Complete Self Massage Workbook

The hands have several acupoints that are useful for helping to calm the mind. In old movies, when something goes wrong there is often a scene in which the heroine is found “wringing her hands”. This hand-massaging is actually an instinctive way of coping with stress.

Some of the styles that are popular today include jin shin jitsu, Shiatsu, zen Shiatsu, shen tao, jin shen, jin shin do, tuina, acu-yoga and do-in

Being relaxed is important while performing self-massage because it activates a deeper response.

While Swedish techniques are long and soothing, acupressure techniques are more focused. Reflexology uses different techniques again, with direct but moving pressure on a particular point.

When we injure ourselves, our first reaction is to hold and soothe a stubbed toe or a bumped elbow. When we have a headache, we hold our forehead or rub the back of our neck; and strained eyes welcome the soothing pressure of warm fingertips.