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PUSHING ALL THE RIGHT BUTTONS FOR BETTER HEALTH.
ACUPRESSURIST HITS KEY SPOTS
Published on Wednesday, August 13, 1997
© 1997 The Press Democrat
A looming deadline at work and snarled traffic on the commute home have given you a throbbing headache. You swallowed some aspirin but that barely took the edge off the pain. Have you tried pressing on your feet, hands, face or neck with your fingers?
What about relieving an agonizing upset stomach by massaging a series of points along your legs?
According to the ancient Eastern healing art of acupressure, stimulating certain areas throughout the body can make pain evaporate by allowing the body's energy to travel freely.
The principles are similar to those practiced in acupuncture, but for people with an aversion to needles, acupressure is much more inviting prospect, Acupressurist Matthew Cox said. His practice has grown steadily, he said, in part because many patients who can't stand being pricked with needles will seek acupressure treatment instead.
Acupressure stimulates healing with finger pressure rather than needles, and when it's combined with massage and Auricular (ear) therapy, it can improve circulation and
curtail pain, he said.
During the seven years Matthew has practiced acupressure, he said he's helped clients get relief from Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, assisted a woman with Multiple Sclerosis
reduce the disabling symptoms of her ailment, and showed those with breathing
problems like Asthma and Emphysema relaxation techniques that alleviated their
discomfort. Acupressure and Acupuncture help bring the body back to equilibrium and rebalance the body, which helps relieve stress-related disorders,'' said Matthew.
``It increases the body's self-curative abilities. "
``There are lines of energy in Chinese medicine and chi (the life force) becomes blocked, but using finger pressure releases the blockages. You don't need to work the painful area to affect healing. If you touch distant points you can help energy travel through the body,'' Matthew said.
Many of his clients spend long hours working at computer keyboards and are suffering from repetitive stress injuries to their neck, shoulders or wrists.
``I give them the tools to avoid injury and show them the pressure points to relieve the pain. Usually ``But it's also important to follow up with a daily routine of a few minutes of stretches and pressing the acupressure points. They can learn what they need in one session.'' Matthew said has had his best success with clients suffering from migraine
headaches, and many of them get dramatic results once they've been taught basic
acupressure techniques.
Some of Matthew's clients seek relief from soft-tissue injuries, pulled muscles from
playing sports, or accident injuries.
Although he can give clients tools to do self-acupressure, they often return for deep
relaxation and acupressure for areas they can't reach themselves, said Matthew, who typically charges $65. for a 75-minute session including both acupressure and
massage.
``Also there's an energetic quality to having someone lay hands on you. Someone else is sharing their chi -- it's shared energy -- and there's a deeper and more profound effect.
Matthew cites a series of Western medical studies that have shown pressing acupressure points or using acupuncture needles releases endorphins, which are natural opiates and help reduce pain.
In 1989, Matthew received a certificate from the Acupressure Institute of Berkeley after one year of training, and went on to study Swedish massage therapy techniques, which he also uses in his practice.
With new clients he'll take a health history before starting treatment and checks out their body mechanics and feels for areas of stress. And while he makes it clear he's not a physician, often clients ask him for medical advice.
``I don't diagnose problems. I rebalance the body.
720-329-6487
denverbodyworks@gmail.com
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