Posts for 'Acupressure' Category

Acupressure is the holding and stimulating of points on the body along meridians, or energy pathways. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the body is separated into 12 meridians, each corresponding to organ systems in the body.

Approximately 500 points lie along these energy pathways. These are the same points used in acupuncture, only finger pressure is used instead of needles.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, every meridian corresponded to an organ system and an element that helped to balance the body, mind, and spirit. Every point along every meridian had a name and a unique story associated with it.

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Acupressure is the holding and stimulating of points on the body along meridians, or energy pathways. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the body is separated into 12 meridians, each corresponding to organ systems in the body. Approximately 500 points lie along these energy pathways. These are the same points used in acupuncture, only finger pressure is used instead of needles.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, every meridian corresponded to an organ system and an element that helped to balance the body, mind, and spirit. Every point along every meridian had a name and a unique story associated with it.

Acupressure can be very effective for relaxation, stress reduction, and balancing the body’s energy. Release Points can also be stimulated on the face, head, neck, and shoulders - to release sinus pressure, speed healing of headaches and shoulder/neck tension. You can choose to have an entire session of acupressure (where you are fully clothed), or request it as a compliment to a massage or Reiki session.

TRIALS TO TEST ACUPRESSURE wrist bands as a drug-free alternative treatment for nausea caused by chemotherapy will be conducted in the UK by the University of Liverpool in collaboration with the University of Manchester, Salford University, and the University of Plymouth.

Such wrist bands have been shown to reduce the symptoms of travel sickness by applying force to the Nei Kuan pressure point on each wrist. The current study will measure the cost and clinical effectiveness of the acupressure wrist bands in reducing this chemotherapy-related nausea and will include more than 700 patients at nine National Health Service cancer centers.

A wide range of patients undergoing chemotherapy for different types of cancer will be evaluated by a team led by Professor Mari Lloyd-Williams, from the University's Academic Palliative and Supportive Care Studies Group, in an effort to determine which patient groups would realize the most benefit from the device.

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Acupressure is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) technique based on the same ideas as acupuncture. Acupressure involves placing physical pressure by hand, elbow, or with the aid of various devices on different acupuncture points on the surface of the body. Traditional Chinese Medicine does not usually operate within a scientific paradigm but some practioners make efforts to bring practices into an evidence-based medicine framework.

There is no scientific consensus over whether or not evidence supports efficacy of acupressure beyond a placebo. Reviews of existing clinical trials have been conducted by the Cochrane Collaboration and Bandolier according to the protocols of evidence-based medicine; for most conditions they have concluded a lack of effectiveness or lack of well-conducted clinical trials.

The points used may or may not be in the same area of the body as the targeted symptom. The TCM theory for the selection of such points and their effectiveness is that they work by stimulating the meridian system to bring about relief by rebalancing yin, yang and qi.

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When the face in your mirror has pouches under the eyes and puffy skin, you can help restore your appearance by eating the right foods, cutting down on salt and applying acupressure daily, writes Zhang Qian.Traditional Chinese beauties have oval-shaped faces, smooth, taut skin and bright eyes - the dream of every woman.Yet, improper diet and lack of sleep can easily rob them of their beauty, by causing dark pouches under the eyes, puffy and slack skin. Some women resort to expensive plastic surgery, but traditional Chinese medicine can help to restore your face in a much easier way - eating a healthy diet and applying acupressure.Whether you are young or older, eating the right foods, cutting down on salt, avoiding cold and massaging acupressure points on your face daily will improve your appearance.Many women see a puffy face and eyes in the mirror almost every morning. Sometimes the symptoms disappear in a few hours, but for some people they persist. As we age, the eye area also darkens but it can be lightened by acupressure that improves circulation.The main cause of a puffy face is actually similar to that of excess fat (mentioned in a previous column) - a weak spleen or digestive system that cannot efficiently eliminate excess water.The retained water oozes back to the skin's surface, resulting in puffiness.Slack skin, of course, is also caused by aging as the skin loses its elasticity.But more damaging than spleen problems (in TCM, spleen refers to the entire digestive system) are unhealthy eating habits and lifestyle. These play a major role in the puffiness retained-water problem.There are three main causes of excess water retention: too much salt; too much pressure and too little sleep; long-term exposure to a cold environment and eating cold foods (both cold in temperature and cold in "yin" energy).Excessive salt is a well-known cause of water retention. Psychological pressure, too much work and lack of rest will slow the metabolism. Exposure to cold for long periods reduces blood circulation, resulting in water retention.Besides, puffiness and dark pouches under the eyes are also linked with menstrual periods.Therefore, eating a fairly bland (not spicy) diet with little salt and sugar is important.Avoiding cold foods can help the stomach and spleen work properly.Foods rich in calcium such as apples, hyacinth beans, and bean products promote circulation and act as diuretics. Regular eating, rest and work sets up the regular work of the digestive system.Acupressure also promotes blood circulation and cell metabolism in the face: this reduces accumulated fat and water and helps tighten the muscles and skin. Here are some suggestions. The "sunken spots" mentioned are tiny indentations between facial bones. Massage these spots at least once a day for a minute or two - Any time, day or night.

 When the face in your mirror has pouches under the eyes and puffy skin, you can help restore your appearance by eating the right foods, cutting down on salt and applying acupressure daily, writes Zhang Qian.Traditional Chinese beauties have oval-shaped faces, smooth, taut skin and bright eyes - the dream of every woman.Yet, improper diet and lack of sleep can easily rob them of their beauty, by causing dark pouches under the eyes, puffy and slack skin. Some women resort to expensive plastic surgery, but traditional Chinese medicine can help to restore your face in a much easier way - eating a healthy diet and applying acupressure.Whether you are young or older, eating the right foods, cutting down on salt, avoiding cold and massaging acupressure points on your face daily will improve your appearance.Many women see a puffy face and eyes in the mirror almost every morning. Sometimes the symptoms disappear in a few hours, but for some people they persist. As we age, the eye area also darkens but it can be lightened by acupressure that improves circulation.The main cause of a puffy face is actually similar to that of excess fat (mentioned in a previous column) - a weak spleen or digestive system that cannot efficiently eliminate excess water.The retained water oozes back to the skin's surface, resulting in puffiness.Slack skin, of course, is also caused by aging as the skin loses its elasticity.But more damaging than spleen problems (in TCM, spleen refers to the entire digestive system) are unhealthy eating habits and lifestyle. These play a major role in the puffiness retained-water problem.There are three main causes of excess water retention: too much salt; too much pressure and too little sleep; long-term exposure to a cold environment and eating cold foods (both cold in temperature and cold in "yin" energy).Excessive salt is a well-known cause of water retention. Psychological pressure, too much work and lack of rest will slow the metabolism. Exposure to cold for long periods reduces blood circulation, resulting in water retention.Besides, puffiness and dark pouches under the eyes are also linked with menstrual periods.Therefore, eating a fairly bland (not spicy) diet with little salt and sugar is important.Avoiding cold foods can help the stomach and spleen work properly.Foods rich in calcium such as apples, hyacinth beans, and bean products promote circulation and act as diuretics. Regular eating, rest and work sets up the regular work of the digestive system.Acupressure also promotes blood circulation and cell metabolism in the face: this reduces accumulated fat and water and helps tighten the muscles and skin. Here are some suggestions. The "sunken spots" mentioned are tiny indentations between facial bones. Massage these spots at least once a day for a minute or two - Any time, day or night.

This traditional Chinese medicine practice, is based on the same thoughts as that of acupuncture. Acupressure is applied by placing physical pressure either through hands, elbow or with the help of various traditional and modern devices on different points of the body surface.Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) does not work within any scientific standard but some of the professionals formulate hard work to bring practices into a facts based medicinal framework. There is no scientific consent over whether or not proof supports the effectiveness of acupressure beyond a placebo (non-specific effects or subject-expectancy effects). According to the protocols of evidence-based medicine, existing clinical trials’ reviews conducted by the Cochrane Collaboration and Bandolier concluded that a lack of effectiveness or lack of well-conducted clinical trials.Acupoints used in the acupressure treatment may be in the same area of the body as the targeted symptom, but it may not always be the same. The TCM theory for the selection of such points and their effectiveness is that they work by stimulating the meridian system to bring about relief by rebalancing yin, yang and qi. The combinations of points are said to be used to manipulate or incapacitate an opponent. For e.g. martial artists massage their own acupressure points regularly in order to remove blockage from their own meridians, which in turn enhance their blood circulation and flexibility and keeping the points "soft" or less susceptible to an attack.Acupressure might work by means of release of endogenous opioid analgesics such as encephalin, endorphin causing reduction of pain. Acupressure is considered as a safe form of therapy and its side effects are rare.

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The products: Roller coasters, pregnancies and cancer drugs have one thing in common: They're all proven ways to get that queasy feeling. Once your stomach starts churning, you'll welcome relief wherever you can find it -- including, perhaps, the underside of your wrist.Thousands of years ago, the Chinese started using acupressure to treat nausea. They would firmly press a spot just below the wrist -- known as the P6 point -- until the queasiness passed. Even today, a Chinese bus careening around winding roads will be full of passengers practicing acupressure on the fly.In this country, the acupressure remedy for nausea has entered the modern age (which is another way to say that it involves a gadget and can cost you money). For about $10, you can buy a pair of Acuband or Sea-Band wristbands that claim to ease queasiness courtesy of a hard knob that, when positioned properly, sits over the acupressure target. The bands are widely available in drugstores, often next to the Dramamine.The claims: Ads and packaging for both Acuband and Sea-Band claim that the wristbands can relieve nausea caused by motion sickness, morning sickness and chemotherapy. Ads for Acuband say you'll "never again be unprepared for the effects of nausea." The packaging for Sea-Band promises "effective relief . . . without causing drowsiness or other side effects."The bottom line: Whether you wear a wristband or simply press the P6 point with your thumb, acupressure really can help ease motion sickness, morning sickness and nausea that follows chemotherapy, says Robert Stern, a professor of psychology at Penn State University who studies motion sickness and nausea. In a study published in 2001, for example, Stern and colleagues tested Acuband wristbands on subjects who had endured a session in a stomach-churning machine that uses spinning images to trigger motion sickness. As advertised, the bands helped fend off queasiness.

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Thousands of years ago, the Chinese started using acupressure to treat nausea. They would firmly press a spot just below the wrist -- known as the P6 point -- until the queasiness passed. Even today, a Chinese bus careening around winding roads will be full of passengers practicing acupressure on the fly.The Sea-Band brand acupressure wristband. (Gary Friedman / LAT)The Sea-Band brand acupressure wristband. (Gary Friedman / LAT)In this country, the acupressure remedy for nausea has entered the modern age (which is another way to say that it involves a gadget and can cost you money). For about $10, you can buy a pair of Acuband or Sea-Band wristbands that claim to ease queasiness courtesy of a hard knob that, when positioned properly, sits over the acupressure target. The bands are widely available in drugstores, often next to the Dramamine.The claims: Ads and packaging for both Acuband and Sea-Band claim that the wristbands can relieve nausea caused by motion sickness, morning sickness and chemotherapy. Ads for Acuband say you'll "never again be unprepared for the effects of nausea." The packaging for Sea-Band promises "effective relief . . . without causing drowsiness or other side effects."

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Gentle fingertips are strategically placed on the patient's body, separated only by a thin sheet. The room is still as the practitioner's focus becomes apparent in her furrowed brow. A throbbing pulse quickens, felt simultaneously at separate points, until a flowing energy dominates the atmosphereColleen Foye Bollen, however, refers to her practice as Jin Shin Jyutsu.The method, a type of acupressure, is an ancient Japanese form of healing that adherents say uses touch to harmonize life energy with the body.By applying her hands to specific points on a patient's body, Bollen, a certified Jin Shin Jyutsu practitioner, becomes a channel through which energy flows and balances the receiver of the treatment."Most practitioners don't see themselves as doing the healing but rather acting as the jumper cables," she said.Jin Shin Jyutsu, which roughly translates as "the art of the creator expressed through knowing and compassionate man," identifies 26 points, or safety energy locks, that are arranged in pairs on each side of the body. These are used to "unlock" energy that may be stagnated. Bollen keeps her hands on a pair of points until they pulsate at the same rate.

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