Five Element Acupressure | Energy work that heals body mind and spirit

In this final blog for 2015, I’m taking a slight detour from our road trip through the Fire points to introduce you to a practice that helps to balance the three burning spaces of the torso. These spaces are three interconnected chambers that together comprise the Chinese medicine concept of the Triple Heater (Sanjiao). This Fire “organ” is responsible for the smooth flow of Qi throughout all of the meridians, acting as a harmoniser of the energy system. It governs the defensive Qi of the body, therefore supporting the immune system. It is also responsible for maintaining homeostasis in the body, keeping it in the Goldilocks zone, neither too hot nor too cold.

The Visualistion Practice

The Triple Heater Visualisation is helpful in balancing the three burners and supporting the Triple Heater Official in harmonising all of the organs and meridians. It can be done sitting in a chair or on a cushion, or lying down. Whichever position you are in, just be relaxed and comfortable.

Begin by placing your right hand over your lower abdomen at a place about two fingers width below your navel. Then place your left hand over your right. Just tune into that centre, which we call the lower burner. Notice the sensations and energies, or lack of energy.

You are going to set up an imaginary windmill in your lower burner. This is an energetic wheel that turns around the point below your navel. The wheel can be any size and move at any speed that feels right for you. It turns in a clockwise direction, like a fan stirring the air. Notice if anything changes as the fan turns the energies in your lower burner.

Allow that wheel to continue to turn on its own as you bring your attention to the middle burner. Move your hands upwards to a place midway between your navel and your sternum, the solar plexus. Notice what is happening there. Are the energies moving or not? Now, imagine another wheel the same size and turning at the same speed as the wheel in the lower burner, like a fan gently turning the air. Notice what happens as that wheel turns.

Now there are two wheels in motion that continue to turn as you bring your attention to the upper burner. Move your hands to the centre of your chest. Notice what is happening there. Are the energies moving or not? Now imagine a third wheel, the same size and turning at the same speed as the other two. Like a fan turning the air, this wheel turns the energies in the upper burner.

Leave your right hand on the upper burner and move your left hand down to the lower burner. What do you notice as you hold the two spaces together? Is one more energised than the other? Does one have more heat? As you hold that combination, you may find that the two begin to equalise and resonate together.

Now move your left hand to the middle burner in the solar plexus. The right hand remains on the upper burner. Notice how these two burners feel in comparison. Are they similar or different in temperature and activity? Once again, as you hold this combination, you may find an equalisation taking place as the two burners resonate together.

Now move your left hand back to the lower burner and move your right hand to the middle burner. Notice how these two burners are in relationship with each other. Notice if anything changes as you continue to hold this combination.

Finally, bring your hands to rest in your lap and tune in to the three wheels turning together. Notice what has changed since you began, and what has remained the same. What has changed in each of the burning spaces and what has changed in the whole of you?

This is an extract from my second book ‘The Way of the Five Seasons’, due for publication by Singing Dragon Press in March 2016.

The book launch for both books is set for the afternoon of May 1st 2016 at the Ngeringa Cultural Centre in the Adelaide Hills. Mark your calendar for this free event.

The recent heatwave in South Australia has left no doubt that summer is here. To kick off the season of Fire points, I’ve chosen one that, among its many functions, helps those who struggle with the heat.

Neiguan – Inner Frontier Gate – Heart Protector 6

Neiguan – Inner Frontier Gate is a significant point on the Heart Protector meridian and one of the most important of all the acu-points. Its hallmark is its capacity to bring steadiness to the bodymind. It steadies the heart, the circulation, the stomach, the mind and the emotions.

To begin with, Neiguan is one of the strongest points influencing the chest and the chest cavity. It is the luo-connecting point of the Heart Protector, connecting to its partner the Triple Heater. But this connection with the Triple Heater is not at the forearm where the point is located but in the chest. This point therefore exerts a profound influence over the Heart and Lungs and promotes the circulation of Qi and Blood in all three Burners.

Neiguan is also the master point of the Yin Wei Mai (Yin Linking Vessel) which connects all yin meridians and influences the chest and Heart. It treats chest pain, pain in the ribs, palpitations, arrhythmia and hypertension. It relaxes the coronary arteries and is known to have a general analgesic effect.

As an important Fire point, it regulates the Fire Element, balancing it whether it is raging out of control or burning too low. It is particularly known for heat conditions such as fevers, hot skin, cracked tongue and painful urination.

At the emotional level, the point has a steadying influence on the Heart, calming the spirit, clearing the brain, and brightening the mental outlook when joylessness has pervaded the Heart Protector. It treats a wide range of emotional disorders such as irritability, anxiety, depression, mania, fear, fright and sadness. By steadying the Heart and the shen, it treats insomnia.

As the name implies, Inner Frontier Gate integrates the inner and outer. It regulates the connection between the Heart and the outer world, facilitating communication between the two. The Heart Protector protects the Heart by closing when appropriate in hurtful situations and opening to connect emotionally in loving relationships. Nowhere is this function seen more clearly than at Inner Frontier Gate. When healthy, it is a gate that swings easily on its hinges.

Where there has been pain, shock, betrayal and trauma to the Heart, Neiguan has the capacity to heal old wounds. A person suffering post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) continually re-experiences the initial trauma, whether from physical accident, frightening situations, or physical or sexual abuse. All of these traumas are absorbed by the Heart Protector and can be treated at this point.

The other major area in which Neiguan’s steadying influence is felt, is the stomach. It is a significant point for the Stomach and the go-to point for nausea and vomiting due to its connection with the Triple Heater and the Lower Burner. The point steadies the Stomach by treating all kinds of nausea including seasickness or other motion sickness, morning sickness in pregnancy and nausea experienced during chemotherapy. Its effectiveness for nausea has been well documented as there have been more scientific studies of Neiguan than any other acu-point.

When you find that your heart, mind or stomach are all at sea, try holding Neiguan to steady your ship.

Location of Heart Protector 6

The point lies on the front of the forearm between the ulna and radius bones, 2 cun (approximately 3 fingers width) above the inner wrist crease. Use moderate, direct pressure.

This is an extract from John’s book ‘The Way of the Five Elements’ published by Singing Dragon Press and now available from discerning booksellers.

For a copy signed by the author, contact john@acupressure.com.au