Yes, COVID-19 is still going on and will likely continue indefinitely. But certain essential pieces of our lives must go on.
The 30-day Richard Osborn Challenge
Starting on May 2, we launched The 30-day Richard Osborn Challenge for Adventist Vegetarian Diabetics. My personal goal was to walk every single day a minimum of 30 minutes outside. Some of the days I rode my 3-wheel adult tricycle instead. But most of the time, I pushed Emily’s stroller with her in it after the first half block.
Acupressure
200305 Individual Acupuncture 2020, Session 2
Thursday, March 5, 11:30 a.m.
CANCELLED
200319 Group Acupuncture 2020, Session 2
Thursday, March 19, 2:00 p.m.
CANCELLED
Acupressure Video Appointment
Monday, May 18, 2:15-2:45 p.m.
Sophie Tu
One of the Medical Assistants in the Union City Physical Medicine called me to tell me that Sophie would be available for acupressure by video appointment, in lieu of the in-person acupuncture sessions. I was ecstatic! I have had only one individual acupuncture session with Sophie (out of my possible 10 sessions allowed). So the M.A. scheduled me for 4:00 p.m. on Monday, May 18. To prepare me for the appointment, Sophie emailed me the following information:
Acupuncture/Acupressure Instruction Sheet
Introduction to Acupressure:
According to Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the body’s life force, “qi” (also spelled “chi”), flows through a network of pathways or channels that circulate qi and blood throughout the entire body. These channels intersect with internal organs at the deepest levels and emerge at the surface through connections with tissues and structures including but not limited to skin, muscle, connective tissue, bone, head, torso, extremities, and sensory organs. From a TCM perspective, obstruction or disruption of the channels may relate to illness or disease; whereas, unobstructed or unimpeded flow within channels may be associated with maintenance of good health and balance within the body.
Acupuncture utilizes needles inserted into the points, while acupressure employs gentle but firm manual pressure on the points. Both acupuncture and acupressure target the same key points to regulate channels, improve flow of qi and blood, and stimulate the body’s natural healing response. Like acupuncture, acupressure also reduces tension and induces relaxation within the body.
Acupressure is a highly effective therapy for the self-treatment of pain and tension-related conditions through the power and sensitivity of manual pressure. With appropriate guidance and instruction, acupressure is safe to practice on yourself; and it can be practiced at any time and in any place. Acupressure may be helpful in relieving a wide range conditions including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, headache, arthritis, muscle aches, and tension due to stress.
Guidance and Instructions:
- For acupressure therapy, please find a comfortable position suitable for relaxing (i.e., seated or recumbent) for about 10-15 minutes. The eyes may be closed, and the breath should be allowed to accompany the individual throughout the self-guided session.
- Please note, acupressure points may be more sensitive than surrounding area(s). Deep pressure on certain points may cause an experience of soreness or tenderness. If this occurs, it may be advisable to lighten up on the pressure. As one maintains moderate pressure, the soreness or tenderness may decrease.
- It is not necessary to treat all points. Certain key points may produce a stronger or more potent effect than others. One may choose to treat these “high potency” points.
- Maintain the pressure over several cycles of relaxed breathing for approximately 30-60 seconds. For “high potency” points, one may retain pressure for 1-2 minutes or so.
- In terms of technique, apply gentle but firm pressure with a small circular motion over the point.
- One may repeat acupressure as often as needed on a given day.
- Certain points may be massaged with rounded end or surface of an object (e.g., a tennis ball or the handle of a cane).
- Some points might be easier to treat with the handle of a cane or two tennis balls taped together.
CAUTION: Don’t apply pressure to an open wound, or to a place where there is inflammation or swelling. Avoid any areas that have scar tissue, boils, blisters, rashes, or varicose veins.
Neck pain:
Li4 – He Gu
Gb20 – Feng Chi
SJ3 – Zhong Zhu
Video Links
https://exploreim.ucla.edu/self-care/
https://exploreim.ucla.edu/video/acupressure-points-for-neck-pain-and-headache/
How to Perform Acupressure for Headaches and Generalized Pain | Memorial Sloan Kettering
I was just sitting at my computer on Monday afternoon when the M.A. called me and asked if I would be available NOW for my video appointment with Sophie. So I had the appointment from 2:15 PM to 2:45 PM.
Sophie was just as delightful on video as she is in person. She went through each of the above three pressure points, demonstrating how to perform them, both manually and with tools. She recommended the wooden tool with two sizes of rounded ends for working the pressure points on the hands, and a cane for points on the neck and back.
Although I was already familiar with these pressure points, I worked on performing them on a daily basis, especially during or after times of high stress, or when first waking up in the morning with a headache (not a migraine). It works!
