Acupressure
Acupressure
Acupressure consists of using various forms of soft and non-invasive touch to work, stimulating very specific points, along the meridians which circulate under the surface of the skin. This work aims to accompany and help the body to regain its balance.
The work of an acupressure practitioner is to understand, through the different signs and manifestations of the body, the present situation and the excesses or deficiencies in order to accompany and help the body regain its balance. To do this, he will use several tools at his disposal. The first is generally a series of questions, which can sometimes be out of the ordinary and which provide information on the habits of the animal, its preferences, its management of the environment, etc.
Then comes observation, listening, olfaction and palpation which will also provide information on the present situation. All this data will gradually form links, highlight patterns. It is the reading of this information that will allow the practitioner to choose the points with which to work.
Some responses are quick such as relaxation or improved circulation; however, most benefits occur over multiple sessions targeting a particular situation.
Acupressure is one of the disciplines forming Traditional Chinese Medicine – abbreviated here TCM, (which should rather be called Classical Asian Medicine) in the same way as acupuncture, herbalism, massage, dietetics, meditation, energy exercises (Qi gong, Tai-Chi, etc.).
The fundamental principles of TCM are based on thousands of years of experience throughout East Asia. The use of acupuncture is traced back to the 3rd century before the common era and the first writings seem to date back to the 5th century before the common era - saying much about how this art benefits from experience, observation and discoveries of hundreds of thousands of practitioners over the centuries.
It is estimated that the use of TCM to help animals dates back to some 3500 years before the common era. Already at that time, and even though animals were most likely livestock and farm animals rather than pets, we understood that if we wanted animals to have a long and prosperous life, it was a matter of regularly checking that everything is fine and, if a problem occurs, being able to help them regain their balance.
The principle of TCM is based on seeing the body as a system composed of "organs" and interconnected meridians, through which Qi (pronounced chi) circulates; with the mission of providing the energy necessary for the being to function and maintain its physical and mental health.
TCM was created over time through unfailing observation of nature. It weaves links between the outside world and the microcosm present inside the body.
Little Glossary
Little Glossary
This glossary is deliberately simplified and succinct in order to be accessible to all. If you have any additional questions or would like further information, do not hesitate to contact me!
Acupressure & Acupuncture
Although the two techniques are based on the same principles and theories, their practice diverges in two main points:
The first one being practical – whereas acupuncture uses needles placed on the body to work the points, acupressure uses the practitioner's fingers to do the work.
The second major distinction is the course of a session because if the two practices begin with a series of questions and an assessment of the situation to be able to make the selection of points, the continuation differs from one technique to another :
Where the acupuncture practitioner will place his needles on the chosen points and let them work, the acupressure practitioner remains in contact with the person or animal throughout the session. The feeling at each point will complete the information he/she has. He/she will then be able to adapt if necessary and/or refine his choices during the session.
Qi
The Qi is, in a deliberately very simplified way, the vital energy which runs through the channels that are the meridians in order to bring to the different points located along these channels the energy they need to make the being function in its wholeness – body, mind, emotions.
The meridians
Meridians are a fundamental concept in TCM. They are conduits or channels circulating under the skin, interconnected and forming a complex network. It is these channels that allow Qi (vital energy) to flow through the body. In addition, they establish connections between the structures buried in the organism, and the acupressure points on the surface of the body, thus offering a means of interacting with the whole body through precise points.
The theory of the 5 Elements
The 5 Element Theory is one of the major thought systems in TCM. Historically, it is one of the founding pillars, one of the main branches of the "tree" that TCM represents. It offers solid principles and protocols allowing the practitioner to assess a situation.
This theory is based on the observation of natural cycles and relationships between the environment, nature and being as a whole – body, mind, emotions.
It is around this theory that I was trained and this teaching that I follow regularly.
The balance
Being is a whole, in TCM it is always seen in a global way. To function harmoniously, it needs to be in balance.
Balance is that state of health, when all organs are functioning properly, working in harmony with each other, with Qi (vital energy) flowing freely through the meridians.
This balance is never static, on the contrary it is naturally dynamic like breathing, the tides or the beating of the heart.
Many factors can influence this balance – illness, accident, climate change, environmental changes, diet, living conditions, etc…. When this is disturbed, the body will then indicate that there is an imbalance through physical, emotional or psychic manifestations.
This is why this notion of balance is central to our practice.