Acupressure Self-Help Techniques
Posted by Mindprompts at 12/25/2009 9:57 AM 
Categories: Techniques
Tags: self-help acupressure energy chakras meridians chi
Categories: Techniques
Tags: self-help acupressure energy chakras meridians chi
The Chinese therapy of acupunture has been practiced for 5,000 years. Acupressure is a more recent development that incorporates stimulation of the acupuncture points using your fingertips or palm of the hand as a way to reduce or eliminate body pain, increase energy and improve overall health. There are a number of ways to stimulate an acupressure point. Here are some of the more common techniques.
(1) To stimulate an acupressure point, use a rotary motion with the ball of the thumb. This works best for acupressure points on the chest, abdomen, low back and limbs. (If you have a weak thumb, you can use the third finger and brace it with the index finger and thumb.) To apply the pressure, place the thumb perpendicular to the acupressure point.
(2) If you are applying pressure on the head or neck, as well as the legs or chest, you will place the thumb horizontally to the acupressure point and use a back-and-forth motion.
(3) You will use a rotary motion with the side of the thumb and nail for acupressure points along the ribs or on the abdomen.
(4) Pressure with the palm of your hand is often used for acupressure points on the belly.
(5) Multiple fingers are used for acupressure points on the neck, head, legs and low back.
(6) The skin can also be shaken by grasping the skin gently between the thumb and index finger and vibrating the skin.
(7) Muscles in the neck may be grasped and shaken vigorously.
(8) Skin of the legs can be squeezed between the fingertips and moved gently back and forth.
(9) Skin and muscles of the shoulders and neck can also be compressed.
(10) Muscles can also be grasped and rolled in a circular motion.
(11) Another technique is to tap the acupressure point using the fist, a knuckle, the palm of the hand, or finger (this technique should not be used on children.)
(12) Rubbing the acupressure point consists of a gentle back-and-forth scrubbing motion with the thumb, finger or palm of the hand.
(13) A two-handed palm rub can be used for the low back and legs.
(14) The clenched fist method is rocked gently on the acupressure area.
(15) The acupressure area can also be pinched by catching the skin between the thumb and index finger with a quick nip along the course of a muscle or body part.
To apply pressure start by putting the ball of the thumb firmly on the skin and press down then use a rotary motion with the thumb. If you want to stimulate the area, make a rotary spiral from 1/2 inch outside of the area with diminishing circles toward the target acupressure point using a light, soft pressure.
To sedate an area, dissipate local tension and metabolic waste start on the point of pain and make ever-widening circles using a deep, slow pressure with the ball of the thumb.
If you are using the palm of the hand, simply make flat contact with the palm down. Oscillate the hand in a gentle vibrato. If over the abdomen, use a firm, deep pressure.
If you are using the slapping or rubbing technique, a cupped fist is often applied to the head and on heavy muscles; however, it is advisable to use a gentle stimulation of the flat of the hand, slapping the skin to innervate the delicate meridians just below the surface.
After the rotary motion, put steady pressure on the same area but never exceed seven seconds. Pressure should be neither harsh nor hard. (You should not cause the area to bruise.) As a guide, apply the same amount of pressure you would apply to your eyeball without discomfort. Source: Acupuncture Without Needles by J.V. Cerney
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(1) To stimulate an acupressure point, use a rotary motion with the ball of the thumb. This works best for acupressure points on the chest, abdomen, low back and limbs. (If you have a weak thumb, you can use the third finger and brace it with the index finger and thumb.) To apply the pressure, place the thumb perpendicular to the acupressure point.
(2) If you are applying pressure on the head or neck, as well as the legs or chest, you will place the thumb horizontally to the acupressure point and use a back-and-forth motion.
(3) You will use a rotary motion with the side of the thumb and nail for acupressure points along the ribs or on the abdomen.
(4) Pressure with the palm of your hand is often used for acupressure points on the belly.
(5) Multiple fingers are used for acupressure points on the neck, head, legs and low back.
(6) The skin can also be shaken by grasping the skin gently between the thumb and index finger and vibrating the skin.
(7) Muscles in the neck may be grasped and shaken vigorously.
(8) Skin of the legs can be squeezed between the fingertips and moved gently back and forth.
(9) Skin and muscles of the shoulders and neck can also be compressed.
(10) Muscles can also be grasped and rolled in a circular motion.
(11) Another technique is to tap the acupressure point using the fist, a knuckle, the palm of the hand, or finger (this technique should not be used on children.)
(12) Rubbing the acupressure point consists of a gentle back-and-forth scrubbing motion with the thumb, finger or palm of the hand.
(13) A two-handed palm rub can be used for the low back and legs.
(14) The clenched fist method is rocked gently on the acupressure area.
(15) The acupressure area can also be pinched by catching the skin between the thumb and index finger with a quick nip along the course of a muscle or body part.
To apply pressure start by putting the ball of the thumb firmly on the skin and press down then use a rotary motion with the thumb. If you want to stimulate the area, make a rotary spiral from 1/2 inch outside of the area with diminishing circles toward the target acupressure point using a light, soft pressure.
To sedate an area, dissipate local tension and metabolic waste start on the point of pain and make ever-widening circles using a deep, slow pressure with the ball of the thumb.
If you are using the palm of the hand, simply make flat contact with the palm down. Oscillate the hand in a gentle vibrato. If over the abdomen, use a firm, deep pressure.
If you are using the slapping or rubbing technique, a cupped fist is often applied to the head and on heavy muscles; however, it is advisable to use a gentle stimulation of the flat of the hand, slapping the skin to innervate the delicate meridians just below the surface.
After the rotary motion, put steady pressure on the same area but never exceed seven seconds. Pressure should be neither harsh nor hard. (You should not cause the area to bruise.) As a guide, apply the same amount of pressure you would apply to your eyeball without discomfort. Source: Acupuncture Without Needles by J.V. Cerney
To visit our web site click here.
For a down loadable e book of previous blog postings click here.
Cool,
Great information about acupressure,
Thanks for writing, most people don't bother.
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