| > | | | | normally beside and in between bones, ligaments and |
| | | | tendons. They are never found on bones, blood |
| Recent studies suggest that acupressure applied to | | | | vessels or arteries, but in depressions between or |
| the acupoint P6 reduces relaxations of the lower | | | | beside them. |
| esophageal sphincter. These relaxations are the major | | | | Interestingly, the P6 is also used to treat insomnia, |
| cause of acid reflux. This could be the beginning of | | | | chest pain, epilepsy, fever and migraines as well as |
| one of the most important discoveries ever made for | | | | nausea, vomiting and acid reflux. Stimulating this |
| the treatment of acid reflux disease. | | | | acupoint may be beneficial to the entire body. |
| Acupressure is acupuncture without the use of | | | | Ancient Chinese medicine supports the theory that |
| needles. By applying pressure to the acupoints | | | | acupoints connect the internal pathways of energy |
| prescribed by ancient Chinese medicine, specific | | | | conduction and that stimulating these points |
| organs and areas of the body may be successfully | | | | accelerates the flow of this energy. On the other hand, |
| treated. With this science, the energy of the meridian | | | | allopathic medicine is just beginning to understand these |
| system called Yin, Yang and Qi is brought into | | | | principals. They attribute the success of acupuncture |
| alignment, allowing the body to heal itself. | | | | to nerve signals and chemicals released by the central |
| Traditional Chinese acupuncture has been used to | | | | nervous system, but have no idea how it works. Given |
| treat digestive disorders for over two thousand years. | | | | enough time, hopefully modern medical science will |
| Recent studies suggest that acupuncture, acupressure | | | | catch up with these ancient healing methods. |
| and electrical acupoint stimulation applied to | | | | Whatever you believe, acupuncture really does work. It |
| Pericardium 6 (P6) reduce relaxations of the lower | | | | is relaxing and absolutely pain free. The needles used |
| esophageal sphincter (LES). Relaxation of the LES is | | | | are so thin that you don’t even feel them. |
| the major cause of acid reflux. One study with | | | | Acupressure is a simple variation of this theme by |
| electrical acupoint stimulation showed a 40% reduction | | | | which we can treat ourselves without the use of |
| of these LES relaxations in most of the cases studied. | | | | needles or expensive acupuncture sessions. Just find |
| This is an astounding claim and could be the beginning | | | | an acupressure chart and start working on yourself. |
| of one of the most important discoveries ever made | | | | It’s also fun to treat others. Even pets benefit |
| for the treatment of acid reflux. | | | | from this science. I work on my thirteen year old Jack |
| What is P6? P6, also called Neiguan, is an acupoint | | | | Russell Terrier, Jack Pot, every morning to relieve him |
| located on the underside of the wrist between 2 | | | | of his allergy symptoms. He is very appreciative, |
| tendons. If you hold out your hand and bend it toward | | | | indeed. |
| you, P6 is located in the middle of the wrist | | | | I encouraged a friend who recently developed acute |
| approximately two finger-widths from the crease | | | | gerd to try a pair of the P6 wrist bands, which I bought |
| where the hand and arm meet. | | | | on line. We found that they actually do work in |
| What is the LES? The lower esophageal sphincter is a | | | | reducing acid reflux, but only if you have them placed |
| muscular valve located between the esophagus and | | | | on the wrist so that pressure from the wrist band |
| the stomach, which opens to allow food and liquids into | | | | button is precisely on P6. It took a bit of |
| the stomach. It is supposed to close tight to prevent | | | | experimentation, but we were successful after an hour |
| gastric fluids from coming back up into the esophagus. | | | | or so. One company on the internet claims that you |
| When it becomes relaxed, you have acid reflux. Many | | | | only need to wear one wrist band. Others suggest |
| things can cause the LES to relax; acidic foods, | | | | that it only works with two. Maybe they are both right |
| carbonated beverages, alcohol, tobacco, chocolate and | | | | — who knows. I do know that this is worth |
| stress, to name a few. | | | | trying if you suffer from acid reflux even if you only |
| Acupressure to the P6 has been employed for years | | | | have a 40% chance of success. What have you got |
| to relieve nausea and vomiting. Recently it has been | | | | to loose? |
| used to treat traveler’s motion and sea | | | | If you want to try the wrist bands, they are available |
| sickness, morning sickness in pregnant women and | | | | on line and at many health food stores at reasonable |
| post operative nausea. Acupressure wrist bands, also | | | | prices. You might also consider a massage from |
| called sea bands, are now being used for this | | | | someone who specializes in acupressure and have |
| purpose. The wrist band fits snugly on the wrist and | | | | them work on the P6. I find that a visit to my |
| has a small plastic button which applies pressure to the | | | | reflexologist is always beneficial. But whatever you do, |
| P6. It is now believed that these same wrist bands | | | | it is always good to keep an open mind about healing |
| may reduce acid reflux. | | | | in general and to exercise your right to treat yourself. |
| You can also treat yourself without the use of wrist | | | | We all have the ability to heal ourselves. As far as |
| bands by using the fingers. Keep in mind that when | | | | acid reflux is concerned, there are many natural ways |
| applying pressure to the P6, the feeling should be a | | | | to at least keep it under control, if not actually cure it. |
| slight numbness, never a sharp pain. All acupoints are | | | | |