Tui Na (An Mo) (Acupressure)

Tui Na(An Mo) (Acupressure) This is based on the shiatsu course I completed in 1983 with Carola Beresford-Cooke. I taught this course in Norwich between 1984 and 1995. It was also used with various martial artists, both here and in America. Carola now runs Shiatsu-Wales, the residential tuition centre on the West Wales Coast, offering tuition in Shiatsu and Meridian Massage as well as treatments. WHAT IS ACUPRESSURE? Acupressure is a system of natural medicine which uses the same ‘points’ and ‘meridians’ (energy channels) as acupuncture, shiatsu and in fact, martial arts. Being non-invasive, acupressure is an ideal means of maintaining health and of treating common ailments among family and friends, a use to which it has been put for hundreds of years in Oriental society. We will be practising a full-body treatment, covering all the main meridians and examining the most influential points as we come to them. The result of this will be: (i) To balance the flow of ‘chi’ (‘ki’ in both Korean and Japanese) within the body and to clear any blockage which may be present. (ii) To relax the muscles around the meridians and so relieve the symptoms of stress. (iii) To stimulate circulation thereby increasing the supply of nutrients and facilitating the removal of toxins. As well as examining the individual effects of certain points as we come to them, we will relate these same points to martial arts applications, where appropriate. THEORIES. The theories and concepts we should familiarize ourselves with before we start, have long been central to Oriental thought: (i) The body’s vital energy flows through well defined channels or ‘meridians’ in a certain order and direction. For the purposes of this course we can consider ‘pericardium’ or ‘heart protector’ as referring to the circulation and ‘triple warmer’ as being that function of the body which controls temperature. The meridians are the “field energy” of the organs and functions of the body. By maintaining the balance and the flow of energy through the channels, we can maintain the integrity of the organs and so of the body as a whole. (ii) Meridians have a ‘polarity’, either “yin” or “yang”. (This is a basic Taoist principle and is concerned with a state of equilibrium as being the only stable condition, and therefore the required condition for a healthy body). PROCEDURE. Partner lies face down with arms at sides. >Stretch back diagonally, twice each side. Use palm pressure down grooves on each side of spine, twice each side. Use thumb or knuckle pressure down same grooves, twice. It is now that specific points can be attended to if a definite health problem exists that can be helped with acupressure. (See “yu points” diagram and chart. [Table 1). Move out to second bladder line. Same procedure, twice. Straddle partner’s legs if preferred. Locate sacrum (bony triangle at base of spine) and apply thumb pressure to three sets of foramen. (Fig 1). Place heel of hand on hollow of buttock each side, fingers facing each other. Press inward, leaning forward to transfer weight. (GB 30) During treatment, keep at least one hand in contact with partner at all times. This is known as the “mother hand”. Remember, Be There! In other words, concentrate and be sensitive. Be natural, feel comfortable and don’t be self-conscious. Work from your centre, don’t just press. Pressure should be applied for about 5 seconds, three times. We will now continue to follow the bladder meridian down the backs of the legs. Kneel beside leg with “mother hand” on small of back. Use palm pressure down back of leg. (Lightly over knee area). (BE 50, 51, 54) Finish with ‘squeeze’ of Achilles tendon. (K3, BL60) Repeat palm pressure or use knees or elbows for deeper pressure. Stretch leg, then lift and crook sideways: With “mother hand” on hip, apply palm pressure down centre of side of leg, finishing with pressure in hollow in front of ankle. Repeat. Replace leg.  Same procedure with other leg. With back to partner, “walk” on soles of feet. (K 1 ) (Not too high up instep). We now move up to the shoulder area. Same position. Put partner’s arm in Half nelson” position. Straddle shoulder area knee down on side of partner’s bent arm, to hold arm in position. Cup shoulder with same side hand and, using other hand, work down outline of shoulder blade with thumb or knuckle. Lift shoulder against pressure with cupping hand. Repeat for other side. Kneel behind partner’s head and, with “mother hand” in middle of shoulder area, work out from centre along top of each shoulder with thumb. Use elbow on shoulder area if liked, remembering “mother hand”. Ensure partner is lying flat. With one knee down, in front of partner’s nose, place one hand on side of head (for support only) and stretch other shoulder blade with other hand so that neck is stretched diagonally. Without removing hand from head, crook fingers under base of skull and work down vertebrae with thumb of other hand. Turn head gently and repeat on other side. Partner turns over. Kneeling behind head, place palms on front. of shoulders, facing outward, and lean forward with all your weight. Work outwards under collarbone with lighter pressure, using thumbs. With hands cupped behind neck and overlapping, work up between vertebrae with lifting action from the middle finger. (BL 10) At base of skull, separate hands and work outwards with the middle fingers, using firm, lifting pressure. (GB 20) Use circular pressure with the palms on the sides of the neck. Squatting, clasp hands behind patient’s head and lean backwards to stretch neck. Lean on front of shoulders again. We now move to the arms and hands. Stretch the arm outwards. With the “mother hand” on the front of the shoulder pectoral muscles, apply palm pressure along inside of arm to wrist. Bring arm to side. Work along outside of arm with squeezing action above elbow, palm pressure from elbow to wrist. Remember “mother hand”. Press point between thumb and index finger. (LI 4) Pull each finger in turn with a shaking motion. Grasp wrist and shake arm vigorously. Sit on heels beside partner’s hip. Keep “mother hand” on abdomen at all times and use gradual gentle pressure with 3 or 4 fingers. This area is very sensitive and the treatment is powerful and beneficial. Each area on the diagram corresponds to an internal organ or function. Work clockwise around the ribs and hip bones, then around the central area, ending with the navel. According to Oriental thought, the body’s strength is located in the abdominal area. Since this is the centre of our ‘chi’, the area may also be used to provide an indication of the health and balance of the body as a whole. We now return to the legs. Bend leg and move it outwards. With “mother hand” on lower abdomen, use palm pressure along inside of leg, taking care between knee and ankle where it is sensitive. Repeat. Straighten leg. With “mother hand” on lower abdomen, use palm pressure along front of thigh to knee. Repeat. Place thumb of “mother hand” in hollow at top of shin. (ST 36) With other thumb or knee, work down side of shin, keeping leg straight by supporting foot with other knee or hand. Repeat. Stretch foot forward and back. Repeat whole procedure on other leg. R. Banham 1990 Modified 30/12/94