The Pocket Encyclopedia of Healing Touch Therapies: 136 Techniques That Alleviate Pain, Calm the Mind, and Promote Health

304 Pages·2010·103.32 MB·English

by  Skye Alexander

HE POCKET EnCVCLOP DIA OF
136
TECHniQUES THAT ALLEVIATE PAin
CALm THE minD, AnD PRomOTE HEALTH
SKYE ALEHAnOER, Author "nute Feng
Shu~i ~
0
AnnE SCHnEIDER, Sei Chem Reiki m as e(
THE POCKET EnCVClOPEDIA OF
H E A L l n
T U H
T H E R A P I E S
136
TECHniQUES THAT ALLEVIATE PAin,
CALm THE minD, AnD PRomOTE HEALTH
SKYE ALEHAnDER, Autho( of 1O-minute Feng Shui
AnnE SCHnEIDER, Sei Chem Reiki master
FAIR WINDS
PRE S S
BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS
Text © 2008,2010,2011 Fair Winds Press
First published in the USA in 2010 by
Fair Winds Press, a member of
Quayside Publishing Group
100 Cummings Center
Suite 406-L
Beverly, MA01915-6101
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be
reproduced or utilized, in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, without prior
permission in writing from the publisher.
14 13 12 11 10 12345
ISBN-13: 978-1-59233-452-0
ISBN-I0: 1-59233-452-0
Digital edition: 978-1-61059-381-6
Softcover edition: 978-1-59233-452-0
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
available
Photography by Jack Deutsch
Illustrations by Mike Wanke
Printed and bound in China
The information in this book is for educational purposes
only. It is not intended to replace the advice of a physician
or medical practitioner. Please see your health care provider
before beginning any new health program.
Contents
Introduction ................................... 6 Leg Cramps ........................................ 64
Sprained Ankle ................................... 66
Acupressure .. 8
II. II 11 •• 1 II. II II ••• II ••••••••••• I d' .
n Igestlon ......................................... 68
M' .
Igralne ............................................ 10
Nausea ................................. ............. 70
Tension Headache .............................. 12
Constipation ...................................... 72
Hangover ........................................... 14
PMS ................................................... 74
Sinus Conditions ............................... 16
Menstrual Cramps .. ............................ 76
Head Cold/Congestion ........................ 18
Water Retention ................................. 78
Hay Fever/Allergies ............................. 20
Hot Flashes ........................................ 80
Cough/Sore Throat ............................. 22
Infertility/Impotence ........................... 82
Respiratory Problems .......................... 24
Low Libido ......................................... 84
Poor Memory ..................................... 26
Motion Sickness ................................. 86
Mental Clarity/Concentration .............. 28
Dizziness/Vertigo ................................ 88
Acne ................... .......... .................... . 30
Stress ................................................. 90
Skin Toning ........................................ 32
F .
E . atlgue ........................ .......... ............. 92
yestraln ............................................ 34
I .
nsomnla ............................................ 94
Earache/Hearing Problems ............ .... .. 36
Irritability/Anger ................................. 96
Toothache .......................................... 38
Emotional Trauma ............................... 98
Neck Ache/Stiffness ........................... .40
A .
nXlety ............................................ 100
Shoulder Pain ..................................... 42
Fear/Insecurity .................................. 102
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ..................... 44
D .
epresslon ...................................... 104
T d ..
en onltls .......................................... 46
Low Self-Esteem ............................... 106
Heart Palpitations ............................... 48
Sadness/Grief ................................... 108
Upper Back Pain ................................. 50
Lower Back Pain ................................. 52 Reiki ........................................... 110
Sciatica .............................................. 54 Five Reiki Principles .......................... 112
Hip Pain/Immobility ............................ 56 Levels and Attunements: First- and
Arthritis/Rheumatism .......................... 58 Second-Degree Reiki ...................... 114
Varicose Veins .................................... 60 Levels and Attunements: Third-
Degree Reiki .................................. 116
Knee Pain ........................................... 62
Major Body Organs, Front View ......... 118 Lungs ............................................... 176
Major Body Organs, Back View .......... 120 Heart ..... 178
It • ••• • • • • ••• • ••• • ••• • •••• •• • • •••• • •• • ••••
The Seven Chakras ............................ 122 Lower Rib Cage ................................ 180
Preparing Self.. ................................. 124 Waist ............................................... 182
Preparing Space ............................... 126 Pelvic Bone ........................................ 184
Preparing Recipient .......................... 128 Pubic Bone ....................................... 186
Knees ............................................... 188
SELF-TREATMENT
Ankles ............................................. 190
Eyes ................................................. 130
Feet ................................................. 192
Temples .. .......... .................... ........... 132
Back Neck/Shoulders ........................ 194
Occipital ........................................... 134
Shoulder Blades ............................... 196
Throat ............................................... 136
Middle Back/Waist ........................... 198
SternumlThymus ............................... 138
Lower Back/Sacrum .......................... 200
Shoulders ......................................... 140
Lungs ............................................... 142 Reflexology ................................ 202
Heart ............................................... 144
Brain: Mental acuity ......................... 204
Lower Rib Cage ................................ 146
Eyes: Vision, eyestrain ....................... 206
Waist ................ ............................... 148
Ears: Hearing, earache ...................... 208
Pelvic Bone ...................................... 150
Sinuses: Colds, congestion ................ 210
Pubic Bone ....................................... 152
Reflexes: Reflex response,
Knees ................ ............................... 154 coordination .................................. 212
Ankles ............................................. 156 Temples: Headache ........................... 214
Feet ........................................ 158 Teeth: Tooth/gum problems .............. 216
o •• 1 • • •••
Back Neck ........................................ 160 Mastoid: Jaw/mouth pain ................. 218
Middle Back/Waist ........................... 162 Hypothalamus: Metabolic processes .. 220
Lower Back/Sacrum .......................... 164 Pituitary: Hormone balance ............... 222
Thyroid: Metabolism and
TREATING OTHERS
energy levels .................................. 224
Eyes ........ ......................................... 166
Neck: Neck/throat pain .................. ... 226
Temples ........................................... 168
Spine: Back pain ............................... 228
Occipital ........................................... 170
Esophagus: Sore throat.. ................... 230
Throat ............................................... 172
Bronchi: Respiratory problems ........... 232
Thymus ............................................ 174
Lymphatic System: Immune system ... 234 Ascending Colon: Digestion/
Shoulders: Shoulder pain .................. 236 elimination .................................... 288
Arms: Arm pain, stiffness .................. 238 Descending Colon: Digestion/
elimination .................................... 290
Breasts: Nursing ............................... 240
Transverse Colon: Digestion/
Lungs: Breathing problems ................ 242
elimination .................................... 292
Heart: Palpitations ............................ 244
Small Intestine: Digestion ................. 294
Diaphragm: Nervous conditions ........ 246
Rectum/Anus: Hemorrhoids .............. 296
Stomach: Indigestion, nausea ........... 248
Ureter: Urinary problems ................... 298
Pancreas: Sugar balance ................... 250
Bladder: Urinary problems ................ 300
Solar Plexus: Anxiety ......................... 252
Sciatic Nerve: Back/leg pain .............. 302
Spleen: Blood filtering ...................... 254
Liver: Processing of toxins ................. 256
Adrenal Glands: Stress ...................... 258
Gallbladder: Processing toxins .......... 260
Duodenum: Digestion ....................... 262
Kidneys: Urinary conditions ............... 264
Groin: Sexual problems ..................... 266
Fallopian tubes: Reproductive/
menstrual problems ....................... 268
Ovaries/Testes: Infertility, impotence .. 270
Cervix: Sexual problems .................... 272
Uterus: Reproductive/menopausal
problems ....................................... 274
Prostate: Reproductive/
prostate problems .......................... 276
Appendix: Appendix problems .......... 278
Hip: Joint pain/immobility ................. 280
Lower Back: Lower back pain ........... 282
Pelvis: Pelvic problems ...................... 284
Knees: Knee pain .............................. 286
In trod uction
For thousands of years in various parts of This gentle and effective form of
the world, people have used their hands to therapeutic touch follows the same general
ease physical and psychological pain. principles as acupuncture, but it's less inva
The Chinese developed acupressure by sive. Instead of inserting needles into certain
finding and mapping pressure points on the
points on the body, you apply pressure with
body that, when activated by steady touch,
the thumbs and fingertips to stimulate the
spread healing energy through invisible
flow of life energy-or Qi, as it's called in
meridians. The ancient Egyptians and Greeks
China-to the affected area(s).
diagrammed points on the feet and hands
Acupressure facilitates the smooth,
that correspond to organs and tissues, in
harmonious flow of Qi through a system
a form of massage called reflexology. With
of invisible channels known as meridians
roots in Japan, the newer practice of Reiki
has stimulated interest in an energy created that run through the body. Pressing a point
by a higher power and channeled by those can relieve discomfort locally-that is, at
who attune themselves to it. the place where the point exists-and/
Today, there is a surge of interest or in another part of the body that may be
in all three natural healing methods. This quite some distance from the point's actual
interactive guide reveals the colorful names, position. That's because activating a par
techniques, and principles of each modality. ticular point affects the flow of Qi through a
Acupressure, Reiki, and reflexology can be meridian, generating healing along the way.
used to treat yourself or others, but are not For best results, you may want to stimulate
substitutes for professional medical care. several points together.
Acupressure Reiki
One of the world's oldest healing modalities, Reiki is a relatively new practice, founded in
acupressure has been used in Asia for Japan by Dr. Mikao Usui (1865-1926). Reiki
thousands of years to relieve a wide range is practiced by laying on hands to promote
of common ailments. Although virtually relaxation and healing. Rei means spiritual
unknown in the West until the middle of wisdom and ki means universal energy. Reiki
the twentieth century, acupressure is becom Masters train and" attune" all students as
ing popular as a self-help and first-aid they advance in the levels, or degrees, of
treatment that supports the body's natural Reiki. These teaching Masters can trace their
healing ability. lineage back to Dr. Usui.
6 THE POCKET ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HEALING TOUCH THERAPIES
The attunements you receive from a The Bible mentions the custom of
Reiki Master serve to open or "turn on" your anointing feet, which was likely a form of
ability to channel Reiki energy. This ability reflexology. Evidence shows that centuries
and your intention enable you to help your ago many Native Americans used foot mas
self and others. Reiki is available to everyone, sage to treat injuries and ailments. Brought
no matter what age or illness. to the West around 1915 by an American
Reiki achieves healing at mUltiple levels: doctor named William Fitzgerald, this age-old
physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. therapy is again being embraced as a gentle
Reiki can do no harm. Its goal is the highest and effective form of therapeutic touch.
level of healing. Note that Reiki "healing" You can do reflexology on yourself or
someone else. The experience is usually both
does not mean" curing," though many times
pleasant and therapeutic-psychologically
this is the result. With Reiki, there is always
as well as physically. You can use your thumb
the experience of an energy shift. It may be
and fingers, knuckles, and/or the heel of your
very subtle, even imperceptible, but the Reiki
hand to massage and manipulate the feet. A
energy that enters the body raises the lower
lubricant, such as massage oil or lotion-es
vibrations of the body's cellular energies to
pecially one scented with essential oils-can
a higher level.
greatly enhance the treatment.
Reiki is considered "intelligent"-it If your goal is to remedy a particular
guides itself to the places in the body, mind, problem, concentrate your efforts on the
and soul in need of healing. The Reiki area of the foot that relates to the afflicted
body part. Some ailments, such as flu, affect
practitioner is simply the one who turns
more than one part of the body, in which
on "the switch."
case you'll want to stimulate all related
Reflexology
reflexology points. Results can be quite
Thousands of years ago, the ancient Egyp
swift, and often only a few treatments of
tians, Greeks, and Chinese used the art
fifteen minutes each will produce noticeable
of reflexology, often in combination with improvement. Some conditions may require
aromatherapy, to heal myriad ills. Reflexology regular, continued attention. Remember,
however, that reflexology is not a substitute
is a type of massage that involves stimulat
for professional medical care.
ing specific points mainly on the feet, but
sometimes on the hands or other places on
the body as well.
7
8
ACUPRESSURE
9