PointFinder - The Online Acupressure Guide

Acupressure, acupuncture, and related practices Do-in, G-Jo, Shiatsu, and Myotherapy, practiced in Asia for thousands of years, have only gained wider acceptance in the West in recent times. Traditional Asian medicine emphasizes personal responsibility for one's health. This page is designed to put the relief of common and minor discomforts and symptoms into your own hands.

By learning how to stimulate your own pressure points, you can relieve minor or moderate symptoms, and reduce the need for nonprescription drugs. Unlike most drugs, relief is usually immediate.

Warnings! Acupressure should not be used: - As the only treatment for illness; if you are sick, see a doctor - If you have a heart condition - Just before or within 20 minutes after heavy exercise, a large meal, or bathing - If the point in question is under a mole, wart, varicose vein, abrasion, bruise, cut, or any other break in the skin - If you are pregnant, especially if more than 3 months How Does It Work? The concepts of internal and external environment are very important to the philosophy of traditional Asian medicine. The human body encloses a perpetual flow of bioenergy, or life-force, called "chi, "ki" or "qi." It flows into the body and along pathways called "meridians," influencing the functioning of all the organs. We remain healthy when the flow balances internally and externally.

We become ill when external or internal events disturb the flow. Along the meridians are a large number of pressure points that act as "valves" for the flow of chi. Stimulating acupoints restores balance, relieving symptoms.