Natural Beauty and Health (4): Acupuncture, Acupressure & Massage
The body needs exercise, but is should not be excessive. Motion consumes energy produced by food and promotes blood circulation so that the body will be free of diseases just as a door hinge is never worm eaten.
Hua Tuo (108-208), a “miracle working doctor” in the 2nd century of China, advocated that people exercise to stay healthy. He was an expert in acupuncture, medication, internal medicine, gynecology, pediatrics and surgery in his day. He was the first in the world to develop the use of anesthesia. In his life, he practiced Qi Gong called “the frolics of the five animals” which still used in China today. His knowledge of nourishing life practice enabled him to look like “a saint who had passed the gate of this life; a man with the complexion of youth and a snowy beard” at age of 100.
Hua Tuo made innovative discoveries in the field of acupuncture. There is a story that a patient could not walk because of the problems with his feet. Hua Tuo inserted needles into a few points on his back with applying moxibustion to points. Soon this patient was able to walk again. A set of 34 acupuncture points was named in his honor: “Hua Tuo Points”. These points are recommended to relive pain syndromes today.
Modern scientists are very curious how the acupuncture works and why it can relive pain. They made many assumptions such as “endorphins release”. In Tradition Chinese Medicine, the flow of vital Qi (energy) is essential to our health. Qi supplies the internal organs, blood and body fluids and mind. Qi moves along Channels known as Meridians. The meridians run in a circuitous route through and around the body. There are 12 major meridians in the body, six yin and six yang. Each corresponds to one internal organ. There are 365 energetic points called “acupoints” located on the major meridians to connect particular internal organs. If Qi becomes blocked or excessive in certain area along a meridian, pain or diseases appear. By stimulating acupoints with needles or pressure, practitioners can unblock, strengthen, or calm the flow of Qi to relive pain and rebalance the body. Three ancient healing techniques are commonly used to manipulate the flow of Qi: acupuncture, acupressure and Tui Na massage.
Chinese have used three ancient techniques for enhancing natural beauty for thousands years. Cosmetic Acupuncture is a non-surgical procedure, the insertions of very fine needles to the designated acupoints, to help rejuvenate and revitalize the face and body by stimulating the acupoints along meridians to improve the flow of Qi, promote blood circulation, improve the skin conditions, and remove the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, sagging and dull skin. Acupuncture includes ear acupuncture, moxabustion, and electro- and sono- acupuncture as well. Ear acupuncture (auricular) is to use ear tacks (very small needles) or ear seeds to stimulate the points on ears. It is widely used for many conditions such as obesity and addiction of substances.
Acupressure or Tui Na massage is a needle-free alternative. Acupressure (healing touch) is to use the fingers to press the acupoints on the surface of the skin to release muscle tension, improve muscle tone, and relax the muscles. It is the most effective way for self-management of muscle tension related conditions. Tui Na massage is to use the hands to rub and press the soft tissue (muscles and tendons) of the body. Tui Na massage follows the meridian lines and remove knots of stagnation in muscle groups. Reflexology is a type of acupressure as well, which is to use the fingers to press the acupoints on feet.
