Acupressure Points

Acupressure Points for Relieving Knee Pain. Working on these points can help you get better quicker. You do not have to use all of these points. Using just one or two of them whenever you have a free hand can be effective. Points (A) -- Calf's Nose Location: Just below the kneecap in the outer indentation. Benefits: Relieves knee pain, knee stiffness, rheumatism of the feet, and edema. Points (B) -- Sunny Side of the Mountain Location: On the outside of the lower leg, below and in front of the head of the shinbone. Benefits: Relieves excessive knee pain, muscular tension, aches, and muscle strains. Points (C) -- Three Mile Point Location: Four finger widths below the kneecap, one finger outside of the shinbone. Benefits: Strengthens the whole body, tones the muscles, and relieves knee pain. Points (D) -- Commanding Activity Location: On the outside of the knee, where the crease ends when the knee is bent. Benefits: Relieves knee pain and stiffness. Points (E) -- Nourishing Valley Location: On the inner edge of the knee crease, in the hollow between two tendons. Benefits: Knee pain, genital disorders, and abdominal pain. Points (F) -- Crooked Spring Location: On the inside of the knee, where the crease ends when the knee is bent. Benefits: Relieves knee pain, fibroids, and swelling in the knee. Points (G) -- Shady Side of the Mountain

Location: On the inside of the leg, just below the bulge that is down from the inside of the knee and under the head of the shinbone. Benefits: Relieves knee problems, swelling, leg tensions, varicose veins, edema, water retention, and cramps. Points (H) -- Commanding Middle Location: In the center of the back of the knee in the crease of the knee joint. Benefits: Relieves knee pain, stiffness, arthritis, back pain, and sciatica.

Acupressure for Weight Loss Acupressure is an ancient Chinese practice of applying pressure to some specific pressure points to alleviate a number of medical conditions. Read on to learn about some weight loss tips using this technique.

Acupressure is an ancient technique of traditional Chinese medicine. It can be termed as a variation of acupuncture, as both the processes are based on the same principles. The only difference lies in the fact that in acupuncture, needles are used to put pressure on the acupuncture pressure points, while in acupressure, needles are replaced with fingers or elbow, and some

special devices like acupressure balls and mats, to apply physical pressure on those points. Though there is no scientific basis for the presence of these pressure points in the human body, Chinese traditional practices like acupuncture and acupressure not only believe in their existence, but regard that if stimulated in the right way, they can improve the body's response to several health conditions. Acupressure Benefits With obesity becoming a major health concern in the developed world, the popularity of this method has increased significantly. The entire process is centered around controlling appetite, and improving digestion and metabolism, by stimulating certain specific pressure points. Additionally, the technique also aims at reducing or eliminating stress and other negative emotions like, depression. In acupressure, such negative emotions are regarded as negative energies, which if not reduced can affect metabolism and over well-being of an individual, and thereby, contribute to the accumulation of fats in the body. Acupressure and Fat Loss The entire process of using this technique for weight loss requires proper identification of the specific pressure points of the body, and then stimulating them by gently massaging or applying pressure on them. There are more than thousand acupressure points on our body, for which it is very important to carefully locate the ones, associated with weight loss. The beginners can refer to reflexology maps to get familiar with the various pressure points that are related with weight loss. The most commonly used pressure points for weight loss are appetite control point (located behind the ears), spleen 6 or Sp 6, spleen 9 or Sp 9, stomach 36 or St 36, liver 3 or Lv 3 and large intestine 11 or Li 11. The appetite control point is located behind the ear, just at the point, where the lobes connect with the ear. Stimulation of this point helps to control hunger, and hence, overeating. The next important point is the spleen 6, which is located on the inside of the ankle, about four finger width above the ankle bone. This point is believed to regulate water metabolism, stimulate digestion, aid absorption of nutrients and help the body to relax. Spleen 9 on the other hand, is located in the groove behind the shin bone, and it is associated with the prevention of fluid or water retention. The pressure point, stomach 36 can be found about four fingers' width below the lower edge of the kneecap and one finger's width outside the shin bone. Stimulation of this point can improve digestive health, and reduce fatigue. The large intestine 11 point, on the other hand, is associated with lowering blood pressure, and can be found at the end of the elbow crease on the inside of the arm. The liver 3 point is important due to its role in reducing the level of stress, which is one of the important causes of excessive weight gain. The process usually begins with application of pressure on the appetite control point. After that, the other points such as, spleen 6, stomach 36, spleen 9, large intestine 11 and liver 3 points are stimulated. Initially, the pressure points are pressed or massaged for a few seconds. After 5 to 10 seconds, the pressure applied on them is relieved for some time, and then applied again. In this way, the entire process for each pressure point is repeated for five times. Finally, the appetite control point on both the ear is stimulated again to end the session. However, to carry out the

entire session safely, one needs to be very much familiar with the acupuncture pressure points. So, for the beginners, it is advisable to take the help of an expert in this field, instead of trying on their own. It can assist you in the process of maintaining an ideal body weight. However, it alone cannot help you to lose extra weight rapidly. Obesity is the consequence of sedentary lifestyle and wrong eating habits, and therefore, its solution lies in adopting a healthy lifestyle and lots of physical activities. If acupressure is practiced along with these measures, then it can help a lot in accelerating the process of losing weight.

How to Use Acupressure for Back Pain Edited byMaluniu and 0 other Article Discuss History

Back pain is among the most common reasons for people to seek medical treatment. Discs, nerves, muscles and arthritis are reasons that you could suffer from back pain. While treatments for back pain can vary from stretches to surgery and many things in between, there are acupressure points that can help to manage back pain. Studies have even shown that for some people acupressure reduces pain more than physical therapy. Acupressure is a healing practice that identifies key points on the body and uses pressure to stimulate your own body's healing capacity. Certain locations on the hands, arms and feet can be pressed to bring pain relief. This article will tell you how to use acupressure for back pain.

Steps Hand Acupressure Point 1. 1 Sit or lay down in a comfortable position. You will need to have both your hands and your feet free in order to press the acupressure points. 2. 2 Hold your right hand gently in your left hand. 3. 3

Place your left thumb on the web between your right thumb and index finger. The first acupressure point for pain relief is just below where your thumb and index finger bones meet on the web. 4. 4 Apply pressure to the top of that point with your left thumb and to the bottom of the point with your left index finger. Rest your other fingers just below your right hand. Your right hand fingers should be relaxed and curved slightly. o

As you first apply your firm pressure, you will likely feel a slight ache or burning sensation in the area you are pinching. This indicates you are pressing on the right spot. It will disappear as you hold it, and the feeling is likely to be less painful the more times you use this acupressure point.

5. 5 Hold with firm pressure for 10 seconds. 6. 6 Release your fingers for 5 to 10 seconds. 7. 7 Repeat the pressure 2 to 3 more times for 10 seconds each. 8. 8 Switch hands and find the spot on your left hand. 9. 9 Apply pressure and release 3 to 4 times. o

This point can also be used for other types of body pain. Some people identify the relief they get as a rush of endorphins.

Foot Acupressure Point 1. 1 Lay on your back or sit, holding a foot in your hands. If you are unable to reach your feet, ask a friend to help you by pressing the acupressure points in your feet. If 1 side of your body is more painful than another, choose the foot on the more painful side.

2. 2 Find the area on your foot where the big toe and second toe bones meet. Place your thumb forward slightly, in the fleshy area just below that branch. Place your index finger underneath your foot at the opposite point. 3. 3 Press for 1 minute. Inhale and exhale slowly and increase pressure if you are able to. 4. 4 Decrease pressure and gently rub the area on which you pressed. You can repeat on the opposite side Elbow Acupressure Point 1. 1 Hold 1 arm in a slightly elevated position. If you have an armrest available to you, you can rest your elbow and arm on the arm rest. Start with the elbow on the side of the body where you have the most pain. 2. 2 Find the middle of the horizontal crease on your elbow. Wrap your opposite hand around the inside of your elbow and press with your thumb in a motion toward the outside of your arm until you find a slight ache or twinge when you press. Once you feel that pain, you have identified an acupressure energy point. 3. 3 Hold down the elbow point for 1 minute. Breathe deeply and relax. Slowly increase the pressure if you are able to. 4. 4 Release pressure and rub the area. Repeat on the opposite side, if you feel you have not gotten any relief from the point. 5. 5 Repeat this acupressure routine at least once every day for a week to see good back pain relief.

Warnings 

Acupressure does not replace medical care for back pain. It is used to help find relief in addition to treatment by a doctor.