Established 1995
Michael Reed Gach, Ph.D. © Copyright
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Acupressure for Beginners
Guidance, Instructions and Resources
This Acupressure Chart locates Acupressure points for both beginners and advanced healing practitioners.
Acupressure points can stimulate
your body’s natural self-healing abilities.
your body’s natural self-healing abilities.
If you’re an Acupressure beginner, you may find the guidelines below helpful for any fears or doubts about using Acupressure. These Acupressure guidelines will also answer some of your basic questions about how to apply pressure correctly and skillfully to the Acupressure points. Follow the instructions I have provided and use common sense, and you’ll find Acupressure is safe, effective, and easy to learn and use.
Acupressure Guidance for Beginners
1. Apply pressure gradually and slowly. Hold the points with a light, steady pressure for 1 to 3 minutes. If the point is sore, use less pressure. If less pressure is still tender, use light touch. However, if you’re muscular or like deeper pressure, you can increase the pressure until it “hurts good.”
After holding a point, always hold it lightly for a minute before coming off it. That is, go into the point slowly, hold the point for a few minutes, then gradually release the point.
After holding a point, always hold it lightly for a minute before coming off it. That is, go into the point slowly, hold the point for a few minutes, then gradually release the point.
Sea of Tranquility Point (CV 17)
2. Do not press on cuts, wounds, or tumors, and stay away from pressing near your throat. As you press other points, you may experience warmth and some tingling. This can be a good sign that blood circulation is increasing to heal those areas. However, if you get dizzy, press the Sea of Tranquility point (called CV 17), located at the center of your chest. Here’s instruction on the CV 17 point to stabilize your body.
3. Only hold points for a few minutes. If you are an Acupressure beginner, do not press longer than 3 minutes on any one point. Always apply the pressure gradually.
4. Medication and medical conditions necessitate the need to hold the points more gently, for just a minute each. Acupressure can enhance your health and relieve common ailments, but it's not a substitute for getting medical treatment. If you have severe health problems, please see a doctor and get a second medical opinion if necessary. Using common sense with gentle Acupressure is usually complementary and safe to do while receiving good medical care.
5. Breathe slowly, smoothly, and deeply while holding the Acupressure points and during the deep relaxation done after practicing Self-Acupressure.
6. Deep Relaxation: As you learn to do a Self-Acupressure session with a number of points, for best results, you’ll end with relaxation. Sit or lie down in a very comfortable position with your eyes closed, relax, and breathe deeply for at least 5 to 10 minutes afterward. This deep relaxation enables the Acupressure points to balance the systems and the healing energy within your body.
If you don’t have much time and can only hold a few points for a minute or two, you may not need to end with a deep relaxation. Or maybe you don’t have a good place to relax. Any Acupressure is better than none! It’s better to do what you can manage, even if it’s just a few minutes a day.
3. Only hold points for a few minutes. If you are an Acupressure beginner, do not press longer than 3 minutes on any one point. Always apply the pressure gradually.
4. Medication and medical conditions necessitate the need to hold the points more gently, for just a minute each. Acupressure can enhance your health and relieve common ailments, but it's not a substitute for getting medical treatment. If you have severe health problems, please see a doctor and get a second medical opinion if necessary. Using common sense with gentle Acupressure is usually complementary and safe to do while receiving good medical care.
5. Breathe slowly, smoothly, and deeply while holding the Acupressure points and during the deep relaxation done after practicing Self-Acupressure.
6. Deep Relaxation: As you learn to do a Self-Acupressure session with a number of points, for best results, you’ll end with relaxation. Sit or lie down in a very comfortable position with your eyes closed, relax, and breathe deeply for at least 5 to 10 minutes afterward. This deep relaxation enables the Acupressure points to balance the systems and the healing energy within your body.
If you don’t have much time and can only hold a few points for a minute or two, you may not need to end with a deep relaxation. Or maybe you don’t have a good place to relax. Any Acupressure is better than none! It’s better to do what you can manage, even if it’s just a few minutes a day.
Acupressure developed in China as a folk healing art 5,000 years ago.
Learning Acupressure as a Beginner
This website has many resources for your learning and growth. One good place to start is with the Acupressure Basics article, Acupressure Points, which is an overview for beginners.
Self-Acupressure Guidance for many common complaints, can be found in the book, Acupressure’s Potent Points. To see an excerpt from the book, here’s the article on Headaches & Migraines. It has a simple self-care routine for you to try.
The Benefits of Acupressure are many and varied. Take some time to familiarize yourself with them and see how many different ways you can help yourself and others with Acupressure.
Self-Acupressure Guidance for many common complaints, can be found in the book, Acupressure’s Potent Points. To see an excerpt from the book, here’s the article on Headaches & Migraines. It has a simple self-care routine for you to try.
The Benefits of Acupressure are many and varied. Take some time to familiarize yourself with them and see how many different ways you can help yourself and others with Acupressure.
Going Further
Acupressure for Beginners
As you get more familiar with Acupressure, you might want to have a map that shows where all the Acupressure points are located — an Acupressure Chart. The most effective points are shown larger, which makes them easy to find and use. The Chart also comes with a 16-page reference booklet to help you work with the points.
Applying these guidelines, and using common sense makes Acupressure safe, empowering you to become more self-reliant to take greater responsibility for your own health.
Welcome to the World of Healing and Optimal Health
If you’re new to Acupressure as a beginner, you can explore the courses that most interest you at Acupressure Online Trainings.