Acupressure Relaxation Immunity Booster Techniques 10 June 2009

Acupressure Relaxation & Immunity Booster Techniques 10 June 2009 Acupressure 1

Definition of Acupressure is a natural science, philosophy and a rational method of therapy based on an inbuilt mechanism provided in the human body by the Nature. • The word ‘acupressure’ has two parts, ‘acu’ and ‘pressure’. • Acu means needle (or minute points like the tip of a needle) and ‘pressure’ means to press (with the help of thumb, fingers or any other object). • Acupressure refers to a therapy wherein pressure is applied at specified locations of therapeutic value in the human body (acu points) to heal diseases. 10 June 2009 Acupressure http: //www. acusansthan-ald. org/index. php? Page. URL=chinese_meridianst google search - acupressure 2

Basic Principle of Acupressure seeks to cure diseases by restoring the imbalance of energy flow in the human body. As per the basic principle of therapy, energy is constantly flowing in the human body along defined pathways known as meridians. A disease occurs if this energy flow becomes excess or deficient, gets impeded or counter-flows due to various external or internal factors. 10 June 2009 Acupressure http: //www. acusansthan-ald. org/index. php? Page. URL=chinese_meridianst 3

Basic Principle of Acupressure A number of points known as acu points are located along these meridians and control the flow of energy on these pathways, just the way electrical switches/regulators control the flow of current in a circuit. Stimulation of these acu points with pressure using specific techniques corrects the energy imbalance along a meridian and the disease gets cured. Meridian Theory of Acupressure 10 June 2009 Acupressure http: //www. acusansthan-ald. org/index. php? Page. URL=chinese_meridianst 4

Sujok Acupressure In classical acupressure, acu points are found on the entire body at various locations from head to the toe. In the year 1987, Prof. Park Jae Woo of Korea established that the human hands and the feet are replica of the entire body & exact correspondence of body acu points exists on the hands/feet. It is thus possible to practice acupressure solely on the hands or feet. google search – acupressure sujok http: //www. acusansthan-ald. org/index. php? Page. URL=chinese_meridianst 10 June 2009 Acupressure 5 J. P. Agarwal, K. C. Goyal and G. Garg, “Su-Jok Acupressure”, Acupressure Research, Training and Treatment Sansthan, Allahabad, U. P. , India (2006).

Sujok Acupressure It is thus possible to practice acupressure solely on the hands or feet. Sujok is a Korean word meaning hands (su) and feet (jok) and sujok acupressure refers to acupressure using acu points on the hands and the feet. 10 June 2009 Acupressure 6 J. P. Agarwal, K. C. Goyal and G. Garg, “Su-Jok Acupressure”, Acupressure Research, Training and Treatment Sansthan, Allahabad, U. P. , India (2006).

Location of different parts of Body in the Hand Page 38 10 June 2009 Acupressure 7 J. P. Agarwal, K. C. Goyal and G. Garg, “Su-Jok Acupressure”, Acupressure Research, Training and Treatment Sansthan, Allahabad, U. P. , India (2006).

Thumb is Head 10 June 2009 Acupressure 8 J. P. Agarwal, K. C. Goyal and G. Garg, “Su-Jok Acupressure”, Acupressure Research, Training and Treatment Sansthan, Allahabad, U. P. , India (2006). Page 39

Basic Principle of Visualizing Body in the Hand 10 June 2009 Acupressure 9 J. P. Agarwal, K. C. Goyal and G. Garg, “Su-Jok Acupressure”, Acupressure Research, Training and Treatment Sansthan, Allahabad, U. P. , India (2006). Page 12

Basic Principle of Visualizing Body in the Foot 10 June 2009 Acupressure 10 J. P. Agarwal, K. C. Goyal and G. Garg, “Su-Jok Acupressure”, Acupressure Research, Training and Treatment Sansthan, Allahabad, U. P. , India (2006). Page 13

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Reflexology techniques for normal health 10 June 2009 Acupressure 12

Reflexology techniques for normal health 1. Walking barefoot on rough or uneven ground for at least five minutes everyday 2. Walking on dew-drenched grass early in the morning for about five to ten minutes images. google. com search – walking barefoot on grass images. google. com search –walking barefoot on gravel 10 June 2009 Acupressure http: //www. bestonhealth. com/travel/india/health%20 centers/acupressure 2. asp? id=43 13

Reflexology techniques for normal health 3. Hold the fingertips of both the hands together as sown in the figure. Fingers should be kept apart While inhaling, press the tips of the fingers of one hand against the fingertips of the other hand While exhaling, release the pressure Continue for about two to three minutes. Repeat this up to two times a day 10 June 2009 images. google. com search - fingertips press Acupressure http: //www. bestonhealth. com/travel/india/health%20 centers/acupressure 2. asp? id=43 14

Reflexology techniques for normal health 4. Interlock the fingers. Hold the hands in front of the chest While inhaling, press the fingers of left hand against the right hand While exhaling, release the pressure While inhaling, press the fingers of right hand against the left hand While exhaling, release the pressure Continue for two to three minutes Repeat twice a day 10 June 2009 images. google. com search –fingers interlocked Acupressure http: //www. bestonhealth. com/travel/india/health%20 centers/acupressure 2. asp? id=43 15

Reflexology techniques for normal health 5. Clench your teeth firmly, with lips maximum apart Breathe in through the mouth, feeling the cool air entering the mouth Close the mouth and exhale slowly through the nose Continue for five to six times Repeat twice a day 10 June 2009 images. google. com search – teeth clenched Acupressure http: //www. bestonhealth. com/travel/india/health%20 centers/acupressure 2. asp? id=43 16

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Relaxation Techniques 10 June 2009 Acupressure 18

Relaxation techniques 1. Hold the left foot with both hands. Fingers of the hands should be on the top of the foot and thumbs of the hands should be on the padded part of the foot just below the toes Press the padded part of the foot just below the toes with the help of the thumbs of the hands for one minute images. google. com search – massage the foot bottom Repeat the same procedure for the right foot for one minute 10 June 2009 Acupressure http: //www. bestonhealth. com/travel/india/health%20 centers/acupressure 2. asp? id=43 19

Relaxation techniques 2. Hold the toes of the right foot with the right hand as shown in the figure. Hold the heel right foot with the left hand Rotate the right foot five times clockwise and five times anti-clockwise along with deep breathing images. google. com search – self massage the foot bottom Repeat the same procedure for the left foot 10 June 2009 Acupressure http: //www. bestonhealth. com/travel/india/health%20 centers/acupressure 2. asp? id=43 20

Relaxation techniques 3. Place the fingers on top of the left foot in such a way that a thumb supports the sole Move the fingers in small circular movements on the top and sides of the foot and the ankle. Continue for 30 seconds Hold the left foot with the left hand. Move the palm of the right hand over the sole of the left foot from the heel to the toes for 30 seconds images. google. com search – massage the foot bottom Repeat for the right foot 10 June 2009 Acupressure http: //www. bestonhealth. com/travel/india/health%20 centers/acupressure 2. asp? id=43 21

Relaxation techniques 4. Massage with small and gentle strokes the top and sides of the foot. Start from the ankle and move up towards the toes. Use both the thumbs and the palms of both the hands for massaging Continue for 30 seconds for one foot and then massage the other foot 10 June 2009 images. google. com search – self massage the foot bottom Acupressure http: //www. bestonhealth. com/travel/india/health%20 centers/acupressure 2. asp? id=43 22

Relaxation techniques 5. Place thumb in the reflex point of the solar plexus of the foot as shown in the figure. Place the fingers on the top of the foot Take a deep breath and hold the breath while pressing on the reflex point Release the breath as the pressure is released slowly Repeat two to three times for one foot and then change the foot Same procedure can be done in the palms of the hands also as shown in the figure 10 June 2009 images. google. com search – self massage the foot bottom Acupressure http: //www. bestonhealth. com/travel/india/health%20 centers/acupressure 2. asp? id=43 23

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Potent Points for Boosting the Immune System 10 June 2009 Acupressure 25

Potent Points for Boosting the Immune System 10 June 2009 Acupressure http: //www. acupressure. com/articles/immunesys. htm#top 26

Potent Point Exercises for Boosting the Immune System 10 June 2009 Acupressure 27

1 Potent Point Exercises Sit comfortably Firmly hold K 27: In order to clearly locate acu point – K 27, take a deep breath. K 27 is located inside the hollow directly below the protrusions of the collar bone and just outside your upper breast bone Inhale and place your middle and index fingers in the hollow (K 27) and press for at least 10 seconds. Exhale and release the pressure Continue for one minute 10 June 2009 Acupressure http: //www. acupressure. com/articles/immunesys. htm#top 28

2 Potent Point Exercises Sit on the tip of the chair Briskly rub B 23 and B 47: Acu points B 23 and B 47 are located in between the second (L 2) and third (L 3) lumbar vertebrae of the back bone. B 23 and B 47 are 2 and 4 finger widths, respectively from the spinal cord Place your palms against your lower back (i. e. against B 23 and B 47). Rub up and down for one minute, creating heat from friction 10 June 2009 Acupressure http: //www. acupressure. com/articles/immunesys. htm#top 29

2 Potent Point Exercises Caution Acu points B 23 and B 47 Do not press on disintegrating discs or fractured or broken bones If you have a weak back, a few minutes of stationary, light touching instead of pressure can be very healing 10 June 2009 Acupressure http: //www. acupressure. com/articles/immunesys. htm#top 30

3 Potent Point Exercises Sit back comfortably for the next step Firmly press CV 6: CV 6 is located two finger widths below the naval point (belly button). Place your fingertips in the center of your lower abdominal area, between your belly button and pubic bone (at CV 6). Close your eyes. Exhale fully and gradually press one to two inches deep inside the lower abdomen (at CV 6). Hold for at least 10 seconds. Inhale and release the pressure 10 June 2009 Continue for one minute Acupressure http: //www. acupressure. com/articles/immunesys. htm#top 31

4 Potent Point Exercises Briskly rub St 36: St 36 (Three Mile point) is located four finger widths below the knee cap and one finger width on the outside of your shinbone. Place your right heel (or thumb of the right hand) on St 36 of your left leg and briskly rub it up and down for one minute Repeat the same for right leg 10 June 2009 Acupressure http: //www. acupressure. com/articles/immunesys. htm#top 32

5 Potent Point Exercises K 3 Rub K 3 and then Lv 3: Acu point K 3 is located mid-way between the inside of the ankle bone and the Achilles tendon in the back of the ankle Place your right heel (or thumb of the right hand) at point K 3 of the left leg and rub for 30 seconds Continue to rub acu point Lv 3 as described in the next slide Caution 10 June 2009 Point K 3 should not be stimulated strongly after the third month of pregnancy Acupressure http: //www. acupressure. com/articles/immunesys. htm#top 33

5 Potent Point Exercises Rub K 3 and then Lv 3: Lv 3 is located on the top of the foot in the valley between the big toe and the second toe Use your right heel (or thumb of the right hand) to rub Lv 3 of the left leg for thirty seconds Repeat the above two procedures (rubbing K 3 and Lv 3) for the other leg 10 June 2009 Acupressure http: //www. acupressure. com/articles/immunesys. htm#top 34

6 Potent Point Exercises Briskly rub LI 11: Acu point LI 11 is located on the upper edge of the elbow crease With your arms bent in front of you and your palms down, place the palm side of your right fist on top of the elbow crease of your left hand. Briskly rub over the left elbow joint with your right palm for thirty seconds, creating heat Repeat for the other arm 10 June 2009 Acupressure http: //www. acupressure. com/articles/immunesys. htm#top 35

7 Potent Point Exercises Rub TW 5 and then LI 4: Acu point TW 5 is located on the outside of your forearm, two and a half finger widths from your wrist crease Make a fist with your right hand place it on TW 5 of the left hand. Briskly rub TW 5 for thirty seconds Continue to rub acu point LI 4 as described in the next slide 10 June 2009 Acupressure http: //www. acupressure. com/articles/immunesys. htm#top 36

7 Potent Point Exercises Rub TW 5 and then LI 4: Acu point LI 4 is located in the webbing between the thumb and the index finger, at the highest spot of the muscle, when the thumb and the index finger are joined together Place your right fist on LI 4 of your left hand. Use the knuckles of your right hand to briskly rub LI 4 point for 30 seconds Caution Point LI 4 is forbidden for pregnant women because its stimulation cause premature contractions in the uterus 10 June 2009 Repeat for the right arm also Acupressure http: //www. acupressure. com/articles/immunesys. htm#top 37

8 Potent Point Exercises Repeat steps 1 and 2: This will further boost your immune system Step 1 – acu point K 27 Step 2 – acu points B 23 and B 47 10 June 2009 Acupressure http: //www. acupressure. com/articles/immunesys. htm#top 38

9 Potent Point Exercises images. google. com search –fingers interlocked Press CV 17: Acu point CV 17 is located on the center of the breast bone, three thumb widths, up, from the base of the breast bone (at the level of your heart) Interlock your fingers. Keep your palms tightly together. Place the back of your thumbs firmly against your breast bone to press CV 17, at the level of your heart. CV 17 10 June 2009 Close your eyes. Concentrate on your breathing – take slow, even, deep breaths in your heart to completely dispel all anxiety Acupressure http: //www. acupressure. com/articles/immunesys. htm#top 39

10 Breathing Exercise for the Immune System • Remain in the posture in which you were pressing CV 17 • Focus on breathing deeply for two more minutes • Gently control your respiratory system, making each breath grow longer and deeper than the last one • Breathe out any tensions that you feel are restricting your lungs from moving fully and naturally • Feel that your mind is becoming clear with each breath 10 June 2009 Acupressure http: //www. acupressure. com/articles/immunesys. htm#top 40

10 Breathing Exercise for the Immune System • Notice the resistance your mind creates: the worries and judgments it comes up against • Take several deep breaths and dissolve these barriers • Breathe deeply and gently; remember, you are breathing in vital life force • Hold the breath at the top of the inhalation for a moment, and feel its fullness • Then exhale smoothly, letting your hands drift down into your lap, and relax, feeling the vitality of the breath circulate throughout your body 10 June 2009 Acupressure http: //www. acupressure. com/articles/immunesys. htm#top 41

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Potent Points for Relieving Colds and Flu 10 June 2009 Acupressure 43

Stimulating Natural Resistance to Colds and Flu Press into B 36: Acu point B 36, also called Bearing Support, is located near the spine, off the tips of the shoulder blades. This point is good for stimulating the body's natural resistance to colds and flu Use your index fingers to press into points B 36 for one minute 10 June 2009 Acupressure http: //www. acupressure. com/articles/coldflu. htm 44

Relieving Colds and Flu 10 June 2009 Acupressure http: //www. acupressure. com/articles/coldflu. htm 45

1 Potent Point Exercises Press into B 2: Acu point B 2 is located in the indentation of the eye sockets where the bridge of the nose meets the ridge of the eyebrows Use your thumbs on the upper ridge of your eye socket to press into the slight hollow near the bridge of your nose for one minute Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths, letting the weight of your head relax forward onto your thumbs 10 June 2009 Acupressure http: //www. acupressure. com/articles/coldflu. htm 46

2 Potent Point Exercises Press St 3 and LI 20: Acu point St 3 is located at the bottom of the cheek bone directly below the pupil Acu point LI 20 is located on both the cheeks just outside the nostril Place both the middle fingers beside nostrils and index fingers next to them. Gradually press up and underneath the cheek bones for one minute. This helps relieve nasal congestion. 10 June 2009 Acupressure http: //www. acupressure. com/articles/coldflu. htm 47

3 Potent Point Exercises Press both LI 11: Acu point LI 11 is located on the upper edge of the elbow crease Bend your arm and place your thumb at the end of the elbow crease on the outside of your forearm. Curve your fingers to press firmly into the elbow joint for one minute Repeat on the other arm 10 June 2009 Acupressure http: //www. acupressure. com/articles/coldflu. htm 48

4 Potent Point Exercises Press LI 4 firmly: Acu point LI 4 is located in the webbing between the thumb and the index finger, at the highest spot of the muscle, when the thumb and the index finger are joined together Spread left thumb and index finger apart. Place right thumb in the webbing on the back of left hand fingertips on the palm directly behind the thumb Repeat with the other hand 10 June 2009 Firmly squeeze thumb and index finger of right hand together to press into the webbing. Angle the pressure toward the bone that connects with your left index finger, and hold for one minute Acupressure http: //www. acupressure. com/articles/coldflu. htm 49

4 Potent Point Exercises Caution Point LI 4 is forbidden for pregnant women because its stimulation cause premature contractions in the uterus Repeat with the other hand 10 June 2009 Acupressure http: //www. acupressure. com/articles/coldflu. htm 50

5 Potent Point Exercises GB 20 Firmly press GB 20: Acu points GB 20 are located below the base of the skull, in the hollows on both the sides, 2 to 3 inches apart depending on the size of the head Close your eyes and place thumbs underneath the base of the skull, two to three inches apart. Slowly tilt the head back and apply pressure gradually, holding the position for one minute to fully release these important cold-relief points 10 June 2009 Acupressure http: //www. acupressure. com/articles/coldflu. htm 51

6 Potent Point Exercises GB 20 GV 16 Firmly press GV 16: Acu point GV 16 is located in the center of the back of the head, in the large hollow under the base of the skull Place the tips of middle fingers into the hollow in the center of the base of the skull. Keeping fingers on the point, inhale as you tilt head back and exhale as you relax your head forward Continue to slowly rock your head backward and forward, and breathe deeply while you hold this important point for relieving head congestion 10 June 2009 Acupressure http: //www. acupressure. com/articles/coldflu. htm 52

7 Potent Point Exercises Touch the GV 24. 5: Acu point GV 24. 5 is located directly between the eyebrows in the indentation where the bridge of the nose meets the center of your forehead (Third Eye Point) Bring palms together and use your middle and index fingers to lightly touch the Third Eye Point located between your eyebrows. Breathe deeply as you hold this point for one minute for balancing your endocrine system 10 June 2009 Acupressure http: //www. acupressure. com/articles/coldflu. htm 53

8 Potent Point Exercises Firmly press K 27: In order to clearly locate acu point – K 27, take a deep breath. K 27 is located inside the hollow directly below the protrusions of the collar bone and just outside your upper breast bone Place fingertips on the protrusions of collar bone, then slide fingers down and outward into the first indentation in between the bones Press into this hollow for one minute as you breathe deeply and visualize the congestion clearing 10 June 2009 Acupressure http: //www. acupressure. com/articles/coldflu. htm 54

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