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Soothing in your hands - self care 101

10/25/2016

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In this blog, I will present some soothing finger "meditations" that can be invoked any time by simply holding on to one of the fingers by the other hand. Holding a specific finger intentionally is an expression of inner resolve and can provide support, grounding and comfort for the body and emotions, according to  Acupressure Theory and  the Yogic practice of mudras.  The finger "meanings" can vary according to which system/ theory you follow.  So as not to confuse, the next section presents simple finger correspondences from Acupressure Theory only. Think of them like reflex points to calm the emotions.

  • Hold the thumb when you want to reduce worry, doubt or loss of trust.   The converse of worry is Trust (in yourself, the universe, and your life on Earth.)
  • Hold the Index finger when you want to reduce fear.  In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), the yin/yang of fear is calmness (like a still pond which clearly reflects its environment.)
  • Hold the Middle finger when you want to calm anger. The minister of anger is Kindness. (When you see the "other" as part of your kind or kin, anger dissolves.)
  • Hold the Ring finger when you want to soothe grief.  I have always found it fascinating that the "opposite" of grief in TCM is not joy but courage, the courage to be right here, right now with what is happening and to take the next step in your life's path.
  • Hold the Pinky when you want to bring the heart into balance. When you are trying too hard.  When you think you can do more than you can do- taking on over-responsibility and guilt for circumstances out of your control.  Think of facilitating or inviting what you want rather than fixing the situation.

If you feel a strong desire to hold a particular finger when feeling a strong emotion that doesn't match this list, follow your instincts.  I personally believe intention is everything. In other words, qi (energy) follows yi (the mind).  What you focus on will override any "system's" dogma. 

For a fuller meaning, each finger can represent a minister or particular personal quality that you want to develop, not just the emotion you want to subdue.  As you practice holding, your intent and focus can strengthen the specific ministerial qualities of that particular finger.  Whereas the hands can receive, emit, and move the natural energy of the universe, the fingers are like antennae - the medium to connect with the language and intelligence of the universe. .


Two additional places to hold for support, grounding and comfort are on the wrist and on the top of the shoulder:
  • With palm up, place four fingers of the other hand on the wrist to find your place, then remove the pinky and ring fingers.  The two fingers left on the wrist area are contacting a "heart opening" point on the pericardium (or heart protector) meridian.  Use this point if you are feeling vulnerable, to protect your heart while opening to the experience.
  • Take your fingers and put them on the very highest point of the shoulders.  I like to cross my forearms to reach the opposite shoulder, but you don't have to if your reach better same hands, same sides.  This point ("shoulder well" or GB21) is for frustration and rising anger.  Holding on and pressing down literally pushes you down toward the ground, so your mind doesn't run away with you.

Working with the fingers (and additional points at the wrist and shoulder well) can bring needed connection and a mind body strategy to address emotional distress.  Because fingers are at the end of the meridians (energy channels or rivers), they are a strong support for change.  Finger holding is a tool to bring awareness to the body and is easily combined with other techniques to calm the spirit, such as deep breathing, affirmations or imagining oneself to be in a relaxing scene. You can do it any time, anywhere, even in a meeting or waiting in line. Share your experiences with finger holding in the comments section below.




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Acupressure self help 101

10/19/2016

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For many years, more than 10 years, in fact, since I've been struggling with chronic pain,  I've been wanting to write about all the things I have learned to do for myself to reduce pain and suffering.  Techniques that I rely on come from the 3 M's mostly - massage, movement and meditation.  These are the practices central to my career as a massage therapist, qigong and tai chi instructor, and health educator and in my personal life. Each self help post is conceived to be kind of a reminder, a record of simple ways to turn toward yourself and utilize inner knowledge in times of trauma, stress and pain.  So here goes number one in my hoped to be emerging series - about acupressure self help points in the ear. 

I'm going to start by talking about the ear and specifically three points on the ear that can help immensely with any sort of trauma, Shenmen, Kidney and Liver points (see chart above from NIDA https://theory.yinyanghouse.com/theory/auricular/nada_detox_protocol)

How do ear points (acupressure) work?
Ear acupressure can help you reduce symptoms and stay strong. Similar to how foot or hand reflexology targets points on the feet or hands that correspond to areas of your body, Traditional Chinese medicine has mapped out a reflex of the entire body on the ear. Strategic pressure on specific ear points can address everything from stress reduction, soothing digestion, to easing joint and muscle pains. It's done by placing tiny press balls, small magnets, or seeds (radish or mustard seeds, for instance) at specific areas of the ears. You can even massage ear points using a pencil eraser.

Where are the points to press on? What do they do?
1. You can find Shenmen ("spirit gate") by pulling up on the very top of the ear cartilage and it will create a triangular shape (known as the triangular fossa) just beneath. Put the seed into the middle of the triangle to calm and ground yourself.  It is used to open your spirit to something higher to counteract disturbances on the earthly plane.

2. Kidney point is located directly below Shenmen in the next division/fold of the ear.  Place the seed pushing up to the top of the fold. You can think of this point tor bring the body’s energy back in balance. From a TCM perspective, Kidneys govern fear, so it can help with an overabundance of that emotion.  Also Kidney point is the foundation or root of all yin (nurturing) energy. The will to persist and move ahead in the face of difficulty is rooted in the kidneys. this point can revive a low sex drive, calm insomnia and revitalize low energy. 

3. Liver point is located underneath Kidney point .  Follow a horizontal fold of the ear back to where it hits the big arc of the ear.  there might even be a little red dot. When the kidney organs are deficient in TCM, liver suffers. When your liver fire rises, in TCM, it is associated with anger, frustration. Can be out of balance with sexual abuse, and all kinds of trauma.  Liver controls the flow of blood and menstrual cycles.  Lack of nourishment to the liver can result in nausea, headaches, and bouts of emotional outbursts. 

Once you've got your ear seeds in, press on them a few times a day, whenever you feel in distress.  Place your thumb behind the ear and your index finger in front and apply firm, gentle pressure. Ear seeds can stay in place for a few days to a week.  Remove them whenever they become uncomfortable. Often, seeds fall out on their own during showering or hair brushing.



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    ​Marian Wolfe Dixon
    MA, LMT (OR #3902)

    NCTMB Approved Provider
    Continuing Education for Massage Therapists, CHt, TCMBB.

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  • Home
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