9/4/14 Acupressure Points, Techniques & Self-Care for Relieving Colds & Flu

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Acupressure Points forColds and Flu

Colds are caused by viruses that thrivein your nose and throat when the temperature,acidity, and moisture suit them. When you arerun down and your resistance is low, yourability to adapt to environmental changesweakens, making it easier to catch a cold, andthe mucous membranes become a perfectbreeding ground for viruses. Cold symptomsare the body's attempt to protect itself fromthese intruders. When a virus enters your nose,for instance, the body secretes more mucus toflush it away.

Because acupressure stimulates your bodyto expel the virus more quickly, it may seem atfirst that your cold is worsening. But yourbody is simply progressing through thesymptoms faster than usual. Althoughacupressure cannot cure a cold, working oncertain points can help you get better quickerand increase your resistance to future colds.

Acupressure Pointsfor Seasonal Changes

Potent point B 36, called Bearing Support, is especially good for stimulating thebody's natural resistance to colds and flus. It's located near the spine, off the tips of theshoulder blades. According to traditional Chinese medicine, wind and cold enter the

pores of the skin at this point.1 The muscles in this upper back area tend to get tense

just before a cold or flu takes hold.2

Recently, one of my best friends, a realtor, was suffering from a bad cold with astuffy nose, a hacking cough, puffiness around his eyes, and a pallid complexion. Hehadn't slept well the previous two nights because of these discomforts and was verytired. After I briefly massaged his upper back, shoulders, neck, and chest, I showed himhow to press the decongestion points underneath the base of his skull and on his face. Ialso told him to drink ginger tea at least twice a day. When I saw John the next day, hetold me he had slept soundly and felt much more refreshed. His eyes looked muchclearer, and already he was no longer coughing and blowing his nose.

Potent Points for Relieving Colds and Flu

Drilling Bamboo (B 2)Location: In the indentations of the eye sockets, on either side of where the bridge

of the nose meets the ridge of the eyebrows.Benefits: Relieves colds, sinus congestion, frontal headaches, and tired eyes. Facial Beauty (St 3)Location: At the bottom of the

cheekbone, directly below the pupil.Benefits: Relieves stuffy nose, head

congestion, burning eyes, eye fatigue, and eyepressure.

Welcoming Perfume (LI 20)Location: On either cheek, just outside

each nostril.Benefits: Relieves nasal congestion,

sinus pain, facial paralysis, and facial swelling. Crooked Pond (LI 11)Location: At the outer end of the elbow crease.Benefits: Relieves cold symptoms, fever, constipation, and elbow pain; strengthens

the immune system.

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Joining the Valley (Hoku) (LI 4)Caution: This point is forbidden for pregnant women because its stimulation can

cause premature contractions in the uterus.Location: At the highest spot of the muscle on the back of the hand that protrudes

when the thumb and index finger are close together.Benefits: Relieves colds, flu, head congestion, constipation, and headaches.

Gates of Consciousness (GB 20)Location: Below the base of the skull, in the hollows on both sides, two to three

inches apart depending on the size of the head.Benefits: Relieves headaches, head congestion, arthritis, neck pain, and irritability. Wind Mansion (GV 16)Location: In the center of the back of the head, in the large hollow under the base

of the skull.Benefits: Relieves head congestion, red eyes, mental stress, headaches, and stiff

neck. Third Eye Point (GV 24.5)Location: Directly between the eyebrows, in the indentation where the bridge of

the nose meets the center of your forehead.Benefits: Relieves head congestion, stuffy nose,

and headaches.

Elegant Mansion (K 27)Location: In the hollow below the collarbone

next to the breastbone.Benefits: Relieves chest congestion, breathing

difficulties, coughing, and sore throats.

Potent Point Exercises

You do not have to use all of these points. Using just one or two ofthem whenever you have a free hand can be effective.

Lie down on your back or sit comfortably.

Step 1Press into B 2: Use your thumbs on the upper

ridge of your eye socket to press into the slighthollow near the bridge of your nose for one minute.Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths, lettingthe weight of your head relax forward onto yourthumbs.

Step 2Press St 3 and LI 20: Place both of your

middle fingers beside your nostrils and your indexfingers next to them; gradually press up andunderneath the cheekbones for one minute. You caneasily teach this step to your child to help relievenasal congestion.

Step 3Press both LI 11: Bend your arm and place your

thumb at the- end of the elbow crease on the outside ofyour forearm. Curve your fingers to press firmly into theelbow joint for one minute. Repeat on your opposite arm.

Step 4

Press LI 4 firmly: Spread your left thumband index finger apart. Place your right thumb in thewebbing on the back of your left hand and yourfingertips on the palm directly behind your thumb.Firmly squeeze your thumb and index finger of yourright hand together to press into the webbing.Angle the pressure toward the bone that connectswith your left index finger, and hold for one minute.

Then switch hands.

Step 5

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Step 5Firmly press GB 20: Now close your eyes

and place your thumbs underneath the base of yourskull, two to three inches apart. Slowly tilt your headback and apply pressure gradually, holding theposition for one minute to fully release theseimportant cold-relief points.

Step 6Firmly press GV 16: Place the tips of your

middle fingers into the hollow in the center of thebase of your skull. Keeping your fingers on thepoint, inhale as you tilt your head back and exhaleas you relax your head forward. Continue to slowlyrock your head back and forward, and breathedeeply while you hold this important point forrelieving head congestion.

Step 7Touch the GV 24.5: Bring your palms together and

use your middle and index fingers to lightly touch theThird Eye Point located between your eyebrows. Breathedeeply as you hold this point for balancing your endocrinesystem.

Step 8Firmly press K 27: Place your fingertips on the

protrusions of your collarbone, then slide your fingersdown and outward into the first indentation in betweenthe bones. Press into this hollow as you breathedeeply and visualize the congestion clearing.

Potent Points for Relieving Coughing

A severe, repeated, or uncontrolled cough can be harmful and you shouldalways consult a physician. Many illnesses such as influenza, pneumonia, andchronic bronchitis can become serious if the condition continues unattended.

Sometimes, your physician will find it advisable to attempt to suppress a cough toprevent further irritation of the bronchial tubes. Cough medications may be used, butacupressure can be an effective adjunct therapy. During a coughing fit, many of the largemuscle groups in the upper back area can go into a spasm. Specific points on the chest,throat, neck, and upper back benefit the respiratory system, relax your body, andrelieve coughs.

Vital Diaphragm (B 38)Location: Between the shoulder blade and the

spine at the level of the heart.Benefits: Relieves coughing, breathing

difficulties, and respiratory problems. This calmingpoint also helps balance the emotions.

Ding Chuan (Extra Point 17)Location: To the side and a little above the vertebra that protrudes at the top of the

spine when the head is tilted downward.Benefits: Relieves throat problems, coughing, shoulder and neck pain, and thyroid

imbalances. Heavenly Pillar (13 10)Location: One-half inch below the base of the skull on the ropy muscles one-half

inch out from either side of the spine.Benefits: Relieves sore throat, stress, burnout, overexertion, and heaviness in the

head. Heaven Rushing Out (CV 22)Location: At the base of the throat in the large hollow directly below the Adam's

apple.Benefits: Relieves dry cough, bronchitis, sore throat, chest congestion, and

heartburn. Elegant Mansion (K 27)Location: In the hollow below the collarbone next to the breastbone.Benefits: Relieves chest congestion, breathing difficulties, asthma, coughing, and

anxiety.

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anxiety.

(You do not have to use all of these points. Using just one or two of themwhenever you have a cough can be effective.)

Potent Point Exercises

Although many of the following points can be held while you are sitting, it ispreferable to lie down comfortably on your back.

Step 1Hold both K 27 points: Place your fingertips on your chest and firmly press into

the indentations directly below the protrusions of thecollarbone. This is another point that you can easilyteach a child.

Step 2

Use tennis balls3 on B 38: Place two smallrubber balls or tennis balls together on a cleancarpet. Lie down, placing the balls between yourshoulder blades at the level of your heart. Closeyour eyes and take three long, deep breaths as youcontinue to press the K 27 points on your upperchest.

Step 3Firmly press extra point 17: Slowly roll the

tennis balls a few inches higher toward the base ofyour neck. If the tennis balls tend to slip, or youaren't using them, Sim ly use both middle fingers topress this important acupressure point at the base ofthe neck.

Step 4Hold both B 10 points and CV 22: Press B

10 on the upper neck with one hand, using thefingertips. Use your other hand to lightly hold CV22, an inch below the base of the Adam's apple,pressing lightly at a downward angle. Close youreyes and breathe deeply as you visualize healingenergy soothing your throat.

For Sore Throats and Coughing

A small piece of fresh ginger can be one of the most natural and effective ways forsoothing a sore throat. Simply place a very thin slice of fresh ginger on the back of yourtongue. If your throat is sensitive and the ginger feels hot, use a smaller, thinner pieceand place it farther back toward your throat. Keep the ginger in the back of your throatfor ten minutes. Repeat with a fresh piece several times a day as needed. A quarter cup

of chopped ginger can also be simmered in a few cups of water and used as a tea forsoothing coughs and sore throats.

Additional Points for Relieving Colds and Flu

1 Felix Mann, Treatment of Disease by Acupuncture (London: William HeinemannMedical Books, Ltd., 1976), 32, 37.

2 For more information and self-help techniques for colds and flu see Michael ReedGach, Acu-Yoga (Tokyo: Japan Publications, 198 1) pp. 138-142.

3 This step is optional. If you don't have tennis balls or a pair of small rubber balls,feel free to skip this point.

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