Palm Acupressure Points. Chart and Uses

No matter where you hurt, you can cure the pain using acupressure points in the palms of your hands. There are specific pressure points in your hands that are able to relieve pain in other parts of your body. Reflexology is a holistic healing method that doesn’t just ease pain, but also restores peace of mind and tranquility. Reflexology has been used for centuries, long before today’s modern medicines were ever introduced.

What is Reflexology?

Reflexology utilizes the human body’s pressure points to relieve pain and other stress-related problems. Reflexologists perform manual manipulation of the client’s pressure points that are located in the hands. These pressure points are connected to specific parts of the body. When manipulated, they can ease discomfort in the organ or body part by relieving pain and easing tension. Reflexologists do not prescribe medicine or diagnoses diseases. However, they do sometimes recommend that their patients speak with a physician.

What Are the Principles of Acupressure?

The primary principle of acupressure is that every organ and part of the human body is connected to points in your palms and soles. While people don’t know for certain why these body parts are related, it is believed that there’s a transfer of energy between the body parts and pressure points.

Specific pressure points on your palms and soles represent certain organs in the body. When you apply pressure to one of these points, the energy flows to the related body part. It’s important that pressure is never applied without purpose. There’s a specific way to perform acupressure. When used correct, the pressure is able to improve the related body part. While people aren’t entirely sure how acupressure works, it’s agreed upon that it does work.

Dr. Fitzgerald is considered to Zone Therapy’s Founding Father. This theory says that the ends of the palm’s and sole’s arteries can become hidden when certain problems block free travel of the body’s energy waves. When pressure is applied to these pressure points, free movement and health are restored. While each body part’s respective pressure point can be found on both the palm and the sole, some practitioners believe that one of the options is more effective than the other.

Hand Reflexology Therapy

When hand reflexology is performed fail for up to 15 minutes, it can have major health effects. In order to practice hand reflexology, follow these steps:

• Press your thumb on a pressure point on your palm.
• Maintain pressure for five seconds.
• Release your thumb for three seconds.
• Press the pressure point again using your thumb and hold for another five seconds.
• Repeat this series of five seconds on, three seconds off for 10 to 15 minutes.
• For the best results, do this several times throughout the day.

Acupressure Methods

There are two basic approaches to acupressure: constant pressure and intermittent pressure. In order to get the best results possible, each point on the hands and the feet should be pressed on a regular basis.

Constant Pressure: Pressure is continually applied to the pressure point. The pressure is slowly increased. This is continued for up to five minutes.

Intermittent Pressure: Pressure is applied to a pressure point for 20 seconds with 10 second breaks in between. This is done for a minimum of four minutes and up to 10 minutes.

Most of the time, pressure is applied using the tip of the thumb. However, some people prefer to use tools to apply pressure. Hand rollers, acupressure mats, back rollers and acupressure seats can be used.

Benefits of Acupressure

There are several benefits of using acupressure, including:

1. Early Diagnosis: If one of your organs or body parts is starting to fail, the related pressure point will become soft. When pressure is applied to that point, it’s possible to diagnose the disease or problem early. This is important because it can prevent the health issue from becoming a threat.
2. Preventative: When the pressure points on your hands and feet are pressed, you can maintain good health. You can also help your body to ward off diseases.
3. Disease Deterrence: When pressure is applied regularly and methodically, you can regain any health you’ve lost.

Responsive Hand Therapy

The responsive hand therapy technique is often used by reflexologists, though some people do use this therapy at home through self-application. First, hold your hand upward and spread lotion over your wrist and your hand – this will increase your flexibility. Once your hand begins to relax, pinch the top and sides of each fingertip. When doing this, remember to apply firm and gentle pressure – you should feel each fingertip start to tingle a bit. Next, move the pressure down both the inside and the outside of each finger. Reflexologists will use both hands to manipulate the fingers in this way, but if you’re doing it yourself, you’ll only be able to use one hand at a time. Tug at the webbing between your fingers in order to relieve tension in your shoulder and neck. Once you’ve toned the fingers and manipulated the webbing, it’s time to apply pressure to the palm of your hand and the back of the hand. Firmly stroke these parts of your hand, which will move nutrients and oxygen to other body parts. Continue to massage, applying firm pressure as you work your way up your wrist, making sure to stop halfway to your elbow. This is the point when the reflexology is going to change direction. Now you’ll start to use lighter strokes as you re-touch the areas from the wrist to the tips of your fingers.