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Words in italics are elsewhere in the Glossary.
Acupressure Point Terms
Distal Point: An Acupressure Point located at a distance from the area it benefits. Same as Trigger Point. See Local Point
Local Point: An Acupressure Point located in the area it benefits. See Distal Point, Trigger Point
Pressure Point: Places on the body along a Meridian that have high levels of electrical conductivity. Same as Acupressure Point.
Trigger Point: An Acupressure Point that triggers a benefit (relieves tension, pain, or pressure) in another part of the body. Same as Distal Point. See Local Point
Acupressure Vocabulary
Centering: Focusing attention to enhance awareness of your body or your breathing in the present moment.
Chi: The Chinese term for the vital Life Force that circulates through pathways called Meridians. Pronounced “chee.” See Ki and Qi
Ki: The Japanese term for the Life Force energy that circulates through pathways called Meridians. Pronounced “key.” See Chi, Qi
Qi: An alternate spelling of Chi, the Chinese term for the vital Life Force that circulates through pathways called Meridians. Pronounced “chee.” See Chi and Ki
Acupressure Aspects
Meridian: The energy pathways along which energy flows through the body. The Meridians connect the various Acupressure Points and the internal organs. Found both in people and animals.
Meridian Abbreviations: Listed in the sequence in which the meridians flow, followed by the midline meridians, the Conception Vessel and Governing Vessel.
Lu Lung
LI Large Intestine
St Stomach
Sp Spleen
H Heart
SI Small Intestine
B Bladder
K Kidney
P Pericardium
TW Triple Warmer
GB Gall Bladder
Lv Liver
Midline Meridians
CV Conception Vessel
GV Governing Vessel
Referred Pain: Pain that originates in one area of the body, but is felt in another.
Holistic Concepts
Breath Visualization: Using the power of concentration and relaxation to direct long, deep breaths into specific areas of the body for healing.
Chakra: An series of energy centers, associated with the major nerve plexuses of the body.
Acupressure Related Healing Methods
Acu-Yoga: An integration of Acupressure and Yoga for self-healing. Acu-Yoga uses full-body postures along with deep breathing to stretch the muscles, open the Meridians, and stimulate the Acupressure Points.
Meditation: Focusing attention to calm the mind and develop a person’s spiritual capabilities.
Qi Gong: A system of exercises developed in ancient China that is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Qi Gong optimizes energy within the body, mind, and spirit. It includes body movements and postures, deep breathing, and a calm, meditative state of mind.
Acupressure Styles & Techniques
Shiatsu: A Japanese style of Acupressure using firm finger pressure on points along the Meridians.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): An ancient healing system that sees the body as an integrated whole with a natural self-healing ability. TCM includes Acupuncture, Acupressure, herbal medicine, Qi Gong exercise, Tuina Massage, and dietary therapy. It works with the energy flows that move through the Meridians. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the body’s healing energy is called Qi or Chi.
Acupressure Body Related Terms
Homeostasis: The state of equilibrium or balance within the body.
Holistic: The perspective that a person’s body, emotions, mind, and spirit are interconnected and affect each other. Also the idea that all aspects of life are unified and connected.
Life Force: The vital life energy contained in all living things, which circulates through the Meridians. See Chi, Ki, Qi
Acupressure Anatomical Terms
Coccyx: The last vertebra bone, located at the base of the spine, at the bottom of the Sacrum. See Spinal Column
Lateral: Toward the side of the body. See Medial
Lumbar Vertebrae: The last five spinal bones, located on the lower back, above the base of the spine (the Sacrum). See Spinal Column, Cervical Vertebrae and Thoracic Vertebrae
Medial: Toward the center of the body. See Lateral
Metatarsals: The bones between the ankle and the toes, on the top of the foot.
Sacrum: The flat triangular bone in the lower back at the base of the spine. See Coccyx and Spinal Column
Sacroiliac joints: The two places in the lower back where the Sacrum joins the pelvic bone.
Spinal Column: The backbone, composed of a series of bones called vertebrae, which are stacked on top of one another. See Cervical Vertebrae, Thoracic Vertebrae, Lumbar Vertebrae, and Sacrum.
Thoracic Vertebrae: The twelve spinal vertebrae below the neck in the upper and middle back. See Spinal Column, Cervical Vertebrae, Lumbar Vertebrae and Sacrum
Acupressure Point Terms
Distal Point: An Acupressure Point located at a distance from the area it benefits. Same as Trigger Point. See Local Point
Local Point: An Acupressure Point located in the area it benefits. See Distal Point, Trigger Point
Pressure Point: Places on the body along a Meridian that have high levels of electrical conductivity. Same as Acupressure Point.
Trigger Point: An Acupressure Point that triggers a benefit (relieves tension, pain, or pressure) in another part of the body. Same as Distal Point. See Local Point
Acupressure Vocabulary
Centering: Focusing attention to enhance awareness of your body or your breathing in the present moment.
Chi: The Chinese term for the vital Life Force that circulates through pathways called Meridians. Pronounced “chee.” See Ki and Qi
Ki: The Japanese term for the Life Force energy that circulates through pathways called Meridians. Pronounced “key.” See Chi, Qi
Qi: An alternate spelling of Chi, the Chinese term for the vital Life Force that circulates through pathways called Meridians. Pronounced “chee.” See Chi and Ki
Acupressure Aspects
Meridian: The energy pathways along which energy flows through the body. The Meridians connect the various Acupressure Points and the internal organs. Found both in people and animals.
Meridian Abbreviations: Listed in the sequence in which the meridians flow, followed by the midline meridians, the Conception Vessel and Governing Vessel.
Lu Lung
LI Large Intestine
St Stomach
Sp Spleen
H Heart
SI Small Intestine
B Bladder
K Kidney
P Pericardium
TW Triple Warmer
GB Gall Bladder
Lv Liver
Midline Meridians
CV Conception Vessel
GV Governing Vessel
Referred Pain: Pain that originates in one area of the body, but is felt in another.
Holistic Concepts
Breath Visualization: Using the power of concentration and relaxation to direct long, deep breaths into specific areas of the body for healing.
Chakra: An series of energy centers, associated with the major nerve plexuses of the body.
Acupressure Related Healing Methods
Acu-Yoga: An integration of Acupressure and Yoga for self-healing. Acu-Yoga uses full-body postures along with deep breathing to stretch the muscles, open the Meridians, and stimulate the Acupressure Points.
Meditation: Focusing attention to calm the mind and develop a person’s spiritual capabilities.
Qi Gong: A system of exercises developed in ancient China that is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Qi Gong optimizes energy within the body, mind, and spirit. It includes body movements and postures, deep breathing, and a calm, meditative state of mind.
Acupressure Styles & Techniques
Shiatsu: A Japanese style of Acupressure using firm finger pressure on points along the Meridians.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): An ancient healing system that sees the body as an integrated whole with a natural self-healing ability. TCM includes Acupuncture, Acupressure, herbal medicine, Qi Gong exercise, Tuina Massage, and dietary therapy. It works with the energy flows that move through the Meridians. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the body’s healing energy is called Qi or Chi.
Acupressure Body Related Terms
Homeostasis: The state of equilibrium or balance within the body.
Holistic: The perspective that a person’s body, emotions, mind, and spirit are interconnected and affect each other. Also the idea that all aspects of life are unified and connected.
Life Force: The vital life energy contained in all living things, which circulates through the Meridians. See Chi, Ki, Qi
Acupressure Anatomical Terms
Coccyx: The last vertebra bone, located at the base of the spine, at the bottom of the Sacrum. See Spinal Column
Lateral: Toward the side of the body. See Medial
Lumbar Vertebrae: The last five spinal bones, located on the lower back, above the base of the spine (the Sacrum). See Spinal Column, Cervical Vertebrae and Thoracic Vertebrae
Medial: Toward the center of the body. See Lateral
Metatarsals: The bones between the ankle and the toes, on the top of the foot.
Sacrum: The flat triangular bone in the lower back at the base of the spine. See Coccyx and Spinal Column
Sacroiliac joints: The two places in the lower back where the Sacrum joins the pelvic bone.
Spinal Column: The backbone, composed of a series of bones called vertebrae, which are stacked on top of one another. See Cervical Vertebrae, Thoracic Vertebrae, Lumbar Vertebrae, and Sacrum.
Thoracic Vertebrae: The twelve spinal vertebrae below the neck in the upper and middle back. See Spinal Column, Cervical Vertebrae, Lumbar Vertebrae and Sacrum