Over and above their reference to
Chinese tradition, the definitions of the word "acupressure"
have various understandings in common.
Sensitivity of the skin
Acupressure acts on the skin only. The theory of a forerunner of modern
acupressure is cited as follows in the Encyclopedia
"A distinction between the discriminatory (epicritic) and emotional
(protopathic) features of sensations was made by Sir Henry Head
(1861-1940), a British neurologist, who noted, for example, that after a
sensory nerve from the skin had been cut, the first sensations to
recover as the nerve healed appeared to be diffuse, poorly localized,
and extremely unpleasant. He theorized that this initial lack of sharp
discrimination associated with unpleasant experience reflected the
properties of a primitive protopathic (emotional) neural system which
regenerated first. He held that this system subserves pain and the
extremes of temperature and pressure sensation usually associated with
an affective (emotional) tone. Because recovery of fine tactual
sensitivity to lightly graded stimuli, and the ability to localize
points touched on the skin returned later, Head posited the existence of
another discriminatory system."
Surface treatment is the main
None of the definitions adventures into the skin. Whether applied by
fingers, triggers, needlebeds, rollers, balls or bars, the
acupressure methods keep clear from invasion of any sort as compared to
acupuncture. The paramount advantage of this non-invasion is the
exclusion of the danger of infection. As long as the instruments used
(fingers, needlebeds etc.) are hygienically clean, manipulation is not
more perilous than shaking somebodys hand.
No absorption of chemicals
Acupressure at large is meant to replace chemical influence on the body.
This alone is already a big progress against the bulimia of
medicaments, be they prescription or non-prescription drugs.
Practitioners certainly have a right to exercise their profession, and
in many cases their help is essential. It has become a bad habit of
modern times to resort for even minor discomforts to
health-professionals. Acupressure, when well used, can easily relieve
from occasional pain or strain, thereby avoiding that one has to disturb
a medical officer for a triviality. In many instances of life one is
alone to decide what intuitive steps to undertake: at work, in traffic,
in sport. The same basic self-responsibility should govern our
relation with health. Acupressure is one of the ways to go in that
75% of illness is said to be stress-related. This can be anything from
general headache, neck and shoulder tension, cold, respiratory problems
etc. Reducing stress is the best preventive measure one can take. All
definitions of acupressure point into that direction.
We are all aware of the importance of preventative health care --
"A stitch in time saves nine". Acupressure adepts find they
are less susceptible to aching, as they can start diminishing pain
immediately upon its occurrence. Preventative health care can save a
great deal of time, money and frustration!
We all know that blood carries vital nutrients through the body, and
also carries away toxins and waste products. One of the symptoms of a
stressful life is a decrease in blood circulation. An improvement in
circulation will allow the body to receive the nutrients carried in
blood, and also eliminate the waste products more effectively. This
is a pure acupressure attribute.
These common points demonstrate clearly that acupressure, be it with
or without needles, is one of the foremost catalyzers towards holism: a
body without pain coupled to an unstressed and equilibrated mind.
of The Reflex Points
PRESSURE (REFLEX) POINTS AND THEIR CORRESPONDING BODY ORGANS
Points I :
- Located at the depression of the end of the fold which appears when
the elbow is bent 900 and rasied to the horizontal position
Points 2 : - Located in the
elbow fold, on the radial side of the biceps. The points is on the elbow
crease at the outside (lateral) portion of the tendon.
Point 3 : - Located by
bending the elbow part away and locating the biceps tendon, which is the
thick bend you feel in the middle of the front of the elbow. The point
lies under the elbow crease at the inside (medial) portion of the
Point 4 : - Located at the
indentation near the inside elbow fold next to the tendon on the inside
of the upper arm; the end of the creases is where the elbow point is
Point 5 : -
Located by bending the elbow and feeling for the depression two finger
breadths above the point of the elbow on the backside. The point is
located at the centre of the depression.
Point I : - Exact
location is between second and third lumbar vertebrae, just behind
navel. To make their location easy, remember that these points
arelocated on each side of the spinal column, each point lying about two
finger breadths to the side of the middle of the spinal column. Points
are located at the same level as the bottom of the rib cage.
Point 2 : -
Located by bending neck slightly and noting prominent vertebral bone
protruding at the base of the neck. Counting it as one, count down five
vertebral spines (spines to the backbone). In between the fifth and
sixth spine and two fingerbreadths to each side of the centre of the
backbone lies the points.
Point 3 : -
Located beneath the tip of the tail bone, about a finger breadth below
the dividing line of the buttocks.
Point 4 : -
Located by staning slightly on tip toes and noting the depression formed
at the sides of the buttocks. The points is located in the centre of the
depression or ring.
Point 5 : -
Located at the midpoint of the crease the lower end of the buttocks
makes with the thigh. If using acupressure technique then apply greater
pressure as this part is very tender. The basic, guideline in using this
technique is: unless the site is unsually tender, deep strong pressure,
rotating the finger when useful, is required.
Point I : - Located on the thumb side of the wrist just above
the projecton of bone - just above the thumb side of the wrist. I can be
found by placing the hands together with middle and first finger forming
'V' and both the hands are touching each other in over hand-touch style.
Point 2 : - Located on the back of the wrist a about the
middle of the wrist at the flexion creases.
Point 3 : -
Located on the first crease of the wrist towards small finger side when
the fingers are fully stretched. Its exact location could be found at
seven eighth of the width of the wrist from the thumb side.
Point 4 : - Located at the centre of the hand-wrist junction
crease on the palmar side.
Point 5 : - it is located midway between the two bones of
thumbs and index finger. One can find it by closing the thumb and the
index finger. One can find it by closing the thumb and the forefinger
together and notiching the little mound that forms at their junction
mound. Alternatively, it can also be found by bending the thumb of the
other hand over the web between the thumb and the index finger. It lies
under the end of the thumb.
Point 6 : - Located under the thumb side of the index finger.
One finger-breadth below the base of the finger at the mid point of the
side of the hand.
Point 7 : - It is located in the web between the little
finger and the ring finger on the backside. The wrist-hand point 7
should be pressed at a 45o angle toward the hand, the point being
approached from the top of thge hand.
Point 8 : - Located on the side of the hand one
finger-breadth above the base of the little finger.
Point 9 : - Located under the side of the hand two
finger-breadths above wrist point 8.
Point 10 : - Located on the backside of the forearm three
finger-breadths from the middle of the wrist crease.
Point 11 : - Located on the palm side of the forearm three
finger-breadhts from the middle f the wrist crease. Wrist-hand point 12
is located at the centre of the palm.
Point I : - When you bend your knees almost 90o from the
thigh, you can find its location at the depression at the lower outisde
edge of the knee-cap.
Point 2 : - It is located in the muscle that runs on the
outside of the thigh, two inches up from the knee-cap. Make the person
sit on a chair and bend his leg at a 90o angle. Measure two inches up
from the top of the knee cap. The point is slightly outside of the leg.
Point 3 : - You can locate it by bending the knee and finding
the crease formed on the medial or inner aspect. The point is at the end
of the crease.
Point 4 : - Located on the back portion of the knee exactly
at the mid-point of the crease.
Point 5 : - Located at the top of the shinbone, on the inside
of the leg. To make its location easier, place three fingers exactly
below the protruded side-portion of the knee. To be precise, it is
located at a level three finger-breadths below the lower level of the
kneep cap at the intersection of an imaginary line travelling vertically
along the middle of the side of the leg.
Point 6 : - Make the patient sit and bend his leg at a 90o
angle. Catch the centre of his knee-cap with the centre of your palm.
The tip of your thumb will touch knee point 6, two inches above the
knee-cap. In fact it is located at a level three finger-breadths above
the upper broder of the knee-cap where and imaginary line travelling
vertically up the middle of the inside of the thigh crosses that level.
Point 7 : - Located in front of and below the head of the
fibula, which is the rounded knob located near the middle of the outside
aspect of the leg at a level about two finger - breadths below the lower
level of the knee cap. The point itself is located in the depressed area
in front of and below the fibula head.
Point I : - Located in the centre of the ankle crease as one
flexes his ankle.
Point 2 : - Located directly in front of the lowest level of
the medial malleolus or the middle ankle bone (the rounded bone
protruding from the ankle on the inner aspect).
Point 3 : - Located on finger tip below the medial malleolus
or the middle ankle bone (the rounded bone protruding from the ankle on
the inner aspect, or the 'Gutt' - as it is called in Hindi).
Point 4 : - Located in the depression in the back of the
medial malleolus (at the 'Gutta').
Point 5 : - Located in the depression in the back of the
these ankle-foot points, point 3 has a greater use in the area of foot
and ankle injuries, but ankle-foot point 4 wich lies opposite two ankle
foot point 5 can be grasped ankle-foot point 5 (index finger on one and
thumb on the other) and this area is not a tender area.
Point 6 : - Located four finger-breadths above the medial
malleolus or the inner rounded ankle bone at the middle of the inside
aspect of the leg. Another easy way of locating this point is to flex
the person's foot and put his four fingers on the inside of his leg with
little finger resting on top of the anklebone and the other fingers
going up the leg. The point exists where the four finger lies, behind
Point I : - It is located on the outside of the should bone.
Have the persons raise his bent elbow to an angle of 90o from the body.
The indentation is easier to idenfity. It is located at the mid-point of
the top of the outisde arm just below the end of the shoulder bone.
Point 2 : - Located at the mid-point of the outside of the
arm (upper arm) where the tip of the (upside down appearing) triangular
deltoid muscle is.
Point 3 : - Located on the back of the shouler above the
armpit, in the soft tissue just below the bony top of the shoulder.
Point 4 : - Located on an intaginary line drawn from the tip
of the shoulder to a point lying over the middle of the base of the back
of the neck. The point is one third along that line from the shoulder.
Point 5 : - Located on an imaginary line drawn from the tip
of the shoulder to a point lying over the middle of the base of the back
of the neck. The point is on the mid point of that line.
Point 6 : - Located on an imaginary line drawn from the tip
of the shoulder to a point lying over the middle of the base of the
neck. The point is one-third along that line from the neck.
Point I : - Located just above the strenal notch or just
above the breast bone where the soft tissue of the front of the neck
begins. The site is directly under tip of index finger.
Point 2 : - this point is located by bending the neck
slightly and noting prominent bone at the base of the neck. Point is
located just below this prominent vertebral spine in the space in
between it and the next lower vertebral or backbone spine.
Point 3 : - This point is located just below the first
cervical vertbral located on each side of the spine at the natural level
of the hair line, each point being one finger - breadth to the side of
Point : - Located in the mid-point of the base of the
penis at its junction with the scrotum.
Point I : - Located on the centre of the forehead midway
between the eyebrows.
Point 2 : - Located on each side of the forehead at the
middle edge of the eyebrows.
Point 3 : - Located on each side of the forehead at outer
edge of the eyebrows.
Point 4 : - Located on each side of the forehead one
finger-breadth lateral to the eyebrow in the temple are a.
Point 5 : - Located on side of the face by opening the mouth
wide and feeling the depression formed in front of the ears at the top
of the ear lobe level. Apply pressure when mouth is closed.
Point 6 : - Located under the pupil of each eye just below
the lower border of the eye-socket.
Point 7 : - Located just to the side of the base of the nose
on each side.
Point 8 : - Located oon each side of the face just above the
point that the angle of the jaw makes.
Point 9 : - Located over the centre of the nose just above
Point 10 : - Located midway between the bottom of the nose
and the top of the upper lip.
Point 11 : - Behind the ear lobe just in front of the rounded
Point I : - Located by placing the finger of the left hand
together and straight, then placing the tip ofthe idex finger by the
umbilicus just below the web between the ring finger and little finger
lies the point.
Point 3 : - Located two breadths below the umbilicus.
Points 4 : - Located in the middle of the abdomen, one and a
half inches below the navel four finger breadths below the umbilicus.
Point I : - Located four finger-breadth below the lower level
of the knee cap and about one finger-breadth to the outside of the skin
bone in the soft tissue there.
Point 2 : - At the lower tip of the calf muscle in the
vertical midline of the back of the leg. It is located roughly in the
centre of the leg just at the centre of the swollen portion of the shin.
Point I : - Measure two inches from the nipple (in the
direction of the arm). Count up three ribs. The point is between the
first and second ribs from the top, one inch below the middle of
clavicle the collarbone.
Point 2 : - Located between sicth and seventh ribs, directly
under the nipple. Other way of finding them is by detecting two ribs
below the nipple on about a vertical line travelling through the middle
of the natural position of the nipple ( in a woman lying on her back
with the breast positioned so that it is symmetrical with the nipple in
Some Prominent Disease & Diseases they help cure
Point 4 : - For red swollen eyes
and dizziness press these points with one-thumb gradually and hard 7 to
10 seconds, three times.
Point 7 : - For nasal obstruction,
running nose, facial tension press hard and inward at a 45o angle with
the index finger for 10 to 15 seconds, three times.
Point 10 : - For loss of
consicousness, epilepsy press hard and inward with index finger or a
pointed object for 7 to 10 seconds, three times.
points 4 : - Stimulation of Elbow
Point 4 alone can be effective for heart palpitation. If this point is
pressed with one thumb, hard, 7-10 seconds, three times, ti also gives
relief to cough, elbow pain and wheezing sound with breathing or
Hand Point 3 : - If pressed hard
and inward for 5 to 7 seconds, three times, it helps in reviving on
unconsious patine,t insomnia, irritability and constipation.
Point 2 : - If pressed hard and
inward one thumb for 7 to 10 seconds, three times, stomach pains,
diarrhea, arthritis in the knee get much relief.
Point 6 : For itching,
neurodermatitis hives and menstrual pain press hard and inward.
Point I : - For general well-being
and tired legs press hard and inward with two thumbs for 10-15 seconds,
Point 4 : For menstural cramps,
frigidity press this point inward gradually and deeply with palm of hand
for 10-15 seconds, three times.
Point 3 : - For stomach pains,
diarrhea, wet dreams, constipation, etc., press inward gradually and
deeply with the palm of your hand for 10-15 seconds, three times.
Point 2 : - For rib pain, poor
loctation in nursing mothers press these points softly inward with one
thumb for 5-10 seconds, three times.
Point 1 : - If these points points
are pressed with one thumb, avoiding sudden pressure, for 7-10 seconds,
three times then headaches and nasal obstruction also get relief.
Point 2 : - press softly and
inward with one thumb for 10-15 seconds and get cured of sciatica,
muscle spasm and tired legs.
Point 5 : - if pressed hard with
one thumb towards the index finger for 10-15 seconds, three times, one
gets relief from diarrhea, rashes, toothache, facial tension.
Point 5 : - For lack of milk in
nursing mothers press firmly but gradully inward with one thumb for
10-15 seconds, three times.
Point 6 : - For poor circulation
press these points hard and inward with two thumbs for 5-7 seconds,
Point 8 : - For breathing problems
press these points hard and inward with two thumbs for 5 to 7 seconds,
Point 1 : - For any problem
relating to arm, press the point hard for 5 to 7 seconds, three times.
Point 5 : - press this point hard
inward for 7 to 10 seconds, three times to get relief in sciatica,
dizziness and epilepsy cases.
Point 7 : - For any pain in the
ankle or head press hard inward for 7 to 10 seconds, thrice.
Foot Point 4 : - For kidney
malfunction one should press this point hard and inward with one thumb
for 7 to 10 seconds.
Foot Point 6 : - You get relief if
there be any problem relating to ankle pain, insomnia, overweight,
digestive problems or menstrual pain or any female sexual problem, by
pressing this point hard inward with one thumb for 5 to 7 seconds, three
Point 5 : - If you feel any
ringing in the ears, press hard and inward with index finger for 7 to 10
seconds, three times.