Giving yourself an acupressure massage

LAST WEEK, I started explaining about the ancient Chinese healing methods of acupuncture and acupressure. Either firm pressure is applied on the skin’s surface (acupressure) or very fine needles inserted(acupuncture) at specific trigger points stimulating the bodies natural self-healing abilities.{{more}}

Acupressure’s healing touch is safe to do on yourself and on others even if you have never done it before. There are absolutely no side effects and all that is required are your 2 hands. “Threshhold” pressure – firm but gentle pressure on the “threshold” of becoming painful – is applied to massage the points for 10 seconds, then released for 10 seconds. This cycle is repeated 8 times. Alternatively, pressure can be applied continuously for 5 minutes.

Try giving yourself an acupressure massage using the following instructions:

1. Locate the hoku point on the back of the hand in the webbing where the thumb and index finger meet. Bring the thumb and the index finger together. Just where the muscle bulges a little – that is the hoku point. Press it while relaxing the other muscles in that hand. Repeat with the other hand. This simple massage may increase the circulation and nerve energy to the head region. IMPORTANT: Do not use this point if you are pregnant!

2. The 2 points at either side of the nose bridge at the level of your eyes are called jing ming. Massaging them with the thumb and forefinger of one hand may be useful for certain diseases and facial paralysis

3. The si bai points on your cheeks can be found as follows: press the forefingers and middle fingers of both hands together and place them on either side of the nostrils. With the thumbs on the lower jaw bones, remove the middle fingers. Massage of these points is said to be useful for eye lid twitching and headaches among other conditions.

4. There are 4 points on the boney ridges above and below the eyes. By rubbing along them with the outside of your forefingers, keeping your other fingers curled under and your thumbs on each side of your forehead, you will massage them.

The zan zhu (Bl-2) point is located above the inside corner of the eye. Massaging this point is believed to treat headaches.

The yang bai is over the middle of the eye. If this point is massaged, it is believed to help night blindness.

The tong zi liao (G.B. 1) point is at the outside corner of the eye. If this point is massaged, it is said to treat headaches associated with eye disease.

Finally, the cheng qi (St.1) is located below the eye. Believed to be effective for treating eye inflammation.

More on natural methods for treating eye conditions next week.

Dr Kenneth Onu is a resident Consultant Ophthalmologist at the Beachmont Eye Institute/Eyes R Us Send questions to: Beachmont@gmail.com

Tel: 784 456-1210