Daily Self Massage for Optimum Health
This self-massage program will help to increase the circulation of Qi energy throughout the body. Daily application will improve overall health and help to prevent indigestion, insomnia, constipation, headaches, colds and flu.
Follow the sequence prescribed here for best results. Pressure is applied in only one direction for all linear movements unless otherwise noted. Repeat each motion 36 times to begin with while applying 81 repetitions to troublesome areas.
1) Eyes
Place the base joint of each thumb at the inner end of the eye brow and massage in one smooth circular motion moving outward following the upper edge of the orbital bone and then inward following the lower edge of the orbital bone to complete the circle. One revolution should take about two seconds.
2) Nose
Interlock the fingers of both hands with the thumbs touching at the tips and separated at the base. Clasp the hands in this position so that the base of each thumb is just above the root of the nose. Move the hands downward so that the nose gradually causes the thumb tips to separate and move apart. Continue the downward movement until the tips of the thumbs reach the tips of the nostrils. Then move upward, without pressure, to the original starting position. Each up and down motion should take about one second.
3) Ears
First, place the palms of the hands flat on the ears and massage in a counterclockwise circular motion. Only light pressure is needed here. Second, place the hands so that they straddle the ears with the index finger behind the ear and the middle finger along the line formed by the anterior portion of the ear. Move downward toward the earlobe where the index and middle finger will almost touch before moving upward (without pressure) to the starting position. Each up and down motion should take about one second.
4) Wind Mansion
Use either hand and place three fingers as to cover the depression just below the occipital protuberance, with the middle finger in the center of the depression. Massage in a clockwise circular motion without leaving the point.
5) Wind Pool
Repeat the same procedure as for Wind Mansion but this time use the right hand on the right depression just lateral to the trapezius muscle and the left hand on left depression. The right hand circles clockwise and the left hand counterclockwise.
6) Neck
Next, place the two hands fingertip to fingertip behind the head and rub the line of the three wind points left and right 36 times. One time is defined as a left and right combination. The friction of this massage should be hard enough to warm the back of the neck but not cause skin pain. One back-and-forth motion should take about one second.
7) Abdomen
With the right hand massage the entire abdomen (from the bottom of the rib cage to the top of the pubic bone) in a clockwise direction.
8) Kidney Area
Place the backs of both hands on the lumbar area on either side of the spine. Using the back of the hands and wrists, rub inward and downward toward the spine and then upward and outward.
9) Sacrum
Rub up and down over the Ba Liao region, applying pressure when rubbing so that hands remain in contact with the skin, but do not cause pain. Rub up and down about two hundred times until the skin feels hot.
10) Left Sole
Start with the palm of the right hand on the sole of the left foot and in a single motion, rub down to the heel and back over the balls of the foot. Equal pressure is applied to both strokes. Each back-and-forth motion should take about one to two seconds. Since there is little danger of irritating the skin on the soles of the feet, slightly more pressure can be applied here than at other places on the body.
11) Right Sole
Use the left palm to repeat the same procedure on the right sole.
Thank you for visiting my blog. If you have questions about acupuncture and shiatsu, or if you have a specific health concern, please contact me at:
Bart Walton, L.Ac.
Licensed Acupuncture & Shiatsu
Portland, Oregon
503/939-5805

