Chen Feisong - Hand Reflexology & Acupressure

HAND REFLEXOLOGY & ACUPRESSURE

A Natural Way to Health through
Traditional Chinese Medicine

By Chen Feisong and Gai Guozhong

Better Link Press

Copyright 2019 by Shanghai Press and Publishing Development Co., Ltd.

Chinese edition 2014 Phoenix Science Press Ltd.

All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction, in any manner, is prohibited.

This book is edited and designed by the Editorial Committee of Cultural China series.

Text by Chen Feisong and Gai Guozhong

Translation by Wu Yanting

Design by Wang Wei

Copy Editor: Susie Gorden

Editorial Assistant: Pei Zhuomin

Editor: Cao Yue

Editorial Director: Zhang Yicong

Senior Consultants: Sun Yong, Wu Ying, Yang Xinci

Managing Director and Publisher: Wang Youbu

ISBN: 978-1-60220-168-2

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The material in this book is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The information contained in this book should not be used to diagnose or treat any illness, disorder, disease or health problem. Always consult your physician or health care provider before beginning any treatment of any illness, disorder or injury. Use of this book, advice, and information contained in this book is at the sole choice and risk of the reader.

Introduction

H uman beings are grain-eating creatures, so falling ill at one time or another is inevitable. Therefore, even those of us who are not medical professionals should know something about medicine, nursing the sick, and carrying out emergency treatment. Such knowledge and skills are not confined to physicians. To be sure, we are our own best doctors in terms of taking care of our health.

In recent years, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been increasingly acknowledged as an effective way of maintaining good health. According to TCM, the human hand is closely related to the internal organs, meridian channels, and collateral vessels, as well as the neurological system. Hand reflexology and acupressure refer to the practice of using one hand to apply pressure to specific acupoints, pathological reflex points, or sensitive points on the other hand, to help relieve symptoms or heal ailments. Among the various methods of maintaining health, hand reflexology and acupressure do not rely on devices, and incur no toxicity or side effects. They can be used at any time and anywhere. A school of its own, the method is gaining increasing popularity, as it is easy to apply and has immediate effects. It is also quick to learn, economical, and safe.

This book has a simple structure and is easy to use. through Nine deal with 58 common diseases and conditions in the categories of sub-health, circulatory and respiratory systems, neurological and endocrine systems, the digestive system, the urogenital system, gynecology, dermatology, and otorhinolaryngology, and how hand reflexology and acupressure can be applied.

The book has three notable characteristics:

1. It explains complex information in simple language, making it easy to learn. Basic knowledge of hand reflexology and acupressure is offered, and the skills and techniques are also provided to help readers use these methods on their own.

2. It comes with illustrations, detailed instructions, and explanations. A number of illustrations help readers quickly identify the location of acupoints and reflex areas or points in the hand, for ease of practice.

3. The daily care of a variety of diseases and conditions are offered, accompanied by related hand exercises. Readers can also use these hand exercises independently to help strengthen the dexterity of their fingers for the purpose of maintaining good health.

We hope that this book will give you enough knowledge of hand reflexology and acupressure to become a provider of healthcare for yourself and your family.

Chapter One

Understanding Hand Reflexology and Acupressure

P ublished over 2,000 years ago, Huangdi Neijing (The Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor) holds that the parts of a human body have a dialectical relationship with the entire bodily system. They are also united: Each part of the body is closely related to the zang organs and fu organs, meridian channels, and collateral vessels. Hand reflexology and acupressure are alternative medical treatments that take advantage of this theory. The core tenet is that stimulating a related location will stimulate the corresponding organ, facilitating the prevention of diseases and alleviating pain

So what are hand reflexology and acupressure? The concept can be approached in broad and narrow senses.

In a broad sense, hand reflexology and acupressure refer to therapies such as massage, acupuncture, moxibustion, and the application of poultices to the hollow of the palm. Among them, massage therapy is particularly common. It is the easiest to practice and the most economical, and is therefore the most widely used way.

In a narrow sense, hand reflexology and acupressure refer specifically to the application of pressure to related areas and points in the hand for treatment. They include techniques such as jabbing, kneading, pressing, and pushing. By and large, it is a method of applying pressure to pathological reflex points or sensitive spots in the hand that are related to certain organs and tissues inside and outside of the body, in order to heal certain maladies.

There are more than 70 pathological reflex areas and acupoints in the palm and back of a hand where the neurological points gather. Clinical practice shows that accurate application of a specific technique over a period of time will help facilitate positive stimulation of internal organs and help strengthen their function in order to maintain health and prevent the occurrence of certain acute or chronic diseases.

1. Preparation

Hand reflexology and acupressure therapy (hereafter, this term is used specifically in the narrow definition of massaging with fingers) requires no special venue, but enough natural light and little external noise. Before conducting hand reflexology and acupressure, trim your fingernails to about 1 mm long, levelling the flesh tip of the finger, and polish the edges so they are smooth. Long nails tend to scratch the skin, but if they are too short, they may not produce the required effect.

As acupoints in the hand occupy tiny spaces, the use of small tools (such as sticks, cotton swabs, ballpoint pens, and other pens) is recommended for easy administration. Please do not use sharp objects.

Tools you need:

Cotton swabs: In order to execute pressure more accurately to an acupoint on the hand, you may use a match stick or a cotton swab. Make sure that the stick does not have a sharp end so that it doesnt hurt the skin. You may also use the shaft of a pen.

Coin: For use in the hand exercises in this book. While doing hand exercises, you may also use other objects such as a toothbrush, a wristwatch, or a small ball.

2. Benefits

Widely applicable: