Why Acupressure?

I often get this question, “I’ve heard of acupuncture, but what is acupressure?” A quick answer is that acupuncture and acupressure are the same system of Chinese Medicine. But where an acupuncturist would put a needle, someone using acupressure would hold or massage the same point.

The acupressure points live on meridians, which are energetic channels or flows. These meridians run like rivers in the body. There are areas on the meridians where the chi or energy collects and that is an acupressure point. Holding and massaging acupressure points is helping the metaphorical river run more smoothly.

I was first drawn to acupressure in massage school. In my massage training, I learned both Swedish Massage and Asian Bodywork modalities. In the Asian Bodywork curriculum, there was a section on acupressure. I was intrigued that holding an acupressure point on the body could relieve the local area and improve other ailments.

For example, one of the first points I learned was Kidney 1 Bubbling Spring, on the sole of the foot. I learned it could be used to treat hot flashes, fainting, and help people feel grounded. I incorporated points such Kidney 1 - Bubbling Spring into my massages and personal practice in order to learn more about them. As I got to use the points in myself and on other people, I began to have relationships with the points. Meaning, I could tap into how does this point feel to me today compared to yesterday? What’s changed? What’s the same? How does this point connect to the whole body and person?

I also began to lean into the imagery of the names of the points. If I’m feeling into my Bubbling Spring as I stand, how can I feel the water, nourishment, and life force of the earth below, like a spring moving upwards to energize me? The names of the points, with their vivid descriptions such as doors opening and mountains moving, helped me hold the acupressure points with a sense of purpose and intention.

I began teaching self-care acupressure because it is accessible, anyone can do this! All you need is 5 minutes to sit, breath, and hold a point. You don’t need to sit on the ground or have any special equipment. It’s a practice of learning the point, then holding it and breathing and relaxing. You can change your body and your emotions just by holding a point on your body! It’s empowering to take your health into your own hands!

You’re invited to join me for my upcoming Workshop: Letting Go into Your Best Self- Acupressure and Yin Yoga for Autumn. I will teach acupressure points that will support you to let go, just like the trees let go of their leaves in Autumn, you will be guided into a practice of releasing what you no longer need. This event is Saturday Sept 7, 2024 at 3-5 pm at Inner Path Studio in Nevada City. Click here to register!

Acupressure for sleep

Did you know there is a power in your hands?  Self-care acupressure is something accessible to everyone and easy to learn.  It is a form of massage.  I integrate acupressure into my bodywork sessions, I teach classes on self-care acupressure, and I practice it on myself all the time!  During this unprecedented time, I’ve been having trouble falling asleep at night and I’ve found using acupressure to be a valuable tool to help me fall asleep.  I will teach you three acupressure points in this article that you can use for restful, peaceful, sleep tonight.

Acupressure is a healing art.  As with any artform use your intuition and creative flow to feel what is best for yourself.  A safety precaution is to not press on injured areas of your body.  If anything doesn’t feel right, trust that feeling and let go of the point.  When I hold points, I use light to medium pressure because I can feel more when I’m not pressing hard.  The acupressure points I describe below are on both sides of the body.  You can hold them bilaterally or just one side.  When holding acupressure points, treat it as a meditation, focus on breathing deeply and relaxing your hands.  Hold the following points for 1-3 minutes each or as long as you need to feel relaxed and sleepy.

Acupressure points for restful sleep:

Bladder 10 Heavenly Pillar: This point is located ½ inch down from the occiput and ½ inch out from the midline of the back of the neck vertebrae in the erector spinae muscles.  When holding this point, I like to hold both sides of the neck at the same time.  I have found it easiest on my shoulders to make my arms like butterfly wings and prop my elbows on pillows.  B 10 is also a point for headache relief and connecting to your 5th chakra, your voice, expression, and throat.

Pericardium 6 Inner Gate: This point is located on the inside of the forearm, 2 ½ finger width below the inside of the wrist crease, in the midline of the inner arm.  I usually use my thumb of the opposite hand to hold this point and rest my hands on my abdomen.  P 6 is also a point to keep in mind to relieve nausea and an emotional balancing point to help with issues of the heart.

Kidney 6 Calm Sleep: This point is located directly below the inside of the inner ankle in the small hollow.  Since I use this point when I’m in bed, and I don’t want to sit up, I use the big toe of the opposite foot to hold the point.  Yes, you can use your toes to hold points too!  K 6 will also help with ankle or foot pain and helps restore the body.

Hold any of these points: Bladder 10, Pericardium 6, or Kidney 6, any time you find yourself unable to fall asleep.  Take deep breaths and imagine any stress melting away in the earth.  Self-care acupressure is an accessible, safe, and easy tool to create relaxation and easy in your body!

I have a free/donation-based class ready to watch in my online studio called: Yin Yoga and Acupressure for Restful Sleep.  In this class, I teach these points and a few more!  Then I guide you through holding the points while you are in yin yoga poses.  This class is donation class to raise awareness for the Covid crisis in India.  Any donation I receive will be given to GiveIndia.  Click here to watch the class now!

I would like to thank my teachers for sharing the gift of acupressure with me.  I attended the Acupressure Institute in Berkeley CA from 2007-2014 and this time has shaped and created my love of this healing artform.