Acupressure for Life

reference from :http://www.geocities.com/jrh_iii/acupressure/acupoints.html
History of acupressure

Chinese medicine has developed acupuncture, acupressure, herbal remedies, diet, exercise, lifestyle changes, and other remedies as part of its healing methods. Nearly all of the forms of Oriental medicine that are used in the West today, including acupuncture, acupressure, shiatsu, and Chinese herbal medicine, have their roots in Chinese medicine. Acupressure is the non-invasive form of acupuncture. The goal with Acupressure is to learn the points that will produce the Healing Response for the conditions we want to fix.

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Acupuncture is based on the theory that there is an invisible force or energy in nature that the Chinese call qi. In a manner similar to blood circulation, qi flows to each cell via a complex network of pathways usually called `channels` or`meridians`. If qi gets stuck, it causes an imbalance as upstream cells are flooded with too much qi and downstream cells receive too little. Acupuncture points are those spots where qi has the greatest tendency to get stuck; hence stimulating them with needles (acupuncture) or finger pressure (acupressure) helps free stuck qi and restore normal circulation. Once normal qi circulation is restored, the cells eventually return to their normal, healthy state.

For most of us, troubled times are a crisis which we would like to get over with as soon as possible and move on. For some, however, they are the trigger to finding a much larger purpose in life.

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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

To stimulate an acupoint properly, you must apply deep probing pressure. Therefore, only apply pressure with:

Finger Tip	Knuckle	Pencil Eraser

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

The figures and text give the approximate location of a point. 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.

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 three or four times, lesser each time.

REMEMBER: IF YOU HAVE A SEVERE OR PERSISTENT
PROBLEM, SEE YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

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.

Once you are familiar with using acupressure on yourself you can try it on others, but be cautious. Most states have laws against the practice of remedial massage, or medicine of any kind, without a license. I suggest that you only attempt to use it on your family and friends.

When you do use it on others, be cautious of the warnings listed. Also, be sure to explain what you are doing and what they can expect. Remember that 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.

AcuGuide The Beginner’s Guide to Acupressure Be sure to read the Warnings Items marked (M) indicate likely need for medical attention. Items marked (EM!) indicate potential need for emergency medical attention. 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. A Abdomen— Lower: 9,5,6,2,20 — Upper: 5,6 Allergies: 8,14,24 Ankle: 4,5,6,1,30,18,20,21 Arm: 8,3,2,34,12,17,27 Armpit: 2,12 Anxiety:11,15,21 Asthma (M): 7,14,12 B Backache— General:9,4,5,6,17,21,24,25,27 — Lower: 4,5,6,21 — Upper: 17,25,27,9,4 Bioenergy control — Fear: 3,6,11,15,31,19,21 —Energy: 35,13,6 — Hunger: 5,6 — Memory: 7,2 — Sleep: 20 — Smoking: 5,6,2,14 — Warmth: 17,27 Bites: 33 Bladder: 9,28 Bleeding (EM!): 3,6,1,33,34 Blisters: 8,1 Breasts: 17 Breath control: 33 Breathing, labored (EM!): 12 Bronchitis: 7,14 Bruises: 34 Burns (EM!): 8,4,28 Bursitis: 14 C “Charlie Horse” cramps: 4Chest (EM!): 3,2,1,7 Cholera (M): 8,3,13,6,30,16 Claustrophobia: 12 Colds and influenza: 8,3,6,1,7,16,21,23 Colitis: 7,5,6,28 Concussion (EM!): 7,1,12,33, followed in 10 minutes with34 Conjunctivitis: 7,1,12,23 Constipation: 13,5,20,36 Cough: 7,3,6,2,14,12,33,16,36 Cramps, menstrual: 13,5,2,15 Cramps, muscular: 30,31 Cystitis: 5,28,36 D Dental work: 11,15 Depression (M): 6 Diabetes mellitus (M): 13,5,6,14,33 Diarrhea: 5,6,2,15 Dizziness: 2,36 Dysentery (M): 5,6,2,15 E Ear: 3,1Edema: 5,6 Elbow: 8,3,2,14,1,27 Electric shock (EM!): 34 Epilepsy, epileptic seizure (EM!): 2,36 Exhaustion: 12,34 Eye: 23,8,1,7,30,26 F Face: 8,3,4,1,7Fainting (EM!): 10,11 Fatigue: 6,34 Fear: 3,6,11,15,15,19,21 Fever: 3,10,15,26 Fingers: 10,3,2,1,12 Flatulence: 5,6,22 Foot: 4,5,6,1,30,18,20,21 Forearm: 8,2,10,1,12 G Gall bladder: 7,5,6,1Gastrointestinal system: 5,6,1 Gingivitis: 1 Genitourinary: 13,30,31,20 H Hand: 3,2,10,1,12Hangover: 5,6,18 Headaches — Anxiety/tension: 11,15,21 — Base of skull/neck: 27,17,8,1,16 — General: 1,7,3,4,6,2,10,11,20,21,26 — Migraine: 7,1,26,12 — Severe: 26,21,1,3,7,4,6,2,10 — Sinus: 7,10,1,18,24,32 — Top of head: 21,1,3,7,4,6,2,10,11 Head, injury or pain (EM!): 7,8,3,6,2,10,1,11,34,21,27 Heart attack (EM!): 3,2,1,11,18, Heartburn: 2,11 Heat rash: 8,6,1 Hemorrhoids: 4,36,25 Hernia: 5,6,20 Hiccough: 13,2,35 Hip: 4,5,6 Hives/Rash: 8,16 Hunger: 5,6 Hypertension (M): 9,3,13,15,21,25 Hyperventilation: 14 Hypotension (M): 15 Hysteria (M): 11 I Impetego, eczema: 8,9,4,5Indigestion: 5,6,18 Insomnia: 13,2,11,12,31,18 J Jaundice (M): 2,16Jaw, lower: 7,3,4,1 K Kidneys (M): 21,33Knee: 9 L Laryngitis: 7,14,10,1Leg: 9,4,5,6 Lightheadedness: 19 Lips: 1 Liver (M): 30 Lumbago: 7,9,4,5,6,14,1,28 Lungs: 7 M Memory: 7,2Meningitis (M): 10 Menstruation: 13,5,2,15,31,20 Mental disturbance: 6,15,35 Motion sickness: 5,6,2 Mouth: 1,33,36 Mumps (M): 4,1 N Nasal congestion: 7,10,1,19,32Nausea: 5,6,12 Neck: 7,8,1,34,16,17,31,24,27 Nervousness: 1,30,31 Neuralgia: 4 Nosebleed: 7,9,1,16,19,22 O Ovaries and uterus: 8,13,5,6 P Paralysis (EM!): 3,16,29Penis: 20,13,5,6 Pleurisy (EM!): 7,3,2,1,16 Pneumonia (EM!): 7,6,14,1 Poison ivy: 8,3 Poisoning by mouth (EM!): 1,12,28 Poisoning, carbon monoxide (EM!): 3,12 Poisoning, food (EM!): 12 Prostate: 13,5,6,33,28 R Rectum: 4,28,36Respiratory system: 7,2,14,1 Restlessness: 11,15 S Sciatica: 9,4,5,6,28,2,4,25Sea sickness: 2,6 Sedation, tranquilization: 1,30 Seizure (EM!): 2 Sex organs: 8,13,5,6,20 Shock (EM!): 2,11,12,34,27 Shortness of breath (EM!): 12 Shoulder: 7,8,3,2,14,1,34,17,31 Sinusitis: 7,10,1,18,24,32 Skin: 8,9,3 Sleep control: 20 Small intestine: 5,6 Smoking control: 5,6,2,14,35 Sneezing: 14,24 Spleen, pancreas: 6 Sprains: 4 Stings: 33 (right side only) Stomach: 8,5,6,2 Strains, muscular: 4 Stricture of urine: 30,31,20,21 Stroke (EM!): 2,33,34 Sunstroke (EM!): 10 Sweating: 9,1 T Tachycardia, racing heart (EM!): 6,11,19Temper: 11,31 Testicles: 4,5,6 Thigh: 9 Thirst: 12 Throat: 10,7,3,14,1,12,33,36 Tongue: 1 Tonsillitis: 9,3,10,1,18 Toothache: 4,1,18,22 U Ulcers, intestinal: 3,5,6Ulcers, peptic: 5,6 Unconsciousness (EM!): 20,10,12,33 (left side only),34 Urinary control, temporary: 28 Uterus and ovaries: 8,13,5,6 V Vertigo (M): 4,2,28,21,36Vomiting/retching (M): 5,6,13,2,15,12,16 W Warmth control: 17,27Whiplash (M): 7,8,4,1 Wounds (EM!): 4,34,28,18,20 Wrist: 7,3,12 Y Yawning control: 7 Acupoint # 1 To find this point, squeeze the thumb and forefinger together, forming a ridge just above the thumb. The point is in the middle of the ridge, just above the end of the crease formed by the thumb and forefinger. This point is good for most problems dealing with the waist up. [ back to top ] Acupoint # 2 This point is located two thumb widths from the largest crease on the inside wrist. The point is between the tendons in the middle of the wrist. [ back to top ] Acupoint # 3 This point is found two thumb widths above the outside of the wrist. It is lined up with the middle finger. [ back to top ] Acupoint # 4 This point is found in the depression just behind the outer anklebone. [ back to top ] Acupoint # 5 This point is located one palm width above the tip of the inner anklebone on the back side of the shinbone. [ back to top ] Acupoint # 6 This point is located one palm width below the bottom edge of the kneecap, on the outside. It lies in a depression between the shinbone and the leg muscle. It is effective for most problems involving the waist down. [ back to top ] Acupoint # 7 To find this point, clasp your hands together as in (A), touching your upper wrist with your forefinger. The point is found on a line with the thumb in a small depression (B). Remember the position of the point, unclasp your hands, and apply pressure. [ back to top ] Acupoint # 8 To find this point, bend your arm and lay your hand on your shoulder. Place your finger on the end of the crease of the arm, open your arm, and stimulate the point. [ back to top ] Acupoint # 9 This point can be found between the two ligaments behind the knee. It is on the crease formed when the leg is bent. Do not use this point if you have varicose veins. [ back to top ] Acupoint # 10 This point is located just behind the thumbnail on the side opposite the fingers. [ back to top ] Acupoint # 11 This point is located on the largest crease of the inner wrist. It is on a line with the little finger. [ back to top ] Acupoint # 12 This point is located on the largest crease of the inner wrist. It is on a line with the thumb. [ back to top ] Acupoint # 13 This point is located one palm width below the navel. Another point with similar effects can be found two thumb widths below this one. [ back to top ] Acupoint # 14 This point is located on the crease of the inside of the elbow on the thumb side. [ back to top ] Acupoint # 15 This point is located on the middle finger just above the nail. It is on the side closest to the thumb. [ back to top ] Acupoint # 16 This point can be found between the two most prominent bones of the top of the spine. [ back to top ] Acupoint # 17 This point is found on top of the shoulder. It is located half way between the neck and the outside of the shoulder. [ back to top ] Acupoint # 18 This point is located just behind the nail of the second toe on the side opposite the big toe. [ back to top ] Acupoint # 19 This point can be found on either side of the location where the spine meets the skull. [ back to top ] Acupoint # 20 This point is located on the big toe on the side closer to the second toe. It is just behind and slightly to the side of the nail. [ back to top ] Acupoint # 21 This point is located in the middle of the sole of the foot, just behind the ball. [ back to top ] Acupoint # 22 This point can be found just above the location where the second and third toes separate. [ back to top ] Acupoint # 23 This point is located below the brow ridge at the corner of the eye nearer the bridge of the nose. It is just below a notch in the skull. [ back to top ] Acupoint # 24 This point can be found just below or inside the eyebrow, near the middle. Feel for a notch in the eyebrow ridge. The point should be just slightly above this. [ back to top ] Acupoint # 25 This point is located on the back. It is on a line with the elbows about two thumb widths on either side of the spine. [ back to top ] Acupoint # 26 To find this point, pinch the nostril on the side opposite the septum. It is a good point for severe headaches. [ back to top ] Acupoint # 27 This point is located slightly to the back of the muscle which goes from neck to shoulder. It is a little closer to the arm than to the neck. [ back to top ] Acupoint # 28 This point can be found on the outside of the foot, slightly to the rear of the last knucklebone on the smallest toe. [ back to top ] Acupoint # 29 This point is located on the back of the jawbone just below the ear. [ back to top ] Acupoint # 30 This point can be found two thumb widths above the location where the big toe and the second toe separate. It is on the upper surface of the foot. [ back to top ] Acupoint # 31 This point is located just above where the big toe and the second toe separate. It is on the upper surface of the foot. [ back to top ] Acupoint # 32 This point is located on the cheek next to the outside of the nostril. [ back to top ] Acupoint # 33 This point can be found behind the inner anklebone. It is on a line between the crown and the tip of the knee. [ back to top ] Acupoint # 34 This point is located on the tip of the shoulder. To locate it, pick your arm up and look for a dimple towards the back of the shoulder. Put your finger in the dimple, lower your arm, and begin to stimulate the point. [ back to top ] Acupoint # 35 This point is located on the center of the chest just below the bottom of the sternum (breast bone). [ back to top ] Acupoint # 36 This point can be found two palm widths plus one thumb width above the outer ankle bone. It is just behind an imaginary vertical line from the tip of the ankle bone. [ back to top ]

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