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24 | Out in the Mountains |Augyust_2000

= health & weIIbeing=

ALTERNATIVE 101:
Acupressure

BY HEATHER PEAKE

Despite its reputation as
being simply “acupuncture
without needles,” acupressure
is actually the older sister of a
whole range of therapeutic arts
revolving around the manipu-
lation of the body’s pressure
points: acupuncture and tuina
in China, shiatsu and jin shin
do in Japan, reflexology in the
West, and other less formalized
systems elsewhere.

The Chinese began experi-
menting with acupressure more
than r 5,000 years ago.
According to folklore, soldiers
returning from battle with
superficial wounds began
reporting that they were mirac-
ulously cured of injuries and
illnesses that had plagued
them, often for years. Curious
physicians began charting the
location of these wounds, and a
science was born.

Over many centuries, physi-

cians theorized that the vital
life energy they called c/7i or qr’
traveled through the body via
14 invisible pathways running
vertically along the body called
meridians. Poor health was
seen as the result of energy
becoming blocked at points
along a meridian. Deep finger
pressure applied at these points
released the blockage, allow-
ing the chi to flow normally.

Meridians correspond to the
major organs of the body: lung,
heart, pericardium, large intes-
tine, small intestine, the “triple.
burner,” liver, kidney, spleen,
stomach, bladder and gallblad-
der. Additionally, there are two
major reservoirs of chi that

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regulate the entire system: the
Governor Vessel, running up
the spine, over the top of the
head to the upper jaw, and the
Conception Vessel, running up
the front of the body to the
lower jaw.

Each meridian passes close
to the skin’s surface at spots
called hsueh, translated as
“cave” or “hollow,” or, less
poetically, as “points” or “acu-
points.” Early texts identified
about 365 points, but refine-
ments in the system over the
years have uncovered hundreds
more '— 1200 to 2000, depend-
ing on whom you ask. Some
practitioners believe that the
most effective points lay at the
very beginning or the very end
of the meridians, or in places
where the meridians converge,
such as the hands, feet, or ears.

Points are assigned a letter
and number code for easy ref-
erence — for example, B 10
(“B” for the bladder line) is a
point located about a half-inch
from the base of the skull on
the muscles bordering on the
spine, considered useful in
relieving fatigue and depres-
sion.

Each point also has a
Chinese character name, usual-
ly descriptive and sometimes
quite beautiful. B 10 is also
called the “Heavenly Pillar.”
Other points carry names like
“Sea of Vitality,” “Hidden
Clarity,” and “Wind Pond.”

Studies have shown acu-
pressure to be effective in the
relief of muscle and joint pain
and general tension. Women
find it useful in lessening the

discomfort of menstrual

cramps and morning symp-
toms. It can also aid in reduc-
ing the impact of migraines
and arthritis. its usefulness in
controlling behavioral prob-
lems like addiction, weight
loss and depression is less
quantifiable, but some people
do swear by it.

Of course, many, Western
scientists, who tend to see all
traditional Chinese medicine as
a lot of simple tricks and non-
sense, have dismissed these
studies. Still, as we gain a bet-
ter awareness of the way our
bodies work, it begins to seem
less far-fetched.

Scientists have long known
that vigorous stimulation of the
body releases our own natural
painkillers, called endorphins.
Another study, out of the
University of Pennsylvania
Medical Center, used a scan-
ning technique called SPECT —
that’s “single photon emission
computed tomography,” in
case you didn’t know — to
prove that , acupuncture
increased blood flow to the
thalamus, the area of the brain
that registers the body’s
response to pain. And
researchers continue to study
the powerful results of the
“placebo effect.”

While you can visit a practi-
tioner for treatment, one nice
thing about acupressure is that
it can be self-administered,
either alone or with the help of
a partner. There are several
excellent books on the market,
and, of course, tons of informa-
tion on the web. See the
“Articles” page of the
Acupressure Institute site and

Practice limited
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Acupressure
WEB SITES

Acupressure Institute site
www.acupressure.com

Acupressure: A Science of Life
www.dishant.com/acupressure/

“What Is Acupressure?”
www.garynu|l.c0m/Documents/artic|estrom0rgs/
acupressure.htm

OnHealth.com
www.onheaIth.com/alternative/resource/aIthealth/
item,15020.asp

at Acupressure: A Science of
Life, and “What Is
Acupressure?” OnHealth.com
provides a acupressure chart
that is fairly easy to read. For
actual practice, you’ll want to
find a book showing the points
in more detail.

Acupressure is generally
considered safe for most peo-
ple, but if you suffer from
osteoperosis, orthopedic or
spinal injuries, have bleeding
disorders, are on anticoagulant
drugs or long—term steroid
treatments, you’ll want to con-
sult with your doctor first. And
while acupressure points can

relieve the symptoms of morn-
ing sickness and help control
labor pain, pregnant women
need to avoid the many pres-
sure points that stimulate uter-
ine contractions.V

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Middlebury, VT

802-388-9760
802-777-6399

 

   

   

 
 

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