Customer Reviews

Acupressure's Potent Points: A Guide to Self-Care for Common Ailments

5 star:		(78)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

In a nutshell, Acupressure's Potent Points: a Guide to Self-Care for Common Ailments shows the reader how they can use acupressure on themselves to relieve stress related problems.

So what exactly is acupressure? Well, its an ancient healing art that uses the fingers to press on key points on the surface of the skin- which in turn stimulates the body's natural self-curing abilities. More specifically, when these points are pressed on for several minutes, they release muscular tension and promote the circulation of blood and the body's life force to aid healing. If at this point you're wondering how acupressure differs from ACUPUNCTURE, well, there's not much difference- the same points are used for both, its's just that one uses needles and the other uses your fingers.

And just what makes these acupressure points or "potent points" so special? Well, as the book explains, they are places on the skin that are especially sensitive to bioelectrical impulses in the body and conduct these impulses readily. So, by stimulating these points with your fingers, you're triggering the release of endorphins (your body's natural pain killers) which blocks the pain. This in turn increases the flow of blood and oxygen to the affected area which promotes healing and causes the muscles to relax.

Neat huh? This kind of info is covered in Part I of the book. Part II, which is about 85% of the book, covers the acupressure points themselves and the techniques for the specific ailments- and boy do they cover the ailments! Just about everything you can imagine is covered from acne to fainting to shoulder tension. Pictures are a plenty and show you the exact areas to press on- it's a pretty easy process and the book makes it simple to do. Also of note is that there are two ways to use the book, you can look up a problem by system (i.e. digestive system, immune system, etc.) via a handy chart, or simply look a problem up by flipping around as the ailments are covered in alphabetical order.

The book ends with two appendices, one being a nice point location chart, and the other a summary of the potent points. All-in-all its a pretty clear and easy to use book that should help many put an end to their stress-related aches and pains. Other pain books that might be of interest include The 5-Minute Plantar Fasciitis Solution for readers suffering from plantar fasciitis.

I was skeptical of acupressure and only bought the book because my massage therapist uses it along with trigger point massage. I took it with me on a recent vacation. On the plane, I found that there were guided procedures to use for sinus problems and another set for earaches. I am always sniffling and my ears always hurt when the plane lands. I followed the procedures and found I could breathe out of my left nostril easily - for the first time in years (without any drugs). Also, my ears did not hurt when the plane landed and I could hear right away. These two things alone are worth the price of the book to me.

This is a very useful reference for anyone interested in playing an active part in healing themselves. Just look up your complaint (headache, nausea, etc) and the book provides several points that may help, along with a description of the points, their names and what they are specifically helpful for. The book also provides detailed instructions and photos to help you get the proper position of the points. Very easy to use and understand.

I found this book to be a very accessible, user-friendly handbook for anyone interested in developing their ability to support and maintain their health and well-being. Exceptionally easy to find your way around, Part I introduces the basics of acupressure, and general guidelines for practicing self-acupressure. Part II details techniques for specific ailments, assisted by clear illustrations of points and where to locate them, as well as photographs showing how to use pressure on them. There are appendices with charts in the back summarizing all the points and cross-referenced to each chapter where they are utilized. Over a period of time, the reader gradually becomes more familiar with the points, and adept at locating and using them. I have definitely found the recommended treatments helpful.

BUY THIS BOOK!!! I can't say enough great things about this book! With it's easy-to-understand text and helpful pictures, it's amazing how quickly you can be on the road to better health. After just one session, my sciatic nerve was no longer causing me pain. It also helped my lower back, as well as my migraines and sinus problems. While it's true that this isn't meant as a substitute for medical treatment, acupressure does work, and in just a few minutes. Almost instant relief without doctor visits and/or medication!! This book truly covers many of the aches and pains we tend to "just live with" every day. It also has treatments for emotional issues, such as anxiety, stress, and depression, to name a few. It's well worth the price: you can't even see a doctor for $13.60. In fact, I bought this book because I needed an alternative approach to pain management, as I don't have medical insurance. I'm so impressed with this book, I've bought 3 more copies for friends, and will continue buying more until everyone I know who needs one, has a copy. If you've been suffering with chronic pain like I did for years, please do yourself a favor and buy this book.

I needed a quick reference for the accupressure points that are relevant to various ailments, but this book drowns the essential usefulness of accupressure with entirely too many words. It tries to present theory and anecdotes in addition to a listing of accupressure points, and ends up being unbearably repetitive. While each treatment has a step-by-step accompanied by photos and lengthy descriptions, a better format would have been to present a short list of the most effective points followed by secondary points for each treatment. As it is, a person who is trying to perform the steps would be too busy reading, rather than concentrating on the points themselves.

A much more practical guide is the very brief but far more useful book by Carola Beresford Cooke. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a lengthy thesis, then this book would be to your taste.

I experience sciatica pain, severe muscle tension, and migraine headaches. This book has provided me with exercises and self-treatments that allow me to continue pursuing the active lifestyle I enjoy. A little time invested in acupressure saves a great deal of discomfort and pain, all without the use of OTC and prescription drugs.

This review may be somewhat premature since I am just now ordering the book for myself. However, I would like to share a success story. My mother has suffered from a chronic cough for more than twenty years. She has seen every type of specialist, tried inhalers, cough syrups, pills, diets, and every other kind of treatment that any of these specialists could come up with. And still she coughed - constantly, day and night. My daughter-in-law has this book, found a "potent point" for coughing and showed Mom where to "push" following the illustrations. Now, whenever Mom starts coughing, she applies pressure. Her cough is stopped immediately. Needless to say, her Doctor is amazed, we are thrilled, and to me this one treatment alone is worth 10 stars. I can't wait to receive the book.

I opened this book to the page on carpal tunnel syndrome and within 5 minutes of doing one simple exercise, my hand felt better than it had in 4 years! Easy to read format, great layout and very thorough!

Pretty good clinical book. Easy to follow pictures and techniques. Actually works , especially on people who "don't like to take medicines." Gach also has a video called "Acupressure Fundamentals" which he shows not only key acupressure points but also Shiatsu.