#acupuncture points

I've read some of your post on learning acupuncture and such, and I just wanted to ask: in your opinion would learning and practicing acupuncture on you on/yourself be safe and practical or would you recommend to others that they go to classes to learn.

I've always been a bit of a do it by yourself person but figured sticking yourself with needles even with references and such maybe I should ask someone I some what know who learning/ practicing it what they'd think 🤔.

Thank you for you time and have a good day!

Hi anon!

Thank you so much for asking! I'm so glad that you're interested in learning acupuncture - it's super cool!

I would highly recommend NOT learning acupuncture on your own, and highly recommend NOT practicing needling on yourself without supervision.

Practicing needling without proper training on technique and education is dangerous. If you don't understand what/where you're needling into, and haven't been taught how to needle parts of the body safely, you have a variety of risks, including:

Bruising, bleeding, hitting and causing lasting nerve damage, piercing arteries, and more serious risks like needling into organs and body cavities and potentially causing infection, puncturing and collapsing a lung, and even death.

It is very important that you receive proper training before needling yourself or other people, otherwise you could seriously hurt yourself or others.

And this even goes for people who have prior medical training in other fields, as well. This is a bit of a controversial topic - but there is something called Dry Needling. Basically, it is a technique that some biomedical practitioners (like physical therapists) will do where they will insert needles into muscles to help treat and relax them and to alleviate pain.

The reason that I say this is a controversial topic is because almost every single acupuncturist agrees that dry needling is dangerous. Why? Because they don't get adequate training. The people that practice dry needling are not acupuncturists, and usually will learn the techniques and get certified for dry needling in a weekend seminar or a short series of classes.

It's like I mentioned before - that is not enough nor proper training on technique or structures, and thus the risk of serious adverse events and injury is very high.

One of the most dangerous complications of acupuncture is called a pneumothorax, or a punctured/collapsed lung. This can be life-threatening, and requires an immediate trip to the hospital.

Here's a stat for you - the rate of a pneumothorax with dry needling is 3% of patients. And the rate with acupuncture? 0.001% of patients!!! (source and source)

That is a really big difference! And the reason is, of course, proper training and education.

In conclusion, please don't practice acupuncture on yourself without training and supervision (and also please don't get dry needling - see an acupuncturist instead).

That being said, you can still learn about and do things with Chinese Medicine without acupuncture needles. You can learn the points and do acupressure! Also there is something called Teishin and Enshin - this is a Japanese style that uses small metal toolsl that are used to stimulate and treat the points without actually puncturing the skin. It is extremely gentle, and can be as effective as acupuncture needles - there are practitioners who will just use Teishin and not use needles at all!

I am learning this, and it's wonderful. It's a great way to treat yourself, or people who don't want to do needles. I highly recommend the book A User's Guide to the Teishin and Enshin: A Quiet Revolution in Traditional East Asian Medicine by Bob Quinn (link). It's a wonderful book, and I've studied with him in person a few times now. And if you want a book that is a good primer/introduction into Chinese Medicine and the theory behind it, I recommend the book The Web That Has No Weaver by Ted Kaptchuk (link).

Thank you for the ask! And thank you for the well wishes, I have been doing great (:

Adaptable Polarity

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Another #acupressure image from the archives! This one is lymphedema for the leg done over a decade ago in massage school.

I was speaking with a brilliant colleague last night about this one, and it just seemed to make sense.

These depicted points all seem to land on powerful locations of venous return between the tibial or great saphenous veins.

No venous return, no lymphatic drainage.

There’s also another implication here to the importance of dorsi flexion of the foot and movement of the arch to get fluids moving.

風池 are two points that are parallel to each other, located directly under the back of your skull, where there is a slight depression nest to your spine.

There are a few pressure points you can try to massage yourself (or get a friend to help you) to relieve some of the tension.

One of the most commonly used ones is 肩井, which is located smack in the middle between your spine and the end of your shoulders. It should be fairly easy to find, even by yourself. Use your fingertips to push down and massage the pressure point. 

You can also try to massage along your shoulders, starting from your spine and running down to your shoulders, as shown by the red arrows in the picture below.

A change in daily habits can also help to relieve strain on your neck and shoulders. These include:

- changing your posture when using your phones or tablets, as the prolonged action of looking down places immense strain on your neck and therefore your shoulders

- using a water bottle to drink, so that way you can tip your head up more than when you’re using a cup/mug

- doing some simple stretching exercises to loosen up (simply moving or tilting your head will do)

Acupuncture, an old technique rooted in Conventional Chinese Medicine, has acquired considerable recognition in the contemporary health landscape. This alternative treatment includes the insertion of great needles into specific factors on the body to boost power flow and advertise all-natural healing. With its origins going back over 2,500 years, acupuncture not just addresses physical conditions but also supports mental and psychological wellness. Lots of people turn to acupuncture for alleviation from chronic discomfort, stress and anxiety, anxiety, and even digestive issues, making it a flexible approach to wellness that reverberates with both skeptics and fanatics alike.As research study proceeds to unveil the benefits of acupuncture, even more individuals are discovering its prospective as a complementary treatment alongside standard medicine. Professional researches have shown that acupuncture can effectively lower discomfort and swelling, enhance recovery from injuries, and boost overall lifestyle. Furthermore, the experience of getting acupuncture usually cultivates a profound sense of leisure and mindfulness, allowing people to reconnect with their bodies and advertise inner balance. With its rich history and expanding body of evidence, acupuncture attracts attention as a powerful device for anyone aiming to boost their health and wellness in a natural, non-invasive way.

Acupuncture, an old method rooted in Typical Chinese Medication, has obtained substantial recognition in the modern-day health landscape. This all natural treatment includes the insertion of great needles right into details points on the body to promote power circulation and advertise natural healing. With its beginnings dating back over 2,500 years, acupuncture not just addresses physical ailments however likewise sustains mental and emotional wellness. Lots of people turn to acupuncture for remedy for persistent pain, tension, anxiety, and even digestion issues, making it a flexible approach to wellness that reverberates with both doubters and fanatics alike.As study proceeds to unveil the benefits of acupuncture, even more individuals are discovering its possible as a complementary treatment together with conventional medicine. Medical studies have actually shown that acupuncture can successfully lower pain and inflammation, boost recovery from injuries, and enhance overall lifestyle. Furthermore, the experience of getting acupuncture commonly fosters a profound sense of leisure and mindfulness, allowing people to reconnect with their bodies and advertise internal balance. With its abundant history and expanding body of proof, acupuncture stands apart as an effective device for any individual seeking to improve their health and wellness in a natural, non-invasive method.

Acupuncture, an ancient technique rooted in Conventional Chinese Medication, has obtained substantial recognition in the modern-day health landscape. This all natural therapy entails the insertion of great needles right into specific factors on the body to promote energy flow and advertise natural healing. With its origins going back over 2,500 years, acupuncture not just addresses physical disorders however additionally supports psychological and emotional wellness. Lots of people transform to acupuncture for alleviation from persistent pain, tension, anxiousness, and even digestion problems, making it a versatile method to health and wellness that reverberates with both doubters and lovers alike.As study proceeds to unveil the benefits of acupuncture, even more individuals are discovering its prospective as a corresponding therapy along with standard medication. Scientific studies have revealed that acupuncture can successfully lower discomfort and swelling, enhance recuperation from injuries, and improve general lifestyle. Moreover, the experience of obtaining acupuncture commonly fosters a profound feeling of leisure and mindfulness, allowing clients to reconnect with their bodies and advertise inner equilibrium. With its rich history and expanding body of evidence, acupuncture stands apart as an effective device for anyone aiming to enhance their wellness and wellness in an all-natural, non-invasive way.