vest, New Mexico State University of Social Work.
Originally published in Health & Social Work, 1997, Vol. 22, pp. 95-100

Subjects susceptible to motion sickness reported significantly fewer symptoms when wearing Acuband, a commercially available acupressure band, during a recent research study.

“Acupressure relieves the symptoms of motion sickness and reduces abnormal gastric activity,” was conducted by Robert M. Stern, Ph.D., a professor of psychology and head of the gastrointestinal psychology laboratory at Pennsylvania State University, along with students Michael D. Jokerst, Eric R. Muth and Chris Hollis. The study was published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine.

Twenty-five subjects, ages 18 to 22, were prescreened for susceptibility to motion sickness and randomly assigned to one of six possible orders in which they would be tested: once with Acuband on the wrist, once with Acuband on the arm and once with no Acuband at all. Each of the three sessions occurred at least one week apart.

Subjects were tested in a rotating optokinetic drum with black and white stripes covering the inner surface. Each subject sat on a stool inside the drum, with his or her chin on a chinrest. A camera was mounted inside the drum to make sure the subject’s eyes were open and looking straight ahead at the stripes. For the first eight minutes, the drum remained stationary while baseline data were recorded. The drum was then rotated at 10 revolutions per minute for 16 minutes, or until the subject requested that it be stopped.

At the start of each session, electrodes were attached to the subject’s skin over the stomach to record the level of gastric tachyarrhythmia, an abnormal gastric activity often associated with nausea. A strain gauge was placed around each subject’s chest to measure respiration, and subjects were asked to describe any motion sickness symptoms over an intercom every two minutes.
Before an Acuband-wrist session, the Acuband was placed between the two tendons on the wrist and three finger widths up from the wrist crease. Before an Acuband-arm session, the Acuband was positioned three finger widths down from the elbow crease on the top side of the forearm. Subjects were told to apply circular pressure on the button of the Acuband as soon as they began to experience any symptoms of motion sickness.

Eighteen of the 25 subjects (72 percent) reported fewer symptoms of motion sickness with Acuband on the wrist, as compared with no Acuband. Sixteen of the 25 subjects (64 percent) reported fewer symptoms of with Acuband on the forearm, as well.

The results of this study, according to its authors, “indicate that an Acuband worn on the wrist and on the forearm relieves the symptoms of motion sickness and reduces gastric tachyarrhythmia, the abnormal electrical activity of the stomach that is a reliable physiological marker of motion sickness.”

- Source: Pennsylvania State University Gastrointestinal Psychology Laboratory. Authors: Robert M. Stern, Ph.D.; Michael D. Jokerst, MS; Eric R. Muth, Ph.D.; Chris Hollis. Originally published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 2001, Vol. 7, pp. 91-94.

Acupressure reduced pain, anxiety and heart rate in victims of minor trauma before they reached the hospital, according to recent research.

The study, “Prehospital [sic] Analgesia with Acupressure in Victims of Minor Trauma: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blinded Trial,” was conducted by researchers at the University of Vienna Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, the Vienna Red Cross, and the Research Institute of the Vienna Red Cross.

Sixty people, ages 19 to 99, participated in the study once initial medical intervention, such as bandaging, was complete. They all suffered from similar small injuries, such as simple fractures, small wounds and contusions.

At the site of the accident, a paramedic measured victims’ blood pressure and heart rate, and asked them to rate their pain and anxiety on a scale of zero to 100. Subjects were also asked to rate their belief in acupressure as a treatment for pain. They were then assigned to one of three groups: true acupressure, sham acupressure or no acupressure.

Another paramedic performed the acupressure for approximately three minutes, then brought the subject to the ambulance. This paramedic was not aware that one of the acupressure treatments was false, but was instead told that the aim of the study was to compare two acupressure techniques using different points. Data collection was always performed by the other paramedic, in the absence of the one applying acupressure.

Upon arrival at the hospital, subjects were again asked to rate their pain and anxiety; blood pressure and heart rate were measured. Subjects were also asked to rate their overall satisfaction on a scale of zero to 100.
“After treatment the three groups differed in a highly significant way in pain, anxiety, and heart rate,” state the study’s authors.

In the true acupressure group, 89 percent of the subjects had a significant heart-rate reduction. This group also experienced a significant decrease in pain and anxiety, and had significantly better patient-satisfaction scores.

In the other two groups, measurements of pain and heart rate remained unchanged. Although there was a decrease in anxiety for both groups, it was not statistically significant. Belief in acupressure did not differ among the three groups.

“In summary,” state the study’s authors, “our results could show that acupressure is an effective and easy-to-learn treatment for pain in first aid and emergency trauma care. We recommend this technique for emergency physicians and also for nonacademic personnel, such as nurses, paramedics, firefighters, or emergency medical technicians.”

-Source: University of Vienna Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Vienna Red Cross, and the Research Institute of the Vienna Red Cross. Authors: Alexander Kober, M.D., Thomas Scheck, M.D., Manfred Greher, M.D., Frank Lieba, Roman Fleischhackl, Sabine Fleischhackl, Frederick Randunsky, and Klaus Hoerauf, M.D. Originally published in Anesthesia & Analgesia, 2002, Issue 95, pp. 723-727.