book by Michael Reed Gach, Ph.D. and Beth Ann Henning, Dipl. A.B.T. |
book review by June Milligan, M.Ed., CCHt |

More than five thousand years ago the Chinese discovered that by applying pressure with their fingers or hands to specific points on the body, they could relieve pain. Dr. Gach explains that through instinct, trial, error and methodical observation the Chinese identified hundreds of acupressure points that could be used to alleviate physical symptoms, benefit the healthy functioning of internal organs and balance the emotions.

Acupuncture is better known than acupressure, but the same points on the body are stimulated. Instead of needles, acupressure uses the gentle but firm pressure of the hands or fingers to stimulate the body’s natural self-curative abilities.

Acupressure reaches to the core of many of the emotional disorders and stress-related physical problems that are so common in our contemporary society. By freeing unresolved emotional experiences stored in the body, acupressure can alleviate a wide range of everyday aches and pains, allergies, poor circulation, sleeplessness and other chronic complaints. It can even unveil the memory of a traumatic experience that caused an emotional wound, or completely remove the negative emotional charge from any scene or memory, no matter how long ago it occurred.

Using this natural healing art has no side effects. Your hands are the only equipment you need. Acupressure uses the human hand to release endorphins, your body’s natural pain-relieving chemicals. These neurochemicals get distributed into the bloodstream, and by simply holding certain points with firm, steady pressure for a few minutes (or tapping on the points or gently massaging the points) these natural pain-relieving agents do their magic.

Tension and pain naturally accumulate at acupressure points. As points are stimulated, muscular tension yields to finger pressure, causing the fibers of the muscle to elongate and relax, which causes blood to flow freely and toxins to therefore be released and eliminated. When your blood and bioelectrical energy circulate freely, you have a greater sense of harmony, health and well-being.

Acupressure points have a high electrical conductivity at the surface of the skin. Stimulating a point allows life energy to flow through the body. Chinese medicine refers to this energy as chi (pronounced chee); in Japan it is known as ki (pronounced key). Here in the West, we have proven the existence of this energy by using microvolt meters, high-tech electrical devices that measure energy and electrical charges throughout the body.

Meridians are the energy pathways that connect acupressure points to one another and to the internal organs and the limbic brain, which has been called the center of our emotions. Just as blood vessels nourish the body physically, meridians circulate healing energy to all systems of the body. We have this magnificent free built-in physical and emotional healing/balancing system which very few of us here in the West know how to use.
Daily stress or emotional disturbances inhibit the circulation of energy throughout these meridians. The resulting tensions accumulate at acupressure points and as tension from stress builds or becomes chronic, blood circulation decreases, negatively affecting body functions. For instance, tightness in the chest can make breathing difficult. Pressing or tapping certain acupressure points on the chest can free breathing, reduce chest pain and even relieve depression.

Detailed photos and diagrams in this book show the exact points which can alleviate a variety of emotional problems, many of which cause physical symptoms. As you free your body’s energy by using acupressure, then greater health, mental clarity and an expanded awareness will occur, dissolving conflicts between mind and body.

Dr. Gach addresses complaints such as abandonment, abuse, addiction, anger, anxiety and panic attacks, co-dependency, depression, grief, phobias, guilt, shame, incest, jealousy, resentment, mood swings, PTSD, self-doubt and many more. Any of these can be causing physical symptoms as well as the usual sorrow and misery.
Dr. Gach has written four books, eight booklets, has produced four voice-guided self-healing CDs and eight instructional videos. He founded the Acupressure Institute in Berkeley where he teaches many mind-body modalities, as well as advanced acupressure courses. I have used his techniques in my practice for years, and can personally attest to the accuracy of his information. This wonderful book can be purchased from www.amazon.com for $15.00.

By  Lee M. Thorpe, MA, ADTR, LMT, ABT |

Zen Shiatsu is an Asian bodywork that helps the  human body find balance using our chi (energy) as a guide. Our health and wellness depends on smooth energy flow to maintain the balance of mind-body-spirit. When our bodies have tension or pain our chi flow is stagnant or congested, while somewhere else in our body there may be depletion or weakness. An extreme excess of stagnation can lead to illness or disease. Diseases arising internally are always manifestations of a preexisting imbalance between Yin and Yang. The primary treatment goal of a Zen Shiatsu session is to re-balance and harmonize the chi flow in order to relieve discomfort and pain.

The Zen Shiatsu Approach

Following a different approach than a western style massage, a Zen Shiatsu practitioner is aware of and interacts with the chi flow on established energy pathways defined as meridians. There are varying numbers of acupressure points on each of the 12 traditional meridians that the practitioner uses to affect the flow of chi. The practitioner’s theoretical background includes a knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), including but not limited to, Yin and Yang theory; Five Element Theory; names and placement of the meridians; location and benefits of acupoints; a philosophical and poetic understanding of TCM; and the body mechanics of human movement; all of which help to encourage the best flow of chi.

A Zen Shiatsu Session

A Zen Shiatsu session is experienced on a futon on the floor. The client is wearing loose comfortable clothing and there is no use of oils or lotions. Before the session, the client is interviewed and fills out an intake form. Some of the questions may be unusual. What is your favorite color? What season do you like best? What season do you like least? What time do you wake up and go to sleep?  Do you wake up in the middle of the night? What time is your sleep disturbed? These questions are geared toward our nature, the nature within us as it relates to the nature outside of us. Once an understanding of the client is gained the client lies down on the futon face up and is asked to take some deep relaxing breaths, allowing their body to relax like a rag doll.

One goal of the session is for the client to let the practitioner do all the work. As the practitioner moves around the clients body in a crawling fashion, the client will experience the practitioner using compressions on major muscle groups and stretching limbs and joints with pushing and pulling. There may be holding or invigorating movement of acupressure points as well as the meridians.

Benefits

A Zen Shiatsu can benefit aliments such as lower back pain, neck and shoulder pain, sciatica, joint pain, headaches, insomnia, digestive disorders (such as diarrhea and constipation), fatigue, anxiety, premenstrual syndrome, irritability, high blood pressure, and poor circulation. In addition, a Zen Shiatsu session can address issues that have a predominantly emotional base such as anger, joy, worry, sadness, shock, preoccupation, and fear.

In Conclusion

Every illness we face challenges us to rediscover the place of harmony within the whole. Zen Shiatsu is a unique and lovely way to build health, encouraging us to a higher connection to well-being.

References:

1. Bodywork Shiatsu, by Carl Dubitsky, Publisher: Inner Traditons International, Limited, May 1997

2. Wood Becomes Water-Chinese Medicine in Everyday Life, by Gail Reichstein, Publisher: Kodansha International, April 1998

For more info, contact Lee M. Thorpe, MA, ADTR, LMT, ABT, specializing Asian bodywork, at Circle of Life Spa: 775-832-2232.