Techniques of stimulation of the acupuncture points

MASSAGE, PRESSURE, VIBRATION

Massage is a form of self-help and first-aid in minor human conditions. It is widely used in the East by the ordinary people to treat their ordinary day-to-day aches and pains. Massage is sometimes combined with rubbing adrenalin cream, alcohol or rubifacient agents (menthol, eucalyptus etc) into the points. It is of great benefit in minor human headaches, muscle aches, toothaches, earaches, nausea, upset stomach, insomnia, etc. The same AP points as would be needled (for the specific condition) are massaged firmly and deeply.

There are many types of Chinese massage, including slapping, pinching, rubbing, kneading and deep pressure. The type used depends on the area to be massaged. AP points over muscle masses can be heavily kneaded and deep finger pressure and slapping is used also. Points over bony areas are pinched, rubbed or slapped. For human first-aid use, especially useful in children, the following are suggested.

Nausea and upset stomach: ST36, CV12, PC06, BL21.

Earache: GB20, LI04, points around the ears; TH05.

Toothache: LI04 and ST06 with hard pressure on the Earlobes.

Muscle ache: seek out the tender points in the muscles and add main points for the affected region.

Headache: GB20; heavy massage of the Trapezius muscles, especially GB21 + LI04; LU07; Yin Tang (Z 03, between the eyebrows); Tai Yang (Z 09, in the hollow of the temple lateral to the eye).

One of the most useful applications of massage in first-aid is in the treatment of humanfainting, shock, collapse etc. For this purpose, the main point is JenChung (GV26) + YungChuan (KI01). Strong pressure and vibration is applied to GV26 (in the philtrum) using the thumbnail. In many cases, especially if the patient's head is kept lowered, consciousness returns in 30-60 seconds. GV26 is the shock point par excellence and can be used anywhere, anytime in emergencies when other therapies may not be available. If nausea or angina pectoris is also present point PC06 is added, pending medical attention.

Spooning is a variation of massage used in humans. The edge of a large soup-spoon is rubbed repeatedly over the area (for instance BL13-16 (FeiShu to TuShu) and BL42-45 (PoHu to YiHai) in asthma and bronchitis) until the whole area is bright red. It helps if oil is spread over the area first to make it easier to move the spoon.

Mechanical vibrators are also useful, especially for muscle massage in rheumatism. Physiotherapists who use these machines could greatly improve their results by adding the main AP points for the region as well as applying local vibration and using the AHSHI (tender) points.

Fisting: Massage techniques are not used commonly by vets in large animals because of the large body areas and the time involved. However, key points, especially the AHSHI points over heavily muscled areas, can be clipped and owners or handlers can be shown how to "fist" the points. Fisting to the animal's tolerance for 4-6 minutes/day between AP sessions can shorten the recovery time. Fisting should not be used over the spine or over bony tissues. It is especially useful in horses with paraspinal AHSHI points.

Vibrators: Some practitioners use vibration techniques in racehorses and dogs for muscular problems and other minor lameness but in general these techniques are not popular in busy practices.

CUPPING, VACUUM

Application of reduced pressure to points (+ the use of needles or moxa) is used occasionally in humans. Special instruments (glass or bamboo cups) are used. A lighted swab, soaked in alcohol, is put into) the cup, which is then applied firmly to the point. Reduced pressure causes suction on the skin, causing congestion to the area. Mechanical devices (similar to vacuum cleaners, or based on a syringe and plunger principle) could cause the same effect. Although it is mentioned in some vet texts, it is rarely used in animals the west.