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Рефлексотерапия помогает снимать боль, усталость, улучшает концентрацию внимания… Мы попросили экспертов поделиться простыми и безопасными приемами, которые каждый из нас мог бы использовать в повседневной жизни.
Our experts:
Vasily Yeletsky, reflexologist, candidate of medical sciences
Oksana Chernikova, reflexologist
The Chinese name for reflexology is “chiyan-jiu” or, in another transcription, “zhen-jiu” (“zhen” – pricking, “jiu” – cauterization). It reflects the traditional methods of influencing biologically active points – stimulation with needles and moxa (smoldering wormwood sticks). The most widely used varieties of zhenjiu in Western medical practice are acupuncture (acupuncture) and acupressure (acupressure). According to the World Health Organization, reflexology is effective in the treatment of more than 43 diseases, in particular, various types of paralysis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, neurasthenia, strokes … Anesthesia with the help of acupuncture is used instead of anesthesia in surgical operations not only in China, but all over the world . It has only recently become clear that the introduction of needles into certain points to a depth of 1 cm leads to the suppression of the activity of the limbic system, one of the parts of the brain involved in the formation of pain sensations (it was previously believed that the effect of acupuncture is associated with stimulation, and not with suppression of the activity of brain structures ). With the help of acupressure, not only relieve pain, but also treat disorders of the cardiovascular and nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, and sexual disorders. Reflexologists claim that alcohol, nicotine and other addictions, sleep disorders respond well to treatment.
reference points
The so-called biologically active points (there are about 700 of them) are distributed throughout the body and are a kind of active parts of the skin-nervous system-internal organs interaction system. Their diameter is from 0,2 to 5 mm, and they differ from the surrounding areas of the body by higher pain sensitivity, higher electrical potential and low electrical resistance*. According to ancient Chinese ideas, they belong to 12 “meridians” – the main channels associated with vital organs and functional systems of the body. By acting on the points, you can increase or decrease the level of vital energy qi in the corresponding department of the body, speed up or slow down certain processes. From the point of view of physiology, by acting on the points, we influence the conduction of nerve impulses, immune mechanisms, electromagnetic conduction, biochemical and hormonal activity – all these effects have been attested by scientific studies conducted around the world over the past 40 years.
Read more:
- L. Keith “Reflexology. The Complete Guide »
Ambulance for your aquarium
Reflexology is very complex and requires not only special training, but also experience. Contrary to popular belief, this method of treatment is absolutely safe only when used correctly. The effect also depends on how correctly the point is chosen and found, on the intensity and time of exposure. The risk is that an unprepared person can press the wrong point, and instead of, for example, slowing down the flow of qi, he will only strengthen it. There are a number of contraindications. In particular, the most common are all types of effects on the biologically active points of infants under 1 year old and the elderly over 80. It is better not to try to treat severe infectious diseases with zhen-jiu, especially at high temperatures. An undesirable effect may also occur at certain stages of pregnancy. All tumors are contraindications. However, this applies primarily to acupuncture and to a lesser extent to acupressure. But acupressure is very effective if there is a need for emergency care.
We have selected several “ambulance points” – they are accessible and absolutely safe. But experts do not recommend resorting to acupressure without the need: these points are intended specifically for providing emergency assistance, and not for independent course treatment.
How do they do it
- Rhythmically they press with one, usually with the thumb, on the point. Pressing can be alternated with rotational movements. The frequency of rotation and the force of pressure may vary, but it is important to consider: if you press hard and rarely, the effect will be calming, if often and weaker – exciting.
- The time of exposure to one point is from 30 seconds to 2 minutes. The less time you act on it, the stronger the exciting effect; the longer, the more soothing.
- The number of points in one session should not exceed four to six. The more points are massaged, the stronger the stimulating, exciting effect is manifested and vice versa.
- All biologically active points (except for some located on the head) are symmetrical. Therefore, you need to stimulate both points in each pair, simultaneously or sequentially.
- All the points below are mutually compatible, they can be massaged in any combination and sequence. But it is better to start with the fingers, then the points on the head, and after them – the points on the legs.
Alexander Shomroni
* По данным The Journal of Traditional Eastern Health & Fitness и Annals of Internal Medicine.
Read more:
- Tao lessons
On the mind and on the tongue
Acupuncture is incredibly effective in the treatment of many diseases of the nervous system: chronic insomnia, depression, post-traumatic shock. According to studies conducted at the Department of Pediatrics of the University of Hong Kong, even such severe pathologies as defects in the development of the brain in children are amenable to it. According to Chinese terminology, mental retardation is called the “Five Lag Syndrome”, implying outward signs of ill health: retardation of hair growth, teeth retardation, lag in the development of speech and the ability to stand and walk. To improve the condition of such children, the ancient technique of acupuncture of the tongue was applied, which is considered to be something like a topographic map of the brain, the intersection of all 12 energy meridians. Studies have shown that 40 acupuncture points located on the tongue are in a special way connected with different parts of the brain responsible for attention, coordination, emotions, speech, the ability to plan, etc. development, training and social adaptation of the child will be much more effective.
Valery Solovyov
External and internal
Chinese medicine believes that the condition of the internal organs affects both general health and mood and emotions. Each organ is considered as a barrier to aggressive influences – external (infectious, climatic) and internal (psychological) nature. Here are some examples.
- The kidneys and bladder are responsible for the urogenital system, they also protect us from … cold and fears. If they do not fulfill their role, we are constantly cold, we are less resistant to fears and the desire to cry.
- The liver and gallbladder, regulators of the hepatic system, are also responsible for immune defense mechanisms. They protect from anger and the action of the wind. In ancient times, courts were not held in China on windy days, because the wind breeds anger and the judge could be quick-tempered and biased.
- The lungs, the key organs of the respiratory system, are paired with the large intestine. They protect against dryness and anxiety. Hence the importance of using humidifiers when we have a cold or cough.
- The heart paired with the small intestine protects against the effects of heat and overexcitation. Vascular disorders often occur in heat, and nervous excitement causes palpitations.
- The spleen-pancreas pair protects against exposure to moisture, as well as from anxiety and a tendency to chew the same thought for a long time.
Inna Popova
Read more:
- Chinese Medicine: A Parallel Reality
Painless option
The analgesic effect of reflexology has been studied many times, but scientists still have not come to a consensus on how it works. According to one theory, this is due to the neurohormonal activity of the brain: after an acupuncture session, the body begins to intensively produce endorphins (endogenous morphines, natural painkillers), acting on the so-called opioid receptors like analgesics. Only the effect lasts much longer than from tablets: after a single session, it can last a week. According to some studies, pain impulses can block pain inhibitors that are in the cerebrospinal fluid. Most likely, acupuncture brings to life various alternative pain suppression mechanisms (there are more than a dozen in the body), depending on its cause, nature and location.
Anatoly Nemirovsky
Location of first aid points
- Near the corner of the nail bed of the index finger from the side of the thumb.
- In the center of the pad of the ring finger.
- At the intersection of the midline of the head with the line connecting the tops of the ears.
- In the hollow between the nose and the upper lip.
- In the center of the chin-labial sulcus
- (point of resuscitation).
- At the outer corner of the nail bed of the thumb.
- В углу между двумя пястными костями, ведущими к большому и указательному пальцам.
- At the inner corner of the nail bed of the little finger of the hand.
- В центре между внутренней лодыжкой и ахилловым сухожилием.
- In the center of the palm (between the tips of the ring and middle fingers with the hand clenched into a fist).
- В углу между двумя пястными костями, ведущими к большому и указательному пальцам.
- Between the lateral malleolus and the Achilles tendon.
- Exactly in the middle between the outer side of the elbow and the crease of the elbow. It is found when the arm is bent at the elbow.
- Up from the middle of the eyebrow by 2 cm.
- In the center of the foot, at the level of the second and third fingers. When bending (in a sitting or lying position) of the toes, a fossa is formed here.
- На «перепонках» между пальцами ног.
- Between the lateral malleolus and the Achilles tendon.
- В углу между двумя пястными костями, ведущими к большому и указательному пальцам.
- At the outer corner of the nail bed of the big toe.
- В центре между внутренней лодыжкой и ахилловым сухожилием.
- Exactly in the middle between the outer side of the elbow and the crease of the elbow. This point can be found when the arm is bent at the elbow.