In Traditional Chinese medicine, it is believed that the healing force of life flows within us, and we can manipulate it to treat certain problems, including sleep disorders. This ancient Chinese remedy uses certain points on the body to induce sleep. Those troubled by lack of sleep know that it can be a debilitating experience, affecting your memory and judgment. Seeking a cure in modern medicine is not always advisable as sleeping pills prescribed by doctors can lead to dependency, and in some cases, fatal addiction.
There are several natural cures that you could explore and one of the most effective options for them is the use of acupressure points. All you have to do is massage some points on the body for treating problems. There are certain hospitals in the United States which have introduced this alternative healing technique to support their treatment plan, and many people prefer this technique over modern medicine.
In acupressure, the unit of measurement to locate the points on the body is called cun. This technique is based on the understanding that each person has a different body shape and size, and one standard unit cannot locate the acupressure points in everyone. Therefore, each person uses his/her own body measurements to locate the exact point.
(a)
(b): When you bend your middle finger, the distance between the first and second crease at their widest point is also measured as 1 cun.
(c): The first two fingers -- index and middle finger -- account for 1.5 cun.
(d): The distance between the tip and the proximal interphalangeal joint of the index finger is equivalent to 2 cun.
(e): The width of all the four fingers of the hand joined together, accounts for 3 cun.
The technique is similar to acupuncture, but instead of using needles, you can apply pressure on the points with your fingers, hands, and elbows to alleviate your problems. Most of the points can be stimulated yourself, so you don't necessarily have to go to someone else for treatment. There are certain points that can be used to induce restful sleep by just massaging them for short period of time.
✦ Locate the point by measuring 2 cun below the wrist crease, in the middle of the arm.
✦ Place the thumb of your other hand on the point, and press it.
✦ Gently massage in slow rotatory movements.
✦ You may also press the point directly for a minute or two.
The Chinese name for this point is Shen Men. The English name for this point is Spirit Gate. This pressure point is located on the wrist crease in line with your little finger (as shown in the image below), and is known to calm the mind and heart, especially when surrounded by anxious thoughts.
✦ Locate the point by holding out your hand in front of you, with your palm facing the ceiling.
✦ Place the thumb of your other hand on the point, and press it.
✦ Gently massage in slow circular movements, while applying moderate pressure.
✦ You may also press the point directly, or continue to massage for 5 minutes.
The Chinese name for this point is Yongquan. The English name for this point is Gushing Spring. This pressure point is located on the sole of the foot in the depression under the ball of the foot between the second and the third metatarsal bone (as shown in the image below). This point is known to renew and vitalize the mind and body, thereby clearing the mind and draining all the exhausting energies from it.
✦ Sit on the edge of your bed by lift your left foot and rest it on the knee of the right leg. This position will help you see and locate the point easily.
✦ Do not bend over, keep your back as straight as possible. Place the thumb of your other hand on the point, and press the point to a degree where the pain is bearable.
✦ Gently massage in slow rotatory movements. You may also press the point directly for a minute or two.
✦ Repeat the aforementioned steps with the other foot.
The Chinese name for these two points are Zhaohai and Shen Mai, respectively. The English name for these points are Shining Sea and Extending Vessel. These pressure points are located the inner and outer sides of the legs, near the ankle area. The point Kidney 6 lies 1 cun below the medial malleolus (malleolus is the bony protrusion on either sides of the ankle), while UB 62 is located in the depression found below the external malleolus (as shown in the image below). Both these points are massaged together to calm the mind and create a sleep conducive mental state.
✦ Sit on the edge of your bed lift your right foot and rest it on the knee of the left foot. This position will help you see and locate these points easily.
✦ Do not bend over, keep your back as straight as possible. Place the thumb of your other hand on one point and the middle or index finger on the other point.
✦ Press the points to a degree where the pain is bearable. Gently massage these points for a minute or two and take long and slow deep breaths.
✦ Repeat these steps on the other foot.
✦ This point is located on depression found on both sides at the base of your skull. Place your thumbs on these depressions found on either side. Bending your head slightly forward, and then backwards again, would help you feel these depressions easily.
✦ Place your thumbs on the GB 20 points and press them firmly. Close your eyes while doing so.
✦ Gently massage in slow rotatory movements. You may also press the point directly for a minute or two.
✦ Take deep and slow breaths.
Gallbladder 20 (GB 20) is one of the points located in the gallbladder meridian of the body. It is called Wind Pool due to its location, the depressions that may be interpreted as the pools present in the body's landscape. This point clears the head by driving away the negative effects of the interior and exterior wind and brings about a balance and relaxation to the nervous system, thereby helping one have an undisturbed sleep.
✦ Place your thumbs on the points on both sides of the nape.
✦ Press them firmly applying pressure till the pain is easily bearable. Close your eyes while doing so.
✦ Gently massage in slow rotatory movements. You may also press the point directly for a minute or two.
✦ Take deep breaths. Inhale long breaths, build up for a few seconds, and release the breathe slowly.
✦ Place your thumb on this point while closing your eyes.
✦ Press the point firmly applying pressure till the pain is easily bearable.
✦ Gently massage in slow rotatory movements. You may also press the point directly for a minute or two.
✦ Take deep breaths during the process.
Governing Vessel 16 (GV 16) is one of the points located in the governing vessel (also known as 'Du Mai') meridian of the body. This point can also be abbreviated as Du 16. It is considered to be the main wind point, hence the English name, 'Wind Mansion'. GV 16 is also the point where the Governing Vessel, Yang Wei Vessel, and the Urinary Bladder Channel intersect together, making it one of the prominent points for treating various health issues, including insomnia.
✦ Place your thumb at the depression found between the first two metatarsal bones.
✦ Press and firmly apply pressure till the pain is easily bearable.
✦ Gently massage in slow rotatory movements. You may also press the point directly for a minute or two.
✦ Repeat the aforementioned steps with the other foot.
✦ Locate the point by measuring 3 cun above the tip of the inner ankle bone.
✦ Place your thumb at the point and press firmly. Apply pressure till the pain is easily bearable.
✦ Gently massage in slow rotatory movements.
✦ You may also press the point directly for a minute or two.
✦ Repeat the aforementioned steps with the other leg.
Spleen 6 (SP 6) is one of the points located in the spleen meridian of the body. It is one of the most important points in treating many disorders because it also happens to be the point of intersection of Spleen, Kidney, and Liver meridians. Stimulation of this point strengthens the kidney and spleen, as well as harmonizes the liver function, thereby eliminating the causes of insomnia.
The Chinese name for these two points are Dan Zhong and Yintang, respectively. The English name for these points are Sea of Tranquility and Hall of Impression, or the Third Eye. Conception Vessel 17 (CV 17) is located at the center of the chest, the middle point at the same level of the nipples. The governing vessel 24.5 (GV 24.5) is located in the middle of the two eyebrows (as shown in the image below). Both these points are massaged together to calm and quiet the mind and body.
✦ Sit comfortably in a quiet place. Use one hand to press GV 24.5, and the other to press CV 17. Place the tip of your index or middle finger on each point. You will observe a notch in the point GV 24.5.
✦ For GV 24.5, press the point firmly till you feel a gentle pulse. Do not press hard at any point.
✦ Try to focus your energy into these points, and feel the quietness and calmness within and around yourself.
✦ Take slow, but deep breaths, meditating on these points. Hold the points for 1-2 min.
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