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Answers!
What
pressure points can relieve pain?
This is
somewhat of a vague question as it really does depend on the type of pain, but
here are some general suggestions for specific pain issues. Press or rub these points using firm pressure
for three to five minutes. Generally the
points are best located by following the directions below and then feeling for
a bit of a depression in the surface of the body in that area where you feel
some tenderness/soreness.
Headaches
- The most used
acupressure point for headaches is one titled LI4 (hegu -- pronounced
"huh-gu"). You will find this
point in the fleshy area on the back of your hand between your thumb and index
finger where the bones and attached muscles come together in a "v". This point works best for frontal (forehead,
behind the eyes) headaches. Do not work
this point if you are or may be pregnant.
- If you have an
occipital (back of the head/base of the skull) or temporal (sides of the head)
headache that is caused by tight neck and shoulder muscles and radiates up from
the back of your head, press on GB20 ("Gates of Consciousness"). GB20 is right at the base of the skull, on
the sides of the neck in the depression between the skull and the vertical neck
muscles. When you press these points you
might find that you feel dull aching radiate up over the sides of your head.
- Frontal or sinus
headache points include pressure points at the inside end of the eyebrows
(UB1), at the centre spot between the eyebrows (Yintang), at the inner corners
of the eyes (UB1--press toward the nose), in the small depression felt on the
cheekbone just below the pupil when looking straight forward (ST2), at the
"corners" of the forehead at the edge of the hairline (ST8), beside
the nostrils (LI20--great for blocked nasal sinuses; breathe in deep as you
press them and you will find you can breathe better and more deeply).
- Temporal headaches
(side of the head) or one-sided headaches can be treated with GB20 (see above),
the area of depression between the eyes and the hairline (Taiyang--where people
often naturally rub when stressed or suffering from a headache), one and a half
inches above the tip of the ear (GB8), in front of the ears (SI19, SJ21, GB2),
in the depression in front of the ear and below the end of the cheekbone where
you will feel the underlying bone fill the space when you open your mouth
(ST7--great point to work on if you have jaw/TMJ pain).
- Vertex (top of the
head) headaches are called "Liver headaches". You can press the point right at the top of
the head (DU20), the fleshy area on the back of your foot between the big toe
and the second toe where the bones and attached muscles come together in a
"v" (LIV3), or on the sole of the foot below the pad of the foot
between the big toe and second toe area (K1--think "opposite side of LIV3").
Stomach aches
- With the palm of your
hand, rub the area around the belly button in a counter-clockwise direction
(right to left above the belly button and left to right below the belly
button).
- Press the point one
hand-width below the lateral "eye" (depression felt at the base of
the front of the knee when it is bent at 90 degree angle; left side of the left
knee, right side of the right knee), just to the side of the shin bone (ST36).
Neck pain
- Make a light
fist. Find the crease that forms below
the side of the little finger. Press on
the point of that (SI3--"Crick in
the neck").
Back pain
- Lower back pain pressure
points include the muscles to either side of the back at waist level (UB23),
the centre of the back of the knees (UB40), on either side of the Achilles tendon
(K3, UB60).
Menstrual pain
- Find the point one
hand-width up from the inside ankle bone, just behind the shin bone (SP6). It is normally especially tender before and
during the period. Read about it .
Other possible points include the fleshy area on the back of your foot between
the big toe and the second toe where the bones and attached muscles come
together in a "v" (LIV3) and on the thigh three finger-widths above
the medial (left side of right leg, right side of left leg) border of the top
of the kneecap (SP10).
What Foods Might Help Decrease
Inflammation?
Turmeric,
the yellow spice commonly used in curry, contains a substance called curcumin
which has been studied and recognized as anti-inflammatory.
Pineapple
contains bromelain, a collection of enzymes and other compounds that blocks
proinflammatory metabolites that accelerate and worsen inflammation.
Papaya
contains papain, which, in addition to digesting proteins, may be
anti-inflammatory.
Apples
and red onions are great sources of quercetin, which has strong
anti-inflammatory properties.
Choose brightly
coloured vegetables except for nightshade veggies including potatoes, eggplant,
and tomatoes, which may aggravate inflammation.
Get your
omega-3 essential fats, such as those found in fatty fish like salmon (choose
wild), tuna, halibut, mackerel, sardines, and herring; flax seeds (need to
grind them to get the oil or buy the oil itself; avoid cooking as this will
destroy the omega-3s).
Limit
processed foods, sugar, greasy and fried foods, processed fats, too much red
meat, eggs, and wheat.
Make sure
you drink enough water as dehydration can make you feel more pain. Limit caffeine and alcohol consumption.
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