Michael Gach - Basic Acupressure: The Extraordinary Channels & Points

All Rights Reserved.

Copyright 1999, 2014 by Michael Reed Gach, Ph.D

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically or mechanically, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system without permission in writing from the publisher.

ISBN: 9781890258245

Acknowledgements:

This booklet would not have been possible without the work of Wendy Thacker, Ph.D., Julie Shpiesel for editing, and the Acupressure Institutes Core Faculty: Janet Oliver, L.Ac., Brian ODea, L.Ac., Alice Hiatt, R.N., Joseph Carter, L.Ac., Kathy Moring M.A., and Joella Caskey.

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Published in the United States of America

Introducing Acupressure

Acupressure is an ancient healing art. Finger pressure is used on key points to stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. It encourages the release of muscular tension, the increased circulation of blood, and the flow of the body's vital life force (chi) simply by pressing these special points. Like acupuncture, acupressure accesses the energy of the body through the points and meridian pathways both use the same points and meridian pathways to influence the health and wellbeing of a person.

In this system, symptoms are considered an expression of the state of the whole body. For instance, a tension headache may originate in the shoulder and neck area. Using points, acupressure can not only relieve the local head pain and discomfort, but also can reestablish the body's balance before the stress and strain can cause more problems in other areas of the body.

History of Acupressure

When there is pain, it is naturally instinctive to hold the place that hurts. More than 5,000 years ago the Chinese discovered that when certain places on the body were held, not only did the place that was held feel better, but other remote parts of the body also benefited. Over time, they observed that pressing certain points helped alleviate specific health conditions.

In the early dynasties of China, when stones and arrows were the only weapons available for warfare, unexpected benefit occurred in battle when wounded soldiers reported that symptoms of other diseases that they had lived with for years suddenly vanished. Though this baffled ancient physicians, for whom there was no logical relationship between the trauma and the recovery, they continued to observe these phenomena. Stimulating these areas of the surface of the body, by trial and error, these physicians charted the points and developed ways to relieve traumas, dysfunctions and pains in the body. One of these methods was acupressure.

The Principles of Energy & Balance

The practice of acupressure began as a folk art in ancient China, India and other Eastern cultures over 5000 years ago, and later migrated to Japan. These cultures still use this hands-on healing art today; it was passed down from generation to generation for thousands of years. Through observation of the cycles of nature day to night, spring to winter, birth to death the ancients recognized the natural forces of energy which regulate all life, and even discerned the various systems of the human body: circulatory, which includes lymphatic and vascular; neuromuscular; respiratory; digestive; urinary and reproductive systems.

The Chinese call this force chi. In Japan it is termed ki, while in the Yogic practices of India it is referred to as prana. These terms all refer to the same life force which exists in our environment indeed, the universe links us to it, and gives us life,

Chi is the cosmic breath of life. It is what creates and nourishes the human spirit, what gives us energy, and what keeps our engines running. Chi is the force of nature that moves in visible and invisible currents and paths through all matter. Chi connects everything. It creates mountains, keeps rivers moving, gives trees their uprightness and their diversity in branching toward heaven. The movement of chi can be seen in the landscape and in the elements, as well as in the human body.

Many things affect chi within the human body: inherited physical traits, amounts and quality of food and rest, stress as well as trauma and injuries. In extreme imbalances mental, emotional or physical problems may occur. The foundation of the Oriental healing arts focuses on balancing the energy flow within all aspects of our being.

The ancient Chinese also discovered that the forces of life energy consisted of the interplay between two polar opposites, creating a vibratory movement and energy flow. These polar forces of energy, referred to as yin and yang, follow natural laws that are the fundamental principles for all martial and healing arts.

Yin & Yang

Yin and Yang are complementary and interdependent aspects of a single unifying force. The Yin force is seen as passive, cold, receptive, feminine and internal. The Yang force is active, hot, productive, masculine and external. Each is relative to the other and both contain a small amount of the other.

These opposite forces interact in order to create balance. This is seen in the yin/yang or tai ch'i symbol below, illustrating the light within the dark and the dark within the light.

This concept is the basis of the ancient Chinese texts (the I Ching and the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, among others) which have formed the foundation for lifestyles that have promoted physical, mental and emotional well-being. These concepts are still used by modern practitioners of Oriental medicine.

Breathing & Hara Meditation

Acupressure enables us to transform deep breathing into a usable healing force. Through breathing, meditation, and visualization we can create an exceptionally vital flow of chi that can be channeled through the body for strength and health. During a hands-on acupressure session, this energized flow of chi in a practitioner can facilitate the flow of healing energy in the receiver's body.

By using the breath as a focus, chi can be drawn through the top of the head and in through the feet. Breathing this energy into the Hara (the spot approximately two fingers' width below the navel) we can harmonize our bodies and minds with Spirit. Hara Breathing and relaxed meditation increase the flow of healing energy while practicing acupressure.

A Visualization for Enhancing Your Healing Energy

This healing visualization will center your energy
before you give an acupressure session...

Sit with your spine straight in a comfortable chair or on a pillow in a comfortable cross-legged position for at least five to ten minutes with your eyes closed.

Let your shoulders relax downward. Focus on breathing long, slow, deep breaths through your nose, if possible. As you breathe deeply, visualize your body as a vessel of concentrated energy.