Dead Sea Herbs

What is Acupressure?

Healing touch

Acupressure is an ancient healing art using the fingers and other parts of the body to skillfully press key points, which stimulate the body’s natural self-curing abilities. When these trigger points are pressed, they release muscular tension, and promote circulation of blood, and the body’s life force energy (Qi or Chi or Prana) to aid healing. Acupuncture and acupressure use the same pressure points and meridians, but acupuncture employs needles, while acupressure uses gentle to firm pressure and integrates bodywork therapies, therapeutic touch, somatic work, healing imagery, energy psychology, and massage therapy techniques.

The Chinese scriptures which date back more than 4000 years tell us about treatments with nails to balance body and mind. No one knows for sure when the bed of nails was first used to heal the body and raise consciousness. An approximate estimate is at least several thousand years

Channeling Ki or Chi or Reiki energy through the acupressure points can enable you to tap into Traditional Chinese or Indian Medicine’s tremendous wealth of ancient healing knowledge – that’s point specific.

Advantages of Using Acupressure include relieving pain, balancing the body, and maintaining good health. Acupressure’s healing touch reduces tension, increases circulation, and enables the body to relax deeply. By relieving stress, acupressure therapy strengthens resistance to disease and promotes wellness.  Learn self-acupressure point formulas for various energy imbalances and healing applications.

Shakti acupressure mat

Our modern day acupressure spike mat is designed to relieve pain and stress, and produce relaxation through acupressure therapy. Lying on the 6,200 plastic spikes assembled on the Shakti Mat helps increase blood flow and stimulate nerve endings. The result is an effective tool to resolve tension, relieve pain and provide deep relaxation.

If you haven’t already seen one, tried one, or at least heard about the Shakti mat – be prepared. This mat sold 300.000 pieces last year in Sweden alone. And now the inventor is ready for a world-wide launch.

The Shakti Mat’s distinctive design is reminiscent of the Indian bed of nails, an ancient healing practice used by mystics to achieve deep meditative states. Our Shakti mat combines thousands of years of Indian tradition with modern technology to aid in the healing process and help release emotional, physical and mental blockages.

When you lie on the Shakti Mat, it prompts the body to produce good hormones such as endorphins and oxytocin. Endorphins are normally released during physical movement and exercise, and help support body against pain. Oxytocin helps you relax and allows you to fall asleep more easily.

If you have pain in your back, knee, ankle, or other body part, whom should you turn to for help?
We’re often taught to go to the top of the diagnostic chain, the orthopedist. But the truth is that most orthopedic surgeons, unless they [have some particular interest or specialty], don’t want to see patients unless it’s a surgical case. Otherwise, it’s just evaluating and referring out. A good manual therapist who will refer out when it’s necessary–whether a chiropractor, a physical therapist, or an internist who works with manual therapy–is a good port of entry.

But some of the indications to see an orthopedist [first] include tingling and numbness, an extremity with swelling or redness, edema, or pain in the area that really limits your range of motion. And anything that’s a result of an acute injury should be checked out. You should immediately seek medical help if you have any injury or trauma in the vicinity of the spinal cord, progressive muscle weakness in any part of your body, or a change in your bowel or bladder function. Heat and fever are also symptoms that should make you head to a doctor.]

Are there easy ways to deal with back pain on your own?
You can definitely loosen up the quadriceps, the hamstrings, and the glutes [by self-massage and stretching]. (Check out the New Rules of Stretching.) Unfortunately, the most important thing--the psoas–you cannot self-treat. That’s in the front of the lumbar spine and should be left to the experts. Lotions and ointments are helpful. There are many available but we suggest all natural stuff.

Herbal remedies have gained popularity as a natural approach to other arthritis treatments. Herbs are the basis for many traditional medicines. Keep in mind some natural healing herbs are often questioned about their efficacy and safety. Ironically, however, many people will use commercial remedies that have chemicals and could worsen your condition.