Acupuncture & TCM Articles

How to Use Shiatsu to Relieve Anxiety

Anxiety is a type of stress related disorder that commonly affects a tremendous amount of people. The practice of shiatsu is very beneficial in relieving anxiety. Let's take a closer look at the steps that are taken to get rid of anxiety by way of shiatsu.

Step One

The third eye point can be found in the center of the forehead, located slightly above the eyebrows. Feel for a tiny indentation located in the bone in the forehead region. This is important to know for the first step of shiatsu. Take your finger and press firmly, but not too hard, on the spot that is slightly above the third eye point. Do this by placing your index finger of one hand on the third eye point and then place your middle finger over top of t5he index finger and then press down three to five times for a period of five to seven seconds.

Step Two

Take your left arm and carefully bend it in order to find where the elbow crease is and then unbend it properly. The point in question can be found at the lower end of the crease of the arm which is to be found in the direction of the fingers and it is opposite the side of the hand where the thumb is to be found and it is on the inside of the center of the arm. Take your left arm and bend it and then hold it for a period of 30 seconds and then gradually release it and then do the same with the right arm. This step is particularly good for getting rid of heart palpitations or decreasing the incidence of them as heart palpitations are very likely to be a part of acute anxiety and anxiety attacks.

Step Three

There are more points that are effective in the practice of shiatsu and are beneficial in ridding an individual of anxiety, insomnia and worry and will help to balance out the mind and body connection. One suggestion is to use three fingers and with pressure that is medium to firm press where the head has a midline, which is approximately the middle of the top of your head (imagine your hair being parted down the middle of your scalp). Start at the hairline in the front and work to the top of your head and then go all the way back down the hairline to the back of the head. After each press of the fingers move in the proper direction approximately 1/2 an inch. At each spot that you press halt for five seconds and then repeat the sequence once and then twice.

Take your thumb and press it into the indentation located at the back of your neck. In other words look to the middle section of the base of your skull. Press as firmly as you can for a period of five to seven seconds and then repeat it again. Use three-finger pressure to press in the spot at the top portion of your shoulder, which is 1/2 inch to the back of the shoulder. Press as firmly as possible without hurting yourself and then repeat this action two times.

Shiatsu Chart of Meridians and Hara Diagnosis Shiatsu chart shows the twelve main meridians, Governing vessel and conception vessel. Starting and ending locations for each meridian, five element relationships and time of day when each meridian is most active.