Acupressure for Self Care
Acupressure has been used for thousands of years in Traditional Chinese Medicine to stimulate an individual’s healing ability. It helps unblock qi that isn’t flowing freely through the bodies invisible pathways. Left untreated, this stagnant energy can lead to a host of problems from minor ailments like headaches and insomnia to a host of diseases, including breast cancer.
By practicing acupressure regularly, you can help promote the smooth flow of qi in the energy pathways that run through the breast area. It also helps in reducing the side effects of radiation and chemotherapy because it can help the body detoxify the by products introduced in these treatments.
The following 7 acupoints are specifically targeted at breast cancer treatment and prevention.
1. Gushing Spring (also called Kidney 1)
Location: Exact center of the bottom of each foot
How to: Starting at left foot, massage this point as deep as you comfortably can with
your thumb or a tennis ball for a few minutes. Move on to other foot when finished.
2. Gate of Origin (also called Central Vessel 4)
Location: Four finger widths directly below navel
How to: Use your palm to gently massage this point by making 5 small circles in one direction, then 5 circles in the other direction. Continue for 3 – 5 minutes. Helps to relieve menstrual cramps as well
3. Middle Cavity (also called Central Vessel 12)
Location: Entire area from under your breastbone to above your navel
How to: Gently massage by placing one hand on top of another and slowly make five circles in one direction and then five circles in the opposite direction. Massage for five minutes. Can help to strengthen the digestive system and relieve nausea and lack of appetite caused by chemotherapy
4. Great Wrapping (also called Spleen 21)
Location: A full hand width under the armpit on the side of the ribcage
How to: Use palm to massage this point slowly and gently for about five minutes. Start with the left side.
5. Shang Yang (also called Large Intestine 1)
Location: Back of each hand where bones of thumb and index finger meet.
How to: Massage down the side of the index finger bones toward the first knuckle. Stimulates energy of stomach, large intestine and lung
6. Great Rushing (also called Liver 3)
Location: On top of each foot in the crook where the big toe bone meets the second toe bone.
How to: Massage with your thumb deeply as comfortable starting with left side for about five minutes. Continue along the second toe until you reach the tip. You may feel some pain which means you’re in the right spot and unblocking stagnation in the liver meridian.
7. Shoulder Well (also called Gall Bladder 21)
Location: Top of each shoulder, exactly halfway between the neck and the shoulder bone.
How to: Use your fingers to massage as deeply as is comfortable, starting on your left side. Make sure to massage both sides
*From the book Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Women's Guide to Healing from Breast Cancer by Dr. Nan Lu, OMD, MSC, Lac with Ellen Schaplowsky