Category Archives: Point Location

Catching a breath – Reaching the depth

Acupressure Points, Asthma, Breathing, Five Elements, Point Location, Psycho-emotional, Vitality, , , , , ,

BlakeIn the southern hemisphere, winter is waiting in the wings, anxious to take its place onstage during the dark months. But before autumn is done, let us take one more excursion into the realm of the Metal Element.

In the early years of my practice, I discovered the power of Lung 9 to help asthma sufferers. One client in particular found that by holding this point for herself whenever she felt an asthma attack coming, she was able to reduce the use of her inhalant medication by two thirds. Lung 9 is the source point of the meridian and as such it directly relaxes the organ as well as balancing the meridian. Source points are powerful points and if all you know about acupressure is the 12 source points, you have a valuable tool set

Other physical conditions that this point can treat include cough, wheezing, difficult breathing, dry throat, phlegm in the lungs, cold hands, weak voice and the weakness and fragility that result from Qi deficiency.

Reaching Deeper

Later in my practice, I came to discover that Lung 9 can go much deeper, to the psycho-emotional and spiritual levels of a person’s being. Indeed, the name of this point, Very Great Abyss, suggests more profound possibilities than simply treating the lungs.

Very Great Abyss influences the Po which is the spirit of the Metal Element. Of the five spirits the Po, also known as the Corporeal Soul, is the one that supports the functioning of the body. It is what gives us our instincts, our animal nature. It is our animal soul. Paradoxically, the Po also allows for a tricky balancing act of living life as a human being, namely that of being a creature of spirit inhabiting the body of an animal.

When the Po is troubled, this balance between spirit and body, between heaven and earth, can be disturbed. Lung 9 is able to go down into the abyss, to the depth of the soul. It can retrieve a person who has lost their way, calm one who is manic, stabilise someone who feels like they are cracking up or losing control. In short, it can reach down into the very depth of a person, calming, revitalising, rejuvenating and bringing a sense of security and stability.

Whether you simply want to breathe more deeply or if you want to feel more at ease in your body-soul, Very Great Abyss will help bring you back to yourself.

Location of Lung 9

LU 9Hold your left hand with the palm facing you. On the thumb side of the wrist crease, find the hollow between a tendon on the thumb side, the radial artery next to it, and the bone at the base of the hand. Hold the point with gentle pressure for 2 to 3 minutes. Tune into the Qi at the point. Notice how you feel as you hold it. Notice whether it affects your breathing or your mood. When you feel done, hold the same point on the right wrist and tune into the Qi there.

If you want to explore further, you can hold Lung 9 in combination with Large Intestine 4 which we learned earlier in the autumn. (See previous blog post). By holding the two source points of the Metal meridians together, you will be balancing the yin and yang of Metal. Doing this in the autumn, the season of Metal, makes it more powerful still. Try this on your friends and family. Self acupressure is good but treating another allows the work to go much deeper.

Anyone for Tennis Elbow?

Acupressure Points, Constipation, Digestion, Pain Relief, Point Location, Tennis Elbow, , , ,

1598R-10012948After the ethereal musings of the last posting where we opened to the Breath of Heaven, this time we come down to earth with an examination of a painful physical condition. Tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis is a condition that causes soreness and pain in the outer part of the elbow. The term tennis elbow is actually a misnomer; while some cases do derive from playing the sport improperly, a more likely cause these days is from the repetitive stress of computer use, especially mousing. The condition could equally be called Mouser’s Elbow! Half of cases are not even caused by overexertion but by blows or injuries to the area.

The acupoint that most effectively addresses this condition is Large Intestine 11, Pool at the Crook. Sustained pressure on this point, located in the large hollow at the outer end of the elbow crease, will help to free congested Qi in this area.

Pool at the Crook has many other uses for a wide range of conditions. Because it is the tonification point of the Large Intestine meridian, it stimulates the organ and is therefore a powerful point for constipation and abdominal congestion. It clears heat from the body and so is useful in cases of fever and inflammation. It helps with skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and shingles. It can lower blood pressure, relieve toothache and treat pain in the shoulder, upper arm and forearm.

L.I. 11 strengthens the Metal Element and can be very grounding for a person who has his head in the clouds. It balances the Qi between Large Intestine and its partner meridian Lung.

So if someone you know has elbow pain from a tennis racquet or a mouse, or if they suffer from any of the above ailments, try dipping your finger into the pool at the crook of their elbow.

Location of Large Intestine 11

SAMSUNGPlace your left forearm so that it makes a right angle with your upper arm. This reveals a crease at the outer edge of the elbow. Place your right thumb into the large hollow at the end of this crease and apply sustained pressure for 2-3 minutes. Don’t use so much pressure that it hurts; you should remain relaxed. If the point is very blocked, it may take some time before you feel a sensation. Feel for an opening of the Qi which may be felt as a pulsing, a gentle throbbing, tingling, warmth or some other sensation. When you feel done, treat the right elbow. Even if a condition is only on one side of the body, it is good to treat the points on  both sides.