Chinese pressure points, also called accupressure, is considered a form of acupuncture. It involves a practitioner finding and utilizing pressure points on the body to relieve pain, congestion or stiffness, as well as in the treatment of internal organs and body systems.
Meridians and Techniques
Divide the body into lines or sections (as if you were slicing the body from left to right) and you will come close to what the Chinese call the body's meridians, or zones. Each of these zones or meridians controls a certain part of the body when a particular pressure point in that zone is pressed. For example, acupressure therapy has been used for thousands of years to treat headaches, joint pain, stress, indigestion, and asthma. There are 12 major meridians that make up the body, each of which are connected to major body organs such as the liver, heart, intestines, brain, lungs and so forth.
Acupressure techniques involve using the fingers, side of the hand, thumb and even the elbow to apply pressure to or massage . One technique is Tui Na, which utilizes the hand and arm to apply pressure and massage, including rubbing, pushing, kneading and pinching for desired results.
Pressure and massage can range from light touch to deep touch, from gentle, feathery strokes and massage to deep tissue massage and pressure.
Heavenly Pillar
With the side of the hand or your elbow or fingers, gently but deeply apply pressure into a pressure point to provide relaxation to a specific muscle. The Heavenly Pillar technique helps relieve eyestrain, insomnia, and sore throats, as well as tension. For example, you can use your thumb and forefinger to gently press on either side of the spine on the back of the neck, just below the skull cap, to provide instant relief of stress in the neck region. Pressure and slight rotating massage with the fingers at this same point often relieves headaches caused by tension.
Heavenly Rejuvenation
Place thumb or straight fingers against pressure points on the muscle at the top of the scapula approximately two inches from the outside knob of the shoulder side of the scapula. You can also apply more pressure on this area, as well as other areas on the back and legs using the side of your hand or elbow. These pressure points, found on both sides of the upper back shoulder area will also provide relief from tension and boost immune system function against colds and flu. Pressure with the fingers or the thumb should be maintained for several minutes at a time.
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