Acupressure Points and Theory

Chuntian Academy's Basics of Self Acupressure 3, 12 and 20 hour Course

*This is a basic course that teaches the very basics of Acupressure theory, method of delivery and proper uses. This is for self applications to aid in the relief in common ailments. It is not meant for administration to other people, nor should it replace professional medical care.
As with anything new, ALWAYS contact your medical professional beforehand.

Acupressure is a very basic form of Acupuncture, yet fewer body point locations and No needles. Only massage and kneading to special points.

Let's understand the more advanced "Acupuncture" First:

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a Chinese medical treatment traditionally used to relieve a wide variety of common ailments.

Acupuncture is a method of treatment that works to stimulate various energetic acupoints on the human body. Qi (pronounced "chi") means vital energy, and is one of the most important elements in healthy physiological function. Qi flows throughout the human body in certain pathways referred to as "meridians".

What are the Meridians?

Meridians are energetic pathways in the human body, and the acupoints on these meridians serve as access points to vital life energy, or Qi. Our interactive chart illustrates the major and most frequently used meridians during treatment.

Acupoints are used to access > Qi (Vital Energy) which Flows through > Pathways (Meridians)

Does Acupuncture Hurt?

Unlike conventional needles, acupuncture needles are extremely thin, smooth, and have a rounded tip. When they are inserted into the skin, most people feel only a slight sensation if anything at all. With the needles in place, there may be a mild throbbing pain, sensations of heaviness , warmth, and/or tingling around the site of the needling. These are normal sensations and indicate the balancing of the body's energy.

Is Acupuncture Safe?

When performed by a qualified, Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.), this form of treatment is extremely safe. Practitioners use one time use, sterile needles to ensure safety and eliminate the risk of disease transmission.

How many treatments will I need?

The number of treatments you will need depends on your overall health, your body's response to Acupuncture treatment, and the nature and duration of your illness or injury. Usually within 4 to 6 treatments your Acupuncturist will be able to tell you how much further treatment you will need.

Acupuncture Benefits

What can Acupuncture treat?

Qi can be dispersed where it is stagnant and guided to where it is lacking, and is ultimately balanced with the treatment of Acupuncture. Acupuncture can be used for a wide variety of illnesses, including:
Chronic and Acute Pain - Injuries, headaches, neck and back pain, tendonitis, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia
Neurological Disorders - Post-stroke recovery, Bell's Palsy & Trigeminal Neuralgia, movement disorders
Upper Respiratory Disorders - Asthma, allergies, bronchitis, sinusitis, sore throat, laryngitis, colds and flu.
Digestive Disorders - Irritable bowel, colitis, constipation, diarrhea, gastritis, heartburn, food allergies, ulcers
Urinary and Reproductive Disorders - Cystitis, menstrual cramps, irregular or heavy periods, infertility, menopausal symptoms.
Immune Function - Recurrent infections, supportive treatment fo cancer and AIDS patients.
Addictions - Addictions to nicotine, alcohol and drugs.
Eye and Ear Disorders - Tinnitus, Meniere's disease.
Depression, Anxiety & Insomnia
Other Conditions - Contact a Licensed Acupuncturist in your area to find out about other conditions that can be treated with Acupuncture
Acupuncture Treatment

How do treatments work?

Acupuncturists begin by assessing your medical history, looking at your tongue, and feeling your pulse. After the diagnosis, they insert needles into the appropriate acu-points along the energetic pathways (meridians) of your body.

Acupuncturist may also use other treatments in a typical session. These include:

Tui Na -

A form of manual therapy in which the practitioner uses their hands to diagnose and treat a wide variety of ailments.

Moxibustion -

A technique in which an herb (mugwort) is burned to warm a certain area or acu-point.
Many Acupuncturists also utilize nutritional and lifestyle counseling to help their patients. These are usually based upon the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

C.A.I. Basic Self Acupressure Course Outline

Lecture not included.

Day 1 - 2 days (about 6 Hours)

* Introduction and Application Delivery Techniques.

* Basic Anatomy

* Basic Chinese Physiology

* Acupoints 1- 16

* Ailments A- E

* Study, Review and Quiz

Before next class, about 2-3 hours homework and study.

Day 2 -4 ( about 5.5 hours plus quiz)

* Accupoints 17 -36

* Ailments F-Z

* Practical Applications

* Review

If Quiz scores were 80% or higher, you may take the final Test anytime within 30 days. The test is about One hour; Half written and Half Practical and demonstrating.

* TEST ( 80% to pass )

If Interested and you will be in the Shizuoka area contact us.

(All class locations are at our main school at Nibancho 14-7, Shizuoka, Japan, unless otherwise noted, and are presented in English and Japanese in a classroom and is part of the English learning cirriculum).

Acupuncture points (also called "acupoints or tsubo") are locations on the body that are the focus of acupuncture, acupressure, sonopuncture, and laser acupuncture treatments. There are several hundred acupuncture points that are distributed along the meridians as well as numerous other "extra points" that are not associated with a particular meridian. Most of the current research into acupuncture point locations and mechanisms is taking place in China.

Theory

Acupoints used in treatment may or may not be in the same area of the body as the targeted symptom. The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory for the selection of such points and their effectiveness is that they work by stimulating the meridian system to bring about relief by rebalancing yin, yang and qi (also spelled "chi" or "ki").

Body acupoints are generally located by a measurement technique, called the cun, that is calibrated according to their proportional distances from various landmark points on the body. Acupoint location usually depends on specific anatomical landmarks that can be palpated. There are nearly 400 basic acupoints recognized by the WHO on the meridians. Many of these basic points are rarely used. Some points are considered more therapeutically valuable than others, and are used very frequently for a wide array of health conditions.

Location by palpation for tenderness is also a common way of locating acupoints (see also trigger point). Points may also be located by feeling for subtle differences in temperature on the skin surface or over the skin surface, as well as changes in the tension or "stickiness" of the skin and tissue. There is no scientific proof that this method works and some practitioners disagree with the method.

Body acupoints are referred to either by their traditional name, or by the name of the meridian on which they are located, followed by a number to indicate what order the point is in on the meridian. A common point on the hand, for example, is named Hegu, and referred to as LI 4 which means that it is the fourth point on the Large Intestine meridian.

Categories of body acupuncture points

Certain acupuncture points are ascribed different functions according to different systems within the TCM framework.

* Five Transporting Points system describes the flow of qi in the channels using a river analogy, and ascribes function to points along this flowline according to their location. This system describes qi bubbling up from a spring and gradually growing in depth and breadth like a river flowing down from a mountain to the sea.

* Jing-well points represent the place where the qi "bubbles" up. These points are always the first points on the yang channels or last points on the yin channels and with exception of Kid-1 YongQuan all points are located on the tips of fingers and toes. The Nan Jing and Nei Jing described jing-well points as indicated for "fullness below the heart" (feeling of fullness in the epigastric or hypochondrium regions) and disorders of the zang organs (yang organs).
* Ying-spring points are where the qi "glides" down the channel. The Nan Jing and Nei Jing described ying-spring points as indicated for heat in the body and change in complexion.
* Shu-stream points are where the qi "pours" down the channel. Shu-stream points are indicated for heaviness in the body and pain in the joints, and for intermittent diseases.
* Jing-river points are where the qi "flows" down the channel. Jing-river points are indicated for cough and dyspnoea, chills and fever, diseases manifesting as changes in voice, and for diseases of the sinews and bones.
* He-sea points are where the qi collects and begins to head deeper into the body. He-sea points are indicated for counterflow qi and diarrhea, and for disorders resulting from irregular eating and drinking.

* Five Phase Points ascribe each of the five phases - wood, fire, earth, metal and water - to one of the Five Transporting points. On the yin channels, the jing-well points are wood points, the ying-spring points are fire, shu-stream points are earth, jing-river points are metal, he-sea points are water points. On the yang channels, the jing-well points are metal, ying-spring are water, shu-stream are wood, jing-river points are fire and he-sea points are earth points. These point categories are then implemented according to Five Phase theory in order to approach the treatment of disease.

* Xi-cleft points are the point on the channel where the qi and blood gather and plunge more deeply. These points are indicated in acute situations and for painful conditions.

* Yuan-source points are points on the channel from where the yuan qi can be accessed.

* Luo-connecting points are located at the point on the channel where the luo meridian diverges. Each of the twelve meridians have a luo point that diverges from the main meridian. There are also three extra luo channels that diverge at Sp-21, Ren-15 and Du-1.

* Back-shu points lie on the paraspinal muscles either side of the spine. Theory says that the qi of each organ is transported to and from these points, and can be influenced by them.

* Front-mu points are located in close proximity to the respective organ. They have a direct effect on the organ itself but not on the associated channel.

* Hui-meeting points are a category of points that are considered to have a "special effect" on certain tissues and organs. The hui-meeting points are:

* zang organs - Liv-13 Zhang Men
* fu organs - Ren-12 Zhong Fu
* qi - Ren-17 Shang Fu
* blood - Bl-17 Ge Shu
* sinews - GB-34 Yang Ling Quan
* vessels - Lu-9 Tai Yuan
* bone - Bl11 Da Zhu
* marrow - GB-39 Xuan Zhong

Non-meridian points

Additionally, there are microsystems of acupoints that are typically not located on the meridians. For example, auriculotherapy uses the external ear microsystem exclusively, utilizing thousands of points that are not on a meridian, but located on the surface of the external ear. The Korean system of hand acupuncture is a microsystem that utilizes acupoints on the hand. There are other common and uncommon acupoints that are called extra points, meaning that they are neither on a meridian nor part of a microsystem. Extra points are referred to more often by name, though some of the more commonly known have a letter/number combination for reference. A popular extra point is Yintang, located at the midpoint between the eyebrows.

ACUPRESSURE CHART ( Health and Ailments)

As shown in the (soon to be )picture below, the basic acupressure points are as follows:

1. In Yong "Welcome Human" – For high blood pressure
2. Jung Boo "Center of Gathering" – For common cold, cough, & asthma
3. Dan Chung "Middle of Chest" – For asthma, high blood pressure & lack of milk
4. Ki Moon "Door of Expectation" – For rib pains and lack of milk
5. Il Wol "Sun and Moon" – For gall bladder ailments
6. Jung Wan "Midway" – For Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
7. Sang Moon "Hurried Pulse" – For abdominal pain and vomiting
8. Chung Choo "Celestial Pivot" – Abdominal pain and diarrhea
9. Ki Hae "Ocean of Energy" – For stomach pains, diarrhea, menstrual irregularities and constipation
10. Gwan Won "Gate of Origin" – For frigidity, impotence & menstrual irregularities
11. Um Youm "Clear Um/Yin" – For menstrual irregularities & frigidity
12. Pyung Shi "Market of the Wind" – For circulation of the legs and tired legs
13. Yang Kwon "Gate of Yang" – For fevers and paralysis of the legs
14. Im Rip "Almost Crying" – For menstrual irregularities, ringing in the ears & foot pains
15. Yang Goo "On the Hill" – For stomach pains, cramps and arthritis in the knee
16. Jok Sam Ri "3 More Miles" – For general well-being
17. Nae Ching "Inner Garden" – For toothaches and stomach aches
18. Jung Bong "Middle Seal" – For arthritis in the ankle
19. Tae Chung "Supreme Thoroughfare" – For headaches and dizziness
20. Hyel Hae "Ocean of Blood" – For itch, allergic eczema, hives, & menstrual irregularities
21. Un Nung Chun "Um/Yin Mountain Pond" – For pain in the knee
22. Chuk Tack "In the Groove" – For cough, elbow pain and labored breathing
23. Yel Kyel – For common colds, headaches and Bell’s palsy
24. Tae Yen "Supreme Abyss" – For labored breathing, cough, and pharyngitis
25. So Sang "Young Merchant" – For sore throat, cough, pharyngitis, hand spasms, & tired arms
26. Nae Kwan "Inside Gate" – For nausea, vomiting, insomnia and palpitations
27. No Gung "Palace of Anxiety" – For exhaustion
28. Shin Moon "Divine Gate" – For irritability and insomnia

English

EM! = EMERGENCY seek Medical Attention !

Abdomen

---Lower 9, 5, 6, 2, 20

---Upper 5, 6

Allergies 8, 14, 24

Ankle 4, 5, 6, 1, 30, 18, 20, 21

Arm 8, 3, 2, 34, 12,17, 27

Armpit 2, 12

Anxiety 11, 15, 21

Asthma (M) 7, 14, 12

Backache

---General 9, 4, 5, 6, 17, 21, 24, 25, 27

---Lower 4, 5, 6, 21

---Upper 17, 25, 27, 9, 4

Bioenergy control

---Fear 3, 6, 11, 15, 31, 19, 21

---Energy (soft=boost/brisk=calm) 35, 13, 6

---Hunger 5, 6

---Memory 7, 2

---Sleep 20

---Smoking 5, 6, 2, 14

---Warmth 17, 27

Bites (any) 33

Bladder 9, 28

Bleeding (EM!) 3, 6, 1, 33, 34

Blisters 8, 1

Breasts 17

Breath control 33

Breathing, labored (EM!) 12

Bronchitis 7, 14

Bruises 34

Burns (EM!) 8, 4, 28

Bursitis 14

"Charlie horse" cramps 4

Chest (EM!) 3, 2, 1, 7

Cholera (M) 8, 3, 13, 6, 30, 16

Claustrophobia 12

Colds and influenza 8, 3, 6, 1, 7, 16, 21, 23

Colitis 7, 5, 6, 28

Concussion (EM!) 7, 1, 12, 33, followed in 10 mins. by 34

Conjunctivitis 7, 1, 12, 23

Constipation 13, 5, 20, 36

Cough 7, 3, 6, 2, 14, 12, 33, 16, 36

Cramps, menstrual 13, 5, 2, 15

Cramps, muscular spasms 30, 31

Cystitis 5, 28, 36

Dental work 11, 15

Depression (M) 6

Diabetes mellitus (M) 13, 5, 6, 14, 33

Diarrhea 5, 6, 2, 15

Dizziness 2, 36

Dysentery (M) 5, 6, 2, 15

Ear 3, 1

Edema 5, 6

Elbow 8, 3, 2, 14, 1, 27

Electric shock (EM!) 34

Epilepsy, epileptic seizure (EM!) 2, 36

Exhaustion 12, 34

Eye 23, 8, 1, 7, 30, 26

Face 8, 3, 4, 1, 7

Fainting (EM!) 10, 11

Fatigue 6, 34

Fear control 3, 6, 11, 15, 19, 21

Fever 3, 10, 15, 26

Fingers 10, 3, 2, 1, 12

Flatulence 5, 6, 22

Foot 4, 5, 6, 1, 30, 18, 20, 21

Forearm 8, 2, 10, 1, 12

Gall bladder 7, 5, 6, 1

Gastrointestinal system 5, 6, 1

Gingivitis 1

Genitourinary 13, 30, 31, 20

Hand 3, 2, 10, 1, 12

Hangover 5, 6, 18

Headaches

---Anxiety/tension 11, 15, 21

---Base of skull/neck 27, 17, 8, 1, 16

---General 1, 7, 3, 4, 6, 2, 10, 11, 20, 21, 26

---Migraine 7, 1, 26, 12, 29

---Severe 26, 21, 1, 3, 7, 4, 6, 2, 10

---Sinus 7, 10, 1, 18, 24, 32

---Top of head 21, 1, 3, 7, 4, 6, 2, 10, 11

Head, injury or pain (EM!) 7, 8, 3, 6, 2, 10, 1, 11, 34, 21, 27

Heart attack (EM!) 3, 2, 1, 11, 18

Heartburn 2, 11

Heat rash 8, 6, 1

Hemorrhoids 4, 36, 25

Hernia 5, 6, 20

Hiccough 13, 2, 35

Hip 4, 5, 6

Hives and rash 8, 16

Hunger 5, 6

Hypertension (M) 9, 3, 13, 15, 21, 25

Hyperventilation 14

Hypotension (M) 15

Hysteria (M) 11, 21

Impetego, eczema 8, 9, 4, 5

Indigestion 5, 6, 18

Insomnia 13, 2, 11, 12, 31, 18

Jaundice (M) 2, 16

Jaw, lower 7, 3, 4, 1

Kidneys (M) 21, 33

Knee 9

Laryngitis 7, 14, 10, 1

Leg 9, 4, 5, 6

Lightheadedness 19
Lips 1

Liver (M) 30

Lumbago 7, 9, 4, 5, 6, 14, 1, 28

Lungs 7

Memory 7, 2

Meningitis (M) 10

Menstruation 13, 5, 2, 15, 31, 20

Mental disturbance 6, 15, 35

Motion sickness 5, 6, 2

Mouth 1, 33, 36

Mumps (M) 4, 1

Nasal congestion 7, 10, 1, 19, 32

Nausea 5, 6, 12

Neck 7, 8, 1, 34, 16, 17, 31, 24, 27

Nervousness, 1, 30, 31

Neuralgia 4

Nosebleed 7, 9, 1, 16, 19, 22

Ovaries and uterus 8, 13, 5, 6

Paralysis (EM!) 3, 16, 29

Penis 20, 13, 5, 6

Pleurisy (EM!) 7, 3, 2, 1, 16

Pneumonia (EM!) 7, 6, 14, 1

Poison ivy 8, 3

Poisoning by mouth (EM!) 1, 12, 28

Poisoning, carbon monoxide (EM!) 3, 12

Poisoning, food (EM!) 12

Prostate 13, 5, 6, 33, 28

Rectum 4, 28, 36

Respiratory system 7, 2, 14, 1,

Restlessness 11, 15

Sciatica 9, 4, 5, 6, 28, 24, 25

Sea sickness 2, 6

Sedation, tranquilization 1, 30

Seizure (EM!) 2

Sex organs 8, 13, 5, 6, 20

Shock (EM!) 2, 11, 12, 34, 27

Shortness of breath (EM!) 12

Shoulder 7, 8, 3, 2, 14, 1, 34, 17, 31

Sinusitis 7, 10, 1, 18, 24, 32

Skin 8, 9, 3

Sleep control 20

Small intestine 5, 6

Smoking control 5, 6, 2, 14, 35

Sneezing 14, 24

Spleen, pancreas 6

Sprains 4

Stings (use right side only) 33

Stomach 8, 5, 6, 2

Strains, muscular 4

Stricture of urine 30, 31, 20, 21

Stroke (EM!) 2, 33, 34

Sunstroke (EM!) 10

Sweating 9, 1

Tachycardia, racing heart (EM!) 6, 11, 19

Temper 11, 31

Testicles 4, 5, 6

Thigh 9

Thirst, temporary 12

Throat 10, 7, 3, 14, 1, 12, 33, 36

Tongue 1

Tonsillitis 9, 3, 10, 1, 18

Toothache 4, 1, 18, 22

Ulcers, intestinal 3, 5, 6
Ulcers, peptic 5, 6
Unconsciousness (EM!) 20, 10, 12, 33 (use left side only), 34
Urinary control, temporary 28
Uterus and ovaries 8, 13, 5, 6
V

Vertigo (M) 4, 2, 28, 21, 36

Vomiting and retching (M) 5, 6, 13, 2, 15, 12, 16
W

Warmth control 17, 27

Whiplash (M) 7, 8, 4, 1

Wounds (EM!) 4, 34, 28, 18, 20

Wrist 7, 3, 12

Yawning control 7

Acupoint #1

Squeeze thumb and forefinger together, forming a ridge above the thumb; the point is in the middle of that ridge, just above the end of the crease formed by thumb and forefinger; good for most problems from the waist up

Acupoint #2

Two thumb widths from the largest crease on the inside wrist; the point is between the tendons in the middle of the wrist

Acupoint #3

Two thumb widths above the outside of the wrist, lined up with the middle finger

Acupoint #4

In the depression just behind the outer anklebone

Acupoint #5

One palm width above the tip of the inner anklebone, on the back of the shinbone; often used in combination with acupoint #6

Acupoint #6

One palm width below the bottom edge of the kneecap, on the outside, in a depression between the shinbone and the leg muscle; effective for most problems from the waist down, especially when used with acupoint #5

Acupoint #7

Clasp your hands together as in (A), touching your upper wrist with your forefinger; the point is found on a line with the thumb, in a small depression (B); remembering the position of the point, unclasp your hands and apply pressure

Acupoint #8

Bend your arm hand to shoulder, and place your finger on the end of the crease of the arm; open your arm and stimulate the point

Acupoint #9

Between the two ligaments, behind the knee, on the crease formed when the leg is bent; note: if you have varicose veins, don't use this point

Acupoint #10

Just behind the thumbnail, on the side opposite the fingers

Acupoint #11

On the largest crease of the inner wrist, on a line with the little finger

Acupoint #12

On the largest crease of the inner wrist, on a line with the thumb

Acupoint #13

One palm width below the navel; another point with similar effects can be found two thumb widths below this one

Acupoint #14

On the crease of the inside of the elbow, on the thumb side

Acupoint #15

On the middle finger, just above the nail, on the side closest to the thumb

Acupoint #16

Between the two most prominent bones of the top of the spine

Acupoint #17

On top of the shoulder, half way between the neck and the outside of the shoulder

Acupoint #18

Just behind the nail of the second toe, on the side opposite the big toe

Acupoint #19

On either side of the place where the spine meets the skull

Acupoint #20

On the big toe, the side closest to the second toe, just behind and slightly to the side of the nail

Acupoint #21

In the middle of the sole of the foot, just behind the ball

Acupoint #22

Just above the place where the second and third toes separate

Acupoint #23

Below the brow ridge at the corner of the eye nearest the bridge of the nose, just below a notch in the skull

Acupoint #24

Just below or inside the eyebrow, near the middle; feel for a notch in the eyebrow ridge; point should be just slightly above this

Acupoint #25

On the back, on a line with the elbows, about two thumb widths on either side of the spine

Acupoint #26

Pinch the nostril, on the side opposite the septum; good for severe headache

Acupoint #27

Slightly to the back of the muscle which goes from neck to shoulder, a little closer to the arm than to the neck

Acupoint #28

On the outside of the foot, slightly to the rear of the last knucklebone of the smallest toe

Acupoint #29

On the back of the jawbone, just below the ear

Acupoint #30

Two thumb widths above where the big toe and the second toe separate, on the upper surface of the foot

Acupoint #31

Just above where the big toe and the second toe separate, on the upper surface of the foot

Acupoint #32

On the cheek, next to the outside of the nostril

Acupoint #33

Behind the inner anklebone, on a line between the crown and the tip of the heel; often used in combination with acupoint # 36

Acupoint #34

On the tip of the shoulder; pick up your arm and look for the a dimple toward the back of the shoulder.; put your finger in the dimple, lower your arm and begin stimulation

Acupoint #35

On the center of the chest, just below the bottom of the sternum (breast bone)

Acupoint #36

Two palm widths plus one thumb width above the outer ankle bone, just behind an imaginary vertical line from the tip of the ankle bone; often used in combination with acupoint #33

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