Aroma Acupoint Therapy Directions

How to Use Aroma Acupoint Therapy for Better Health

Aroma Acu-Therapy is a simple, yet effective natural self-care healing technique in Chinese medicine that can be applied to yourself or another. To activate acupressure points, one must apply essential oils, magnets, gems, pressure, or heat to specific points along channels of the body; these are sometimes called acu-points and are based on acupuncture point locations.

Each point has a specific function. Applying essential oils to activate acupressure points is not a new concept, but has been embraced more recently as more studies and books are published on the subject. The Five Element Aroma Acu-Sticks® are applied to acu-points on the channels of corresponding organ systems according to Five Element Theory of Chinese medicine. Example: the Wood Aroma Acu-Stick® is applied to points along the Liver and Gallbladder channels to activate their healing potential.

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10 Great Reasons to Use Aroma Acu-Sticks® with Pure Essential Oils to Activate Acupressure Points!

You do not need to apply pressure to acupressure points when using our Aroma Acu-sticks®, but it is okay to combine both methods.

Convenience! Apply and go!
Time Saver! Most people do not have time to physically perform acupressure 1-2 times per day, but can apply the Acu-sticks® easily 1-2 times per day to activate the acupressure point healing potential.
Aroma Acu-sticks® with essential oils can be applied in the general vicinity of the point rather than exactly on the point as with a laser to activate the point for self-care.
Essential oils act as a catalyst stimulating the Qi, or life force when applied to acupressure points.
Essential oils direct the Qi to the associated organs and channels making for a specifically targeted acupressure treatment.
Essential oils make acupressure treatments more constructive and enhance the effects of acupressure alone.
Like herbs, essential oils have an affinity for specific energetic organ systems and channels and they transmit the intent of the acupressure treatment.
Essential oils are condensed, potent, botanical medicine.
Essential oils are sometimes referred to as the "soul" of the plant and can have inter-related emotional, spirit, and physical health benefits galvanizing the mind's intent, higher purpose, and earthly body.
Essential oils combined with acupressure points result in enhanced treatments with focus on specific health corrections.

It is More Effective than Acupressure Alone!

Essential Oils + Acupressure = Synergistic-Multiplied Results

1 + 1 = 3x the Effectiveness

syn·er·gis·tic

/ˌsinərˈjistik/ adjective - relating to the interaction or cooperation of two or more substances to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects

Important Note: All of our Aroma Acu-sticks® contain combinations of essential oils that activate acu-points on the Yin and/or Yang channels of the related Element. These oils have a multitude of qualities such as warming, cooling, drying, dispersing and so on. The intent and action of these tools is to activate the point and not necessarily influence the energetic nature of the treatment. Point selection, intention, and manual manipulation eclipse the energetic qualities in the Aroma Acu-sticks® with the exception of our Moxa Aroma Acu-stick® which is purely warming. Applying the Aroma Acu-sticks® to a point will activate the point and initiate the healing quality of the point chosen with a moderating or normalizing healing affect. People often project the same qualifications on the Aroma Acu-sticks® as are considered for internal supplements and therapeutic topical remedies which is not correct.

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Directions for Applying Acupressure

A basic understanding of Chinese medicine will help you choose the correct acupressure points to stimulate and we have explained Chinese medical theory in layman's terms for you linked here. Additionally, we have detailed the uses of the most popular individual acupressure points with information videos linked on this page. These combinations are not absolute prescription for any particular ailment, just possible combinations to consider. Simply use the "even" method if you do not know if you should re-enforce or disperse the point as explained here.

Additionally, understanding the basic patterns of imbalance according to traditional Chinese medicine for individual ailments will help-find linked here. Here are some common questions about how to perform acupressure:

How are Acupressure Points Activated?

Acupressure points can be energetically activated in many ways including needles, by applying our acupressure sticks with essential oils that correspond to the acu-point, by using pressure from the thumb or fingers, and/or by placing therapeutic gems on the acu-points. Pressure should be firm but not painful, deep but not gauging when using pressure.

These therapies can be used alone or together during a treatment session producing a synergistic effect and improved outcomes. Apply acupressure sticks 1-2 times daily and/or apply pressure to each point for 1 minutes 1-2 times per day

How Long Does it Take Aroma Acu-sticks to Activate Points?

Ideally, one would not wash off the Acu-stick application and this is why applying them before bed is so beneficial. If you are applying them in the morning before your shower, you would want them to maintain contact to acupressure points for 20 minutes before washing the area. This is because it is generally believed by Oriental medical practitioners that it takes the Qi of the channels 20 minutes to circulate.

How Do I Choose the Correct Acupressure Points?

We make it easy for you to devise an acupressure self-care treatment plan. Find the specific indications for each point linked here, and find acupressure point combination for specific ailments linked here.

Acupressure points are typically stimulated bilaterally unless they are located at the center of the body.
If you are treating pain you can treat points on the channel where the pain is located both above and below the pain. You can also choose points on the opposite limb of pain to apply acupressure to that are located at the same level of the pain. Deep pressure is not typically applied to the site of an injury until the swelling is gone and the skin is healed.
Some pain is caused by organ level deficiencies rather than injury and you will choose acupressure points that will tonify and harmonize those organ systems: joints are related to the Liver, so you would choose Liver 3 for arthritis; chronic lower back pain and knee pain are related to the Kidney energetic system so you would choose Kidney 3; and so on.

Can I Multitask While Applying Acupressure?

Intention is very important when performing acupressure; the essential oils in our Acupressure Sticks convey intention. However, if you are simply applying pressure, you will want to perform acupressure where there are as few distractions as possible. Applying acupressure with a clear intent of the outcome will be much more potent than simply applying pressure to a point as you watch TV or talk on the phone. Like herbs, different essential oils correspond to specific acupuncture channels, Elements, and organ systems; therefore, the our Acu-sticks® carry specific intent into your acupressure treatment.

How Hard Should I Press the Acupressure Points?

No pressure is necessary when using our Acu-Sticks®. However, if you want have time to apply pressure the pressure should be firm, but should not be painful or highly uncomfortable. It is not uncommon for points to be tender when indicated; palpating for tender points is one way that acupuncturists locate points in clinic. Tender points are also used as a diagnostic indication in acupuncture clinic. Points on legs and arms are treated on both limbs generally.

How Long Will I Have to Use Acupressure for it to Work?

Like any natural therapy, acupressure works relatively quickly on acute conditions, but will take regular long-term practice to alleviate chronic conditions. For example: and acute headache can be alleviated with one acupressure treatment; whereas, chronic migraine headaches will take many months of daily acupressure for prolonged relief. With chronic conditions expect months of self-care therapy for good outcomes. Unrealistic expectations are not uncommon; everyone would prefer immediate relief and results rather than having to go through therapy for months on end. Real healing simply takes time as you are not taking a pill that masks symptoms immediately but does not get to the core of the imbalance that has led to the condition.

Techniques Used to Stimulate Pressure Points

Even Method

If your not sure whether tonification or reduction is indicated, simply apply even firm pressure to the point without circulation; you can use a slight vibration or pulsation movement with your pressure. Acu- stick® application will normalize the channel Qi flow and organ-level imbalances so no need to worry about these methods when only the Aroma Acu-sticks® are being used.

Advanced Acupressure Methods

As you become more educated about Chinese medical theory and have a deeper understanding of the patterns of imbalance related to your specific health condition(s), you may want to add specific advanced manipulation methods for improved outcomes.

Tonification-Re-enforcing Method for Acupressure Points

To tonify, or enhance the Qi energy of an acupuncture point, or to re-enforce the action potential of the organs or flow of Qi along the Channels, one would use a clockwise circular motion applying pressure to the pressure point. This would be appropriate for tonifying deficiencies such as Spleen Qi Deficiency, Kidney Yin Deficiency, or Kidney Yang Deficiency.

Dispersing-Reducing Method for Acupressure Points

To decrease Heat, disperse accumulations, or disperse Qi Stagnation of an organ system or acupressure channel, one would use steady firm pressure in a counter-clockwise motion on the pressure point. This method would be appropriate for dispersing Qi stagnation or Heat (inflammation) along the channel in cases of pain with inflammation. It can also be used to disperse Heat such as Liver Heat rising to cause headaches. It could also be used to disperse Internal Dampness or Internal Wind.

Acupressure Pro-Tips!

Tip #1

Each acupressure treatment will build on the last treatment and will begin to have a cumulative effects.

Tip #2

Acupressure is more effective when used regularly for an ongoing period of time for chronic conditions.

Tip #3

For chronic conditions apply Aroma Acu-sticks® 1-2 times per day on each point. For acute injuries or other conditions (example: a hangover) apply Acu-sticks® 5-6 times in a day.

Tip #4

Limit your selection of acupoint to 5-7 points for any given treatment so that your treatments are laser focused on your healing goals and intentions.

Locating Acupressure Points-What is a Cun?

When trying to locate acu-points, know that these acu-points will often be more tender than the surrounding area, especially in fleshy areas. Even acupuncturists palpate an area for a tender spot for more accurate point location during acupuncture treatments.
As you become more proficient at locating the points, you will notice that your finger actually sticks to the point when you run your finger along the channel. You will also notice that the acupressure points are located where there is a slight indentation in most cases.
Acu-points are rarely located on bony protrusions.
In Chinese medicine, the body is measured by Cun (pronounced soon) which is a unit that equals the width of the patients' thumb. The four fingers of the hand laid flat equal three 3 Cun. This was an ingenious measurement system as a larger persons leg is longer than a smaller persons, but their thumbs will always correspond to the size of their body.
Acupressure points are often more tender than the surrounding area. Acupuncturists will often palpate for the most tender points when treating patients. Acupuncturists also use tender points to diagnose conditions as the tenderness indicates an imbalance of some sort.

Acupressure During Pregnancy

Acupressure should only be used on a pregnant woman by a licensed acupuncturist. This is because acupressure can stimulate blood flow in the uterus, can have an impact on different developmental stages of the fetus, and can have unintended consequences.

Acupressure Channels and Abbreviations

Channels, formerly referred to as meridians, are energetic pathways upon which the acupressure points are located. These channels link to the organs through deeper collateral vessels allowing for healing to occur deep within the body by stimulating the acu-points. Each energetic organ system is assigned to one of the 5 Elements of Chinese medicine and are energetically related. Often, pain that may initially seem to be unrelated may lie on multiple areas of one channel; i.e. a patient with pain of the hip may also notice chronic dull headaches, and/or pain running down the side of the leg to the foot which would correspond with the Gallbladder channel (see Wood Element photo below).

Fire Element

The Fire Element of traditional Chinese medicine is unique in that it includes four energetic organ systems and the associated channels rather than just two as the other Elements do:

HT - Heart Channel
SI - Small Intestine Channel
TB or SJ - Triple Burner Channel or San Jiao
Per or HP - Pericardium Channel or Heart Protector

Water Element

The Water Element of traditional Chinese medicine has two associated energetic organ systems and channels:

KI - Kidney Channel
BL - Bladder Channel

Wood Element

The Wood Element of traditional Chinese medicine is associated with two energetic organ systems and the associated channels:

LV - Liver Channel
GB - Gallbladder Channel

Metal Element

The Metal Element of traditional Chinese medicine is associated with two energetic organ systems and their acupuncture channels:

LU - Lung Channel
LI - Large Intestine Channel

Earth Element

The Earth Element of traditional Chinese medicine is associated with two energetic organ systems and their acupuncture channels:

SP - Spleen Channel
ST - Stomach Channel

Ren Mai

The Ren Channel is not part of the Five Elements or energetic organ system, but has many acupuncture points used for infertility and is often called the Conception Vessel. The channel runs directly up the center of the front of the body to the lips of the face.

About Gemstone Therapy for Acupressure Points

Gems can be placed on any of the acupressure points to activate the points and stimulate healing. Pictured here:

Clear Quartz-Harmonizes, stabilizes, calms energy
Hematite-Grounding, energizing, strong (take care)
Rose Quartz-Stimulates emotional releases & stress.
Emerald-Balances Heart, speeds detoxification, removes hidden fears, aids in meditation
Citrine-Warming, soothing, integrating, balancing
Amethyst-Considered master healer, calming, stabilizing to the mind, meditation aid

Every advanced ancient culture understood and utilized the healing properties of gems, crystals, and minerals. Chinese medicine includes written recordings of therapies utilizing gems and minerals going back two thousand years. Of late, modern Western cultures have lost touch with many subtle healing modalities preferring strong interventions such as surgery and pharmaceutical medications over energetic medicine; however, many energetic healing methods are coming back in to vogue. Even touch-healing by holistic nurses is being used in hospitals today following multiple scientific studies proving its' benefit.

Energy healing therapies rely on the unique energetic imprint that each substance in the world contains. Every material is made of matter that has its own energetic resonation that can affect the human body and mind; gemstones emit a strong energetic signature; this is a powerful healing modality!

It is easy to use gemstones with acupressure; simply place gemstone on related acupressure point and leave for 20 minutes daily. Some of the immediate calming effects may be noticed during the treatment, but long-term healing of pain syndromes and chronic disease may take many months of therapy before the ultimate healing goal is reached.

How Does Acupressure Work?

Chinese medicine is a functional medicine based on thousands of years of practical application and observation. Otzi, the mummified remains of a man who lived some 5,000 years ago, had tattoo marks at the locations of specific acu-points for related conditions he was suffering with (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96tzi). However, to date no-one has specifically nailed down the mechanics, or actions, that occur to promote healing and pain reduction in the body when these points are stimulated.

The points appear to be nodes, or intersections of neural and vascular pathways; however, this does not explain how the points heal internally, or at the organ level. The points are located along what are referred to as channels where it is thought that Qi, or Nourishing Qi, flows. These channels have collateral branches that connect with the organs according to Chinese medical theory which details a complex interrelated functional system of medicine. While modern science cannot fully explain the actions of these acu-points, recent studies confirm that this ancient system of healing does indeed work and is now being integrated into hospitals, conventional medical clinics, and drug recovery centers (https://www.medicalacupuncture.org/For-Patients/Acupuncture-in-the-News).

Some interesting modern theories include one by an MD-turned acupuncturist Daniel Keown (Spark in the Machine author) who recognized that the acupuncture channels followed the folds developed during embryonic development of the human fetus. He explain that structure in the body is covered with a taut material called fascia. This material is excellent at conducting vibrational energy and was once used to make violin strings. Between the fascia is interstitial fluid, and fluid is an excellent electrical conductor. He hypothesized that stimulating acu-points produces piezoelectricity that flows through the functional acupuncture channels to the to the organs themselves. Others theorize that Qi that is said to flow through the channels is like vibrational energy as explained with String Theory; they feel that the advancement of quantum theory will be able to explain Qi substances further. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/String_theory)

References

Acupressure to Reduce Treatment-Related Symptoms for Children With Cancer

The Effect of Auricular Acupressure and Positive Group Psychotherapy

Using Acupressure to Promote the Health of Older Adults

Acupressure on Anxiety and Sleep Quality After Cardiac Surgery

Traditional Chinese Medicine Self-Care and Lifestyle Medicine Outside of Asia

This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.