Shiatsu: Ancient form of acupressure, Practitioners apply rhythmic finger pressure at specific points on the body in order to stimulate chi, or vital energy. Can be used to treat stress, circulatory problems, depression, asthma, headaches, diarrhea, & bronchitis. (See acupressure)

(See also: Shiatsu, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Oriental Bodywork: a group of methods, including acupressure massage and Jin Shin Acupressure, used to stimulate natural self-curative abilities. Its theory posits a spirit and bodily pathways of energy.

(See also: Oriental Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Shen Tao: Combination of acupressure and Taoism.

(See also: Shen Tao, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Shiatsu:

a form of acupressure used in Japan to treat pain and illness as well as for general health maintenance. Practitioners apply rhythmic finger pressure at specific points on the body to stimulate qi.

(See also: Shiatsu, Alternative Medicine, Body Mind and Soul)

Reflexology:

a body work technique in which the practitioner applies pressure with thumbs and fingers to points on the feet, hands and ears said to correspond to specific organs and parts of the body. Similar to acupressure.

(See also: Reflexology, Alternative Medicine, Body Mind and Soul)

Tui Na: An ancient system of Chinese body work in which the practitioner uses acupressure and massage to balance the body's flow of energy, flush toxins, and treat specific ailments.

(See also: Tui Na, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Shiatsu: Japanese acupressure massage technique, in which pressure is applied to specific points of the body to stimulate or release the 'meridians' (paths of the body) through which energy flows.

(See also: Shiatsu, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Thai Massage: A technique that involves a unique combination of gentle rocking and stretching using range of motion and acupressure techniques applied through clothing without oils.

(See also: Thai Massage, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Reflexology: Like acupressure, reflexology utilizes pressure on certain points to stimulate the organs and glands. Foot reflexology links specific points on the foot to these organs and glands.

(See also: Reflexology, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Myotherapy: Myotherapists apply pressure to trigger points (tender spots in the muscle or other soft tissue) to relieve tension. While similar to acupressure, myotherapy relies on a Western view of anatomy.

(See also: Myotherapy, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

macroreflexology: Any form of reflexology that concerns reflex areas throughout the body. Acupressure and body acupuncture exemplify macroreflexology.

(See also: Macroreflexology, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

acu-yoga: Combination of self-applied acupressure and a group of yogic postures and stretches. It activates the points and energy pathways of acupuncture.

(See also: Acu-yoga, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

acu-ball pressure self-treatment: Form of self-applied acupressure characterized by the use of soft balls of solid rubber.

(See also: Acu-ball pressure self-treatment, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Acu-Stop 2000: Acupressure method promoted by mail in 1993. It was a purported sure-fire way to lose at least thirty pounds, fast, and without exercise, pills, or much willpower. Acu-Stop 2000 involved keeping an acupressure-like device of the same name in one's right ear for a few minutes daily. stimulation of this ear piece: (a) stimulates points in the body that regulate appetite and (b) suppresses their activity.

(See also: Acu-Stop 2000, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

acu-diet (Dr. Bahr's acu-diet): Subject of Dr. Bahr's Acu-Diet: Weight Loss at Your Fingertips (William Morrow & Company, Inc.), by Munich-born Frank R. Bahr, M.D. The acu-diet is a combination of diets, exercises, and self-applied acupressure. According to acu-diet theory, one can influence the compulsive eating center in one's brain by massaging specific acupressure points.

(See also: Acu-diet, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

ACU-YOGA

Acu-Yoga is a system of exercises integrating the knowledge of two holistic methods of health maintenance - acupressure and yoga. Both relax muscular tension and balance the vital life forces of the body.

Yoga does this through controlling the breath while holding the body in certain postures. Acupressure does this by directly manipulating body energy through a system of points and meridians.

Each Acu-Yoga posture naturally presses and stretches certain nerves, muscles, and acupressure points, awakening the meridians and releasing the tension in the points so that energy (chi) can circulate freely. This energy is the source of all life, and its flow is the key to radiant health. The process balances the body and stimulates it to heal itself.

(See also: ACU-YOGA, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

SHIATSU

Means, “finger pressure,” and is known for its particular technique of massage. Originating in Japan, many centuries ago, it is a form of acupressure, and uses varying rhythms and degrees of pressure to balance the life-energy that flows through specific pathways (meridians) in the body.

(See also: SHIATSU, Alternative Health, Holistic Health, Body Mind and Soul)

ZERO BALANCING

method for aligning body structure and body energy. Through touch akin to acupressure, practitioner seeks to overcome imbalances in the body’s structure/energetic interface, which is said to exist beneath the level of conscious awareness. Zero Balancing is often used for stress reduction.

(See also: ZERO BALANCING, Alternative Health, Healing, Body Mind and Soul)

SHIATSU

a form of acupressure, used in Japan for over 1,000 years to treat pain and illness and for general health maintenance. Practitioners apply finger pressure at specific points on the body in order to stimulate chi, or vital energy. Used to treat stress, circulatory problems, depression, asthma, headaches, diarrhea, bronchitis.

(See also: SHIATSU, Alternative Health, Healing, Body Mind and Soul)

Bodywork: A general term used to describe any type of manual, manipulative healing modality that aims to restore health of body mind and spirit. Some examples include massage, craniosacral therapy, acupressure and yoga therapy.

(See also: Bodywork, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

JAMU MASSAGE

Jamu massage is a Balinese-inspired technique based on Indian, Chinese, and European techniques involving acupressure, rolling motions, long strokes, and percussion-like drumming. Beginning slowly and building to a staccato pace, Jamu massage is designed to energize and increase blood circulation.

(See also: JAMU MASSAGE, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

POINT HOLDING

This acupressure technique requires several practitioners to apply pressure to specific acupoints for up to two hours in order to remove blockage and stimulate emotional release within the meridians. The technique was developed by Karen Peterson and John Walsh.

(See also: POINT HOLDING, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)