Anne Sofield

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 01:33:17

Can you tell me how acupressure differs from acupuncture (apart from the lack of needles) and when you might use one method over another?

Hi Anne,

Let’s see, how can I answer this simply? Not all acupuncturists or acupressurist’s work the same way so it’s hard to make broad sweeping statements about either field.

I can speak for acupressure and what I do because that is what I know best.

I work on people with their clothes on. Sometimes an acupuncturist may ask you to wear a gown for acupuncture so that he or she can have access to certain points on the back or belly.

I use touch, relaxation, awareness and imagery to help remove the energy blockages along the meridians (pathways of energy) and acupuncturists use needles and sometimes herbs or moxa (heat from a burning herb).

We both sometimes work on symptoms and sometimes on the underlying constitutional imbalance or both. We both work with the all the systems of the body including aches and pains of the body and heart.

I sometimes work in an “acupuncture/point” kind of way but hold the points, sometimes more than one at once to move the qi (energy) along the meridians for a specific treatment. I may use the same point combinations as an acupuncturist for that specific condition.

Other times I may massage the points or stroke the meridian to move the energy.

I asked an acupuncturist this question and this is what she said: “Hmmm. I would say acupuncture is often used more for the emotions and spirit. At least five element. Acupuncture points are used very specifically, like spirit burial ground is used to raise the spirit after a grief or trauma. Also, specifically you can use colon 4 for tooth ache and combine it with stomach 45 and leave the needles in so they keep working for awhile. I use acupressure for muscle skeletal problems, head ache etc. Sort of more physical. I love both. I just see acupuncture as being much more specific.”

Acupuncture can have dramatic results for acute problems. For example, one needle in the mother’s fourth toe can turn a breach baby around in one treatment.

Some people prefer the touch of acupressure or don’t like the idea of needles. A lot depends on the practitioner. Some practitioners have more skill or experience than others.

Working with someone who instills confidence and makes you feel comfortable can be therapeutic in and of itself.

Both acupuncture and acupressure are good for treating both chronic health problems and orthopedic problems and regular treatments generate cumulative benefits as they both help activate the bodies natural healing abilities.

 

Well, Larry, let’s start with something easy!

The following is in response to your question, “WHY it works. Specifically, how does it help people break habits, feel more positive and peaceful, etc. “

When your mind analyzes an idea you become less receptive to it. If you are thinking about dancing, you are trying to dance but you are not dancing. “Are we having fun yet?” If you are wondering if you are having fun, you aren’t at that moment, but at any moment you can relax, let go and have fun.

Imagining, another kind of thought process, has a lot to do with embracing an idea and integrating it. It doesn’t have to be visualizing, you can imagine with all the senses. You can imagine desirable outcomes (wishful thinking) or undesirable ones (worry). The good news is that day dreaming is actually good for you and the bad news is that worrying can make things worse.

Finally, when you are not analyzing an idea because your conscious mind is distracted, or unaware (subliminal suggestions) you can be influenced by them. Relaxation can help, and it’s the technique that I use, but trauma is also very powerful.

The fact is, it’s not that difficult to influence people. Yes, what most people don’t realize is that we all pass in and out of the “hypnotic” state all day long. We are constantly being open to accepting suggestions about the nature of the world, our environment, who we are, and what is or isn’t possible. Media, marketing and our culture bombard us with messages about these things for reasons that are not always for our own good. The constant and relentless repetition of these messages seeps into our unconscious, accumulates, helps form our self image and motivates our actions.

In essence, we already are hypnotized. Fortunately, we can use hypnosis to help us be more consciously aware of the messages, innuendos and inferences that affect us, giving us an opportunity to evaluate, dismiss and replace those beliefs that are not helpful with more positive beliefs that support our conscious goals.

So, what am I saying? That hypnosis is more of a cognitive process. A way that our brains receive and integrate information, often beneath our conscious awareness. We know much more than we know we know, but the unconscious filters out that information which is not relevant in order to free up the mind so it can “think”.

Well, I think I’ve established that it is easy to hypnotize a person, especially if you desire it, feel safe, and understand that the process will be positive and relaxing. Specifically, I use hypnosis to help people to break habits, feel more positive and be peaceful by working together with you to create affirmations to help you with your goals. Then I say those nice things in a soothing boring voice using pretty music in the background (guided imagery with music).

By listening to a recording of the hypnosis at a time when you can relax and allow the suggestions to stimulate your imagination, you are able to integrate those suggestions over time and over ride any pre-existing conditioning that has outlived it’s usefulness.

I know this is getting long winded, but it is important to note that the unconscious is always working for your own good, based what it believes. All bad habits started for a good reason. It is important to honor this and find a way to reframe your thinking to support the change you want.

Welcome to my Blog!


In Peace,

Janet