Catch that moment-in-between! At the computer while waiting for a process to finish, or in the kitchen while waiting for water to boil. Anywhere you have a moment, tap it or it flies with the wings of the morning.
There is no need to aim at the exact locations of the acupuncture body points while doing self-massage. Focus on treatment areas, through them you can connect to and affect the points and their channels.
Try it! Tap for a minute or so all around the head and you’ll find that the head feels clearer afterwards, at least that’s what I experience.
Tap, Tap, Tap All Around your Head
There are so many points located around the head and on it that you can hardly count them. The translations of the Chinese names are descriptive and very interesting indeed.
Points with names such as Suspended Regulator (GB 6), Flowing Valley GB 8), Celestial Pouring (GB 9), Root of the Spirit (GB 13), Eye Window (GB 16), Upright Management (GB 17), and many others including those on the UB channel, are used to to release headache, nasal obstruction, to help tired eyes, blurring vision and ear problems such as ringing in the ears.
Other points helping eyesight and hearing are on the forehead and both sides of the head – Eyes Bright (UB 1), Yintang, Yang White (GB 14), Taiyang, Pupil Seam (GB 1), Hearing Assembly (GB 2), Lower Hinge (ST 7), Palace of Hearing (SI 19), Whites (ST 2).
Tap to prevent Cold and Flu
And if you tap the upper part of the neck, all around the occipital bone you catch many ‘wind – window of the sky’ points – Wind Pool (GB 20), Wind’s Dwelling (Gov. 16), Jade Pillow (UB 9), Final Bone (GB 12 – also used in insomnia). They help you, among other indications, in Flu Prevention – to clear out the toxins and viruses that tend to collect in the glands.
Add to them Person Welcome (ST 9), Heavenly Appearance (SI 17), and lower down in front, Heaven’s Prominence (Co 22) and at the back Big Vertebra (Gov 14) and To Grasp Wind (SI 12- a crossing point for LI, TW and GB channels). Tapping them daily you help your throat and Lung functions while building resistance to cold and flu.
The Upper Yin and Yang Channel’s Chi Flow
In the upper Yin channels, Chi flows from the chest area along the inner arms to the fingers.
The points on these channels have names such as Central Mansion (Lu 1), Cloud Gate (Lu 2), Spirit Gate (He 7), Inner Connection (PC 6), Labour’s Palace (PC 8).
The functions are to harmonize the Chi flow the Lungs, Heart and Pericardium. Therefore, your self-massage helps to alleviate cough, asthma, pains in the chest, palpitations, anxiety stress, and it calms the spirit.
The upper Yang Channel go from the fingers along the outside of the arms over the shoulder ending in the face.
Some names for their points are descriptive also. Coming Together (LI 4), Curbed Pool (LI 11), Welcome Fragrance (LI 20), Outer Gate (TW 5), Wind Screen (TW 17), To Nourish the Old (SI 6), Heavenly Ancestor (SI 11), Cheekbone Seam (SI 18). When you tap, self-massage or even brush with your hands these channels you’ll open the Chi flow in them and within the inner organs.
The Lower Yin and Yang Channel’s Chi Flow
The leg Yin Channels begin in the feet and run along the inside of the legs
Bubbling Spring (Kid 1), Extreme Stream (Kid 3), House Guest (Kid 9), Official Grandson (Sp 4), Yin Crossing (Sp 6), Supreme Pouring (Liv.3), Curve Spring (Liv 8). Again, the purpose of self massaging in these areas is to spread Chi, harmonize the blood flow, and to bring a sense of balance.
The leg Yang channels begin in the face and end up in your toes
Inner Courtyard (St 44), Foot Three Miles (St 36), Abundance (St 40), Foot Above Tears (GB 41), Suspended Cup (GB 39), Kunlun Mountain (UB 60), To Support Mountain (UB 57) are a few of their numerous points.
The Front Channels of the Torso
Kidney, Liver and Spleen channels run up the torso in the front. They have names such as Chi’s Cave (Kid 12), Vital Corridor (Kid 16), Spirit Storage (Kid 25), Document Gate (Liv 13), Hope Gate (Liv 14), Abdominal Knot (Sp 14), Large Envelope (Sp 21).
Of the Yang Leg Channels, the main trunk of Stomach channel runs down toward the legs and have names such as Breast Source (St 18), Heaven Hinge (St 25) and Chi Rushing (St 30). Your self-massage on these areas should be gentle, yet as deep as is comfortable for you.
Of the Extra-Ordinary Channels in the front, the best known is the Conception channel. Its points have names such as Sea of Chi (Co 6) and Great Palace (Co 14).
The traditional functions found in acupuncture textbooks often mean to open up blocks, to harmonize and spread Chi. While tapping or self-massaging, make sure to cover the sides and the buttocks to help GB channel in its Chi flow.
The Back Channels of the Body
The UB channel, running down at the back has two lines. Its numerous points include Wind Door (UB 12), Heart’s Hollow (UB 15), Liver Corridor (UB 18), Kidney Corridor (UB 23) and other ‘vital corridors’ that are expressive in their names.
Enjoy
I hope you enjoy your daily self-massage. Better yet, if you have an opportunity to exchange acupressure-massage with your partner or a friend, go for it!
When playing with my grandchildren I sometimes asked them to give me a barefoot massage. They have fun taking turns in walking on my back, and I loved it!
May your Rejuvenating Energy flow abundantly! And may you live in thankfulness for all that your life offers.
